Adrian Magson is the author of 27 crime and spy thrillers. 'Death at the Old Asylum', the 8th title in the Inspector Lucas Rocco series set in 1960s France, currently in ebook, comes out in paperback on the 14th March via Canelo Books.
More information: https://www.adrianmagson.com/
I
stumbled on this book by chance (the first of a trilogy) and found it an
amusing, light-hearted yet fast-paced and modern-day take on that other
investigative duo from 22 Baker Street - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.
The
main difference is that this book features Victor Locke, a convicted
computer hacker, drinker, smart-Alec and belligerent ant-hero, and his
reluctant court-appointed psychologist, Doyle, who serves as the main brake on
Locke's wilder excesses and is the story's narrator and careful observer.
Further, they're not residents of London's Baker Street, but a similar
one up in Middlesbrough.
If
that wasn't enough to get my attention (I'm not sure what would be)
but I'm delighted that it did. Composed of a series of episodes in the
lives of this seemingly ill-matched duo, it follows their scramble around
Middlesbrough on the trail of various criminals, with Locke finding inspiration
- and occasionally failure - wherever they go. Aiding the police and aided by
them in a casual sort of way, the writing is funny, dry, exciting and fast
paced. If that pace falters, it's only so that the two crime-solving heroes can
find a decent pub to sink some beers and upset the locals.
If you
enjoy some fun, tongue-in-cheek writing with a strong story behind it and a
pair of believable characters, I urge you to try this book. It's light, but
rather than a weakness, that’s its strength, because it proves that you don’t
have to write heavy, overly-serious stuff to make a good, enjoyable story.
Reviewer’s
note: I have to say, they reminded me in a weird
kind of way of two characters I know from the crime writing
community (but I won't divulge their names in case they sue me).
Recommended
