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Sitting Duck
'Not a whodunnit, but a who’ll do it!'
‘Lucky Jim’ meets ‘The Beach’: a pacy, comic novel with a sting in the tail.
This is the journal of Martin middle-aged, divorced and uptight, but determined to put a little adventure into his life. He's signed up with Target Holidays for a group tour of Pootapuri, an obscure island in the Bay of Bengal. The ill-assorted group turns into a hornets’ nest, and, worse, it gradually dawns on him that someone has got it in for him. Someone homicidal...
Within his journal’s pages lie the clues to his eventual murder. It's been so generous of the murderer to share the journal with us – and belatedly to fulfil Martin’s own literary ambitions.
About the
Robert Dodds has been widely published and broadcast, and writes for both adults and children. His first novel, 'The Midnight Clowns' (2000, Andersen Press) was short-listed for the Kathleen Fidler Award, and also published in France by Flammarion. His other children's novels are 'Nightland' (2002, Andersen Press), 'The Secret of Iguando' (2004, Andersen Press, also published in USA by Mondo, and serialised on BBC Radio Four), and 'The Murrian' (2008, Andersen Press, also published as an audio book by Oakhill). He has two books in A&C Black's 'Wired' series for struggling teenage 'The Haunted Mobile' (2011) and 'Pitch Dark'(2012). For adult readers, his collection of stories 'Rattlesnake and Other Tales' was published in 2001 by Polygon, the fiction imprint of Edinburgh University Press. He has had nine stories broadcast on BBC Radio Four, a professional stage play production, and has written and directed several short films shown on television and at film festivals. His most recent books are 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', a historical thriller about the artist Hieronymus Bosch, and 'Secret Sharers', a collection of short stories.
Visit his website at www.robertdodds.com
‘Lucky Jim’ meets ‘The Beach’: a pacy, comic novel with a sting in the tail.
This is the journal of Martin middle-aged, divorced and uptight, but determined to put a little adventure into his life. He's signed up with Target Holidays for a group tour of Pootapuri, an obscure island in the Bay of Bengal. The ill-assorted group turns into a hornets’ nest, and, worse, it gradually dawns on him that someone has got it in for him. Someone homicidal...
Within his journal’s pages lie the clues to his eventual murder. It's been so generous of the murderer to share the journal with us – and belatedly to fulfil Martin’s own literary ambitions.
About the
Robert Dodds has been widely published and broadcast, and writes for both adults and children. His first novel, 'The Midnight Clowns' (2000, Andersen Press) was short-listed for the Kathleen Fidler Award, and also published in France by Flammarion. His other children's novels are 'Nightland' (2002, Andersen Press), 'The Secret of Iguando' (2004, Andersen Press, also published in USA by Mondo, and serialised on BBC Radio Four), and 'The Murrian' (2008, Andersen Press, also published as an audio book by Oakhill). He has two books in A&C Black's 'Wired' series for struggling teenage 'The Haunted Mobile' (2011) and 'Pitch Dark'(2012). For adult readers, his collection of stories 'Rattlesnake and Other Tales' was published in 2001 by Polygon, the fiction imprint of Edinburgh University Press. He has had nine stories broadcast on BBC Radio Four, a professional stage play production, and has written and directed several short films shown on television and at film festivals. His most recent books are 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', a historical thriller about the artist Hieronymus Bosch, and 'Secret Sharers', a collection of short stories.
Visit his website at www.robertdodds.com
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2011
2 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Robert Dodds
18 books8 followersRobert Dodds writes for both adults and children. His work is not easy to categorize, as he does not stick to a single genre. However, recurring characteristics are the humorous and the macabre.
His four novels for adults are: 'The Art School Murders' and 'Sitting Duck' - both blackly comic murder stories; 'Paradise Por Favor' - a humorous novel set in Spain, and the historical novel 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', inspired by the work of the 15th Century artist Hieronymus Bosch. His two short story collections are 'Rattlesnake and Other Tales' (Polygon) and 'Secret Sharers'. Many of his short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio Four.
For children, 'The Midnight Clowns' (Andersen Press) was short-listed for the Kathleen Fidler Award, and is also published in France by Flammarion. His other children's novels are 'Nightland' (Andersen Press), 'The Secret of Iguando' (Andersen Press, also published in USA by Mondo, and serialised on BBC Radio Four), and 'The Murrian' (Andersen Press, also published as an audio book by Oakhill). He has two books in Bloomsbury's 'Wired' series for struggling teenage readers: 'The Haunted Mobile' and 'Pitch Dark'.
In addition to writing fiction, he has had a stage play produced, and has written and directed several short films shown on television and at film festivals.
His four novels for adults are: 'The Art School Murders' and 'Sitting Duck' - both blackly comic murder stories; 'Paradise Por Favor' - a humorous novel set in Spain, and the historical novel 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', inspired by the work of the 15th Century artist Hieronymus Bosch. His two short story collections are 'Rattlesnake and Other Tales' (Polygon) and 'Secret Sharers'. Many of his short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio Four.
For children, 'The Midnight Clowns' (Andersen Press) was short-listed for the Kathleen Fidler Award, and is also published in France by Flammarion. His other children's novels are 'Nightland' (Andersen Press), 'The Secret of Iguando' (Andersen Press, also published in USA by Mondo, and serialised on BBC Radio Four), and 'The Murrian' (Andersen Press, also published as an audio book by Oakhill). He has two books in Bloomsbury's 'Wired' series for struggling teenage readers: 'The Haunted Mobile' and 'Pitch Dark'.
In addition to writing fiction, he has had a stage play produced, and has written and directed several short films shown on television and at film festivals.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 6, 2017
Amusing murder
Surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying this version of a 'travelogue', amusing and fairly predictable as it was. Felt that the pathos of Martin was only enhanced by the oddities of the group as a whole
Surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying this version of a 'travelogue', amusing and fairly predictable as it was. Felt that the pathos of Martin was only enhanced by the oddities of the group as a whole
June 9, 2012
Ever been on one of these holidays to an exotic location where the group members (apart from yourself of course) seem pretty odd? And where they start to misbehave as soon as they are free from the leash of normal life? And where you keep trying to persuade yourself you are interested in a foreign culture that you don't understand and which secretly bores you?
Well, if so, this is the novel for you. Pacy, funny, naughty, ironic, sharply observed, cleverly constructed – I couldn’t put it down.
And if you haven’t been on such a holiday, you should read this page-turner to know what might happen to you if you do!
Well, if so, this is the novel for you. Pacy, funny, naughty, ironic, sharply observed, cleverly constructed – I couldn’t put it down.
And if you haven’t been on such a holiday, you should read this page-turner to know what might happen to you if you do!
February 18, 2012
Martin signed up for an adventurous vacation, but unfortunately he got more than planned. No one in his tour group seems to like him much and it appears that someone may be trying to kill him. This book is Martin's travel journal and is a great read. It will make you feel suspicious of everyone you meet on your next tour group or cruise. The only complaint that I had about the book was that the ending seemed very abrupt, but overall I loved it.
June 3, 2016
An entertaining summer's read
An easy to read story with colourful characters in an exotic setting. A sort travelling "The best exotic marigold hotel". Martin the main character who thinks he is physically and personally unattractive, leads us through an eventful holiday with his journal describing the hilarious interaction between himself, his fellow travellers and the guide.
I couldn't put it down and was duly rewarded with the twist at the end. I strongly recommend it.
An easy to read story with colourful characters in an exotic setting. A sort travelling "The best exotic marigold hotel". Martin the main character who thinks he is physically and personally unattractive, leads us through an eventful holiday with his journal describing the hilarious interaction between himself, his fellow travellers and the guide.
I couldn't put it down and was duly rewarded with the twist at the end. I strongly recommend it.
June 11, 2012
I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going to happen next and who was causing so much trouble on Martin's vacation. I agree with the previous review that the ending was a bit abrupt, but I didn't really think the person who "did it" would be the person at all, so that was definitely a surprise.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews