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Les Norton #14
The Wind And The Monkey
A week's holiday in Shoal Bay, courtesy of Price Galese. All Les had to do was help Eddie Salita get rid of a crooked cop. Why not? Les always wanted to visit Port Stephens. And nobody liked Fishcake Fishbyrne that much anyway. The first night in town, Les gets arrested by the federal police then collared by a drug-crazed, feminist author. The hit turned out to be a complete nightmare. Next thing, it's a night drive into Newcastle with Eddie to sort out a team of local heavies. Somehow in the middle of all this Les meets Digger. Sweet Christian girl from the Church of the Peaceful Sea. Digger is a fiery little enigma wrapped in a burning secret. Digger found God. Les finds Elvis. Together they journey to Virgin Island, discover love and solve a mystery.
Audio
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Robert G. Barrett
47 books67 followersG’day.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.
Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.
Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 28, 2021
Whenever I enter a Les Norton romp, I often forget that the bloke is not your everyday goodie. The story starts out with Les going on holiday, assisting with a murder while up the bay. Not the average undertaking of a relatable hero in the real world. He then goes on to lie about himself to an attractive sheila, who, instead of being a one or two-night fling, Les ends up falling for. While it was easy for the listener (or reader) to tie together the connection between Digger and one of Les' murder victims early on, Les doesn't, and he continues to spin his web of lies while falling harder for the girl.
The story was certainly more romantic than other Les Norton books I've listened to. That said, I wouldn't recommend the book to fans of the romance genre. It still runs on old-school Aussie humour, detached from political correctness, chock full of violence and sex... even if Les is a deacon. There's plenty of laughs to be had; after the romp with the feminist and her huge cave I was almost choking, my laughs couldn't get out of my throat fast enough!
As Les and Digger's relationship grew, I cringed with each lie and how hard some of the things Digger said hit Les. When Digger spilled her guts at the very end, the cringes shattered to laughter! Everything came together beautifully at the end, and, despite the murder and lies, Les doesn't seem like such a bad bloke at the story's climax.
The story was certainly more romantic than other Les Norton books I've listened to. That said, I wouldn't recommend the book to fans of the romance genre. It still runs on old-school Aussie humour, detached from political correctness, chock full of violence and sex... even if Les is a deacon. There's plenty of laughs to be had; after the romp with the feminist and her huge cave I was almost choking, my laughs couldn't get out of my throat fast enough!
As Les and Digger's relationship grew, I cringed with each lie and how hard some of the things Digger said hit Les. When Digger spilled her guts at the very end, the cringes shattered to laughter! Everything came together beautifully at the end, and, despite the murder and lies, Les doesn't seem like such a bad bloke at the story's climax.
December 3, 2017
This book really wasn't my kind of book. I found it a bit crude and I didn't really find it funny.
November 30, 2017
Actual rating 2 1/2. Not a bad book. Got a good laugh in places. Les is rough around the edges but with a soft heart. Easy read
April 6, 2021
A great read, highly recommend
February 6, 2023
Definitely a Man’s book to read. Strong language. Not a great story. Only likes were the mention of places I’ve been and the reminder of Aussie slang and phrases. A language on its own.
November 27, 2010
More Barrett goodness...as always, he delivers everything he promises...laughs, violence and sex...
August 9, 2013
Les Norton heads up to Shoal Bay to help take out a crooked cop and his equally corrupt buddy. Gets involved with a strange young lady and has some pretty involving adventures. Great stuff.
September 11, 2016
it's an awful and nasty Australian book that does not bring much but at least, it's easy to read and has its moments. won't recommend though outside Aussie.
April 11, 2019
typical crudeness
April 14, 2013
I found it was a fun read with some good twists
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews