SOLVED. Tarquin. Book read in 1980s. Probably children's/YA. Tarquin was a member of a group/family. Unpleasant but I think his consent was needed to progress in a mission. Thanks. [s]

[John]

It's driving me crazy. At first I thought it might have been a character in an Iain Banks (not Iain M Banks) book. It's not Narnia. neither is it any of the stuff that comes up obviously if you Google tarquin or the last king of Rome.

[Robert]

I seem to remember that Tarquin was a character in Archer's Goon, by Diana Wynne Jones.

"When the Goon turns up demanding "Archer's two thousand", life turns upside-down. As Howard desperately tries to get to the bottom of this strange demand, he discovers that the town is run by seven crazy wizards (not all of whom live in the present) and someone is trying to take over the world!"

[Kris]

John, what's the genre (which we need to add to the topic header)?

Can you describe Tarquin (e.g., his age, job, skills, motivation)?

What kind of mission?

[John]

Robert wrote: "I seem to remember that Tarquin was a character in Archer's Goon, by Diana Wynne Jones.

"When the Goon turns up demanding "Archer's two thousand", life turns upside-down..."

ROBERT, YOU ARE A STAR!!! This is exactly it. I would never have remembered that. Especially as the character is actually called Torquil not Tarquin!! Thanks again.

[Robert]

My pleasure. I was a bit uncertain about the name...