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Monique
Seventeen-year old Matthew Thwaites is trapped snooping in his father’s study when his father returns home unexpectedly with two strange men. He hides under the desk, and is horrified to see his father gunned down just inches away from him. Given an opportunity to flee, he does so, but finds himself framed for the murder. Alone, and powerless, he hides out at a busy airport, where he discovers a police manhunt has been initiated with him as their target. His appearance is such that he is mistaken for a girl. Given the idea, he makes the most of this, and goes whole hog into the deception, becoming Monique, his French cousin. He manages to find an ally in an officer investigating corrupt police officers, and together they try to piece together the puzzle. He is then pitched into an international roller coaster ride involving terrorists, corrupt police and double agents. But Monique is twice the person that Matthew ever was, and given the chance, she decides to take over. Everything then gets even more confusing.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Tanya Allan
88 books66 followersTanya Allan is a prolific writer of various works, including novels, short stories and poetry. Some of her work, relating to transgender issues, may be familiar to those who feel that perhaps life would have been easier had they been born with a body and mind of the same gender. She is in the process of publishing all other work under the same name.
Tanya is now settled in the southern half of the United Kingdom (sometimes known as England). Born and educated in Scotland, and having experienced well over a half-century of life, in a myriad of guises, mostly involved keeping the realm safe and secure from enemies, both domestic and foreign, Tanya has a more sedate life now, concentrating on grandchildren, dogs, travel and writing.
Tanya is now settled in the southern half of the United Kingdom (sometimes known as England). Born and educated in Scotland, and having experienced well over a half-century of life, in a myriad of guises, mostly involved keeping the realm safe and secure from enemies, both domestic and foreign, Tanya has a more sedate life now, concentrating on grandchildren, dogs, travel and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2014
Lovely story
The first book I read by Tanya Allan and it made me a firm fan of her work. Reading it yet again was just as rewarding as the first time.
The first book I read by Tanya Allan and it made me a firm fan of her work. Reading it yet again was just as rewarding as the first time.
January 18, 2013
Quite possibly Tanya Allan at her finest, "Monique" is a story that should appeal to fans of suspense, criminology, counter-intelligence/spy fiction as well as those who may or may not be interested in transgender lit.
For those who are uncomfortable with transgender lit, don't let that stop you from reading this captivating story. While transgender themes pervade the early chapters, they are not blatant and fit in well with the genre of going deep cover for one's survival. It's there for fans of the genre, but the story is so much more than that. Monique's unique abilities to adapt to various situations quickly and her use of intuition give the story a fantastic pacing - if a bit like a marathon race. That is to say that the adrenaline kicks in and the book becomes hard to put down, keeping the reader going for longer stretches than he or she may otherwise be accustomed to performing. Don't be surprised if once you're hooked you can't put it down.
The only thing keeping this book from a full five stars is that the ending words of the book are "End of Book One"...but there is no book two. You can find additional thirteen chapters out on the web, but the author hasn't produced a second volume to accompany the first. The ending place is acceptable, but still feels incomplete - the story really would benefit from the additional chapters, either included in the Kindle edition or produced as a second volume.
That said, it's still a fantastic read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended for fans of Ms. Allan, fans of transgender lit, fans of suspense and spy lit, and especially for fans of all three.
For those who are uncomfortable with transgender lit, don't let that stop you from reading this captivating story. While transgender themes pervade the early chapters, they are not blatant and fit in well with the genre of going deep cover for one's survival. It's there for fans of the genre, but the story is so much more than that. Monique's unique abilities to adapt to various situations quickly and her use of intuition give the story a fantastic pacing - if a bit like a marathon race. That is to say that the adrenaline kicks in and the book becomes hard to put down, keeping the reader going for longer stretches than he or she may otherwise be accustomed to performing. Don't be surprised if once you're hooked you can't put it down.
The only thing keeping this book from a full five stars is that the ending words of the book are "End of Book One"...but there is no book two. You can find additional thirteen chapters out on the web, but the author hasn't produced a second volume to accompany the first. The ending place is acceptable, but still feels incomplete - the story really would benefit from the additional chapters, either included in the Kindle edition or produced as a second volume.
That said, it's still a fantastic read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended for fans of Ms. Allan, fans of transgender lit, fans of suspense and spy lit, and especially for fans of all three.
February 25, 2014
Good story
Well written with interesting characters. The second part of the book is very different from the first, though, plot wise as the author gets very involved with military and espionage stuff, with a non-stop critique of everything from fashion to national character traits.
Well written with interesting characters. The second part of the book is very different from the first, though, plot wise as the author gets very involved with military and espionage stuff, with a non-stop critique of everything from fashion to national character traits.
March 7, 2015
Excellent as usual
Great book with a good ending which is unusual today. Miss Allan draws you in as if you were part of the story so you are cheering on the protagonists. I try to never miss one of her books and have never been disappointed.
Great book with a good ending which is unusual today. Miss Allan draws you in as if you were part of the story so you are cheering on the protagonists. I try to never miss one of her books and have never been disappointed.
December 19, 2014
This was actually quite a pleasant surprise! Despite a huge number of insanely unbelievable plot twists, it was very readable.
March 28, 2019
Tanya portrais a young person in peril due to the fathers "busineses", who, on the run from both, the police and villains, embarks on a journey of self dicovery and finds courage, strenght and determination as her adventures take the heroine through Switzerland and France and back to the UK.
Having found the love she did not expect or search for she goes off to the Sates for further "education" in more respects than just one. A gripping and satisfying read indeed.
Having found the love she did not expect or search for she goes off to the Sates for further "education" in more respects than just one. A gripping and satisfying read indeed.
May 21, 2019
Tanya
Allan
Allan
Read
September 8, 2012This book had me hooked, the first book since 50 Shades that has hooked me like this, I just want more :) I would seriously pay good money to get this in paper-based form.
The story is compelling and interesting, if somewhat fast moving in places, but it works. Like others I brought it with out too much expectation, but boy was I wrong, it's so much more than that, there's murder, mystery, intrigue, spies and love, it's an almost perfect mix that should suit most people in my humble opinion.
The story is compelling and interesting, if somewhat fast moving in places, but it works. Like others I brought it with out too much expectation, but boy was I wrong, it's so much more than that, there's murder, mystery, intrigue, spies and love, it's an almost perfect mix that should suit most people in my humble opinion.
February 21, 2021
well written great plot
A fascinating tale. Well worth reading. She has an amazing body of works to choose from It would not be a waste of your time or money to read her books.
A fascinating tale. Well worth reading. She has an amazing body of works to choose from It would not be a waste of your time or money to read her books.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews