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Chief Superintendent Gently #26
Gently Under Fire
Trouble seems to follow Chief Superintendent George Gently even on a French vacation. While day-dreaming by the quaint old harbour in Honfleur, violence strikes. First he is thrown into the water, then shortly afterwards someone tries to shoot him, narrowly missing him on two occasions. Gently is mystified, as are the Honfleur police. He knows of no enemies, French or English, or of any reason why anyone should be after him. Local police think he may have upset the plans of a thief stalking the Antiques Fair just opening in Honfleur, but senior officials from Paris have a much graver theory.
In company with the charming Gabrielle Orbec - who may or may not be an accomplice of Gently's attacker - Gently plays the role of decoy. Apparently just a sightseer on the beaches of Normandy and in the sunlit, cobbled market squares, Gently, with the French Surete close behind, lays a trap for a very much wanted man.
- GenresMystery
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
3 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Alan Hunter
105 books62 followersAlan Hunter was born at Hoveton, Norfolk and went to school across the River Bure in Wroxham. He left school at 14 and worked on his father's farm near Norwich. He enjoyed dinghy sailing on the Norfolk Broads, wrote natural history notes for the local newspaper, and wrote poetry, some of which was published while he was in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
He married, in 1944, Adelaide Cooper, who survives him with their daughter. After the war he managed the antiquarian books department of Charles Cubitt in Norwich. Four years later, in 1950, he established his own bookshop on Maddermarket in the city.
From 1955 until 1998 he published a Gently detective novel nearly every year. He retired to Brundall in Norfolk where he continued his interests in local history, natural history, and sailing
He married, in 1944, Adelaide Cooper, who survives him with their daughter. After the war he managed the antiquarian books department of Charles Cubitt in Norwich. Four years later, in 1950, he established his own bookshop on Maddermarket in the city.
From 1955 until 1998 he published a Gently detective novel nearly every year. He retired to Brundall in Norfolk where he continued his interests in local history, natural history, and sailing
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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November 9, 2016This copy is signed by Alan Hunter.
July 26, 2023
Gently and the Assassin
Review of the Constable Kindle eBook edition (2014) of the Walker Mystery hardcover original (1980).
[2.5 rounded up]
Gently Under Fire represents a major change in the long-time series of the Scotland Yard Chief Inspector. The original title The Honfleur Decision drops the long-running title theme of phrases incorporating the use of the character's name within a cliche phrase. The publisher is suddenly Walker Mystery and not Cassell Crime. The biggest change though is that the story is a suspense thriller and not a murder investigation. It also turns into somewhat of a romance.
The story starts off with a bit of humour. Gently enters a bar in the coastal town of Honfleur, France. He is on vacation with his sister and her husband. It turns out though that he is thoroughly drenched from having been tipped into the harbour waters by an unknown assailant. Was it some kind of malicious prank against English tourists or some sort of misunderstanding? But then he is fired upon and the situation becomes more serious as evidently someone intends to assassinate him.
With the assistance of the local police and eventually the DST, it turns out that Gently's mysterious assailant is a terrorist who has mistaken Gently for an English agent on his trail. Gently becomes the bait in an entrapment plan. He meanwhile falls in love with a Frenchwoman who may not be all that she seems to be.
The dust cover of the original UK hardcover published by Walker in 1980. Image sourced from Goodreads.
This was not the style of my preferred Gently and it marks a major shift in the series. It was quickly followed by a direct sequel The Scottish Decision (Gently #27 - 1981), later republished as Gently Heartbroken.
Trivia and Link
Gently Under Fire was not adapted for the Inspector George Gently TV series (2007-2017). Very few of the TV episodes are based on the original books and the characters are quite different, e.g. Sgt Bacchus does not appear in the books. The timeline for the TV series takes place in the 1960s only.
Review of the Constable Kindle eBook edition (2014) of the Walker Mystery hardcover original (1980).
Jules hastily filled a glass and the Englishman took quick gulps. A middle-aged man, he was solidly built and his jacket sagged from hefty shoulders. Also he had an air of authority, of being a man who could handle a situation. As far as one could tell his clothes were of good quality and his waterlogged brogues perhaps handmade.
[2.5 rounded up]
Gently Under Fire represents a major change in the long-time series of the Scotland Yard Chief Inspector. The original title The Honfleur Decision drops the long-running title theme of phrases incorporating the use of the character's name within a cliche phrase. The publisher is suddenly Walker Mystery and not Cassell Crime. The biggest change though is that the story is a suspense thriller and not a murder investigation. It also turns into somewhat of a romance.
The story starts off with a bit of humour. Gently enters a bar in the coastal town of Honfleur, France. He is on vacation with his sister and her husband. It turns out though that he is thoroughly drenched from having been tipped into the harbour waters by an unknown assailant. Was it some kind of malicious prank against English tourists or some sort of misunderstanding? But then he is fired upon and the situation becomes more serious as evidently someone intends to assassinate him.
With the assistance of the local police and eventually the DST, it turns out that Gently's mysterious assailant is a terrorist who has mistaken Gently for an English agent on his trail. Gently becomes the bait in an entrapment plan. He meanwhile falls in love with a Frenchwoman who may not be all that she seems to be.
The dust cover of the original UK hardcover published by Walker in 1980. Image sourced from Goodreads.
This was not the style of my preferred Gently and it marks a major shift in the series. It was quickly followed by a direct sequel The Scottish Decision (Gently #27 - 1981), later republished as Gently Heartbroken.
Trivia and Link
Gently Under Fire was not adapted for the Inspector George Gently TV series (2007-2017). Very few of the TV episodes are based on the original books and the characters are quite different, e.g. Sgt Bacchus does not appear in the books. The timeline for the TV series takes place in the 1960s only.
May 17, 2017
This entry in the George Gently series isn't just different because it doesn't have the word 'Gently' in the title, it's also set in another country (France) and has shedloads more action in it.
Usually, in a George Gently book, you get an 'action chapter' where things really heat up, normally near the end of the book. In this one, it's solid action all the way through. Gently is on holiday in France and there are three attempts on his life in the first twenty four hours. Has one of his old enemies followed him across the channel or is it simply a case of mistaken identity?
This is the first Gently book of the 1980s and it seems that Alan Hunter has successfully predicted the coming of the '80s action blockbuster! This made for a refreshing change of pace from the methodical police procedural that is Gently's usual territory. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Usually, in a George Gently book, you get an 'action chapter' where things really heat up, normally near the end of the book. In this one, it's solid action all the way through. Gently is on holiday in France and there are three attempts on his life in the first twenty four hours. Has one of his old enemies followed him across the channel or is it simply a case of mistaken identity?
This is the first Gently book of the 1980s and it seems that Alan Hunter has successfully predicted the coming of the '80s action blockbuster! This made for a refreshing change of pace from the methodical police procedural that is Gently's usual territory. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
March 23, 2022
My acquaintance with Inspector George Gently is largely thru the TV series. I was drawn to this book because it was set in Honfleur, one of my favorite places on earth. I found the "romance" unconvincing and the storyline boring. Very disappointed. Kristi & Abby Tabby
March 14, 2022
Originally published as The Honfleur Decision, this book sees Gently on holiday in Honfleur with his sister and her husband and finding himself shot at. A possible link emerges with the antiques fair and a ceramics stall holder called Gabrielle Orbec, to whom Gently becomes guardedly attracted. Unlike the previous books, this does not come to a clear conclusion, pulling the reader into the next book.
May 12, 2018
Iffy. Supt. Gently is only involved in the mystery through mistaken identity, and falls in love with a shallow, stupid Frenchwoman.
January 12, 2009
A very quick read. Beginning of a mini-series within the series, I fancy.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews