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The Richard Hannay Adventures #1
A Very Dangerous Pursuit
Adventure can be a deadly business. It began in the manner of all the very best in a coffee house.
When one Richard Hannay—intrepid, inquisitive, and on the hunt for intrigue—encounters an old acquaintance in Constantinople, he has an inkling that something thrilling is afoot.
Charged with an item of great mystery and import—a washbag, no less!—he soon finds himself in a very dangerous from the luxurious confines of the Orient Express to the decks of the Titanic herself, all with the very fate of Europe in his care.
Can he slip the net of Count Schwabing, whose long arm stretches from Berlin to the Bosphorus? And what of Madame Zara, the cabaret enchantress—does she play at affection, deception, or something far more deadly?
In over his head, often a step—or thirty-nine—behind, but absolutely, resolutely determined to save the day, Hannay is about to embark on an escapade that will test his wits, his courage, and his ability to keep hold of a blasted washbag.
When one Richard Hannay—intrepid, inquisitive, and on the hunt for intrigue—encounters an old acquaintance in Constantinople, he has an inkling that something thrilling is afoot.
Charged with an item of great mystery and import—a washbag, no less!—he soon finds himself in a very dangerous from the luxurious confines of the Orient Express to the decks of the Titanic herself, all with the very fate of Europe in his care.
Can he slip the net of Count Schwabing, whose long arm stretches from Berlin to the Bosphorus? And what of Madame Zara, the cabaret enchantress—does she play at affection, deception, or something far more deadly?
In over his head, often a step—or thirty-nine—behind, but absolutely, resolutely determined to save the day, Hannay is about to embark on an escapade that will test his wits, his courage, and his ability to keep hold of a blasted washbag.
Audible Audio
Published May 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 4, 2026
A Bloody Ridiculous Pursuit, Quite
Ben Miller is one of my very favorite actors. In my opinion, his appearance in Doc Martin as a deranged park ranger and his leading part as Professor Tempest in the British version of Professor T are a work of genius. I also enjoyed reading his two popular science books, especially the first one (It's Not Rocket Science) By (author) Ben Miller March, 2014 . So of course I preordered the audiobook of his first novel the moment I spotted it.
Somehow, probably under the long-lasting influence of Professor T, I expected it to be a contemporary mystery. To my surprise, Richard Hannay's unlikely pursuits started at the same location and at the similar time period where my previous read Persian Pictures: From the Mountains to the Sea left off -- in Constantinople, in 1912. A mystery it is not, but rather a swashbuckling espionage adventure, which would take its protagonist from Constantinople to Bulgaria, France and even across the ocean all the way to the United States, by train, by horse, by donkey, by plane, by bike, by ship, by boat -- you name it.
This in itself would not have prevented me from enjoying the book, especially that my willingness to suspend my disbelief for Ben Miller's sake was almost limitless. For a while, I happily ignored the absurdity of Richard Hannay's close encounters with his cruel foes, until I just couldn't take him regularly blundering into mortal dangers and escaping by the skin of his teeth anymore.
Ben Miller's narration of the audiobook was excellent. Still, it couldn't prevent me from noticing that long before the end of the story the last shreds of its credibility had vanished. I considered if A Very Dangerous Pursuit could be enjoyed as an ironic self-mocking parody of a good old espionage adventure, but this didn't quite work either because it did take itself seriously, once in a while.
The more I listened, the more I wondered what possessed Ben Miller to bring Richard Hannay and his harebrained pursuits into existence. He might have explained it in some interview -- I haven't checked this yet. In the meantime, my wild guesses are:
1. To show he can write a swashbuckling espionage adventure set on the brink of the Great War? But why?
2. Any special interest in espionage novels or in this historic period? Reliving a childhood dream to become a British secret agent?
3. Is Richard Hannay the role Ben Miller has always wanted to play but never got to?
I'm still guessing...
Ben Miller is one of my very favorite actors. In my opinion, his appearance in Doc Martin as a deranged park ranger and his leading part as Professor Tempest in the British version of Professor T are a work of genius. I also enjoyed reading his two popular science books, especially the first one (It's Not Rocket Science) By (author) Ben Miller March, 2014 . So of course I preordered the audiobook of his first novel the moment I spotted it.
Somehow, probably under the long-lasting influence of Professor T, I expected it to be a contemporary mystery. To my surprise, Richard Hannay's unlikely pursuits started at the same location and at the similar time period where my previous read Persian Pictures: From the Mountains to the Sea left off -- in Constantinople, in 1912. A mystery it is not, but rather a swashbuckling espionage adventure, which would take its protagonist from Constantinople to Bulgaria, France and even across the ocean all the way to the United States, by train, by horse, by donkey, by plane, by bike, by ship, by boat -- you name it.
This in itself would not have prevented me from enjoying the book, especially that my willingness to suspend my disbelief for Ben Miller's sake was almost limitless. For a while, I happily ignored the absurdity of Richard Hannay's close encounters with his cruel foes, until I just couldn't take him regularly blundering into mortal dangers and escaping by the skin of his teeth anymore.
Ben Miller's narration of the audiobook was excellent. Still, it couldn't prevent me from noticing that long before the end of the story the last shreds of its credibility had vanished. I considered if A Very Dangerous Pursuit could be enjoyed as an ironic self-mocking parody of a good old espionage adventure, but this didn't quite work either because it did take itself seriously, once in a while.
The more I listened, the more I wondered what possessed Ben Miller to bring Richard Hannay and his harebrained pursuits into existence. He might have explained it in some interview -- I haven't checked this yet. In the meantime, my wild guesses are:
1. To show he can write a swashbuckling espionage adventure set on the brink of the Great War? But why?
2. Any special interest in espionage novels or in this historic period? Reliving a childhood dream to become a British secret agent?
3. Is Richard Hannay the role Ben Miller has always wanted to play but never got to?
I'm still guessing...
June 3, 2026
To my own surprise I thoroughly enjoyed this! I admit it, I was scared it would be pathetic, perky humour. (Oh well, it was a bit...) It was well worth my time.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
May 31, 2026
4.5 rounded up
Fast, frantic, funny and many other positive ‘f’ words! Loved this so much and am eagerly awaiting the next Hannay adventure
Fast, frantic, funny and many other positive ‘f’ words! Loved this so much and am eagerly awaiting the next Hannay adventure
Read
May 27, 2026it's ridiculous action only thing. if that's your kind of jam, then you're in luck.
it even has resurrection card tucked into the sleeve for the next installment if it comes to be.
am thinking this really should be the last birthvaganza for this year
it even has resurrection card tucked into the sleeve for the next installment if it comes to be.
am thinking this really should be the last birthvaganza for this year
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When inquisitive Richard Hannay encounters an old acquaintance in 1912 Constantinople, he has a suspicion that something thrilling is afoot. Charged with an item of great mystery - a washbag! - he soon finds himself on the run. From the Orient Express to the decks of the Titanic, the fate of Europe is in Richard’s hands. Faced with an enchanting performer, a ruthless Count, and some very violent pursuers, Hannay embarks on an adventure that will test his wits, his courage, and his ability to keep hold of a blasted washbag.
The action kicks off right away, and I enjoyed the narrative style - it was both gripping and funny. The tension never lets up, as Hannay swings from one near-miss to another. ‘One more chapter’ turned into another and another so I could see where he’d end up next! This reminded me of Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade - the same kind of action and adventure, and a dogged pursuit. I just had to know - what was going on with that washbag?! It’s a fast-paced caper full of witty dialogue, questionable disguises, and memorable characters. Ben Miller has created a thrilling homage that brings new energy and intrigue to a classic adventure story.
The action kicks off right away, and I enjoyed the narrative style - it was both gripping and funny. The tension never lets up, as Hannay swings from one near-miss to another. ‘One more chapter’ turned into another and another so I could see where he’d end up next! This reminded me of Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade - the same kind of action and adventure, and a dogged pursuit. I just had to know - what was going on with that washbag?! It’s a fast-paced caper full of witty dialogue, questionable disguises, and memorable characters. Ben Miller has created a thrilling homage that brings new energy and intrigue to a classic adventure story.
June 6, 2026
I've read in the past year, many or all, of Ben Miller's children's books and found them to be magical, great little stories. That if I was a kid, I would loved to have read. In A Very Dangerous Pursuit, showcases what Ben can do with adults in mind. I found this to being a fantastic read, I loved every moment of it. Ben is very visual with his descriptions, which makes you feel your right in the middle of the action. With his background being in comedy, there are many humorous moments through out the story. The reveal at the end, was very clever and I could easily see, this continuing into a series of books. Which I would be, very happy to see happen.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews