Harry Lampeter and the War with Scotland

A Satirical Mix of Warfare, Romance, Airships and Intrigue (Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam, Book 1)

By: Roger Ley

Narrated by: Craig Bowles

Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The world has returned to the Steam Age. Incensed by cross-border raids from England, the Scots decide it's time to march on London. The English army heads north to stop them and MI6 send Harry Lampeter to report on the hostilities. General Malina’s American peacekeepers arrive as the battle for York begins. In between amorous entanglements, Harry discovers the Americans have a hidden agenda: the invasion of Europe. Meanwhile, Harry’s friend, Telford Stephenson, has joined the Scottish Air Force and is enjoying his own adventures.

Wisps of steam, a pair of erotic dancers, a cat called Nigel, and the distant skirl of bagpipes all add color to Harry Lampeter’s first anarchic adventure.

©2021 Roger Ley (P)2023 Roger Ley

An Elevated Adventure

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
An adventurous tale of espionage and aerial highjinks. A futuristic world narrated in excellent fashion by Craig Bowles. The first in the series, the author, Roger Ley, sets the stage for English and Scottish loyalists to battle it out in this spy/counterspy adventure.

Harry Lampeter and the war with Scotland

This was a fun filled race above the earth, for the most part.Harry has plans.He ends up right where he does not want to be.I found the 'MEGA" hat people most hilarious! Craig Bowles was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

enjoyable story

I got a free code for this book from the author on a Facebook group I absolutely enjoyed the story and narration definitely recommend.

Fast paced, action packed and casual short listen

*Pre-review Note*
I listened to this book after I heard book 2 – and I had the pleasure of listening to “Chronoscape” and “The Muslim Prince” before listening in on (and reviewing, at any rate) “The War on Scotland”. I have also listened to both series in succession, so I may be a little on the wild side in terms of chronology and keeping the books apart and mixing parts of the experience. This is one of my favorite aspects of listening to Roger’s books: feeling that everything is connected and fluid yet distinct.

I remember, having listened to book 2, I yearned for a more thorough understanding of the premise – that the world had gone steam again. While Book 1 does achieve some of it – I still feel it was already well steeped in the premise. This is not a bad thing at all, it is just that I want much more about the rise and fall of “the Riley bug”. This, incidentally, does come in later volumes and lends incredible depth to the overall storyline(s). Anyway, on to book one!
*End of note*

For Nigel

This book is a very interesting double even triple helix of story-arcs, that twist and stretch, move close only to be separate a minute later. The story has breakneck speed and yet, everything is manageable. Even heroes need breaks and our protagonists – each in their own way – manage to find balances between adventure and r&r. If ever the idea of “Sex, drugs and espionage” could be applied, this is it. The catchphrase “A Satirical Mix of Warfare, Romance, Airships and Intrigue” could not be more accurate. It is a classic tale of plans, mishaps and still landing on your feet. It does make the overall structure slightly challenging to follow, which is the only reason "Story" doesn't score 5 stars.

Where Chronoscape and the digital meltdown have a feel of James Bond – The Lampeter series has much more of an Indiana Jones feel. This is a neat feature which reflects the differences in the settings.

I am intrigued by the distinct “us against them” themes, which clash with the friendships between the two main protagonists. National “frictions” notwithstanding, the tension between the two heroes is Holms vs. Moriarty-ish – but with a loyal camaraderie, nevertheless. When it comes to the cast, I hugely enjoy the colorful descriptions with quirks and traits, that make each stand out – without one drowning out the other. A personal favorite of mine is Nigel ;-)

I love that there are little jabs at the political climate of our time, which is “classic Robert” – references to well-known figures in actual politics and society. When you listen to the rest of the books as well, there are so many beautifully crafted nooks and crannies. Hints at “what if”s that we may or may not be witness to.

The one thing I can’t quite figure out is whether I like the ending or not. I already knew that Book two would be all but in medias res, but it still surprised me how the end was done. It feels abrupt to a point where it feels like the next chapter was just forgotten. Given that the book(s) are so relatively short, it makes huge sense, though and I tend to be forgiving on the point. After all, I would happily listen to a 30h book with similar breaks. It makes it episodic, which is a really cool feature.

Words on the voice performance
Stellar performance - which goes for the whole series.

Craig’s performance is already solid in this first book. This is a rare thing, that characters do have their character so early on, when the performer may not yet have the depth of them. Book 1 has a fair few female characters, which is an interesting challenge for any male voice artist – I thoroughly enjoyed the performance: Crisp and distinct. Bear in mind, I am comparing to book 2, which I knew in advance.
I personally love the width of his range – I am not sure this is for everyone; some might prefer the female parts performed by…well…women.

Steampunk and a fun time

Received an audio review copy from the author, this is an honest review. Narrated by Craig Bowels, comes a wonderful adventure with a steampunk flair. Harry Lampeter's life gets complicated as war is looming between Britain and Scotland and Harry gets to report on it; which allows Harry to enjoy himself in flighty romances and uncovering some juicy secrets of America's feelings of this war. Short, witty and a great way to spend a few hours of your time. Highly recommended.

Entertaining

I really enjoyed listening about Harry and all he goes through. Fun book to listen to.

Very well written and told

This a good series and I just purchased the follow up book. The story was a bit hard to follow and some of the characters was somewhat confusing due to you did not know more about the characters and were they really came from or what mind set they were in. Ever character is not what you think or almost this way throughout the story. Also characters were in someway flat and never changed much throughout story they did the samething always and was a bit lacking in personality or charm.
Another reason the story was hard to follow there was no back story what I mean is what time period, why was it so easy for the US take over other countries and finally why is true transportation is by airships or zeppelin. I belive the story would have flowed more easier if you a little more information in the form of if, why and how.
I do recommend the series worning the first book does just stop and leaves the reader hanging so if you read or listen to book 1 you will need to get book 2.

Loved it!

This book was such fun to listen to as it has steampunk elements, romance and a war. I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Harry and his friend Telford. The narrator Craig Bowles is perfect in his mixture of male and female voices and accents. Highly recommended!

I was given a copy of this audiobook in return for my unbiased opinion and review.

Very enjoyable listen!

Harry Lampeter is a very entertaining, well written and narrated title from Roger Ley, whom I've learned about through Chronoscape and the Muslim Prince. Lampeter is a little bit more on the satirical side and manages to combine serious as well as light hearted aspects.
After all, Lampeter is a bit of a free and independent spirit who never has much of a long term plan - but it always, somehow, works out for him... intentionally or not. He and Telford are involved with both English and Scottish intelligence agencies (double agenting), which makes for some hilarious plotlines :)

Craig Bowles did a great job narrating - he managed to capture both the gravity of the story and the tongue-in-cheekness.

Got to love Harry

I had already listened to book 2 which I really enjoyed. So I was really happy to get the chance to listen to book 1. This is a great series and a must listen to. The people in the story make it Harry, Tom, Ema and the rest of them. It’s an interesting how the bug eat all the plastic and the world has gone back to steam.
You won’t be disappointed in these books just a great story. I am hanging out for book 3.