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The King of Scanlon's Rock
Ageing Rock God, Jim Sullivan, is heading for the quiet life on his newly acquired, tiny island, off the coast of Cornwall. That is until he sends a letter to King Charles, announcing his intent to declare independence from the UK and appointing himself king.
Determined not to cede one inch of British territory, the UK government despatches low-level Foreign Office researcher, John Cabot, to put a stop to Sullivan’s ambitions.
What they didn’t anticipate was Cabot’s tenacity for unearthing information they’d rather he didn’t, or Sullivan’s relentless, but completely unfounded, optimism in his own ideas.
Armed with nothing more than a guitar and a spreadsheet, can these two stand up to the might of the British Empire?
No contest.
Determined not to cede one inch of British territory, the UK government despatches low-level Foreign Office researcher, John Cabot, to put a stop to Sullivan’s ambitions.
What they didn’t anticipate was Cabot’s tenacity for unearthing information they’d rather he didn’t, or Sullivan’s relentless, but completely unfounded, optimism in his own ideas.
Armed with nothing more than a guitar and a spreadsheet, can these two stand up to the might of the British Empire?
No contest.
- GenresHumor
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2022
29 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 17, 2022
Another beautifully crafted and gentle tale from Mr Luddington. If we occupied worlds like he creates, we’d all be a lot happier.
This especially warm and fuzzy for me as my grandparents ran the marisco tavern on Lundy island and my father has many tales of island life and hopping across from north Devon. Same tales, different coast.
Read this and all his other tales, it’s magical.
This especially warm and fuzzy for me as my grandparents ran the marisco tavern on Lundy island and my father has many tales of island life and hopping across from north Devon. Same tales, different coast.
Read this and all his other tales, it’s magical.
September 7, 2022
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. I only do honest reviews.
If I could give this book 10 stars I would. I absolutely loved it. It’s charming, very very funny and exciting.
Jim Scanlon is a ‘rock God’. He’s acquired a small island which due to the storm that wasn’t supposed to happen in 1987, it’s now outwith the 12 mile UK exclusion limit. So Jim decides to secede from the UK and declare himself the King of Scanlon’s rock. He writes a nice letter to the Queen announcing his decision.
Enter the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in the shape of John Cabot (a distant relation to the one who “discovered” canada). John is a lowly researcher in the FCDO and is sent to the Cornish Village of Little Didney, to say “NO” to Jim.
However the FCDO don’t reckon with John’s strong sense of morality and the wily nature of “simple Cornish Folk”. There follows skullduggery on the part of the FCDO and Johns boss “Froggy” ( I loved how easy it is to hack “Froggy’s” phone). I loved Jim’s determination not to be pushed around and his “Can Do” attitude, slightly worrying though it is. John is lovely character, sympathetic and outwardly meek, but very capable and resourceful.
I loved this book, it’s laugh out loud funny and I ended up rooting for the very eccentric Jim as well as John and the village residents.
If I could give this book 10 stars I would. I absolutely loved it. It’s charming, very very funny and exciting.
Jim Scanlon is a ‘rock God’. He’s acquired a small island which due to the storm that wasn’t supposed to happen in 1987, it’s now outwith the 12 mile UK exclusion limit. So Jim decides to secede from the UK and declare himself the King of Scanlon’s rock. He writes a nice letter to the Queen announcing his decision.
Enter the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in the shape of John Cabot (a distant relation to the one who “discovered” canada). John is a lowly researcher in the FCDO and is sent to the Cornish Village of Little Didney, to say “NO” to Jim.
However the FCDO don’t reckon with John’s strong sense of morality and the wily nature of “simple Cornish Folk”. There follows skullduggery on the part of the FCDO and Johns boss “Froggy” ( I loved how easy it is to hack “Froggy’s” phone). I loved Jim’s determination not to be pushed around and his “Can Do” attitude, slightly worrying though it is. John is lovely character, sympathetic and outwardly meek, but very capable and resourceful.
I loved this book, it’s laugh out loud funny and I ended up rooting for the very eccentric Jim as well as John and the village residents.
September 16, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were so varied - from a detail driven civil servant to the ageing rock star they came alive on the pages.
Jim Sullivan axing rock star has bought an island off the south coast of England and is intent on declaring independence. The Foreign Office sends John Cabot, a research analyst, to tell him this is not feasible as the island, Scanlon Rock, is wishing the 12 mile limit. John is a sticker for detail, and ensuring everything is right!
Such a good read and with a great ending.
Jim Sullivan axing rock star has bought an island off the south coast of England and is intent on declaring independence. The Foreign Office sends John Cabot, a research analyst, to tell him this is not feasible as the island, Scanlon Rock, is wishing the 12 mile limit. John is a sticker for detail, and ensuring everything is right!
Such a good read and with a great ending.
October 10, 2022
Another excellent book by David Luddington, full of humour with an intriguing plot, plus, a cast of delightful interesting characters. My only problem with the author’s books, is I buy them when they are first released. This means I need to wait a long time before the next one is published.
Having read all of David’s book to date, I do not know where he finds the different plots and characters of which he is a master. They all have a basis in reality with some interesting twists and turns. I do not want to give the plot or characters away, I would rather any new reader enjoys the discovery of the integrity of the books themselves. Just enjoy, as you are taken into the story as it is revealed. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy and smile as you progress.
Having read all of David’s book to date, I do not know where he finds the different plots and characters of which he is a master. They all have a basis in reality with some interesting twists and turns. I do not want to give the plot or characters away, I would rather any new reader enjoys the discovery of the integrity of the books themselves. Just enjoy, as you are taken into the story as it is revealed. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy and smile as you progress.
March 27, 2023
I have enjoyed a number of David Luddington's books. His dialogue is clever, often erudite and sometimes laugh provoking. I particularly found the greedy banter of landlord Sam Goodenough entertaining. This not the first tale where the Smuggler's Arms and Little Didney have been encountered. Luddingtom likes to revisit favorite characters and locales. Luddington is always imaginative and hilarious. If I have any complaint it is that this novel, at 337 pages, was about one hundred pages too long. It could have been compacted without losing much in story or humour. But I 'll always recommend Luddington for a fun and complex read.
September 27, 2022
Awaited with eager anticipation (and brought neatly up to date days before release) the latest Gem from David Luddington kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It is what a good book should be - pure escapism that takes you to a much nicer place. The well researched plot is clever and funny, somewhere between "Passport to Pimlico" and "Local Hero" and in my mind the characters are so well painted I'm sure I have met them somewhere, particularly as I have Cornish relatives! If ever a book deserved to be made into a film it is this one - with a tv series spin-off. More please!
January 8, 2023
another excellent story from my favourite author
Yet another book from David Luddington where the underdog makes good inspite of the government/authorities doing everything to thwart there progress. Well worth reading, hope that it is not a true insight into Government administration Only sorry that I have read all of the authors books many twice and am going to have wait for his next book.
Yet another book from David Luddington where the underdog makes good inspite of the government/authorities doing everything to thwart there progress. Well worth reading, hope that it is not a true insight into Government administration Only sorry that I have read all of the authors books many twice and am going to have wait for his next book.
September 30, 2022
Another heartwarming tale
I got to 91% the way through the book without realising how much I'd read. I was pleased to see the ever resourceful inhabitants of Little Didney return. King Jim is a brilliant character and I'm hoping he returns in another book, with John and Tiggy, of course! Recommended.
I got to 91% the way through the book without realising how much I'd read. I was pleased to see the ever resourceful inhabitants of Little Didney return. King Jim is a brilliant character and I'm hoping he returns in another book, with John and Tiggy, of course! Recommended.
December 23, 2022
A spiffing wheeze
First book I have read by David Luddington, really enjoyed its implausability, a good old yarn, and ,the mark of a good lively read, I read it in two sittings ! Looking forward to reading more of his books.
First book I have read by David Luddington, really enjoyed its implausability, a good old yarn, and ,the mark of a good lively read, I read it in two sittings ! Looking forward to reading more of his books.
May 30, 2023
Brilliant!
Fantastic yet strangely believable characters in bizarre but realistic situations.
We need more stories of Scanlons Rock.
Why this isn't a major TV series is beyond me.
Utterly brilliant!
Fantastic yet strangely believable characters in bizarre but realistic situations.
We need more stories of Scanlons Rock.
Why this isn't a major TV series is beyond me.
Utterly brilliant!
October 1, 2022
Fantastic read
Another great book as whacky as ever. Great characters and could not put it down. I look forward to the next. Well worth the wait.
Another great book as whacky as ever. Great characters and could not put it down. I look forward to the next. Well worth the wait.
October 19, 2022
I love this author's books - wonderful stories interlaced with some rich colourful characters and a healthy dose of humour.
November 7, 2022
Another cracker!
Luddington delivers again. The King of Scanlon's Rock is another cracking read, well written and researched, funny and enjoyable. I couldn't ask for more!
Luddington delivers again. The King of Scanlon's Rock is another cracking read, well written and researched, funny and enjoyable. I couldn't ask for more!
February 8, 2023
I so love this author, so funny, every time, never fails!
April 11, 2023
Gripped me from the start
Excellent tale like his others all of which I struggled to put down. This one I was genuinely sad to finish and could have gone on and on with.
Excellent tale like his others all of which I struggled to put down. This one I was genuinely sad to finish and could have gone on and on with.
May 12, 2023
Unique story
This book is full of great characters who float in and out of the storyline but make a wonderful recipe for good British humour. A thoroughly good read.
This book is full of great characters who float in and out of the storyline but make a wonderful recipe for good British humour. A thoroughly good read.
October 28, 2024
Pretty funny and easy going. Narrator was good.
November 1, 2024
Can't recommend this highly enough, it is quite the funny tome!
August 17, 2025
Brilliant escapism
Such an easy and funny read. David has the ability to transport you into a world that is both ridiculous and thoroughly likeable.
Such an easy and funny read. David has the ability to transport you into a world that is both ridiculous and thoroughly likeable.
November 16, 2025
Gentle humour and very entertaining. David Luddington books create a simple world that we'd all like to escape to.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews