What do you think?
Rate this book
K'Barthan #4
Looking for Trouble: K'Barthan Series, Part 4
The Pan of Hamgee doesn’t believe in miracles but if he’s going to save K’Barth it looks as if he might need one.
He's not quite as alone as he thought. The punters from The Parrot and Screwdriver are right behind him and he has rescued three of his friends from the Grongolian Security Forces, who are now of course, three of the nation's most wanted, which doesn't make life easy. He even has something of a plan for once. It involves making peace with the Resistance, trying to resurrect the Underground movement, and toppling Lord Vernon.
Now, The Pan just needs to keep his head down and maintain a low profile. He must be brave and clever and stay in control. That's going to be a first. But the hardest part will be staying alive long enough to put his plan into action.
Written in British English with a little light swearing.
Suggested cinema rating: PG
This book is the final part of a a completed science fiction series which is best enjoyed when read in sequence.
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Q – So, tell us about the K’Barthan Series. What made you write it? What makes it special?
A – K’Barth hasn’t always been called ‘K’Barth’ but it’s been with me since I can remember. My brain has always been off with the fairies and I suppose it was only a matter of time before I began to write about where it went. Once I started, the response to the characters, from readers really kept me going. The Pan of Hamgee is a very reluctant hero; someone who is aware of the risks he is taking and human – ie scared – about being brave. A lot of teenage boys like him and he has as many fans among the girls, and their mums. In Ruth I wanted to create someone pragmatic, sensible and grounded. She’s not going to lose a shoe and fall over, so the hero has to go back and help her, and they both get caught by the monster. She’s a strong female protagonist who is a bit more of a hero than The Pan, frankly – to start with at any rate. I think he catches her up as the story unfolds.
Q – Do our readers have to read the K’Barthan Series in order?
A – The character development – and some of the technology – will make the most sense if they do. That said, the short story prequel can be read any time. The books go in this order:
- Unlucky Dip, K'Barthan Series: Prequel
- Few Are Chosen, K'Barthan Series: Part 1
- The Wrong Stuff, K'Barthan Series: Part 2
- One Man: No Plan, K'Barthan Series: Part 3
- Looking For Trouble, K'Barthan Series: Part 4
Q – What will readers enjoy most about The K'Barthan Series?
A – Hopefully, the same things as I do: the laughs, the romance – where it appears – the fast pace and the action – especially the flying car chases – and I hope they will like its deeper side.
Q – What is your favourite kind of Book? Would The K'Barthan Series fit on the list?
A – Oh yes. I wrote it entirely for me. If anyone else likes it, that’s gravy. I love British humour, especially satire in fantasy and sci fi: people like Pratchett and Adams. They make me laugh out loud but think as well. These guys didn’t write bestselling novels by accident, they’re churning out top 100 best sellers for a reason. There’s so much texture and depth. If you're funny you can be harder hitting and setting it all in a parallel reality helps.
Q – Do you have a target reader?
A – Officially it’s young adults and teenagers.
He's not quite as alone as he thought. The punters from The Parrot and Screwdriver are right behind him and he has rescued three of his friends from the Grongolian Security Forces, who are now of course, three of the nation's most wanted, which doesn't make life easy. He even has something of a plan for once. It involves making peace with the Resistance, trying to resurrect the Underground movement, and toppling Lord Vernon.
Now, The Pan just needs to keep his head down and maintain a low profile. He must be brave and clever and stay in control. That's going to be a first. But the hardest part will be staying alive long enough to put his plan into action.
Written in British English with a little light swearing.
Suggested cinema rating: PG
This book is the final part of a a completed science fiction series which is best enjoyed when read in sequence.
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Q – So, tell us about the K’Barthan Series. What made you write it? What makes it special?
A – K’Barth hasn’t always been called ‘K’Barth’ but it’s been with me since I can remember. My brain has always been off with the fairies and I suppose it was only a matter of time before I began to write about where it went. Once I started, the response to the characters, from readers really kept me going. The Pan of Hamgee is a very reluctant hero; someone who is aware of the risks he is taking and human – ie scared – about being brave. A lot of teenage boys like him and he has as many fans among the girls, and their mums. In Ruth I wanted to create someone pragmatic, sensible and grounded. She’s not going to lose a shoe and fall over, so the hero has to go back and help her, and they both get caught by the monster. She’s a strong female protagonist who is a bit more of a hero than The Pan, frankly – to start with at any rate. I think he catches her up as the story unfolds.
Q – Do our readers have to read the K’Barthan Series in order?
A – The character development – and some of the technology – will make the most sense if they do. That said, the short story prequel can be read any time. The books go in this order:
- Unlucky Dip, K'Barthan Series: Prequel
- Few Are Chosen, K'Barthan Series: Part 1
- The Wrong Stuff, K'Barthan Series: Part 2
- One Man: No Plan, K'Barthan Series: Part 3
- Looking For Trouble, K'Barthan Series: Part 4
Q – What will readers enjoy most about The K'Barthan Series?
A – Hopefully, the same things as I do: the laughs, the romance – where it appears – the fast pace and the action – especially the flying car chases – and I hope they will like its deeper side.
Q – What is your favourite kind of Book? Would The K'Barthan Series fit on the list?
A – Oh yes. I wrote it entirely for me. If anyone else likes it, that’s gravy. I love British humour, especially satire in fantasy and sci fi: people like Pratchett and Adams. They make me laugh out loud but think as well. These guys didn’t write bestselling novels by accident, they’re churning out top 100 best sellers for a reason. There’s so much texture and depth. If you're funny you can be harder hitting and setting it all in a parallel reality helps.
Q – Do you have a target reader?
A – Officially it’s young adults and teenagers.
- GenresScience Fiction
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2014
34 people want to read
About the author
M.T. McGuire
21 books135 followersM T McGuire enjoys the real world but wouldn't want to live here full time. That's why she writes books. She grew up, or at least, got bigger, half way up a windy down in Sussex. Her home was also the first location choice for Hogwarts, in the Harry Potter films, so maybe it's not so strange that she's ended up writing spec-fic. Perhaps there's something in the water up there, apart from chalk. She used to do stand up but sat down and started to write books when she got married. She now lives in Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, with a McOther, a McMini and a selection of very silly cars. She hasn't found a way to make any of the cars fly, and none of them is fitted with ordnance like the ones in her books, but she and her team of evil scientists are working on that.
Despite the fact she's pushing fifty now, and supposedly, an adult, M T checks all unfamiliar wardrobes for a gateway to Narnia. She hasn't found one so far but she lives in hope.
Despite the fact she's pushing fifty now, and supposedly, an adult, M T checks all unfamiliar wardrobes for a gateway to Narnia. She hasn't found one so far but she lives in hope.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 29, 2016
I'm gutted this series is over. I loved these books, I'm going to miss The Pan and everybody else :o(
April 2, 2021
I received a free review copy of this audio book, at my request, and am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
This book goes back to the tone of books 1 and 2, and leaves the dark tone of book 3 behind.
The stakes of this plot remains high, and the personal safety of our favorite characters remains in question. However, the book remains light and snarky through out. I found this to be a great relief. I understand why book 3 needed to be more serious, but I'm glad this book was able to be closer to the first.
That's not to say this book is as light as the first 2 books. Books 1 and 2 introduced the plot, settings and characters. Book 3 had them get into the worst possible situation they could and book 4 is the resolution. So while not the dark tone of book 3, this book still has a lot of heavy lifting to do, plot wise. But it is approached mostly from the Pan's POV, with all the implications that brings.
Most of our friends are back, for this one. Big Merv, Lucy, the parrot, Trev, etc. New characters are introduced or expanded on, like Pub Quiz Allen (sorry if it's spelt wrong, audiobook) , and the resistance members. This is where the heart of the story lies. The author crafts characters that it is easy to form a bond with. Characters like Allen were just background before this book and within a chapter or two of him being a secondary character in this book, I felt like I knew him and cared for him.
There's little new in the setting, it all takes place in K'bath. Familiar places and situations. To be expected in a book of this type. So much has been explored in other entries in the series that building on that seems more natural than inventing new places to go.
The plot is fairly straightforward and satisfying. There are, however, a few places where I would have liked to see something more complex introduced. The Pan can be frustratingly simple at times, though. For the most part this felt fine and I wouldn't want him to be more in the know, but sometimes he felt unnaturally slow witted. This had the consequence of slowing the plot, occasionally, and dragging things out that should have been delt with and left behind.
The voice narration, by Gareth Davies, is amazing, again. His voices are great. Timing is perfect. He does an excellent job, as I have come to expect.
All in all, this was a great book and a wonderful conclusion of the story. The tone was much lighter than the last book and this made for a much more enjoyable read. Our favorite characters are back, new ones are added or expanded on. The plot progresses naturally for the most part and only has a few wrinkles. The voice narration was first rate, as it has been for the entire series.
This was an amazing series, and I whole heartily recommend.
*** Spoilers***
There were 2 aspects of the plot I was disappointed with. Well, 2 aside from how dense the Pan was at times.
Firstly, in the first book Sir Robin showed the Pan how he could use a thimble to reach through and remove objects. In the demo, it was a bottle of alcohol from the bar. This skill is never used again. I don't know if Lord Vernon knew about this skill, but I was hoping he would use it to kill the Supreme Leader. Reach through with a dagger and kill him from another room. In any case, I don't like when a cool idea I'd floated once, and never brought up again.
Second, the General. We had POV's from Lucy and Ruth, The Pan, the Resistance members, Lord Vernon, etc. But in the while series the General never had the story told from his POV, or at least not that I can remember. As he was a double (triple?) agent, I suspected it was done deliberately to keep his loyalties secret. However, as the story progressed and it became less likely that he was actually loyal to Lord Vernon, I was hoping for a shake up. Either his POV, or that he would turn out to be trying to kill LORD Vernon to take his place, etc. Something to justify keeping his motivations secret. This doesn't negatively affect the story, it would have just spiced things up a bit.
Still, though, minor things overall. I really did enjoy this series.
This book goes back to the tone of books 1 and 2, and leaves the dark tone of book 3 behind.
The stakes of this plot remains high, and the personal safety of our favorite characters remains in question. However, the book remains light and snarky through out. I found this to be a great relief. I understand why book 3 needed to be more serious, but I'm glad this book was able to be closer to the first.
That's not to say this book is as light as the first 2 books. Books 1 and 2 introduced the plot, settings and characters. Book 3 had them get into the worst possible situation they could and book 4 is the resolution. So while not the dark tone of book 3, this book still has a lot of heavy lifting to do, plot wise. But it is approached mostly from the Pan's POV, with all the implications that brings.
Most of our friends are back, for this one. Big Merv, Lucy, the parrot, Trev, etc. New characters are introduced or expanded on, like Pub Quiz Allen (sorry if it's spelt wrong, audiobook) , and the resistance members. This is where the heart of the story lies. The author crafts characters that it is easy to form a bond with. Characters like Allen were just background before this book and within a chapter or two of him being a secondary character in this book, I felt like I knew him and cared for him.
There's little new in the setting, it all takes place in K'bath. Familiar places and situations. To be expected in a book of this type. So much has been explored in other entries in the series that building on that seems more natural than inventing new places to go.
The plot is fairly straightforward and satisfying. There are, however, a few places where I would have liked to see something more complex introduced. The Pan can be frustratingly simple at times, though. For the most part this felt fine and I wouldn't want him to be more in the know, but sometimes he felt unnaturally slow witted. This had the consequence of slowing the plot, occasionally, and dragging things out that should have been delt with and left behind.
The voice narration, by Gareth Davies, is amazing, again. His voices are great. Timing is perfect. He does an excellent job, as I have come to expect.
All in all, this was a great book and a wonderful conclusion of the story. The tone was much lighter than the last book and this made for a much more enjoyable read. Our favorite characters are back, new ones are added or expanded on. The plot progresses naturally for the most part and only has a few wrinkles. The voice narration was first rate, as it has been for the entire series.
This was an amazing series, and I whole heartily recommend.
*** Spoilers***
There were 2 aspects of the plot I was disappointed with. Well, 2 aside from how dense the Pan was at times.
Firstly, in the first book Sir Robin showed the Pan how he could use a thimble to reach through and remove objects. In the demo, it was a bottle of alcohol from the bar. This skill is never used again. I don't know if Lord Vernon knew about this skill, but I was hoping he would use it to kill the Supreme Leader. Reach through with a dagger and kill him from another room. In any case, I don't like when a cool idea I'd floated once, and never brought up again.
Second, the General. We had POV's from Lucy and Ruth, The Pan, the Resistance members, Lord Vernon, etc. But in the while series the General never had the story told from his POV, or at least not that I can remember. As he was a double (triple?) agent, I suspected it was done deliberately to keep his loyalties secret. However, as the story progressed and it became less likely that he was actually loyal to Lord Vernon, I was hoping for a shake up. Either his POV, or that he would turn out to be trying to kill LORD Vernon to take his place, etc. Something to justify keeping his motivations secret. This doesn't negatively affect the story, it would have just spiced things up a bit.
Still, though, minor things overall. I really did enjoy this series.
June 18, 2022
Looking for Trouble is the final book in the K’Barthan series and is an absolute joy from beginning to end. Its unlikely hero, the Pan of Hamgee, is as adorable as ever as he tries to come up with a clever plan to rescue the girl and defeat the baddies – all without being killed in the process. Convinced he is an utter coward; the Pan consistently proves this theory wrong with every terribly brave and reckless action he takes.
Stuffed full of wonderful characters, I love how inclusive this story is. It doesn’t matter if you have green skin, orange skin, or even blue skin, or if your eyes are brown, black, or red, you can still find someone who thinks you’re the absolute bee’s knees and will risk everything to save you.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and am devastated it’s over because how will I get my Pan fix now? Humorous in the way only the British can be, I chuckled almost all the way through the book, except for the bits where I was jumping up and down and urging the Pan to take care. Is it obvious I have a massive crush on the lad? Oh, if only he were real, and I were thirty years younger.
For those who appreciate the sarky snarky sense of humour to be found in the likes of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, this is your type of read. For everyone else, well, give it a go, maybe you’ll surprise yourself and it’s worth reading for the potty-mouthed parrot alone.
A thumping great five out of five stars and a note to the author – more Pan, please.
Stuffed full of wonderful characters, I love how inclusive this story is. It doesn’t matter if you have green skin, orange skin, or even blue skin, or if your eyes are brown, black, or red, you can still find someone who thinks you’re the absolute bee’s knees and will risk everything to save you.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and am devastated it’s over because how will I get my Pan fix now? Humorous in the way only the British can be, I chuckled almost all the way through the book, except for the bits where I was jumping up and down and urging the Pan to take care. Is it obvious I have a massive crush on the lad? Oh, if only he were real, and I were thirty years younger.
For those who appreciate the sarky snarky sense of humour to be found in the likes of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, this is your type of read. For everyone else, well, give it a go, maybe you’ll surprise yourself and it’s worth reading for the potty-mouthed parrot alone.
A thumping great five out of five stars and a note to the author – more Pan, please.
July 23, 2014
I've just read all four of the K'Barthan books back to back and I'm bereft to have finished them (although my family will be glad to get me back!) M T McGuire has written an epic story to rival Hitchhikers Guide and other humorous sci fi romantic adventures. I loved all the characters (apart from Lord V who definitely gave me the shivers) and I will miss them all. An un-put-downable story that I want to read again from the beginning. Plus I'm more than a little bit smitten with The Pan. Fab.
July 15, 2014
I don't usually write reviews, but this was the perfect end to a fantastic series. My rather arbitrary starring policy is to only give five stars to books I've read more than once and loved just as much the second time around, but I think the K'Barthan Trilogy in four parts could easily join their number in the future!
August 18, 2014
Loved it.
A cracking finish to a four part trilogy, with all my favourite characters putting on their best performance.
I highly recommend the entire series.
A cracking finish to a four part trilogy, with all my favourite characters putting on their best performance.
I highly recommend the entire series.
February 21, 2022
Finally. a conclusion!
This was a good story but I think stretching it out over four books was a bit much. I was very close to quitting after book three. If it didn't come to a conclusion at the end of book four I was ready to quit.
This was a good story but I think stretching it out over four books was a bit much. I was very close to quitting after book three. If it didn't come to a conclusion at the end of book four I was ready to quit.
January 6, 2021
An brilliant ending to a fantastic series. Don't miss out. Give this a read.
March 23, 2017
Enjoyed series from start to finish!
Great mix of twists and character development with action and fantasy and technology thrown in. Sharp writing and puns intertwine with some good ideas about how different kinds of "people" can all get along with more tolerance, respect and a shared vision of what a peaceful society looks like. Timely.
Great mix of twists and character development with action and fantasy and technology thrown in. Sharp writing and puns intertwine with some good ideas about how different kinds of "people" can all get along with more tolerance, respect and a shared vision of what a peaceful society looks like. Timely.
December 5, 2015
Brilliant!
At last the Pan reaches book 4, knowing what he has to do, roughly, on Saturday, the wedding day, and a glimmer of understanding of what has been blindingly obvious to all his friends (and us) for at least two books. And it all ends as it has to, with the Pan’s sacrifice and the prophecies coming true. I don’t think that’s too much of a spoiler, since you know how double-edged prophecies can be, and these are no different from any others in their waywardness.
The K’Barthan Trilogy shortly to be retitled ‘series’, since some internet users complained that four books doth not a trilogy make. Obviously they are not Monty Python fans – and the ludicrousness of some of McGuire’s inventions will be adored by Pythonesques, as well as by punners, twisters, bizarros, and weirdies. Terry Pratchett fans may well take to M T McGuire’s books. I took to them even though I’m not a Pratchett aficionado. But I do love weird, wacky and off-the-wall fun fiction. With a seriously inventive scifi bent.
And I love the Pan. And, strangely, General Moteurs and Pub Quiz Alan. Possibly Merv, too. And I want a snurd. Read the books. I’m sure you’ll love them.
At last the Pan reaches book 4, knowing what he has to do, roughly, on Saturday, the wedding day, and a glimmer of understanding of what has been blindingly obvious to all his friends (and us) for at least two books. And it all ends as it has to, with the Pan’s sacrifice and the prophecies coming true. I don’t think that’s too much of a spoiler, since you know how double-edged prophecies can be, and these are no different from any others in their waywardness.
The K’Barthan Trilogy shortly to be retitled ‘series’, since some internet users complained that four books doth not a trilogy make. Obviously they are not Monty Python fans – and the ludicrousness of some of McGuire’s inventions will be adored by Pythonesques, as well as by punners, twisters, bizarros, and weirdies. Terry Pratchett fans may well take to M T McGuire’s books. I took to them even though I’m not a Pratchett aficionado. But I do love weird, wacky and off-the-wall fun fiction. With a seriously inventive scifi bent.
And I love the Pan. And, strangely, General Moteurs and Pub Quiz Alan. Possibly Merv, too. And I want a snurd. Read the books. I’m sure you’ll love them.
July 18, 2014
We left The Pan of Hamgee in dire straights at the end of Book 3. One of his friends is in desperate need of medical attention. Without it he's a gonner. This book guides us through the complexities of the politics of K'Barth and the Underground and Resistance movements working for freedom from the Grongolian oppressors. We find that not all Grongolians are wicked.
Ruth is due to marry the dreadful Lord Vernon who intends to become the new Architrave. Can The Pan rescue her and come into his own destiny? I'm not going to tell you but it's an exciting and bumpy ride.
The author has created a world here that we want to believe in and characters we variously detest, admire or even love. It's dotted with danger, humour, horror and romance. It’s oozing with charm but it’s not a sweet, chintzy charm. It’s charm with a side order of sarcasm and drizzled with attitude. You can't help but be drawn in. I loved every moment.
Ruth is due to marry the dreadful Lord Vernon who intends to become the new Architrave. Can The Pan rescue her and come into his own destiny? I'm not going to tell you but it's an exciting and bumpy ride.
The author has created a world here that we want to believe in and characters we variously detest, admire or even love. It's dotted with danger, humour, horror and romance. It’s oozing with charm but it’s not a sweet, chintzy charm. It’s charm with a side order of sarcasm and drizzled with attitude. You can't help but be drawn in. I loved every moment.
February 1, 2015
This book was an absolute joy to read. I said of the K’Barthan series part 3 that M T McGuire had come into her own as a writer, in this book it is even more so with knobs on. As I got towards the end of the book I found myself slowing down, a sure sign I didn’t want the book to end.
The action continues at a pace throughout the whole book. The characters jump off of the page, and whilst the story was more serious as the plotlines drew together, I was rarely without a grin on my face as I was reading.
If Douglas Adams had not passed and was still writing today then he would be hard pushed to write something as good as this. An unreserved five out of five stars for this book.
The action continues at a pace throughout the whole book. The characters jump off of the page, and whilst the story was more serious as the plotlines drew together, I was rarely without a grin on my face as I was reading.
If Douglas Adams had not passed and was still writing today then he would be hard pushed to write something as good as this. An unreserved five out of five stars for this book.
January 31, 2016
Review to follow
February 9, 2017
The continuing story has me in stitches, and it's still incredibly humorous. I love this author's imagination. Part 4 of a trilogy is just hilarious!
September 9, 2019
The last in the trilogy. I wish she would write some more K'Barthan adventures. There is a hole in my life.
May 4, 2025
Amazing! What else can I say? This is the fifth time I’ve read this series, and it’s like coming back to an old friend.
May 2, 2017
Excellent fun. I loved the various characters, the villains and the romance. Humour is always more than welcome and there are many genuinely funny moments in this four-book novel. I thought it had more of a fantasy vibe than sci-fi - particularly the 'portals' (though I will never look at an individual serving pot of jam in the same way again) - albeit in this fantasy there's some rather cool flying cars... The vibe reminded me of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat series, which is no bad thing.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews