WHITESTONE BOOK CLUB
BOOK CLUB REVIEWS - July 2026
Red Sky over Dartmoor by Tony Rea
Red Sky over Dartmoor by Tony Rea is a first novel by a Salford born author now living in Devon.
In the Prologue the scene is set in a sleepy Devon village, early morning in 1920; two years after the end of First World War 1914 -18. Three ex-soldiers meet under a vividly red sky. One of them is about to die....
We are then taken back in time to war torn France in 1918 where we meet the main character Marc Bergeron, a French Canadian artillery captain who already has the Croix de Guerre and a Military Cross. He has a side kick Bombardier Ryan, a sharp shooter. There is some vividly described action in the trenches where we meet various personnel of different ranks, some more dependable and honest than others. Bergeron as a man of integrity suspects abuse of power, injustice and murder. He decides there will be retribution and is willing to wait and follow a careful plan. After recovery from injury and the end of the war he is ready to plan ahead, and contacts Ryan who he can rely on. We are kept in suspense until the final chapters.
This is a work of imagination but there are some useful historical notes added.
The Reading Group with some exceptions, generally enjoyed it despite that on first sight they were reluctant to read a book about war, and would not have chosen it. Opinions varied but it was generally felt to be well written with an interesting plot ,which moved at a good pace. The number of army personnel seemed excessive and unnecessary, as there was little character development, although Bergeron has some unplanned meetings with past friends which confirmed his suspicions of foul play. Contemplation of his future at the end of the book proves interesting, possibly a sequel?
At our next meeting on August 10th we will review ‘How to Measure a Cow’ by Margaret Forster.
Edith Nield
