What do you think?
Rate this book
Charles and James Latimer #1
Brief Candles
Sally and Jeremy Latimer are pleased, if somewhat puzzled, when two gentlemen with decidedly old-world manners choose to befriend them when their car mysteriously breaks down in the small French village of St. Denissur-Aisne while on holiday one fine day in 1953.
What they don't know is that the two men, James and Charles Latimer, are ancestors of theirs. The two shuffled off this mortal coil some 80 years earlier when, emboldened by strong drink and with only a pet monkey and an aged waiter as allies, the two made a valiant, foolish and quite fatal attempt to halt a German advance during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
Now, these two ectoplasmic gentlemen and their spectral pet monkey Ulysses have been summoned from their final resting place in an unmarked grave because their visiting relatives are in serious trouble.
But before they can solve the younger Latimers' problems, the three benevolent spirits light brief candles of insanity for a tipsy policeman, a recalcitrant banker, a convocation of English ghost-busters, and a card-playing rogue who's wanted for murder.
What they don't know is that the two men, James and Charles Latimer, are ancestors of theirs. The two shuffled off this mortal coil some 80 years earlier when, emboldened by strong drink and with only a pet monkey and an aged waiter as allies, the two made a valiant, foolish and quite fatal attempt to halt a German advance during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
Now, these two ectoplasmic gentlemen and their spectral pet monkey Ulysses have been summoned from their final resting place in an unmarked grave because their visiting relatives are in serious trouble.
But before they can solve the younger Latimers' problems, the three benevolent spirits light brief candles of insanity for a tipsy policeman, a recalcitrant banker, a convocation of English ghost-busters, and a card-playing rogue who's wanted for murder.
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
7 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Manning Coles
48 books10 followersFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Manning Coles is the pseudonym of two British writers, Adelaide Frances Oke Manning (1891–1959) and Cyril Henry Coles (1899–1965), who wrote many spy thrillers from the early 40s through the early 60s. The fictional protagonist in 26 of their books was Thomas Elphinstone Hambledon, who works for the Foreign Office.
Manning and Coles were neighbors in East Meon, Hampshire. Coles worked for British Intelligence in both the World Wars. Manning worked for the War Office during World War I. Their first books were fairly realistic and with a touch of grimness; their postwar books perhaps suffered from an excess of lightheartedness and whimsy. They also wrote a number of humorous novels about modern-day ghosts, some of them involving ghostly cousins named Charles and James Latimer. These novels were published in England under the pseudonym of Francis Gaite but released in the United States under the Manning Coles byline.
Many of the original exploits were based on the real-life experiences of Coles, who lied about his age and enlisted under an assumed name in a Hampshire regiment during World War I while still a teenager. He eventually became the youngest officer in British intelligence, often working behind German lines, due to his extraordinary ability to master languages. Coles had 2 sons (Michael and Peter, who were identical twins and who are both still alive, living in the UK) and the Ghost stories were based on the tales he used to tell his young sons when he was 'back from his travels'.
Manning Coles is the pseudonym of two British writers, Adelaide Frances Oke Manning (1891–1959) and Cyril Henry Coles (1899–1965), who wrote many spy thrillers from the early 40s through the early 60s. The fictional protagonist in 26 of their books was Thomas Elphinstone Hambledon, who works for the Foreign Office.
Manning and Coles were neighbors in East Meon, Hampshire. Coles worked for British Intelligence in both the World Wars. Manning worked for the War Office during World War I. Their first books were fairly realistic and with a touch of grimness; their postwar books perhaps suffered from an excess of lightheartedness and whimsy. They also wrote a number of humorous novels about modern-day ghosts, some of them involving ghostly cousins named Charles and James Latimer. These novels were published in England under the pseudonym of Francis Gaite but released in the United States under the Manning Coles byline.
Many of the original exploits were based on the real-life experiences of Coles, who lied about his age and enlisted under an assumed name in a Hampshire regiment during World War I while still a teenager. He eventually became the youngest officer in British intelligence, often working behind German lines, due to his extraordinary ability to master languages. Coles had 2 sons (Michael and Peter, who were identical twins and who are both still alive, living in the UK) and the Ghost stories were based on the tales he used to tell his young sons when he was 'back from his travels'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Read
March 13, 2023Back on my Manning Coles bullshit. This is part of their ghost comedies, in which ghosts are able to take physical form (here by mildly draining the energy of descendants) and basically cause mild havoc in a fish out of water/time slip/being a ghost way. Very silly but entertaining.
October 31, 2020
I loved this book! Ghosts, villains, wit and plenty to drink all perfect ingredients for a fun read!
Oh and I forgot to mention the monkey! 🐵
Brilliant read!
Oh and I forgot to mention the monkey! 🐵
Brilliant read!
June 10, 2021
2021 bk 135. This book is more than just entertainment an AMUSEMENT. The first of four ghost stories written by the duo of Manning Coles, it is the tale of two men killed during the Franco Prussian War and their descendants. Set in France, the ghosts do a series of good deeds while enjoying the company of the one's great granddaughter and the other's great nephew and their trip to Paris. The book is so well written and staged that it could be seen as if on film. It is a book I return to about every 3 to 5 years when I need the familiar and the humorous. Great Fun - oh - and there is indeed a ghost monkey to liven things up.
May 23, 2017
Brief Candles by Manning Coles was written in 1954 and has the feel of something written with the intention of of turning it into a 1950s Hollywood-style buddy comedy.
It opens in the 19th century and features the cousins Charles and James Latimer. One is a Confederate officer, and the other an English lord. Both are brave, chivalrous, humorous and reckless. While on a visit to France, the two (and their pet monkey) are killed by Prussian soldier.
Seventy or so years pass, and now it is post-WWII France. A coincidental visit by two of their descendants trigger the cousins (and their pet monkey) reappear in the modern world as ghosts. As ghosts, they have amusing powers, like being able to turn invisible or pass through walls. They also can appear as ordinary folk, if they want.
So then the Latimers get into all kinds of kooky shenanigans and misadventures and misunderstandings. They have fun with room service. They foil a robbery. They cause stereotypical Frenchmen straight out of central casting to make with the double-takes. Then they help their descendants rediscover the family fortune. That kind of thing.
It is lighthearted and not at all serious. Mildly funny.
It opens in the 19th century and features the cousins Charles and James Latimer. One is a Confederate officer, and the other an English lord. Both are brave, chivalrous, humorous and reckless. While on a visit to France, the two (and their pet monkey) are killed by Prussian soldier.
Seventy or so years pass, and now it is post-WWII France. A coincidental visit by two of their descendants trigger the cousins (and their pet monkey) reappear in the modern world as ghosts. As ghosts, they have amusing powers, like being able to turn invisible or pass through walls. They also can appear as ordinary folk, if they want.
So then the Latimers get into all kinds of kooky shenanigans and misadventures and misunderstandings. They have fun with room service. They foil a robbery. They cause stereotypical Frenchmen straight out of central casting to make with the double-takes. Then they help their descendants rediscover the family fortune. That kind of thing.
It is lighthearted and not at all serious. Mildly funny.
April 16, 2019
BRIEF CANDLES, Manning Coles, 1954
Rue Morgue Press has brought back into print the wonderful little series starring Charles and James Latimer, out of print for too many decades.
Sally and Jeremy Latimer are motoring through a small French village when their car mysteriously breaks down. Two nice gentlemen with nice old-world type manners and dress stop to assist them. They soon discover a relationship, but Sally and Jeremy don't realize that the relationship is a bit closer than they imagine, for they are descendents of Charles and James, who were killed in that small French town by the advancing Prussians in 1870. They are buried there and have been "revitalized" by Sally and Jeremy's presence. The two ride along to Paris with the young couple and have a ripping good time causing all sorts of chaos, particularly when their ghostly pet Capuchin monkey appears looking for a glass of port. This one was a re-read for me, but I'm ashamed to admit I've never read the other two books in the series. Now that they have been reprinted, I'm going to remedy that.
Rue Morgue Press has brought back into print the wonderful little series starring Charles and James Latimer, out of print for too many decades.
Sally and Jeremy Latimer are motoring through a small French village when their car mysteriously breaks down. Two nice gentlemen with nice old-world type manners and dress stop to assist them. They soon discover a relationship, but Sally and Jeremy don't realize that the relationship is a bit closer than they imagine, for they are descendents of Charles and James, who were killed in that small French town by the advancing Prussians in 1870. They are buried there and have been "revitalized" by Sally and Jeremy's presence. The two ride along to Paris with the young couple and have a ripping good time causing all sorts of chaos, particularly when their ghostly pet Capuchin monkey appears looking for a glass of port. This one was a re-read for me, but I'm ashamed to admit I've never read the other two books in the series. Now that they have been reprinted, I'm going to remedy that.
May 2, 2023
A charming ghostly romp in the tradition of Thorne Smith's 1926 Topper. This book introduces the ghostly cousins, James and Charles Latimer, who died in 1870 during a visit to France. They are allowed to materialize in order to help their descendants, Sally and Jeremy Latimer. A deceased pet monkey adds to the chaos.
April 17, 2020
A delightful Thorne Smith-like comedy supernatural adventure. Cousins James and Charles Latimer, murdered, along with Charles' pet monkey Ulysses, during the Franco-Prussian War, return to life to help a 1950s family member in distress.
December 23, 2021
Great Romp
Funny as all can be for those who can tolerate some irreverence of customs around them. The story us intriguing and quite absorbing.
Deadpan humor is not in short supply.
Funny as all can be for those who can tolerate some irreverence of customs around them. The story us intriguing and quite absorbing.
Deadpan humor is not in short supply.
July 26, 2023
3.5☆
An enjoyable (nonscary) ghost story set in 1950s France. Two cousins killed in 1870 are able to materialize when some of their descendants happen to pass by their grave during a holiday in France.
An enjoyable (nonscary) ghost story set in 1950s France. Two cousins killed in 1870 are able to materialize when some of their descendants happen to pass by their grave during a holiday in France.
December 7, 2019
A fun read, reminiscent of "Topper" by Thorne Smith.
Read
April 10, 2021Enjoyable enough that I purchased the other 3 books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2010
I read this, and the two others in the series, in high school, and have been looking for them ever since to reread. The ghosts of cousins--one American, one English--who died in the 19th Century reappear to help family members in the 20th. No deep intellectual pretensions, but they are light-hearted, well plotted, with amusing characters. The writing is reminiscent of the style Herron Carvic later used in the Miss Seeton novels (the REAL ones!), although Manning Coles is a bit more subdued.
This is the first in the series. And that's all I'm gonna say!
This is the first in the series. And that's all I'm gonna say!
March 15, 2012
This is not so much a continuing plot that builds as events unfold; but, more tales of ghostly adventures loosely adhering to the story of two ghosts on a quest to help their troubled ancestors. The entertaining episodes are full of the clever dialog and the comical ruses of our two "likably Victorian" ghosts. Also, the interplay of the 1870 world with the 1950 world made this an even more enjoyable read.
February 6, 2017
An enjoyable light read.
January 28, 2013
This is a sweet ghost story that takes place in the 1950's in France. Two spirits who lived originally in the time of the Franco -Prussian war of 1870 return to help out some relatives in trouble.
The story is filled with delightful anachronisms as these visitors from the past have to learn to adapt and fit in so as not to call attention to themselves.
The story is filled with delightful anachronisms as these visitors from the past have to learn to adapt and fit in so as not to call attention to themselves.
December 16, 2015
This charmingly eccentric story comes complete with manners, a strong sense of right and wrong and a great deal of fun. The odd sense of dark and eccentric humor is rather reminiscent to me of Douglas Adams and is utterly delightful. It is also extremely well written. It is one of the best books I've read in a very long time.
July 31, 2011
A bit lighter (sillier) than the "Topper" books by Thorne Smith, but who can resist a spectral simian with a penchant for the grape -- I laughed aloud when he spat out a glass of Dubonnet in disgust thinking it was port.
Series promises to be a real hoot!
Series promises to be a real hoot!
July 17, 2013
Fun read about an English ghost and his American cousin (along with a Capuchin monkey) killed during the Franco-Prussian war who are revived by the proximity of one of their descendents. They solve a few mysteries, create some mischief and assist in a romance before returning to their long home.
March 31, 2011
a most delightful ghost story set in 1953 France
November 11, 2011
Charming! A pair of ghosts return to help their kin in 1953 France.
January 16, 2013
Fun book. I could see this as a movie.
January 20, 2024
This was actually my third time reading Brief Candles. It's light, well-written, good fun, and heart warming, all at the same time. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2011
Adorable!
Read
February 2, 2017Cute
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews