Review: Fun and Frolics in a Beautiful Setting
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 28, 2013
Having enjoyed both the previous Wendy Darlin books I was delighted to see a third in the series published, and I've had as much fun reading this one as both the others. Wendy is a heroine you can't help liking. She is brave, resourceful and clever; but in spite of this she constantly gets into the sort of trouble that can be labelled as slapstick comedy. Her weapon of choice in this particular book is a marble ashtray, after her success with one right at the start in demolishing a villain who is attacking her lover Roger Jolley, but she doesn't hesitate to use anything else that comes to hand. Who else but Wendy Darlin would bodily tackle her newly met librarian friend Fiona to retrieve the tampon-like MUDD diviner which the friend has just 'borrowed', bring her adversary down, and then realise that she herself is actually completely naked? This is one of the many laugh out loud moments in this very enjoyable comedy mystery. And, yes, there is a very exciting and puzzling mystery as well. As Wendy floats off with Roger and Fiona in a river boat down the Nile, she thinks, 'The only thing missing was Agatha Christie.' Barbara Silkstone not only gives us great characters, continual action, a load of laughs and a gripping mystery, but she also describes her setting and brings it to life in a way which makes us feel we are really there. I've said this before about Barbara Silkstone's books, but if you enjoy the Stephanie Plum books, then this will suit you down to the ground. Warmly recommended.