yes, i know you saw what i did there. and i, too, saw you seeing what i did there. but enough of such, for it is time to just get on with things, look you see.
it is so that i've read another couple of books. two, to be precise. which is not just one (1), or quite so many as 3 (three), but yet that said i do seem to be flying through the one i commenced reading after completing the second of these 2 (two). or something like that.
rather as is the usual, or still the same, here, a look at the two books what i most recently read, followed by some general, brief, sort of "that will do" comments on each. after that them *** SPOILERS *** are quite possible, but i shall do what i can to avoid. yet in the case of one of them it might be tricky.
yes, The Man Who Died Twice is indeed by TTOOOP, and is the follow up to the magnificent Thursday Murder Club. more of the same, as it happens, so if you enjoyed the first then absolutely yes on this one, but i suspect all interested (in the immediate time of publishing this) will have read it by now. on to The Crusader's Cross, which is a relatively recent one off of Scott Mariani, which of course means the latest in Ben Hope adventures. below average, at best, and that is being kind. also, if you have the slightest interested in reading it, do not read the back cover blurb thing.
let me continue, then. or we shall, if you keep reading. and a reminder of that spoiler thing.
some have suggested i simply use his real, or given, name. that feels like cheating, now. hang on i could call him The Brother Out Of The One Out Of Suede What Isn't Brett (TBOOTOOOSWIB), but no. anyway, i have followed his entire career (more or less) with great interest, all the way back to the 80s (or was it the 90s) when he started off as a backing dancer for that nice Sonia lass (see here). whereas i have no familiarity or association with him at all, and nor would i solicit such beyond being someone who simply buys and reads his books, i do now feel at a stage where using his actual name (which yes, i have done here before) would seem quite silly. almost as silly as holding extended conversation on the subject, and a conversation mostly with myself.
provenance of my copy of The Man Who Died Twice? i am certain it was Tesco, and probably at a slight reduction of fee, likely from being a card carrying club member. without doubt i can tell you that i did not purchase it at Morrison's, as for some reason they are reluctant to stock it. quite strange. i have been in branches, or if you like chapters, of Morrison's in the north east and the south east of England, and even one or two in Wales. none of them have it on the shelf. very strange, considering it was always going to be a big seller. indeed i am curious as to why they are not stocking it, but no, not to the extent of researching or asking questions.
oh, yes, the actual novel. as in plot, what's it about, etc. mostly more of the same from Thursday Murder Club, with slight differences, more insight into the past of each of the characters, that sort of thing. effectively a very real, spot on continuation of the first novel. which, i suspect, many like me were hoping for with precision. and so it is delivered.
flaws and faults? plenty of them, in particular with regards to how credible the necessary suspension of disbelief (or what have you) is required when tackling any fiction. often contrived plausibility is stretched beyond any point of recognition (rather like this sentence), but you know what? it really doesn't matter. all escapist, enjoyable fun. which is precisely what one would want from these novels. and this is coming from someone who set out intent on not enjoying the first.
almost certain this came off of Tesco, where i probably spent £3.00 to get it, but had to buy a copy of some newspaper or other for that price to be valid, with whatever newspaper it was going straight into recycling, thanks. not sure in these instances which is supposed to be getting the sales boost, the book or the paper. anyway, that's what i have done for years, as and when they have had a decent book on the go.
go on then, what's the plot of this one? well, wouldn't you know, Ben Hope has opted for a little "down time" over Christmas. also, he's found an old church what was buried in his land, and has injured himself during the excavations, or what it is that them archaeologist types do. sure enough he finds a really valuable relic (clue in the title of the novel), and also a gang decide to hit his training facility so as to get arms to sell on the black market.
normally, or usually, there isn't too much of a surprise as to what happens in a Ben Hope adventure, but at least there's the element of thrill and enjoyment in reading it. sadly not so in this one, as i made the ill mistake of reading the back blurb, or text. yes, there is a picture of it below, and if you can read it but for some reason want to read the book, please don't. the three or so paragraphs of it more or less cover all of what happens in all of the first 200 pages, and there's south of 400 in the novel. so it all became a bit of a chore to read, really. as in i finished Man Who Died Twice in a week or so, this took over a month. indeed i was avoiding it, but thought i had better get it over and done with.
unfortunately, or regrettably, the fun has once again gone from reading these novels. the last time this happened i can't remember specifically, but i very nearly gave up on them. however, along came one called The Forgotten Holocaust, which was brilliant, and compelled me to read on. being fair, the ones after that retained a high quality and remained enjoyable. last few, not so much. from memory we have had some silly one about a gold treasure in Scotland and a vague covid cash-in. now this one, which really does feel all colour by numbers. oh yes, there was a devil worship (or similar) one too.
sure, i could say that i am simply going to stop reading these novels of Scott Mariani, but i suspect that would be untruthful. even now, when i haven't particularly enjoyed the last two. or three. well, i have already bought the next one. let me see, maybe i shall call it quits if it is as below average, and by that i mean as poor, as this one.
my speculative guess would be that 98.9% of people who had any interest in reading these novels shall have done so already, and that the balance of percentage would likely not be encouraged to do so on the basis of what i said. oh. well, i have written all of that now. many thanks if you read it.
back, then, i go to a novel i am really, really enjoying. and shall no doubt write of when i am done with it, and whatever i read after it.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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