To Run a Little Faster

by John Gardner

London, 1938. Europe is on the brink of war. And in England Anthony Eden’s resignation as Prime Minister has rocked the tottering foundations of the country. So not much attention is paid when Michael Hensman, Member of Parliament for Crayshott East, leaves Westminster for a short holiday with his wife — and vanishes without trace. But Fleet Street journalist Simon Darrell is sent to investigate. His unorthodox methods get him taken off the case. But he decides to do some unofficial investigating of his own… After people connected with Hensman are found dead, it is clear that something sinister is going on. And before long Simon finds a disturbing connection between the murders and the threat of Nazi Germany. He is soon caught up in an ugly conspiracy that involves political intrigue, corruption, blackmail, death — and the fate of an entire nation.... And he must Run A Little Faster to stay alive. 'Run A Little Faster' is a classic adventure story from a master story-teller. `Rich in intricacy, ingenuity and intrigue' - Sunday Times `Good, tight-knit pre-war spy thriller.' - Manchester Evening News `Neat thriller.' - Times Literary Supplement `A good old-fashioned absorbing read.' - Good Housekeeping Before coming an author of fiction in the early 1960’s John Gardner was variously a stage magician, a Royal Marine officer and a journalist. In all Gardner has fifty-four novels to his credit, including Maestro, which was the New York Times book of the year. He was also invited by Ian Fleming’s literary copyright holders to write a series of continuation James Bond novels, which proved to be so successful that instead of the contracted three books he went on to publish some fourteen titles, including Licence Renewed and Icebreaker. Having lived in the Republic of Ireland, the United States and the UK, John Gardner sadly died in August of 2007 having just completed his third novel in the Moriarty trilogy, Conan Doyle’s eponymous villain of the Sherlock Holmes series.

Genres: Fiction, Amazon

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1976

About the author

Before coming an author of fiction in the early 1960s, John Gardner was variously a stage magician, a Royal Marine officer and a journalist. In all, Gardner has fifty-four novels to his credit, including Maestro, which was the New York Times book of the year. He was also invited by Ian Fleming’s literary copyright holders to write a series of continuation James Bond novels, which proved to be so successful that instead of the contracted three books he went on to publish some fourteen titles, including Licence Renewed and Icebreaker.

Having lived in the Republic of Ireland, the United States and the UK, John Gardner sadly died in August of 2007 having just completed his third novel in the Moriarty trilogy, Conan Doyle’s eponymous villain of the Sherlock Holmes series.

Reviews

[Paula Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found it very slow first couple of chapters, but once you got into the rest of the chapters they were a excellent, read with deceit and politics secrets, with journalism involved.

[John Mccormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging stiff upper lip Englishman's spy story

A well written engaging little story, typically English stiff upper lip spy story, with some good twists. Set before the start of the second world war our reporter hero initially investigating the disappearance of an MP, finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the somewhat murky world of espionage. It is also by today's standards quaintly old fashioned and nostalgic, for example when a florin tip allows you to enjoy drinks in your carriage on your boat train journey to Paris.
John Gardner was a quality writer, and this book is well written full of interesting characters and with a real sense and feeling of the time and period in which it is set.
Recommended.

[Mrs J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing thriller

Simon Darrell is a reporter who has just got divorced. When he is told to investigate the disappearance of the MP Michael Hensman, he becomes embroiled in a far bigger case and finds himself threatened, hampered and in love.
Set in 1938, the voice and attitudes are of that time. First person brings the insight of Darrell’s thoughts and together you are pulled through deceits, bluffs and murder. Plenty of twists to keep you thinking.

[John McNair · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could not hold my interest at all. I hardly made it to chapter 2 before setting it aside, for good. The characters did not arouse any interest, and the tone and text dull and . . uninteresting. You can see the interest, or lack of it, played a large part in my rating. There are many other fine books to read to waste time with drivel such as this.

[Christine Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, intrigue and death

This is not the type of book I would usually read but it was action packed throughout. The plot revolves around a journalist investigating the disappearance of a prominent figure in between the two world wars. Who is trying to stop the investigation and why?

[Alan Carlson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lacklustre. A preview of the then* coming style in novels, where the protagonist starts in a sub-par location and through no fault of his own, ends up in an even worse situation. The Alan Furst novels cover the same period, and are MUCH better, as novels, stories, and evocations of the era.



* First published June 1976.

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

Simon Darrel, a reporter looking into a bank robbery, and the disappearance of a politician. Set in the same time period as the film, "The 39 Steps" it shares much of the same atmosphere.
The characters were, in some cases well rounded, whilst some are more sketchy.

[Robert Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running, but to where?

This is a page turner. Mysteries are presented, murders occur, a reporter tries to find the truth. Who is involved? What is going on behind the action? You will find out when you reach the end.

[Trudi Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, poorly punctuated

Brilliant story, unusual plot but well worth the effort of reading, even if you're a punctuation Police fanatic like me. I shall read more of his books

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly short, entertaining novel set in 1937 and focusing on the disappearance of an MP. Easy to read. Reminded me of those 1950s and 60s British 'B' movies.

[Carol Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1938 M.P. Michael Hensman has travelled to Boscastle to spend a holiday with his wife but soon disappears. A man is shot at a prearranged rendezvous. A bank is robbed. Can reporter Simon Darrell find the link, if there is one, solve the various deaths and survive.
An entertaining historical mystery.

[Lars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flimsy story, ok dialogue, ends abruptly. As if it was still in outline to be fleshed out.

(Note to remind me what read and whether liked.)