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DJG Palmer was born in Kent to a pre-war father, who believed boys should explore castles and read books about knights and pirates, rather than play computer games or watch videos, so he grew up playing around ruins and reading dog-eared Ladybird history books. At the age of eight, he opened his grandfather’s chest in the attic to discover the baton, pips, and medals of a WW2 army officer, and came to understand the grim realities that lay behind the martial emblems bestowed upon those who survive their service. It was during his time in the army, in his early years of manhood, that DJG Palmer embarked upon writing Babanango, resulting in fellowships of the Anglo-Zulu War Historical and Royal Geographical Societies, despite a lack of formal further education. He then set aside the military, and military fiction, for a career in policing, and later found love with a wonderful man, the love and bedrock of his life. The death of a friend, mentor, and former army officer moved him to dust off the Babanango manuscript and revisit its contents, reawakening the untold story of the men who must have lived, loved, and died together in secret, serving in the armed forces. This story is for those men, whoever they were, and the friends and allies who had their backs.
In the Ranks of Death is an undoubtedly well-researched, lyrically-written and outstanding second novel in the Babanango trilogy. Once again, Palmer does an incredible job in creating a captivating narrative, highlighting issues such as prejudice, class, homophobia and forbidden love in a less forgiving time. With evocative prose, authentic relationships between characters and a skillfully captured historic setting, this story will certainly appeal to readers."" - R.N. Cogley, Author In the Ranks of Death is that rare find in a second book in a series – one that is as equally riveting and well-written as the first. Palmer’s deft way of constructing phrases is evocative and lyrical – his descriptions of time and place eloquently transport you to the Zululand battlefields of the 1870s. Amidst the fighting and death surrounding them, the hum of the ongoing yet forbidden relationship between Bond and Coleman inspires both joy and disquiet as a sense of inevitability fills the pages. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, ever hopeful of a happily ever after! - Deb Stratas, Author
