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A Firework for Oliver
Paperback
Published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 17, 2019
A Firework for Oliver by John Sanders is my first exposure to Sanders' writing. Firework was originally published in 1964 and is the first of five books featuring spy, Nicholas Pym. The series is a historical adventure series set during the rule of Oliver Cromwell. Pym works for Cromwell's spy master Mr. Thurloe.
This adventure takes Nicholas Pym from England to France and onward to Switzerland as he hunts Guy Fawkes's son, who is trying to manufacture weapons that will destroy Cromwell's hold on Europe. It's non-stop action as Pym gets into scrape after scrape and somehow manages to escape and continue his hunt for Gustav van Fawk and the mysterious woman with him. He doesn't know who he can trust as Europe is filled with spies, those loyal to the dethroned King Charles, also the French king and many, many sub-species of enemies to Cromwell.
It takes a bit to get used to the dialogue and the characters but once things warm up, you just kind of go with the flow and enjoy the ride. Suspend disbelief and enjoy as Pym uses his luck and wits to track and maybe defeat van Fawk to save England. It's always fun to read a good adventure peopled with interesting characters and filled with action and maybe somewhat historically accurate information. The period of the Roundheads is basically unfamiliar to me so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books. (4 stars)
This adventure takes Nicholas Pym from England to France and onward to Switzerland as he hunts Guy Fawkes's son, who is trying to manufacture weapons that will destroy Cromwell's hold on Europe. It's non-stop action as Pym gets into scrape after scrape and somehow manages to escape and continue his hunt for Gustav van Fawk and the mysterious woman with him. He doesn't know who he can trust as Europe is filled with spies, those loyal to the dethroned King Charles, also the French king and many, many sub-species of enemies to Cromwell.
It takes a bit to get used to the dialogue and the characters but once things warm up, you just kind of go with the flow and enjoy the ride. Suspend disbelief and enjoy as Pym uses his luck and wits to track and maybe defeat van Fawk to save England. It's always fun to read a good adventure peopled with interesting characters and filled with action and maybe somewhat historically accurate information. The period of the Roundheads is basically unfamiliar to me so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books. (4 stars)
January 12, 2021
This is a bit of a James Bond clone from 1964 set in Cromwell’s England. Nicholas Pym is an agent for John Thurloe, investigating sons of Guy Fawkes who have a devastating new gun almost in production. Action near Oxford leads to Paris and then eastward after a meeting with Mazarin. At least once too often Pym is captured and subsequently escapes; really his enemies needed to just shoot him rather than devise nasty deaths. The ultimate identity of the love interest doesn’t convince but overall it’s an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek read
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews