What do you think?
We Have Lost #1
We Have Lost The President
London, 2044. Britain is a Republic. President Jan Polak has vanished overnight from Buckingham Palace, just weeks before an election. Has he been kidnapped? Or even killed? One man is determined to find out - as soon as he's had his breakfast. His name is Pond. Howie Pond – the President’s official spokesperson and wannabe secret agent. With just a love of James Bond films to guide him, Howie sets out on a mission to solve the missing-President mystery. But with Howie’s journalist girlfriend, Britt, soon onto the story, the race is on to see who gets to the truth first…
This debut comedy-thriller novel from British writer Paul Mathews is packed with sharp humour, great characters, dynamic dialogue and a mystery that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. It will transport you to a low-tech, high-drama, post-revolution Britain of the future. A world where some things, like the complete lack of internet and mobile phone access, are quite different. But other aspects, such as politics and big business, are very much the same.
This debut comedy-thriller novel from British writer Paul Mathews is packed with sharp humour, great characters, dynamic dialogue and a mystery that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. It will transport you to a low-tech, high-drama, post-revolution Britain of the future. A world where some things, like the complete lack of internet and mobile phone access, are quite different. But other aspects, such as politics and big business, are very much the same.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2016
About the author
Paul Mathews
13 books56 followersPaul Mathews is a quite funny British guy whose sharp, satirical - often surreal - sense of humour has been honed during half a century of not taking life too seriously. He gains inspiration from his love of good food, tea, four-legged animals & the quirks and quibbles of British life. Visit his website at www.quitefunnyguy.com. Or not. Whatever.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 8, 2017
Decided not to read. Several minor swears and the story wasn't going anywhere within the first few pages. It felt dull not to mention the mc was in a premarital relationship. Not worth it.
August 26, 2016
Cute, funny mystery
Reminds me of Douglas Adams - goofball, no actual harm done to anyone. No jokes about Paul McCartney, though. Since it is going to be a series, there's time to develop a musical obsession. I liked it, it's a nice, light read. Definitely looking forward to book 2. The world needs more sweet, funny books.
Reminds me of Douglas Adams - goofball, no actual harm done to anyone. No jokes about Paul McCartney, though. Since it is going to be a series, there's time to develop a musical obsession. I liked it, it's a nice, light read. Definitely looking forward to book 2. The world needs more sweet, funny books.
October 8, 2016
Wonderful British Humor! Great pace and detail. I enjoyed the banter between the characters, the tour of London, and the story line. What a fantastic book! Can't wait for We Have Lost The Pelicans.
August 8, 2016
This book was great fun, and at times hilarious to read.
Like an observer in the center of a double helix the reader
is guided through the twists and turns of the two main characters'
actions in the plot.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Like an observer in the center of a double helix the reader
is guided through the twists and turns of the two main characters'
actions in the plot.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!
September 17, 2016
We Have Lost The President is a fun and frantic read, set in the near future and following the frolics and misadventures of Howie Pond, presidential spokesperson turned secret agent, as he sets about his search to find a missing President in time for Election Day. There is a subtle humour throughout the story that rings true to life and a calamity of brilliant characters. An easygoing but constantly entertaining read that will leave you wanting more!
January 4, 2017
This is an interesting story line, and it kept me reading. It is set in the future, which I liked because it's an unusual approach. The president has disappeared from Buckingham Palace, and to give a twist, he has an identical twin who's one of the 50 vice presidents.
Howie Pond, the MC, is an unlikely and hilarious hero. He imagines himself a current-day James Bond, which he's... not. He's hunting for the president and the only results he manages are found rather accidentally. I'll stop there to prevent spoilers.
British humor and a fun story line, what's not to like? I took off one star because it seemed to get a little unbelievable in parts. And if I may say so, the character names were a bit contrived. "Cherry Blush" sounds like a lipstick name, for example.
Howie Pond, the MC, is an unlikely and hilarious hero. He imagines himself a current-day James Bond, which he's... not. He's hunting for the president and the only results he manages are found rather accidentally. I'll stop there to prevent spoilers.
British humor and a fun story line, what's not to like? I took off one star because it seemed to get a little unbelievable in parts. And if I may say so, the character names were a bit contrived. "Cherry Blush" sounds like a lipstick name, for example.
September 22, 2016
Fast, amusing, easy to read but with a good plot. Howie was a very appealing main man, the ladies in his life (at work and home) are very well realised and the president and his family who are central to the plot are all credible. It is well written and manages to combine humour and thriller elements very well. This is a very entertaining but realistically believable story. A great debut.
December 28, 2016
This is such a fun read, perfect for the holidays! Howie Pond's hilarious adventures reminded me of the frequent unintended and unseen adventures that PR & Comms people get into without nearly as funny consequences. Can't wait to read "We Have Lost the Pelicans".
December 29, 2016
James Bond gone beserk!
Anyone with a sense of humor, a memory of 007, and a taste for a mystery will love this book by new author, Paul Matthews.
Anyone with a sense of humor, a memory of 007, and a taste for a mystery will love this book by new author, Paul Matthews.
January 15, 2017
HappyReader
Excellent reading, full of humor and suspense! :-) Can't wait to read the next book in this obviously fact filled series.
Excellent reading, full of humor and suspense! :-) Can't wait to read the next book in this obviously fact filled series.
January 10, 2017
Fun read
A bit different from my usual reads, but it was an enjoyable book. At times, a bit silly, but fun, and entertaining.
A bit different from my usual reads, but it was an enjoyable book. At times, a bit silly, but fun, and entertaining.
January 24, 2017
Just plain fun, which is what we all need sometimes! I'm looking forward to more books in the series! Oh, and in the vein of Hunger Games, it could happen!
February 12, 2017
Good fun
This is a fun and funny read. Fifty Vice Presidents, plucky journalist, a cat and Howie Pond. The names Pond, Howie Pond
This is a fun and funny read. Fifty Vice Presidents, plucky journalist, a cat and Howie Pond. The names Pond, Howie Pond
July 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was a little confusing to begin with but it was a lot of fun to read
June 16, 2017
Very enjoyable read! Lots of lighthearted humor as well as nice mystery to keep you guessing. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that there really wasn't background information about all the major changes in technology/government to explain the current situation that the book is set in--was very confusing at times.
February 13, 2017
Entertaining, light book. There was a little bit of mystery, humor, love, politics. I'm going to try out the 2nd book in the series.
March 22, 2017
It is the year 2044 in London. Post crash of the Internet and more. The President of the Republic, is Jan Polak. To the extreme dismay of President Polak's numerous Vice Presidents, and Head of the National Security and Intelligence Service, Martha Blake, and even more concerned Press Secretary, Howie Pond, the President is 'Lost.'
This novel takes the reader, via Howie's viewpoint, to a frantic search to find President Polak before his crucial announcement on Independence Day, of whether he will run for office again or the Republican Party needs a new nominee.
Britain has, in this version of the 21st Century, gone to a form of Democracy. Russia has it's tentacles in the nomination process, and some of the Vice Presidents are beyond description, even a former movie star...
What makes this book readable is the underlying sense of humor, satire, and ... oh wow! This could happen...that threads throughout the tale. America is now 'The New States" and yes, there is hope still of a better world.
Howie is a believable character. He has his girlfriend, Britt who is a journalist running parallel trying to get 'The Story." Another notable character is the President's wife...who loves to make her mark on the World by writing endless 'self-help' books. The latest being getting in touch with the inner American in us all.
A bit lengthy for me but, I did enjoy the novel.
This novel takes the reader, via Howie's viewpoint, to a frantic search to find President Polak before his crucial announcement on Independence Day, of whether he will run for office again or the Republican Party needs a new nominee.
Britain has, in this version of the 21st Century, gone to a form of Democracy. Russia has it's tentacles in the nomination process, and some of the Vice Presidents are beyond description, even a former movie star...
What makes this book readable is the underlying sense of humor, satire, and ... oh wow! This could happen...that threads throughout the tale. America is now 'The New States" and yes, there is hope still of a better world.
Howie is a believable character. He has his girlfriend, Britt who is a journalist running parallel trying to get 'The Story." Another notable character is the President's wife...who loves to make her mark on the World by writing endless 'self-help' books. The latest being getting in touch with the inner American in us all.
A bit lengthy for me but, I did enjoy the novel.
June 18, 2017
Good read. Fun and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.
We have Lost The President is an entertaining romp through the not so distant future of the British "Republic". It's a well thought out plot with just the right blend of red herrings to keep you wondering where it will end up.
We have Lost The President is an entertaining romp through the not so distant future of the British "Republic". It's a well thought out plot with just the right blend of red herrings to keep you wondering where it will end up.
March 5, 2017
Fun and funny
This is a fun book to read. The plot was easy to follow and kept me engaged throughout the whole story. I am looking forward to reading the next book. I would also like to see a book about the revolution.
This is a fun book to read. The plot was easy to follow and kept me engaged throughout the whole story. I am looking forward to reading the next book. I would also like to see a book about the revolution.
March 13, 2017
A fun, light-hearted, quick read; If you are a fan of Brittish-Style humor and looking for a fun escape for a few hours to take a break from all of those serious books, then this is the book for you! The writing style is clean, the "universe" has some quirky, imaginative twists and I enjoyed it!
May 25, 2017
I loved this book. It was clever, timely and very funny. Plus the writing was excellent. I already started to read the second book in the series, "We have Lost the Pelicans". Paul Mathews, you are good!
August 5, 2017
Read first half and ditched the rest of the book.
Sorry, I can't like every book I read, this is one I could not finish so I ditched it just before the halfway mark. Just not a plot that held my interest, and weak silly characters blundering around.
Konrad.
Sorry, I can't like every book I read, this is one I could not finish so I ditched it just before the halfway mark. Just not a plot that held my interest, and weak silly characters blundering around.
Konrad.
March 20, 2017
painful!
May 23, 2017
I like British humor so enjoyed the book. Funny, light reading.
August 17, 2021
A jolly good read!
Great fun! Well devised plot, not given away until the end, holds the attention all the way through. Really entertaining characters.
Great fun! Well devised plot, not given away until the end, holds the attention all the way through. Really entertaining characters.
February 9, 2021
What a blast.Just a
This is a fun, light read. Just the thing I needed in this current state of the world. It has good plot and a fun, unexpected ending.
This is a fun, light read. Just the thing I needed in this current state of the world. It has good plot and a fun, unexpected ending.
November 30, 2017
Very entertaining read.
February 3, 2022
The Royal Family have abdicated en masse, and the UK is now ruled by President Jan Polak. A few days before Independence Day, when the President is supposed to announce whether he is standing for re-election, Polak is nowhere to be found.
Communications officer Howie Pond is drafted to help find out what happened to Polak. Unknown to him, Howie's girlfriend, journalist Britt Pointer, is also on the trail of the story ...
A political-comedy-thriller written with restrained British humor.
Communications officer Howie Pond is drafted to help find out what happened to Polak. Unknown to him, Howie's girlfriend, journalist Britt Pointer, is also on the trail of the story ...
A political-comedy-thriller written with restrained British humor.
December 6, 2017
Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood...but I stopped reading before I finished this book. It was tongue-in-cheek humorous, yet maybe a little too self-consciously precious. I'll try it again another time and maybe amend my review.
September 26, 2021
What a fun book! Imagine John Cleese in a Douglas Adams novel. I'm delighted to have found this little gem. I have an 8 hour train ride coming up and the next in the series will be on my Kindle "packing" list.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews