Charlie Smithers’ Adventures in Arran by C.W. Lovatt

Charlie Smithers appeared in Dolly Pleasance, a book I recently reviewed, but he is the protagonist in several of the author’s other books. In this, the latest, my interest was snared by the pandemonium that ensued after a sneeze or two. At the same time, secondary characters and the villains of the piece were introduced. The book has the strangest opening sentence I have ever come across. Here it is: UNGUPHSHEW!

Our hero is summoned by the Home Secretary and given a mission which takes him to Arran in Scotland, along with a sidekick, a master of disguise who proves very useful. The villainous Germans are there attempting to thwart him. He is on the trail of gold and a mysterious package, and there are many adventures and setbacks along the way. It’s pretty violent in places but tongue-in-cheek with oodles of humour.

Charlie is a likeable character, but I couldn’t quite equate him with the character in Dolly Pleasance. They seemed like two very different people. The secondary characters are interesting, particularly Charlie’s employer, the sneezer, and the villains are suitably villainous.

How a gentleman’s gentleman became a tool of the British Government is not explained. I suggest, unlike me, reading the first book first to get the answer to this question and a full sense of the characters, although this book works well as a stand-alone.

Recommended for those who like a dash of humour in their thrillers.

****

CW Lovatt is the award-winning author of the best-selling Charlie Smithers novels (including the spinoff, “Dolly Pleasance”), as well as the critically acclaimed Josiah Stubb Trilogy. His latest novel, “Adventures in Arran” is the fourth book of the Charlie Smithers Collection.