10 November 2020.
ISBN: 978-295216385-9 (PB)
The year is 1944 and Ian Lemming is working as an
undercover agent for the English government when he is called to undertake a
perilous mission across France. His task is to find and uncover some traitors
who are working in the French Resistance. He is told he will have an
accomplice. This turns out to be the extremely attractive and highly experience
spy, Margot Lynd, who also happens to have been the woman he dated the night
before.
Clarke
was clearly influenced by Ian Fleming and his James Bond novels. However,
Clarke has cleverly turned this story and its lead characters on their heads,
as here, the gorgeous and highly desirable Margot Lynd is the tougher, more
streetwise and experienced of the two, and she calls the shots. Lemming has to
learn quickly; he is putty in her hands.
Here
follows a light-hearted and entertaining journey through France in search of
the traitors. I particularly liked the reference to the infamous Dad’s Army
television characters.
Clarke
is a talented comedic storyteller. He has undoubtedly studied the period he is
writing about, another large bonus for the book.
I
wondered too, as he wrote characters similar to the Dad’s Army sitcom actors, if
he is also a massive fan of Allo Allo, the BBC sitcom set in France during the
French resistance.
Whatever,
and however, combining the humour in his writing with the knowledge and facts
of the period, both add up to a very enjoyable read, and great escapism.
This
is my first encounter with this writer. I will now look forward to checking out,
and getting, his back list. For
fans of light and humorous crime, period crime, and especially spy novels, this
book comes recommended.
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Reviewer:
Linda Regan
Stephen Clark is a former award-winning journalist who served as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times and as a politics editor for the Washington, D.C. bureau of FoxNews.com. As a reporter for the Utica Observer-Dispatch, he won a New York Newspaper Publishers Association Award of Distinguished Community Service for his investigation into the financial struggles of nonprofit services. He also won a Society of Professional Journalists Award for Investigative Reporting at the Stamford Advocate for his series exposing an elderly grifter’s charity organization. Stephen grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and now lives in North Jersey with his wife and son. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arcadia University and a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
https://www.stephenclarkbooks.com
Linda Regan is the author of seven police procedural crime novels. She is also an actress. She holds a Masters degree in critical writing and journalism, and writes a regular column, including book reviews, for three magazines. She also presents the book-club spot on BBC Radio Kent. She is an avid reader and welcomes the chance to read new writers. To read a review of Linda's most recent book, click on the title.
The Terror Within
www.lindareganonline.co.uk