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Kind Hearts and Martinets #3
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza
A double murder, rocket attacks, and a sinister plot have DCI Jack Austin undercover and trying to keep solve a case that goes far above his station
DCI Jack Austin—Jane to his friends and the not-so-friendly—knew he shouldn’t have come in to work. Following a terrorist bomb, an incident with a tutu, and a hangover that would fell an elephant, investigating dead dogs, dodging bullets, and being pulled sopping wet from a naval harbor is not conducive to a sunny disposition. But when the Head of Armed Forces and a City banker are brutally murdered, what’s a dashing DCI to do? FORCE, a powerful Star Chamber, is under threat and Jack will need to go deep undercover to get to the bottom of the sinister plot. As revelations and rocket attacks threaten to turn his world upside down (and ruin his best pair of trousers), Jack will need courage, skill, and a huge dose of lady luck if he is to bring to justice the perpetrators of a nefarious plot that goes all the way to the Prime Minister’s office. As the trail leads to a showdown at the Albert Hall, Jack Austin, quintessential jumped up barrow boy (social climber out of his league) and Portsmouth’s very own self-styled national icon, must fight to save his reputation, the country, and the lives of those who matter most. And he must work out just what a dead dog has to do with it all.
DCI Jack Austin—Jane to his friends and the not-so-friendly—knew he shouldn’t have come in to work. Following a terrorist bomb, an incident with a tutu, and a hangover that would fell an elephant, investigating dead dogs, dodging bullets, and being pulled sopping wet from a naval harbor is not conducive to a sunny disposition. But when the Head of Armed Forces and a City banker are brutally murdered, what’s a dashing DCI to do? FORCE, a powerful Star Chamber, is under threat and Jack will need to go deep undercover to get to the bottom of the sinister plot. As revelations and rocket attacks threaten to turn his world upside down (and ruin his best pair of trousers), Jack will need courage, skill, and a huge dose of lady luck if he is to bring to justice the perpetrators of a nefarious plot that goes all the way to the Prime Minister’s office. As the trail leads to a showdown at the Albert Hall, Jack Austin, quintessential jumped up barrow boy (social climber out of his league) and Portsmouth’s very own self-styled national icon, must fight to save his reputation, the country, and the lives of those who matter most. And he must work out just what a dead dog has to do with it all.
360 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 16, 2020
Today's book review is for 'A Barrow Boy's Cadenza: In Dead Flat Major' by Pete Adams. This is the third book in his Kind Hearts and Martinets series, and I've previously read the first two mysteries. If you're a fan of quirky British police procedurals, then this series is for you!
Jack, a troubled but hilarious genius, has been in more accidents than I can count. Poor fellow practically has only one eye these days... and he often tells you about the shape his body is in too. Let's also not forget his frequent metaphors, nicknames, and discussions about bodily functions -- all in a humorous, shocking, and explosive manner. It makes for quite an adventurous and unique series. His love, Amanda / Mandy, tames him at times, but she's also got a bit of a wild side. In their opening scene, we definitely see the charm of their relationship.
So, what's going on in this third book? Political scandals... Villains... Crime informants you might not want to trust.... Someone wearing a tutu... terrorism... and Jack meets The Queen. About halfway thru the book, we learn he's going to receive a medal. When he bows before her... things go wacky and haywire. Being a fan of shows like The Crown, I cannot imagine how this would happen in real life, but it's completely on point to make a reader understand Jack's character, especially with what he says to the Queen, or Philip, her husband, in regard to her throne. It just goes with the theme in the book.
There are so many fun and new idioms to learn. I can't help but wonder what it'd be like to meet the author in person. We might speak a similar language, but wow, I have a lot to learn about expressions and double meaning! Jack is a good detective... sometimes he stumbles upon the truth by accident or luck. As he accepts aging, we see so much about the reality of life, it's got a bit of everything in this book. Fast-paced, full of wild personalities, you will undoubtedly find several characters to love and a few to slant your eyes at. "What just happened!?!?!" Then you'll hurt from laughing.
I leave you with this... what is a cadenza? Perhaps a solo artist shining amidst a musical ensemble included to show the talent or range of the star? Jack is obviously the star here, and in this book in the series, we get the POV or perspective from other members of the team... curious how the title says a lot more about the book? You'll have to pick it up to read it.
Jack, a troubled but hilarious genius, has been in more accidents than I can count. Poor fellow practically has only one eye these days... and he often tells you about the shape his body is in too. Let's also not forget his frequent metaphors, nicknames, and discussions about bodily functions -- all in a humorous, shocking, and explosive manner. It makes for quite an adventurous and unique series. His love, Amanda / Mandy, tames him at times, but she's also got a bit of a wild side. In their opening scene, we definitely see the charm of their relationship.
So, what's going on in this third book? Political scandals... Villains... Crime informants you might not want to trust.... Someone wearing a tutu... terrorism... and Jack meets The Queen. About halfway thru the book, we learn he's going to receive a medal. When he bows before her... things go wacky and haywire. Being a fan of shows like The Crown, I cannot imagine how this would happen in real life, but it's completely on point to make a reader understand Jack's character, especially with what he says to the Queen, or Philip, her husband, in regard to her throne. It just goes with the theme in the book.
There are so many fun and new idioms to learn. I can't help but wonder what it'd be like to meet the author in person. We might speak a similar language, but wow, I have a lot to learn about expressions and double meaning! Jack is a good detective... sometimes he stumbles upon the truth by accident or luck. As he accepts aging, we see so much about the reality of life, it's got a bit of everything in this book. Fast-paced, full of wild personalities, you will undoubtedly find several characters to love and a few to slant your eyes at. "What just happened!?!?!" Then you'll hurt from laughing.
I leave you with this... what is a cadenza? Perhaps a solo artist shining amidst a musical ensemble included to show the talent or range of the star? Jack is obviously the star here, and in this book in the series, we get the POV or perspective from other members of the team... curious how the title says a lot more about the book? You'll have to pick it up to read it.
May 7, 2016
If you want some joy in your life, you will get it in spades if you read this quirky and comic crime thriller! It also has a surprising amount of depth to it. It is the first one I have read from the series, and it works well as a standalone. Portsmouth's DCI Jack Austin, known as Jane, is vividly realised as he encounters dead dogs. He goes deep undercover to investigate the murders of the Head of the Armed Forces and a City banker. The investigation leads right to the top encountering a range of threats, many of them bonkers! There is a fast paced narrative, great characterisation and a brilliant, if insanely, plotted story. Pete Adams is a writer to treasure. A must read, highly recommended book. Many thanks to Urbane for an ARC via netgalley.
September 11, 2019
An explosion of action throughout. I loved it.
This was by far the most exciting book in this unusual series so far. DCI Jack Austin is in great form, together with his rather unusual team of detectives and his boss and lover, Amanda Bruce. Sometimes the humour in Mr Adams's books can make you forget that the laughs are a mere sideshow, set against a Machievelian plot to overthrow the government and change society for ever.
There are murders, bombings, and a hilarious meeting with the Queen when Jack is awarded the George Medal. The story is tinged with tragedy too, which surprised me and brought me back down to earth after the humour. An absolutely brilliant read. Thoroughly recommended.
This was by far the most exciting book in this unusual series so far. DCI Jack Austin is in great form, together with his rather unusual team of detectives and his boss and lover, Amanda Bruce. Sometimes the humour in Mr Adams's books can make you forget that the laughs are a mere sideshow, set against a Machievelian plot to overthrow the government and change society for ever.
There are murders, bombings, and a hilarious meeting with the Queen when Jack is awarded the George Medal. The story is tinged with tragedy too, which surprised me and brought me back down to earth after the humour. An absolutely brilliant read. Thoroughly recommended.
May 2, 2020
Kind Hearts and Martinets is a police procedural series that majors in the camaraderie of the officers themselves as much as it does solving crimes, and A Barrow Boy's Cadenza is no exception. Adams also majors in interesting plots with enough complexity and intrigue to hold the attention, and ladles full of old-fashioned British banter and sauce. Ribald at times, it is clear Adams thoroughly enjoys the world he's built and is as entertained by his characters as his readers, especially his lead role.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza opens after an intriguing prologue on a pleasingly intimate and playful domestic scene involving DCI Jack Austin and his consort and intended, Mandy. It's been three years since Jack's wife died and three months since he was seriously injured in the course of duty. We also discover he's nearing sixty. He's a loveable protagonist, less hard-boiled and washed-up, although satisfyingly damaged, more cosy, cheeky and endearing and very, very funny.
Jack isn't any old officer, either. He's a former MI5 senior analyst who established a Community Policing outfit as a front org for his 'other' boss. Adams brings this element down to the up-close and pally through Catholic Priest Father Mike who serves as Jack's conduit. This time, Jack is to hand over the reins of his outfit to DI Wild, or Jo Jums, while he sets up a new extension to tackle those behind the creation of a computer game that encourages its players to act out the fantasies they create in real life. A scuppered terrorist attack at a demonstration and a series of dead dogs thrown in the harbour altogether make for a delightful pot pourri of crime for the team and the reader to solve.
There is plenty going on and the pace quickens considerably when Jack is shot and falls in the harbour at a Naval Dockyards. From then, it's full steam ahead, but always with an emphasis on the personal, the intimate, the domestic aspects of policing. And it's the personal lives of Jack and Amanda that will make the reader reach for Book 4 to find out what happens to them next.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza opens after an intriguing prologue on a pleasingly intimate and playful domestic scene involving DCI Jack Austin and his consort and intended, Mandy. It's been three years since Jack's wife died and three months since he was seriously injured in the course of duty. We also discover he's nearing sixty. He's a loveable protagonist, less hard-boiled and washed-up, although satisfyingly damaged, more cosy, cheeky and endearing and very, very funny.
Jack isn't any old officer, either. He's a former MI5 senior analyst who established a Community Policing outfit as a front org for his 'other' boss. Adams brings this element down to the up-close and pally through Catholic Priest Father Mike who serves as Jack's conduit. This time, Jack is to hand over the reins of his outfit to DI Wild, or Jo Jums, while he sets up a new extension to tackle those behind the creation of a computer game that encourages its players to act out the fantasies they create in real life. A scuppered terrorist attack at a demonstration and a series of dead dogs thrown in the harbour altogether make for a delightful pot pourri of crime for the team and the reader to solve.
There is plenty going on and the pace quickens considerably when Jack is shot and falls in the harbour at a Naval Dockyards. From then, it's full steam ahead, but always with an emphasis on the personal, the intimate, the domestic aspects of policing. And it's the personal lives of Jack and Amanda that will make the reader reach for Book 4 to find out what happens to them next.
September 13, 2016
If you enjoy police procedurals, spy thrillers and/or humour give this book's blurb a read and if the quirky style appeals give this well-written book a go.
The style is unique and at times bizarre. As with all good comedy the frivolity is under-pinned by a more serious theme making this an entertaining but also worthwhile read.
The back drop to the story is the recent financial crash damaging most of the western world and the suggestion it was articially created for the benefit of a few. The central character Jack/Jane is complex, highly original and very memorable as he juggles the many secrets of his private and working life in his quest to save his country.
Overall a very enjoyable read although there were moments I was bemused by events. Great fun and I will read more by this author.
The style is unique and at times bizarre. As with all good comedy the frivolity is under-pinned by a more serious theme making this an entertaining but also worthwhile read.
The back drop to the story is the recent financial crash damaging most of the western world and the suggestion it was articially created for the benefit of a few. The central character Jack/Jane is complex, highly original and very memorable as he juggles the many secrets of his private and working life in his quest to save his country.
Overall a very enjoyable read although there were moments I was bemused by events. Great fun and I will read more by this author.
September 24, 2019
Not far into A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza: Kind Heart and Martinets, I knew that I should never had offered to review it. Its attraction was the setting, Portsmouth (colloquially known as Pompey), hallowed home of the Royal Navy, where HMS Victory (along with HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose (referred to by the boorish principal character as “Henry the Eighth’s Hairy Nose”), along with HMS Warrior preserve England’s naval glory, and whose harbour brings back many fond memory of my sailing days. Here the harbour’s main purpose is to act as a repository for dead dogs, as well as at least one murdered banker. Our principal character is DCI Jack Austin, referred to as Jane, a fifty something detective. Lately British crime fiction has suffered a plague of senior officers based on Reginald Hill’s Andy Dalziel, the latest popular knockoff being Mick Herron’s Jonathan Lamb. This officer can be identified by his gross manners, overweight figure, potty-mouthed vocabulary, and appetites for food (seafood in Jane’s case) and sex, here with Superintendent Amanda Bruce, known as Mandy who finds him irresistible. Almost everybody in the book has a nickname invented by Jack, DI Josephine Wild is Jo Jums, which even the author doesn’t make much effort to keep straight. Like Ant and Dec, many are drawn for out of date British popular culture, such as Ant an Dec, as well as Morecambe and Wise, who inspire Jack’s wardrobe.
The basic plot involves an undercover MI5 operation disguised as routine (‘woodentop’, from the Bobbies’ characteristic helmit) community policing that is actually engaged in trying to thwart a coup to take over the British government engineered by a cabal of senior retired military officers (hence the martinets) and bankers. (Jack’s notion of the proper role of the financial sector makes Yanis Varoufakis look like Antonio Salazar by comparison.) Unfortunately, the plot isn’t sufficiently compelling to keep the story going, though it’s helped out by a very nasty dogfighting subplot where an attractive young woman officer gets half her face torn off—turns out she’s actually Jack’s daughter. Supposedly, revenues from betting on the dog fights are needed for buying arms for the coup. At times there is a surprising amount of heavy weaponry engaged—including Jack’s totally inept but successful attempt to shoot down a helicopter by blowing up a sports pavilion with a portable anti-aircraft rocket.
Most of the humour, though, involves the loo. It is supposed to be hilarious that Jack finds himself at 10 Downing Street and later at Buckingham Palace badly in need ‘to poo’; there’s also a scene where Jack treats the treacherous senior officers to several pantomime re-enactments of excreting and wiping himself. As a former student of eighteenth-century satire specialising in Swift and Pope, I shouldn’t be put off by ‘scatological’ humour, but the trick, as reader’s of Pope’s Dunciad know, is that the nastiest descriptions should be delivered in the most elevated and chaste diction. Jack has the vocabulary of a nine-year-old. He may be suffering from PTSD – a result of being shot and thrown into the harbour whilst wearing a tutu – or simply dementia, but the reason for Jack’s unfunny malaprops doesn’t matter; they are tediously obvious. The ‘Gnome Office’ is wearily repeated for ‘Home Office’ till the reader is ready to scream. And Jack is a member of the ‘Church of Egypt’ because he is ‘in denial’ (get it?)
The strangest feature of this book for me was the time frame. It was obvious that the setting was the period of the Tory-Liberal Coalition Government of Cameron and Clegg, though they are not named. The leading Labour politicians David and Ed Miliband are given childishly mangled names. There are also references to the Big Society. Any relevance the story might have had is now wholly out of date in this era of Brexit. Apparently, this is a second edition of a book first published in 2015, as a protest against what was termed ‘Austerity’ and I cannot see any reason to reissue it, other than the author’s needing the money. Readers who might want to test their knowledge of British popular culture trivia and rhyming slang (‘brown bread’ = ‘dead’) might want to attempt it. Reading Jack’s diatribes on economics and banking, one also suspects the ideal reader should suffer from a terminal case of class envy. Detective story readers who want to read police procedurals should go elsewhere.
I received a gratis copy in exchange for an impartial review.
The basic plot involves an undercover MI5 operation disguised as routine (‘woodentop’, from the Bobbies’ characteristic helmit) community policing that is actually engaged in trying to thwart a coup to take over the British government engineered by a cabal of senior retired military officers (hence the martinets) and bankers. (Jack’s notion of the proper role of the financial sector makes Yanis Varoufakis look like Antonio Salazar by comparison.) Unfortunately, the plot isn’t sufficiently compelling to keep the story going, though it’s helped out by a very nasty dogfighting subplot where an attractive young woman officer gets half her face torn off—turns out she’s actually Jack’s daughter. Supposedly, revenues from betting on the dog fights are needed for buying arms for the coup. At times there is a surprising amount of heavy weaponry engaged—including Jack’s totally inept but successful attempt to shoot down a helicopter by blowing up a sports pavilion with a portable anti-aircraft rocket.
Most of the humour, though, involves the loo. It is supposed to be hilarious that Jack finds himself at 10 Downing Street and later at Buckingham Palace badly in need ‘to poo’; there’s also a scene where Jack treats the treacherous senior officers to several pantomime re-enactments of excreting and wiping himself. As a former student of eighteenth-century satire specialising in Swift and Pope, I shouldn’t be put off by ‘scatological’ humour, but the trick, as reader’s of Pope’s Dunciad know, is that the nastiest descriptions should be delivered in the most elevated and chaste diction. Jack has the vocabulary of a nine-year-old. He may be suffering from PTSD – a result of being shot and thrown into the harbour whilst wearing a tutu – or simply dementia, but the reason for Jack’s unfunny malaprops doesn’t matter; they are tediously obvious. The ‘Gnome Office’ is wearily repeated for ‘Home Office’ till the reader is ready to scream. And Jack is a member of the ‘Church of Egypt’ because he is ‘in denial’ (get it?)
The strangest feature of this book for me was the time frame. It was obvious that the setting was the period of the Tory-Liberal Coalition Government of Cameron and Clegg, though they are not named. The leading Labour politicians David and Ed Miliband are given childishly mangled names. There are also references to the Big Society. Any relevance the story might have had is now wholly out of date in this era of Brexit. Apparently, this is a second edition of a book first published in 2015, as a protest against what was termed ‘Austerity’ and I cannot see any reason to reissue it, other than the author’s needing the money. Readers who might want to test their knowledge of British popular culture trivia and rhyming slang (‘brown bread’ = ‘dead’) might want to attempt it. Reading Jack’s diatribes on economics and banking, one also suspects the ideal reader should suffer from a terminal case of class envy. Detective story readers who want to read police procedurals should go elsewhere.
I received a gratis copy in exchange for an impartial review.
August 17, 2016
How is it possible to read a book placed within the crime genre but spend most of your time laughing whilst reading it? Although filled with spooks, villains and a larger than life main protagonist, this clever crime story never failed to show the reader the humorous side of life – even amongst the tragedy and loss one might expect from such a tale. Throw in some brutally honest political satire and I can safely say A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza is three genres rolled into one. I can also safely say I have never read a book quite like it and the author should congratulate himself on his clever writing style and apparent ease and ability to mingle and cross genres.
Although this is book three of the Kind Hearts and Martinet series I have not, as yet, read the other two, and although I hope to do so in the near future, this book works perfectly well as a stand-alone. The principle setting is Portsmouth and having visited there myself a couple of times, the author does a great job of describing this historic port and Naval dockyard as well as some of its popular watering holes.
As with all great stories the main protagonist, the aging DCI Jack Austin (Jane to his friends), is wonderfully flawed but delightfully funny at the same time. Jack often talks to himself – out loud. He also has the unusual propensity to dish out rather amusing nicknames for all and sundry including Mandy, his long-suffering partner, often referred to as Mandy Pumps and Mandy Lifeboats but rather affectionately by her real name Amanda, during their more intimate moments. There is also Hissing Sid the desk sergeant, Jo Jums who is in fact Detective Inspector Josephine Wild and Colonel Horrocks nicknamed The General just to name a few of the colourful but well-drawn supporting characters.
Although this novel sits perfectly well within the crime genre the plot is delivered with warmth and affection and a generous dose of farcical humour as well as some very poignant political commentary. Highly recommended to fans of comedy and crime alike.
Although this is book three of the Kind Hearts and Martinet series I have not, as yet, read the other two, and although I hope to do so in the near future, this book works perfectly well as a stand-alone. The principle setting is Portsmouth and having visited there myself a couple of times, the author does a great job of describing this historic port and Naval dockyard as well as some of its popular watering holes.
As with all great stories the main protagonist, the aging DCI Jack Austin (Jane to his friends), is wonderfully flawed but delightfully funny at the same time. Jack often talks to himself – out loud. He also has the unusual propensity to dish out rather amusing nicknames for all and sundry including Mandy, his long-suffering partner, often referred to as Mandy Pumps and Mandy Lifeboats but rather affectionately by her real name Amanda, during their more intimate moments. There is also Hissing Sid the desk sergeant, Jo Jums who is in fact Detective Inspector Josephine Wild and Colonel Horrocks nicknamed The General just to name a few of the colourful but well-drawn supporting characters.
Although this novel sits perfectly well within the crime genre the plot is delivered with warmth and affection and a generous dose of farcical humour as well as some very poignant political commentary. Highly recommended to fans of comedy and crime alike.
May 30, 2016
When I first stated this book I feared that it was going to be one I wouldn't manage to finish. I h not read the previous books in the Kind Hearts & Martinet series and the humour seemed somehow jarring and silly. I did persevere and I'm glad I did. Yes the humour would definitely be right at home in a 'Carry On' film - I found myself wishing that they could get together with Si Page's characters in
'Missing Gretyl' Somehow these characters get to you. The plot grabs you and the author has a lot to say that makes you think.
Somehow three stars seems a bit mean, but as it took me so long to get into it I couldn't in all honesty give it 4- I do wish there were half stars!
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this unusual book.
'Missing Gretyl' Somehow these characters get to you. The plot grabs you and the author has a lot to say that makes you think.
Somehow three stars seems a bit mean, but as it took me so long to get into it I couldn't in all honesty give it 4- I do wish there were half stars!
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this unusual book.
June 10, 2016
A very different read
Quirky and witty and charming. Long before the end the characters had become my friends. Pete Adams has managed to do something unusual: create a piece of crime fiction that is humorous as well as engrossing. Well done Pete Adams
Quirky and witty and charming. Long before the end the characters had become my friends. Pete Adams has managed to do something unusual: create a piece of crime fiction that is humorous as well as engrossing. Well done Pete Adams
April 26, 2021
Jack Austin likes to emulate Jane Austin at times with his sayings. He renames people, but none seem to take offense. His work with MI 5 has caused him to lose an eye, but he is now involved with his cohorts to stop a takeover of England by a combination of the military, important money men, and even some of those involved in the government. He is in love with Mandy (Amanda). They not only work together, but live together. In short order, he is attacked, then an assassin sends a bullet through his shoulder and he falls into the harbor. He’s rescued and fitted with a shoulder harness. This doesn’t’ stop his meetings and investigations. Then someone he discovers is his daughter, sneaks into an illegal dogfight and is severely injured. He and her fiancé (a police officer) manager to rescue her and somehow come upon a ship loaded with illegal weapons and ammunition that is connected to the cabal planning government overthrow. The race is on to take down the group before Jack Is to be presented to the queen in less than a week. The assassin is still trying to nail him. Will Jack and his group succeed or will those intent on controlling England. Will Jack even have a decent suit to wear when presented to the Queen? If he is successful, will there be another attempt on his life, or will he and Mandy even survive?
January 4, 2021
A barrow boy’s cadenza by Pete Adams
Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin is a veteran crime-solver, with a passion for metaphors and nicknames who, unfortunately, is constantly putting himself into situations where he ends up getting hurt. His love interest, Amanda, his superintendent, is losing her patience with him but through it all, she knows that he is the right man for the job even if he does seem to discover a lot of things by accident!
The author’s writing style is quirky and fun, the story is complex and intriguing, and we are thrown into the heart of the crime and action of the storyline which is littered with political scandal, crime informants and terrorism. In the middle of which our hero gets to meet the Queen! This book has a little for everyone and if you want a good laugh then this is for you!
A very funny novel indeed. The author has a weird and wacky sense of humour that hooks you from the very first page!
Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin is a veteran crime-solver, with a passion for metaphors and nicknames who, unfortunately, is constantly putting himself into situations where he ends up getting hurt. His love interest, Amanda, his superintendent, is losing her patience with him but through it all, she knows that he is the right man for the job even if he does seem to discover a lot of things by accident!
The author’s writing style is quirky and fun, the story is complex and intriguing, and we are thrown into the heart of the crime and action of the storyline which is littered with political scandal, crime informants and terrorism. In the middle of which our hero gets to meet the Queen! This book has a little for everyone and if you want a good laugh then this is for you!
A very funny novel indeed. The author has a weird and wacky sense of humour that hooks you from the very first page!
April 6, 2022
In this the third instalment of the Kind Hearts and Marionettes series, Adams has used his considerable talents to not only intrigue and engage but immerse the reader deep into the lives and struggles of the characters.
With a plot involving a political conspiracy and a plot to the over the government, the unstoppable Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin is in a race against time to foil the group set on terror and take over, save his daughter, dodge a hitman and meet the Queen. What a delicious series of events!
A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza is a thriller with heart, humour and intelligence. Not to be missed!
With a plot involving a political conspiracy and a plot to the over the government, the unstoppable Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin is in a race against time to foil the group set on terror and take over, save his daughter, dodge a hitman and meet the Queen. What a delicious series of events!
A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza is a thriller with heart, humour and intelligence. Not to be missed!
December 16, 2020
I don’t laugh out loud when reading, so I sniggered my way through the third Jack (Jane) Austin book of the series. Pete Adams not only has a unique voice as a writer, he also has invented a unique genre where thriller meets crime novel meets comedy. There’s a healthy and irreverent political and social commentary barely hidden away in a fast-moving plot peppered with witticisms. It really doesn’t matter if you’ve read the first two of the series because A Barrow Boy's Cadenza stands perfectly alone, but it would be a pity to miss any of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2016
I was asked if I would give this book a read with the potential to review by the author. It’s the third in a series but that doesn’t matter a jot when it comes to understanding, engaging or enjoying it.
The title and the cover intrigued me, always a good sign for a blogger when there are so many books available to choose from. I don’t think I was quite prepared for the wit and wisdom it provides. Pete has a way with words that makes the vocabulary seem like a symphony orchestra stimulating all senses. He has the ability to take you from the depths of sadness to chuckling at the absurdity of some of the scrapes in seconds.
This is a tale about DCI Jack Austin (or Jane, read it to find out) .. Jack is certainly a character who will capture your heart with his charm and depiction of the English language. His relationship with partner Mandy is a joy to behold. It’s refreshing to see older couples enjoying themselves. She only tolerates so much from him though .. and you get the sense he pushes her buttons to the limit! I was so captivated by the lifestyles of the folk I almost forgot it was a crime thriller! The crazy plot will keep you engrossed and at times wondering where on earth the elaborate ideas come from. This author has a creative talent that needs highlighting and sharing otherwise so many people will miss a a gem.
My favourite parts involved Alice and the dog fighting, this took me from tears with all that is revealed to the furthest extreme of Jack and his meeting with the Queen. I think Jack’s hypothesis that he doesn’t need to worry about dressing smartly to meet her because she will understand he is ‘busy’ is a classic part of the book and sums up Pete’s humour for me. There are way too many instances like this that made me stop and re-read it to quote so I suggest you give it a go and discover the delectation yourself.
It is set in Portsmouth/Southsea with references to Guildford so I felt it was particularly applicable to me, due to living in the area myself I could appreciate the local knowledge. An added bonus personally is I have a signed copy of the book which I will treasure.
So to recap the entire book in one word … Awesome! And I need to read the others without a doubt. Thanks Pete you enabled me to leave my mundane existence and escape into frivolity for a few hours.
The title and the cover intrigued me, always a good sign for a blogger when there are so many books available to choose from. I don’t think I was quite prepared for the wit and wisdom it provides. Pete has a way with words that makes the vocabulary seem like a symphony orchestra stimulating all senses. He has the ability to take you from the depths of sadness to chuckling at the absurdity of some of the scrapes in seconds.
This is a tale about DCI Jack Austin (or Jane, read it to find out) .. Jack is certainly a character who will capture your heart with his charm and depiction of the English language. His relationship with partner Mandy is a joy to behold. It’s refreshing to see older couples enjoying themselves. She only tolerates so much from him though .. and you get the sense he pushes her buttons to the limit! I was so captivated by the lifestyles of the folk I almost forgot it was a crime thriller! The crazy plot will keep you engrossed and at times wondering where on earth the elaborate ideas come from. This author has a creative talent that needs highlighting and sharing otherwise so many people will miss a a gem.
My favourite parts involved Alice and the dog fighting, this took me from tears with all that is revealed to the furthest extreme of Jack and his meeting with the Queen. I think Jack’s hypothesis that he doesn’t need to worry about dressing smartly to meet her because she will understand he is ‘busy’ is a classic part of the book and sums up Pete’s humour for me. There are way too many instances like this that made me stop and re-read it to quote so I suggest you give it a go and discover the delectation yourself.
It is set in Portsmouth/Southsea with references to Guildford so I felt it was particularly applicable to me, due to living in the area myself I could appreciate the local knowledge. An added bonus personally is I have a signed copy of the book which I will treasure.
So to recap the entire book in one word … Awesome! And I need to read the others without a doubt. Thanks Pete you enabled me to leave my mundane existence and escape into frivolity for a few hours.
September 2, 2016
My review of A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza by Pete Adams
I finished reading Pete Adam’s splendid rip-roaring tale last night and am now recovering as it was such an exciting, hilariously quirky ride. I’ve not read the previous books in the series but it didn’t seem to matter too much. After the first chapter or so, I started to have the measure of Jack, aka Jane, Austin and his long-suffering yet adoring partner, Mandy. As I read, I often wondered how on earth Mandy finds the patience to tolerate Jack’s accident-prone buffoonery, but their love is touchingly strong. The unlikely DCI turns out to be more complex than I’d initially thought. I often wondered how Jack manages to hold down such a demanding job with everything that’s going against him, but his foibles and failings make for an amusingly irreverently entertaining story that also packs a powerful, deeper social message.
I appreciated Jack’s relentless jokey references to characters, films and events of my distant youth. Readers, especially those who’ve not read the previous books, need their brains to be in gear to unravel who is who, because characters are always given silly names by Jack. This book makes a pleasant change from the doom and gloom often found in more formulaic detective thrillers. In A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza, characters are killed off or injured with gay abandon. I could sense the author’s thorough enjoyment whilst writing his book, which always makes for a great read. However, it’s not all japes and giggles. There are also several poignant scenes when the mood switches but it's not long before the author sweeps us off again on another gripping roller coaster ride that comes to a satisfying conclusion. I’ll definitely be reading other books in this delightfully charming, refreshingly unusual series.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza
I finished reading Pete Adam’s splendid rip-roaring tale last night and am now recovering as it was such an exciting, hilariously quirky ride. I’ve not read the previous books in the series but it didn’t seem to matter too much. After the first chapter or so, I started to have the measure of Jack, aka Jane, Austin and his long-suffering yet adoring partner, Mandy. As I read, I often wondered how on earth Mandy finds the patience to tolerate Jack’s accident-prone buffoonery, but their love is touchingly strong. The unlikely DCI turns out to be more complex than I’d initially thought. I often wondered how Jack manages to hold down such a demanding job with everything that’s going against him, but his foibles and failings make for an amusingly irreverently entertaining story that also packs a powerful, deeper social message.
I appreciated Jack’s relentless jokey references to characters, films and events of my distant youth. Readers, especially those who’ve not read the previous books, need their brains to be in gear to unravel who is who, because characters are always given silly names by Jack. This book makes a pleasant change from the doom and gloom often found in more formulaic detective thrillers. In A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza, characters are killed off or injured with gay abandon. I could sense the author’s thorough enjoyment whilst writing his book, which always makes for a great read. However, it’s not all japes and giggles. There are also several poignant scenes when the mood switches but it's not long before the author sweeps us off again on another gripping roller coaster ride that comes to a satisfying conclusion. I’ll definitely be reading other books in this delightfully charming, refreshingly unusual series.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza
April 3, 2016
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza is a crime novel with a difference and with one of the most eccentric protagonists I think I've ever met.
When we first meet DCI Jack "Jane" Austin he's hungover in bed and concerned about what his partner Mandy is doing with his tutu which was part of his previous night outs outfit. Fast approaching 60, with only one good eye and varicose veins amongst other issues, he's not your usual type of hero but he is one that will definitely intrigue you.
When Jack heads off to the harbour to investigate rumours of dead dogs being thrown into the water the last thing he expects is to get shot but it's when two murders occur, one, the head of Armed Forces and the other head of a City of London bank that the pace really starts to pick up.
This is the third novel in the Kind Hearts and Martinets Trilogy but this can be read as a standalone. I found this to be a wonderful mix of crime, whodunit, thriller with a healthy sprinkling of humour and romance which to me is a highly unusual combination. Pete Adams has written a novel which is like a breath of fresh air within the crime writing genre, with larger than life characters combining cleverly with humour and a plot that will keep you guessing. If you're looking for an original crime thriller then this could be just the book for you.
With kind thanks to author Pete Adams for the signed review copy.
When we first meet DCI Jack "Jane" Austin he's hungover in bed and concerned about what his partner Mandy is doing with his tutu which was part of his previous night outs outfit. Fast approaching 60, with only one good eye and varicose veins amongst other issues, he's not your usual type of hero but he is one that will definitely intrigue you.
When Jack heads off to the harbour to investigate rumours of dead dogs being thrown into the water the last thing he expects is to get shot but it's when two murders occur, one, the head of Armed Forces and the other head of a City of London bank that the pace really starts to pick up.
This is the third novel in the Kind Hearts and Martinets Trilogy but this can be read as a standalone. I found this to be a wonderful mix of crime, whodunit, thriller with a healthy sprinkling of humour and romance which to me is a highly unusual combination. Pete Adams has written a novel which is like a breath of fresh air within the crime writing genre, with larger than life characters combining cleverly with humour and a plot that will keep you guessing. If you're looking for an original crime thriller then this could be just the book for you.
With kind thanks to author Pete Adams for the signed review copy.
May 21, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Urbane Publications for a review copy of A Barrow Boy's Cadenza, an everyday tale of mayhem in Portsmouth and beyond starring DI Jack "Jane" Austen, his extended family and assorted colleagues. We initially meet Jack suffering from a hangover after a night of serious crime fighting in his pink tutu, including chasing terrorists and quelling a gang fight. He suspects there us more to this unrest than meets the eye and is soon fighting to save the nation.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza is an extremely amusing novel from the plot to Jack's antics and patter but it also has a serious side with its social commentary, so is essentially a very British novel. Jack is a great character with his earthy humour and frequent malapropisms, larger than life he tears through the novel like a tornado destroying everything in his path.
I understand that this is the third book in a series but I didn't miss not having read the first two as it comes fully formed and easily stands alone. Mr Adams has written a clever novel and on the whole I think it is a good read although I found the humour a little repetitive by the end and got a little lost in identifying some of the characters. If you are looking for a well written escapist read to make you laugh out loud A Barrow Boy's Cadenza will suit nicely.
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza is an extremely amusing novel from the plot to Jack's antics and patter but it also has a serious side with its social commentary, so is essentially a very British novel. Jack is a great character with his earthy humour and frequent malapropisms, larger than life he tears through the novel like a tornado destroying everything in his path.
I understand that this is the third book in a series but I didn't miss not having read the first two as it comes fully formed and easily stands alone. Mr Adams has written a clever novel and on the whole I think it is a good read although I found the humour a little repetitive by the end and got a little lost in identifying some of the characters. If you are looking for a well written escapist read to make you laugh out loud A Barrow Boy's Cadenza will suit nicely.
April 29, 2016
What a great story. I haven’t read a Peter Adams book previously, so I was quite thrilled to find a new Author that has so thoroughly captured my attention, and entertained me for so many enjoyable hours. The stand-out for me is the detail and background the Author has put into his characters. Even though this is book 3 in the series, you could read it as a stand-alone and still very much enjoy it. DCI Jack Austin isn’t perfect, and he’s a little bit floored, but that’s the reason he’s so easy to like. However, when it comes to his job, he is unrelenting in his investigation. When dead dogs start turning up on a regular basis, something has to be done to find out why. When his team find an illegal dog fighting ring in a warehouse, things turn nasty pretty quickly. With the murders of the head of the Armed Forces and a City Banker, Jack needs to work out if there is military involvement, and if so how high does it go. However, when he starts to get a bit close in his investigation his life comes into jeopardy. I’ll certainly be adding Peter Adams to my list of Authors to look out for, and this is well worth the 5 stars.
May 18, 2016
From tutu's and dead dogs, to a serious (hmmm) investigation into a brutal murder, this book really has got it all. Most of the time, DCI Jack (I prefer him as Jane) Austin, is armed with nothing more than his Morecambe and Wise shorts, or his best trousers, as he susses his way through a dark and dastardly plot to bring down FORCE. This is a crime novel with a difference. The author's writing style is just fabulous, and I can promise you will laugh and cry (but mostly laugh) your way through this book. There are also plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, as every fabulous crime / police procedural book should. This is actually the third book in a trilogy, but did I mind not having read the other two before this? Not a bit of it! Although the first two are now firmly placed on my TBR list. I know the kindle version is cheap (far too cheap in my opinion), if you can buy the paperback, then please do, as £1 from all sales go to supporting the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association. So, back to that dead dog. Why does it matter? And did Jack crack the crime? You'll just have to buy it, read it, and find out for yourself!
January 15, 2016
Pete Adams’ novel A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza is written in a particularly lively style which I took time to adjust to but once I had, I enjoyed this humour-laced novel very much.
The hero of the novel is one-eyed Jack (also known as Jane) Austen and features a cast of other well-drawn and memorable characters including his loving parter Mandy. Set in Portsmouth, involving murders, dead dogs and FORCE, there is plenty to keep you intrigued. With elements of a spy thriller and a crime novel, spiced with some laugh-out-loud humour, it roars ahead with pace and enthusiasm, making it a real page turner.
I believe this the third novel in the series though A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza stands well on its own merits. This is a book to savour and despite the lightheartedness and black humour, it has a surprising depth to it I wasn’t expecting, making the novel worthy of a second read sometime in the future.
All in all, wittily written with an interesting plot and can be recommended.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
The hero of the novel is one-eyed Jack (also known as Jane) Austen and features a cast of other well-drawn and memorable characters including his loving parter Mandy. Set in Portsmouth, involving murders, dead dogs and FORCE, there is plenty to keep you intrigued. With elements of a spy thriller and a crime novel, spiced with some laugh-out-loud humour, it roars ahead with pace and enthusiasm, making it a real page turner.
I believe this the third novel in the series though A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza stands well on its own merits. This is a book to savour and despite the lightheartedness and black humour, it has a surprising depth to it I wasn’t expecting, making the novel worthy of a second read sometime in the future.
All in all, wittily written with an interesting plot and can be recommended.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
December 17, 2015
Crime, but not as you know it: an originally written, fast-paced ride through the darkest corners of government, the armed forces, banking, and erm Portsmouth.
DCI Jack Austin is direct, ugly, and a magnet for trouble. And, worst of all, he is hungover. But when dead dogs and a few murdered bodies demand his attention, he is forced to put it all on the line for, well, I'm not sure even he knows what.
Part spy-thriller, part crime, part comedy, this book is brimming with originality. The plot is tight, the characters insane but very believable, and the pace relentless (in a good way). One of those that make you view the world in a completely different light. Recommended.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
DCI Jack Austin is direct, ugly, and a magnet for trouble. And, worst of all, he is hungover. But when dead dogs and a few murdered bodies demand his attention, he is forced to put it all on the line for, well, I'm not sure even he knows what.
Part spy-thriller, part crime, part comedy, this book is brimming with originality. The plot is tight, the characters insane but very believable, and the pace relentless (in a good way). One of those that make you view the world in a completely different light. Recommended.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Read
February 24, 2016Original, quirky and bizarre, this story takes a while to get into because of the odd characters and unusual style. However, once underway, the reader is rewarded with the most insane set of characters and crazy plot that absorbs and entertains.
It will be particularly appealing to residents of Portsmouth like myself!
It will be particularly appealing to residents of Portsmouth like myself!
May 20, 2020
The Jack Austin thriller No.3. fantastic. The author pulls us in and hugs us like a grizzly until we are spent with satisfaction over this superb novel. the series in itself is a charm. it is witty, full of back and forth banter and one hell of a story. a must for any crime readers bookshelf.
September 25, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and to Emma Welton of damppebbles blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Things are gradually getting less zany and more serious in the madcap world of Jack “Jane” Austin and his non-PC coppers and spooks.
If you haven’t already read the previous two books in this series (Cause and Effect and Irony in the Soul), I recommend that you do, because Pete Adams has a very idiosyncratic style that is baffling at first glance but quickly becomes addictive; a continuous stream of externalised inner monologues, obscure inside jokes, references and nicknames, slapstick physical comedy, sexual innuendo and a surprisingly large proportion of sudden, sensible police action and genuinely touching emotional moments.
Jack is in deeper with the nefarious plots, with his relationships, and with his mental health issues; causing him to lurch from disaster to victory and back again, pulling friends, foes and family alike behind him helplessly in his wake. To describe him on paper, Jack doesn’t sound particularly compelling, but trust me, he has the gravitational pull of a large planet and is about as oblivious to his effect!
The politics are ramping up a little more in each book in this series, as Jack delves deeper and deeper into the murky depths of the Portsmouth crime spree to find out who and what is behind all of the recent activity; from drug and weapon smuggling, to people trafficking and riot incitement. This has the inevitable effect that we get less of Jo Jums, KFC and the rest of the Community Policing crew, and more of Del-Boy, Father Mike and the other spooks. Still, Jack remains Jack – hail-fellowing everyone from MPs to dock workers and barging his way into Downing Street, farting and flashing his bits.
I am completely hooked on the characters Pete Adams has created in this series, and have absolutely no idea where he is heading with it, but am thrilled to be along for the ride. Personally I hope it’s heading for a certain French fairy and mountains of fish food, but I’d settle for fish and chips, twice.
‘You’re not going on your own, you’re mad.’
‘I might be, I don’t know.’ He paused to consider, but got sidetracked wondering what face he had on. Mandy confirmed for him, it was his eejit one, he humphed, thought it had been his sidetracked one.
Mandy had her sensible head on, ‘We have to do something. Nobby’s calling Jo?’
‘Yes, and Jimbo’s calling Mike, then coming with us.’
‘Armed back up?’ She was hopping, putting socks on. She squeezed into her jeans, buttoned up, and they took off down the stairs. She noticed he’d left his harness and wasn’t wincing, mincing, yes, but that was normal for her tart of a fella. However, whatever pain he felt, didn’t stop him looking at her backside, tight in jeans. She sighed, he was okay, for now.
– Pete Adams, A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
Things are gradually getting less zany and more serious in the madcap world of Jack “Jane” Austin and his non-PC coppers and spooks.
If you haven’t already read the previous two books in this series (Cause and Effect and Irony in the Soul), I recommend that you do, because Pete Adams has a very idiosyncratic style that is baffling at first glance but quickly becomes addictive; a continuous stream of externalised inner monologues, obscure inside jokes, references and nicknames, slapstick physical comedy, sexual innuendo and a surprisingly large proportion of sudden, sensible police action and genuinely touching emotional moments.
Jack is in deeper with the nefarious plots, with his relationships, and with his mental health issues; causing him to lurch from disaster to victory and back again, pulling friends, foes and family alike behind him helplessly in his wake. To describe him on paper, Jack doesn’t sound particularly compelling, but trust me, he has the gravitational pull of a large planet and is about as oblivious to his effect!
The politics are ramping up a little more in each book in this series, as Jack delves deeper and deeper into the murky depths of the Portsmouth crime spree to find out who and what is behind all of the recent activity; from drug and weapon smuggling, to people trafficking and riot incitement. This has the inevitable effect that we get less of Jo Jums, KFC and the rest of the Community Policing crew, and more of Del-Boy, Father Mike and the other spooks. Still, Jack remains Jack – hail-fellowing everyone from MPs to dock workers and barging his way into Downing Street, farting and flashing his bits.
I am completely hooked on the characters Pete Adams has created in this series, and have absolutely no idea where he is heading with it, but am thrilled to be along for the ride. Personally I hope it’s heading for a certain French fairy and mountains of fish food, but I’d settle for fish and chips, twice.
‘You’re not going on your own, you’re mad.’
‘I might be, I don’t know.’ He paused to consider, but got sidetracked wondering what face he had on. Mandy confirmed for him, it was his eejit one, he humphed, thought it had been his sidetracked one.
Mandy had her sensible head on, ‘We have to do something. Nobby’s calling Jo?’
‘Yes, and Jimbo’s calling Mike, then coming with us.’
‘Armed back up?’ She was hopping, putting socks on. She squeezed into her jeans, buttoned up, and they took off down the stairs. She noticed he’d left his harness and wasn’t wincing, mincing, yes, but that was normal for her tart of a fella. However, whatever pain he felt, didn’t stop him looking at her backside, tight in jeans. She sighed, he was okay, for now.
– Pete Adams, A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
November 14, 2019
Serious Crimes, Police Antics, Raucous Humor
Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin, major crime solver extraordinaire, has a propensity for taking unheard of chances and getting hurt. His Detective Superintendent, Amanda Bruce, loves him deeply. But her patience with his antics and accidents begin taking a toll on her good nature, wearing it thinner and thinner. Yet, she knows his abilities better than anyone and stands by her man.
Complicate that personal story line with a major political crime of far reaching proportions needing to be solved. Miscreants galore have a political agenda and turn the investigation upside-down. Then you have a mystery as close to real life as you can get. That is, if you don’t die laughing first.
The author, Pete Adams, hailing from the UK, writes in all the humor and idioms readers might expect in a British crime story. That is, we in the US and other areas, actually find a lot of the British idioms to be quite humorous. With the author’s writing style, the sentences and story flow faster than a flood. We not only feel a part of the lovers personal lives, we are also in the heart of the crime and the action of solving it. As a reader, I gasped when people were shot and died. I help my breath when someone had to poo.
This author’s style involves the reader. The story left me still thinking about the characters. I could not start reading a new book for several days. This is the 3rd story in Adams’s Kind Heart and Martinets Book series. I understand two more are available. I am heavily invested in these characters and this author’s stories and writing style. Needless to say, I will be reading the next books as well.
Detective Chief Inspector Jack Austin, major crime solver extraordinaire, has a propensity for taking unheard of chances and getting hurt. His Detective Superintendent, Amanda Bruce, loves him deeply. But her patience with his antics and accidents begin taking a toll on her good nature, wearing it thinner and thinner. Yet, she knows his abilities better than anyone and stands by her man.
Complicate that personal story line with a major political crime of far reaching proportions needing to be solved. Miscreants galore have a political agenda and turn the investigation upside-down. Then you have a mystery as close to real life as you can get. That is, if you don’t die laughing first.
The author, Pete Adams, hailing from the UK, writes in all the humor and idioms readers might expect in a British crime story. That is, we in the US and other areas, actually find a lot of the British idioms to be quite humorous. With the author’s writing style, the sentences and story flow faster than a flood. We not only feel a part of the lovers personal lives, we are also in the heart of the crime and the action of solving it. As a reader, I gasped when people were shot and died. I help my breath when someone had to poo.
This author’s style involves the reader. The story left me still thinking about the characters. I could not start reading a new book for several days. This is the 3rd story in Adams’s Kind Heart and Martinets Book series. I understand two more are available. I am heavily invested in these characters and this author’s stories and writing style. Needless to say, I will be reading the next books as well.
April 20, 2022
ANOTHER WINNER
Reading A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza was my third meeting with Jack ‘Jane’ Austin and Amanda Bruce, and proved every bit as memorable as the previous two. The author, Pete Adams, started where the previous book had finished, with Jack Austin in hospital after a riotous fight in Portsmouth.
From the first page, reading Barrow Boy was like meeting an old and valued friend, a character with whom one feels comfortable. With Jack and Mandy, the reader feels able to cry and laugh, share the ups and downs of life and expect the unexpected. The humour is as outrageous as ever, the social commentary as pointed and the story line as contemporary.
Without giving too much away, there cannot be many books in which the queen shares a volume with gun runners, dogs and over-emotional Detective Chief Inspectors of the Church of Egypt.
Once again Pete Adams uses humour as a vehicle to drive home his message, and once again the attempt is successful. In this book, however, Adams’ love for his adopted home of Portsmouth is stronger than ever, a new theme, or perhaps purpose, strumming between the lines. The reader is aware of the author’s gratitude for being accepted, while the smoke of London is also retained in the gritty ink of the metaphorical pen. Or perhaps in Jack’s bawdy language. Bawdy, yes, but always human and insightful, typically English, open, slanted and laced with retrospective references. Nobody does it better. As I am not English, I can state that as an outsider looking in, as through a glass darkly.
How many stars for Barrow Boy? Five. Or five nil, as Jack-Jane Austin would say.
Reading A Barrow Boy’s Cadenza was my third meeting with Jack ‘Jane’ Austin and Amanda Bruce, and proved every bit as memorable as the previous two. The author, Pete Adams, started where the previous book had finished, with Jack Austin in hospital after a riotous fight in Portsmouth.
From the first page, reading Barrow Boy was like meeting an old and valued friend, a character with whom one feels comfortable. With Jack and Mandy, the reader feels able to cry and laugh, share the ups and downs of life and expect the unexpected. The humour is as outrageous as ever, the social commentary as pointed and the story line as contemporary.
Without giving too much away, there cannot be many books in which the queen shares a volume with gun runners, dogs and over-emotional Detective Chief Inspectors of the Church of Egypt.
Once again Pete Adams uses humour as a vehicle to drive home his message, and once again the attempt is successful. In this book, however, Adams’ love for his adopted home of Portsmouth is stronger than ever, a new theme, or perhaps purpose, strumming between the lines. The reader is aware of the author’s gratitude for being accepted, while the smoke of London is also retained in the gritty ink of the metaphorical pen. Or perhaps in Jack’s bawdy language. Bawdy, yes, but always human and insightful, typically English, open, slanted and laced with retrospective references. Nobody does it better. As I am not English, I can state that as an outsider looking in, as through a glass darkly.
How many stars for Barrow Boy? Five. Or five nil, as Jack-Jane Austin would say.
Read
September 18, 2019DCI Jack Austin was back with his team. This time he was asked to go deep undercover to investigate the murders of Head of Armed Forces and a city banker.
My second book by author Pete Adams, this was as quirky as the first, with humor interfacing the different situations. The book started with a different sorta bang where Jack was nursing a hangover in bed, having chased terrorists and gangs the night prior, all in a pink tutu. The mental image itself caused me smile away. The next morning saw him investigating dead dogs, when the two murders occurred. That began Jack's undercover journey.
This story raced through the pages as Jack endeavored to save his nation from the many threats, some of them quite weird which added to the humor. The beginning was slow and the end a bit long, but the book was still Jack's spotlight. He was the same as ever, larger than life, with his relationship with Mandy on flow now. They were a strong couple.
The writing style was eclectic with the main character being found in bizarre situations along with his propensity to give nicknames to the rest. Some of them I had forgotten from book 1. He was the driving force behind the book who motored on by his sheer determination. His team made it into this book to help in the investigation.
The entire story gave the feel of being a spy thriller, a murder investigation, and a British comedy. But that's what most of Pete Adam's books did. Different and eccentric.
Well recommended for those who like British humor in a police procedural with quirky characters.
My second book by author Pete Adams, this was as quirky as the first, with humor interfacing the different situations. The book started with a different sorta bang where Jack was nursing a hangover in bed, having chased terrorists and gangs the night prior, all in a pink tutu. The mental image itself caused me smile away. The next morning saw him investigating dead dogs, when the two murders occurred. That began Jack's undercover journey.
This story raced through the pages as Jack endeavored to save his nation from the many threats, some of them quite weird which added to the humor. The beginning was slow and the end a bit long, but the book was still Jack's spotlight. He was the same as ever, larger than life, with his relationship with Mandy on flow now. They were a strong couple.
The writing style was eclectic with the main character being found in bizarre situations along with his propensity to give nicknames to the rest. Some of them I had forgotten from book 1. He was the driving force behind the book who motored on by his sheer determination. His team made it into this book to help in the investigation.
The entire story gave the feel of being a spy thriller, a murder investigation, and a British comedy. But that's what most of Pete Adam's books did. Different and eccentric.
Well recommended for those who like British humor in a police procedural with quirky characters.
September 29, 2019
This is #3 in the Kind Hearts and Martinets series and while it can be read as a stand-alone, you are missing out on some real fun if you haven’t read the previous two.
DCI Jack Austin, Mr Malacopperism himself, is recovering from being shot. He’s back to his usual self and back at work.
He gives everyone a nickname, gets his words muddled up and says what he is thinking out loud at times too.
This time the tale revolves around the world of finance, and the relatively recent financial collapse was engineered to make a few unscrupulous people a lot of money. He is called to a community policing job, dead dogs are being found in the harbour….but he ends up getting shot again. Who wants him dead? Is there a link to the dogs ? Or is this something else entirely?
So, this is a political thriller, with dead dogs and tutu’s! Full of humour that will have you laughing out loud. There are are darker moments too which makes this a quite unique thriller. Looking forward to the next book already.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
DCI Jack Austin, Mr Malacopperism himself, is recovering from being shot. He’s back to his usual self and back at work.
He gives everyone a nickname, gets his words muddled up and says what he is thinking out loud at times too.
This time the tale revolves around the world of finance, and the relatively recent financial collapse was engineered to make a few unscrupulous people a lot of money. He is called to a community policing job, dead dogs are being found in the harbour….but he ends up getting shot again. Who wants him dead? Is there a link to the dogs ? Or is this something else entirely?
So, this is a political thriller, with dead dogs and tutu’s! Full of humour that will have you laughing out loud. There are are darker moments too which makes this a quite unique thriller. Looking forward to the next book already.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
May 1, 2016
There are some books that you know you have to read for various reasons. I am still not sure what drew me to this book the most.
The publisher - I have read quite a few good books by this publisher.
The author - apparently according to his biography, local to me.
The setting - where I live!
But I think the clincher was probably the blurb - as I was scanning it, the words "this is bonkers" kept popping into my head. And, as anyone who knows me will testify, I do like a good bonkers book. In fact I am still on my one-woman mission to get bonkers accepted as a genre in its own right. Or even as a sub genre, I am happy to compromise!
This is book three in the series and I have to admit to not having read the previous books before this one. Although I can't say that my reading experience suffered due to this (you can't compare what you don't know) I can say that it worked very well as a stand alone. That said, when I get chance I'd like to go back and read the first two, just to see if I am missing anything!
One thing I do like about my books is great characters. We definitely get them here - or should I really call them caricatures as they are somewhat larger than life! I say that as a compliment I hasten to add. They are definitely the most colourful bunch of cops I've ever had the pleasure of reading about and I real a lot of Police Procedural books. One of the best things I did like was the constant nicknaming of people. It made me feel better about myself as I though that me and my brother were the only ones who obsessively nicknamed everything - people, sports teams, places - you name it, we re-named it!
So, we have some characters, we also need a plot and this has to be one of the craziest plots I have ever read in a single book. Crazy but in the same way, scarily possible (in a maybe more subdued way anyway) and plotted to within an inch of its life which is no mean feat given its convoluted intricacies! It's funny, it's scary, it's irreverent, it's a bit political too, although you can gloss over the bits that don't gel quite easily, and it's completely bonkers!
If you want a rollicking good book which will make you both laugh and think, and also keep you on your toes then this could well be a pretty good choice. I would advise sampling first though as the author's style does take a bit of getting used to and I can see it not being to everyone's taste. Me, I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The publisher - I have read quite a few good books by this publisher.
The author - apparently according to his biography, local to me.
The setting - where I live!
But I think the clincher was probably the blurb - as I was scanning it, the words "this is bonkers" kept popping into my head. And, as anyone who knows me will testify, I do like a good bonkers book. In fact I am still on my one-woman mission to get bonkers accepted as a genre in its own right. Or even as a sub genre, I am happy to compromise!
This is book three in the series and I have to admit to not having read the previous books before this one. Although I can't say that my reading experience suffered due to this (you can't compare what you don't know) I can say that it worked very well as a stand alone. That said, when I get chance I'd like to go back and read the first two, just to see if I am missing anything!
One thing I do like about my books is great characters. We definitely get them here - or should I really call them caricatures as they are somewhat larger than life! I say that as a compliment I hasten to add. They are definitely the most colourful bunch of cops I've ever had the pleasure of reading about and I real a lot of Police Procedural books. One of the best things I did like was the constant nicknaming of people. It made me feel better about myself as I though that me and my brother were the only ones who obsessively nicknamed everything - people, sports teams, places - you name it, we re-named it!
So, we have some characters, we also need a plot and this has to be one of the craziest plots I have ever read in a single book. Crazy but in the same way, scarily possible (in a maybe more subdued way anyway) and plotted to within an inch of its life which is no mean feat given its convoluted intricacies! It's funny, it's scary, it's irreverent, it's a bit political too, although you can gloss over the bits that don't gel quite easily, and it's completely bonkers!
If you want a rollicking good book which will make you both laugh and think, and also keep you on your toes then this could well be a pretty good choice. I would advise sampling first though as the author's style does take a bit of getting used to and I can see it not being to everyone's taste. Me, I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 22, 2016
From the intriguing title to the cast of lovingly crafted characters, this is a highly original story full of warmth, humour and humanity. You soon tune into Pete Adams’ authentic style and delivery for a delightful journey into all manner of scrapes and surprises.
I thoroughly enjoyed the capers of Jack Austin, aka Jane, and his eclectic band of agents and friends, as he fights to save the nation from those who want to destroy it. From his Morecambe and Wise shorts to his irreverent treatment of politicians, I found myself loving and rooting for Jack Austin, who will linger long in the mind.
While I suspect I’m not meant to take the plot too seriously, I felt the story was a little slow to start as the author revelled in his characters. The ending was just a little too fanciful and long for my liking, taking the edge off the humour and tension. In between, story is memorable, uplifting, and both funny and sad at times.
Delightfully different, this is a story to savour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the capers of Jack Austin, aka Jane, and his eclectic band of agents and friends, as he fights to save the nation from those who want to destroy it. From his Morecambe and Wise shorts to his irreverent treatment of politicians, I found myself loving and rooting for Jack Austin, who will linger long in the mind.
While I suspect I’m not meant to take the plot too seriously, I felt the story was a little slow to start as the author revelled in his characters. The ending was just a little too fanciful and long for my liking, taking the edge off the humour and tension. In between, story is memorable, uplifting, and both funny and sad at times.
Delightfully different, this is a story to savour.
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