Mar 27, 2005 08:44 PM
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(Updated Mar 27, 2005 08:44 PM)
Twelve Red Herrings...
Jeffrey Archer decides to go on one rare fishing trip, and does he manage to catch a lot of fish or what!
Ok, for those wondering what I'm talking about, I mean that with this novel, Jeffrey Archer must surely have attracted a lot of readers, and I'm definitely one of them!
I've only recently started reading Jeffrey Archer books, with ''Shall we tell the President?'', and I loved it so much I decided to introduce my mum to the brilliance of Archer. The obvious choice seemed a collection of short stories. At least it would be faster to read than a full length novel, since she'd never read Archer before. She loved it, and persuaded me to read it.
Let me tell you, this book is absolutely not what you would expect. A good number of these stories are actually based on real facts. I won't spoil the suspense for all of you out there who, I hope, intend to read this book, but here's a brief outline of some of my favorite stories from the novel:
1. Never Stop On The Motorway
The title on this story is what got me hooked in the first place. Diana leaves her office in her car one evening, and is driving towards a friend's house for dinner. She's looking forward to it, and all seems like a normal evening, until she spots the van that's behind, following her... She panics, drives on, but all her driving skills can't shake him off... And that's when she remembers that a woman was raped and murdered when she stopped her car on the motorway...
She must not stop at all costs...
Read what happens to this woman, as Jeffrey Archer takes you on a shocker of a drive!
2. Don't Pass Go
This one tells the story of an ex-Iraqi minister now living in the United States. He's got a flourishing little business and a happy family. He is however on Saddam Husein's death list, but is certain he will never go back there, so he's safe. Until his flight to Asia is forced to land... in Iraq...
3. Shoe-shine Boy
Is this hilarious or what? The story of a British MP who becomes governor of a little island nation, and all is peaceful till the famous Lord Mountbatten comes to visit! One problem: how to organise a welcome fit for someone so important when you have no cook, no butler and no other required help? It's up to you to find out!
4. Cheap at Half Price
You want cunning women? You got one. How a very very clever woman manages to get herself highly priced diamond and ruby necklace of her dreams... I won't say more here, you got to go read this one NOW!
5. Chunnel Vision
The narrator, a famous author (ring a bell?), meets his good friend, also a writer, after ages, while the latter is breaking up with his current girlfriend. There's something amiss, and the narrator really wants to tell his friend, but can't! What is it? It's up to you to figure that out.
Those are my top five, but hey, there are 12 stories in this book! Time for all of you reading this to go find out about the seven other stories, and the shocking twists in the 5 stories I have mentioned. Believe me, it's more than worth it.
If you're a Jeffery Archer fan, you must have read it already. If you're just getting acquainted with this author, you'll love him even more after reading this. And if you've never read a book by Archer, this is the ideal one to start with!
Go on now, shoo, into the bookstore, or the library! You won't regret it.
