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The Royal Factor
The Prime Minister is in trouble. He needs to improve his popularity, fast. An opportunity comes along to show his passion for the people - using misdemeanours carried out by some members of the Royal Family as an excuse to depose them – and then replacing them with a family chosen through a TV talent show. Surely Britain will love that? How could he go wrong?In fact, he could go wrong in many principally by tricking the Royal Family into leaving the country, blackmailing a talent-show impresario into developing the ‘Royal Factor’ and then influencing the result so that a family devoted to tanning beds and creating a police state wins the competition.Britain is outraged and people show their feelings through riotous protest. The PM is left with only one option; he must secretly recover Her Majesty from her cruise ship, moored off the USA, and get her back before a ‘dethroning clause’ kicks in and the country descends into civil war.The Royal Factor uses a combination of fact, fiction, romance and comedy to explore popular culture, politics, the monarchy and the cult of celebrity. Viagra misuse, the Sex-Offenders Register, lunatic chauffeurs, enforced marriage of a gay man to a woman and the fact that the PM’s best friend is the leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition also feature…
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2011
5 people want to read
About the author
David Eckhoff
2 books4 followersDavid Eckhoff (@theroyalfactor, www.theroyalfactor.blogspot.com) is a public relations manager and writer who has run his own PR agency, worked in the corporate world and helped small businesses and individuals get into national and international media. He has also appeared as a stand-up comedian in a range of London comedy clubs and pub comedy nights. His career has enabled him to work with politicians, politicians who have become celebrities and celebrities. Much PR work is about writing and David has always enjoyed this aspect of his work, now moving towards novel writing, combining some personal experience with news, fiction, comedy and cynicism.
David is a voracious consumer of tv programmes, if there is something more useful that he should be doing at that time. He is a keen 'pub cyclist' and was a founder member the Sidney Arms Cycling Club in 2003. He has a wife, two daughters and a dog and lives in a village that is postally in Kent but for all other purposes is in London.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Royal-Fac...
David is a voracious consumer of tv programmes, if there is something more useful that he should be doing at that time. He is a keen 'pub cyclist' and was a founder member the Sidney Arms Cycling Club in 2003. He has a wife, two daughters and a dog and lives in a village that is postally in Kent but for all other purposes is in London.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Royal-Fac...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 14, 2014
The story in The Royal Factor is implausible, far-fetched and unlikely - if you hold a naive, rigid mindset towards politics and society that is. For the rest of us who might be a little more sceptical and worldly-wise, a lot of what goes on along the way does not seem that improbable.
The British Prime Minister is in trouble and needs a boost to his popularity. The usual short-term strategies (a.k.a. tricks) have not worked so a madcap scheme is launched to try and get rid of the Queen and the Royal Family, replacing them with an “Alternative Royal Family”. The method? That ultimate test of democracy in 2010s Britain - the telephone vote and a TV talent show.
What could possibly go wrong...?
Despite knowing that you are reading a work of fiction, your mind is being messed with as you recognise (or for the benefit of any libel lawyers you THINK you recognise) many “real life” characters along the way. Lots of bits of information appear to jump into place, adding to the overall credibility of the story and the leading characters. In keeping with other works of political comedy and satire, the grand master plan of the chief character tends to explode and fail to miss its target, leading to a bit of back-peddling and trying to revert to the status quo without anybody noticing that a major “cock up” has happened. Or should that be a major, strategic realignment has taken place to err, replace the previous major strategic realignment?
This is a book that you might not want to read with a glass of wine or similar beverage in hand. Suddenly and without warning you might expel liquids through your nose or start shaking with laughter. Balancing an iPad or Kindle in one hand and a glass of wine that is trying to jump out in the other whilst your body is shaking with laughter is a very difficult thing to do, as this reviewer can attest. Also don’t read this book whilst commuting as you WILL get many strange looks as you sit chuckling and snorting to yourself. Even “clarifying” to your seat neighbour that “they” are replacing the Queen by a telephone vote might get some worried passengers calling for medical help on your behalf.
Before reading this book, one was sceptical to its overall concept and storyline, after all there are plenty of fiction books that promise a wild story and subsequently fall squarely on their backside, whether due to poor writing, structure or just the concept/plot. No such worries here. If you have an open mind and at least a bit of scepticism to life then you are sorted - this will be a very interesting, humorous diversion of your time.
There are a few small errors in the book and at times it feels like an editor’s red pencil might have been necessary to tighten up things a little but it is important to remember that this is a self-published book and a damn good one at that. Many books from traditional publishing companies are far from being fault-free and many more pairs of hands and eyes have been fiddling with the text. After reading the book you’ll struggle to remember what those “little errors” were as this reviewer notes himself when trying to recollect them! It is a double-edged sword. If the book wasn’t so engaging one wouldn’t have read it so closely and thus noticed any small issues.
The author wrote most of this book during his daily commute and no doubt some of the people he has mixed with through his job in “public relations” has helped enrich a character or two. Eckhoff might be closer to the levers of power than what many may appreciate - keep that in the back of your mind as you read.
What else is there to say? For less than two pounds you are going to get an evening or more’s entertainment. A great, refreshing read and something that shows that not all self-published books are inferior as a “large publisher” has turned them down. If only more self-published books were like this!
The author has managed to leave a gap for further books featuring the same Prime Minister, whether in office, in opposition or in jail. Many books selling for ten times this price, albeit with a “name” behind it, could only dream of being this engaging and providing such an addictive read. A second book is currently being authored by Eckhoff and he has set a high standard to prove that he isn’t a one-hit-wonder.
The British Prime Minister is in trouble and needs a boost to his popularity. The usual short-term strategies (a.k.a. tricks) have not worked so a madcap scheme is launched to try and get rid of the Queen and the Royal Family, replacing them with an “Alternative Royal Family”. The method? That ultimate test of democracy in 2010s Britain - the telephone vote and a TV talent show.
What could possibly go wrong...?
Despite knowing that you are reading a work of fiction, your mind is being messed with as you recognise (or for the benefit of any libel lawyers you THINK you recognise) many “real life” characters along the way. Lots of bits of information appear to jump into place, adding to the overall credibility of the story and the leading characters. In keeping with other works of political comedy and satire, the grand master plan of the chief character tends to explode and fail to miss its target, leading to a bit of back-peddling and trying to revert to the status quo without anybody noticing that a major “cock up” has happened. Or should that be a major, strategic realignment has taken place to err, replace the previous major strategic realignment?
This is a book that you might not want to read with a glass of wine or similar beverage in hand. Suddenly and without warning you might expel liquids through your nose or start shaking with laughter. Balancing an iPad or Kindle in one hand and a glass of wine that is trying to jump out in the other whilst your body is shaking with laughter is a very difficult thing to do, as this reviewer can attest. Also don’t read this book whilst commuting as you WILL get many strange looks as you sit chuckling and snorting to yourself. Even “clarifying” to your seat neighbour that “they” are replacing the Queen by a telephone vote might get some worried passengers calling for medical help on your behalf.
Before reading this book, one was sceptical to its overall concept and storyline, after all there are plenty of fiction books that promise a wild story and subsequently fall squarely on their backside, whether due to poor writing, structure or just the concept/plot. No such worries here. If you have an open mind and at least a bit of scepticism to life then you are sorted - this will be a very interesting, humorous diversion of your time.
There are a few small errors in the book and at times it feels like an editor’s red pencil might have been necessary to tighten up things a little but it is important to remember that this is a self-published book and a damn good one at that. Many books from traditional publishing companies are far from being fault-free and many more pairs of hands and eyes have been fiddling with the text. After reading the book you’ll struggle to remember what those “little errors” were as this reviewer notes himself when trying to recollect them! It is a double-edged sword. If the book wasn’t so engaging one wouldn’t have read it so closely and thus noticed any small issues.
The author wrote most of this book during his daily commute and no doubt some of the people he has mixed with through his job in “public relations” has helped enrich a character or two. Eckhoff might be closer to the levers of power than what many may appreciate - keep that in the back of your mind as you read.
What else is there to say? For less than two pounds you are going to get an evening or more’s entertainment. A great, refreshing read and something that shows that not all self-published books are inferior as a “large publisher” has turned them down. If only more self-published books were like this!
The author has managed to leave a gap for further books featuring the same Prime Minister, whether in office, in opposition or in jail. Many books selling for ten times this price, albeit with a “name” behind it, could only dream of being this engaging and providing such an addictive read. A second book is currently being authored by Eckhoff and he has set a high standard to prove that he isn’t a one-hit-wonder.
May 24, 2012
The author acknowledges Southeastern trains delays in his dedication, for giving him the opportunity to write this book.
As a fellow sufferer, showing solidarity, I set myself to reading this book whilst sitting on delayed Southeastern trains. Didn't take long (but that's a subject for another book).
There's a nice premise to the story, with only mild exaggeration from the real world to seem scarily realistic - The Royal family's behaviour degenerates to the point where they become (even) more of a liability, the Prime Minister finds a loophole which would allow for them to be replaced and sets about a nicely devious little plan to use an X-Factor-esque programme to find their replacements.
In the midst of this, unwanted affairs, military operations, hunts for love, and more insults than are readily countable or recountable. And, surprisingly, some tender moments too.
Kicking off, my initial reaction was that this would make for a wonderful stage-play (and still would, if suitably adapted), with the dialogue and frenetic pace lending itself well. The book settles in well, with a kind of jolly-romp tone.
There are a few drawbacks (some unrealistic dialogue, couple of plot-holes, etc), but certainly nothing that'd kill the moment or the enjoyment of the story.
Definitely recommended. Especially if you're on the train.
As a fellow sufferer, showing solidarity, I set myself to reading this book whilst sitting on delayed Southeastern trains. Didn't take long (but that's a subject for another book).
There's a nice premise to the story, with only mild exaggeration from the real world to seem scarily realistic - The Royal family's behaviour degenerates to the point where they become (even) more of a liability, the Prime Minister finds a loophole which would allow for them to be replaced and sets about a nicely devious little plan to use an X-Factor-esque programme to find their replacements.
In the midst of this, unwanted affairs, military operations, hunts for love, and more insults than are readily countable or recountable. And, surprisingly, some tender moments too.
Kicking off, my initial reaction was that this would make for a wonderful stage-play (and still would, if suitably adapted), with the dialogue and frenetic pace lending itself well. The book settles in well, with a kind of jolly-romp tone.
There are a few drawbacks (some unrealistic dialogue, couple of plot-holes, etc), but certainly nothing that'd kill the moment or the enjoyment of the story.
Definitely recommended. Especially if you're on the train.
January 17, 2016
The Royal Factor by David Eckhoff is a fun fast-moving light-hearted story with a plot that lends itself to topical parody. The lively and extreme characters continuously clash in comical ways and one ends up liking them in spite of their grand scheming and personal foibles. Reality TV, politics, the media and the Royal Family in modern day Britain is the setting, but the main characters bring an animated warmth to the story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews