frankbarnard.com

Hi Frank,

As I am interested in classic aeroplanes and cars my wife came home with Blue Man Falling just before Christmas which she thought I might like believing that I had not seen it. Having read ‘Fighter Pilot’ some years ago when it came to light in my Uncle’s cottage I have been fascinated by that period in history ever since and your book was one I just could not put down. To me it painted such a memorable and interesting picture of what life was like and I was hooked.

I have read various accounts of WW 2 battles by the pilots who flew at that time (Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford-Tuck, Laddie Lucas, Jean Offenberg, Alex Henshaw, etc) all tremendous in their own right but I found your novel based on true experiences really hit a chord with me. There seemed to be something of everything – the opportunity to almost be there as a fly on the wall, the atmosphere, flying skills, courage, comradeship, interplay of the two main characters, romance, intrigue, right over wrong, I could go on. Two extremely well chosen characters, the public schoolboy pitted against the American rebel (with a cause) great stuff. Also, the motoring references were interesting even down to the great Nuvolari in his D type Auto Union where he won at Donington in 1938.

After reading the Blue Man Falling I ordered myself, Band of Eagles and To Play the Fox. Just finished the former so about to start the other. After that, well your next book as you mentioned in your blog might bring back Kit and Ossie, I am sure you could weave them in somewhere until 1945, although if you are doing the first world war that might be bit tricky! Who has got the movie rights? Anyway a thoroughly enjoyable read, many thanks

Kind regards

John Whitsed