Clementina

Leathan Wilkey #1

by Simon Cann

Does daddy care enough?

Leathan Wilkey has been hired to babysit Clementina, a seventeen-year-old whose rich daddy is going through a messy divorce and is over-compensating.

Leathan soon tires of her spending habits, her selfie obsession, and her social media preoccupation as his ward drags him from shop to boutique to jeweler, approaching each with the self-possession that comes from a lifetime of getting her own way and never once having to worry about money.

But when Clementina snaps her fingers and her boyfriend doesn't come running, something is up. He doesn't appear because he's been murdered.

When Leathan investigates, he finds that the boyfriend has no background and met Clementina through a connection made by daddy's business partner.

Daddy's business partner who has been slowly and progressively putting daddy in a vice, grabbing more of the business, and who is now menacing Clementina directly to manipulate daddy.

Genres: Thriller

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2016

About the author

Simon Cann is the author of the Boniface, Montbretia Armstrong, and Leathan Wilkey books.

In addition to his fiction, Simon has written a range of music-related and business-related books, including the How to Make a Noise series, the most widely ready series about synthesizer sound programming, and Made it in China, about entrepreneurs building businesses in China. He has also worked as a ghostwriter on a number of books.

Before turning full-time to writing, Simon spent nearly two decades as a management consultant, where his clients included aeronautical, pharmaceutical, defense, financial services, chemical, entertainment, and broadcasting companies.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[LA Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leathan Wilkey navigates Paris with panache: there’s no better sleuth, problem solver or rescuer of daddy’s girl.

Simon Cann’s fast-paced crime thriller is a cut above the rest. Suspense, extortion, kidnapping and murder provide non-stop plot twists. But what kept me turning the page.
was something more: the relationship between the two main protagonists, Leathan Wilkey and Clementina.

Hired by rich Daddy to keep the paparazzi away from his 17-year-old Clementina, Leathan is smart, sophisticated and savvy. Yet he’s not beneath breaking and entering, blackmail or bald-faced manipulation. Lying comes as naturally as speaking French. Nothing phases him. Not aristocratic daddy’s wealth or business dealings, not nefarious attempts to edge daddy out, on the parts of the lawyer and media relations man, not the discovery that the chauffeur takes quasi porn shots of Clementina, not finding that the housekeeper is paid to ignore what goes on. Leathan employs his inimitable logic and an uncanny ability to see one step ahead to steer people where he needs them and to earn the respect of daddy. It’s his cool confidence that best serves him in winning over the surly Clementina.

An insouciant teen who helps herself to Daddy’s money, she’s tall, blonde and slinky, an obsessed fashionista set on accumulating the latest outfits and accoutrements, then trumpeting her finds on social media. A spoiled child, her prove-you’re-worth-my-time attitude makes her hard to like, much less look out for. Yet Leathan excels in just that.

Paris herself, from the shady Gare du Nord to glamourous Rue de la Paix, plays a fetching role in this tale. As the souped-up Mercedes cruises the arrondisements we glimpse the city’s iconic landmarks.

In sum, Leathan Wilkey navigates Paris with panache: there’s no better sleuth, problem solver or rescuer of daddy’s girl. Here’s a pro I won’t forget. Here’s a tale I highly recommend.

L.A. Robbins author of Widdershins and Unspooling the Light

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not kindle unlimited

Clementina (Leathan Wilkey Book 1) Bag Man Bag Man (Leathan Wilkey 1.5) Diplomatic Baggage (Leathan Wilkey Book 2) The Camera (Leathan Wilkey, #3)

High Five (Montbretia Armstrong Book 1) {perma free?} Long Lunch (Montbretia Armstrong Book 2)

and others, check out his amazon author page, if not free probably from one of my freebie sites

This is #1, the start of a not so beautiful relationship, depending on who you ask.

[Jane Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a really good book, y'all — Clementina by Simon Cann. Let me tell you a little about this crime suspense/thriller, Book #1 in the Leathan Wilkey series.

I initially read Chapter One of Clementina on Author Simon Cann's website, prior to registering for this blog tour. I was hooked from the beginning, and immediately signed up. I couldn't wait to finish reading Clementina!

This is definitely not my usual genre — cozy mystery. Clementina is a Crime Thriller, with some intense passages. The book is not completely dark and suspenseful, however.

Due to some undercover work in London that went bad, Leathan Wilkey left the UK for Paris. His new job is "babysitting" Clementina, which is a lot harder than it sounds since she is a spoiled, willful 17-year-old.

Leathan, the narrator, displays a rather snarky sense of humor at times, which added a lot to my appreciation of Clementina. Here are some examples:

• To the right, a figure appeared.

Female. Slim. Five eight. Long blond hair, styled with a just-got-out-of-bed look, which may have been due to her just getting out of bed.

• I said the only thing I knew about jewelry in Rue de la Paix: There are no price tags. European legislation mandates that every item for sale has a visible price tag showing the full price, including any sales tax, but jewelry in Rue de la Paix has a special dispensation.

"Of course!" said Clementina, "It's art! You can't put a price on such beauty."

"And yet somehow the stores manage to find a price to charge you," I muttered, sparking Clementina's offense.

• "What do you think of this?" she asked, holding up a very delicate necklace. To me it looked silver, but I guessed it was platinum.

"Looks good," I said, not knowing what to say. As I've said, jewelry isn't my thing.

"Say more than that," said Clementina, clearly disappointed in my response.
I shrugged.

She exaggerated a shrug back.

I held out my hands, letting her see both sides. Then I pushed back my sleeves to show there was nothing around my wrists before I indicated my earlobes, each lacking any adornment. Finally, I tugged down my collar to show I wasn't wearing a necklace. "Do you see something missing? Something I don't display?"

She paused, letting the expression on her face fall before talking. "Oh God, I'm sorry!" she said, throwing her hands over her mouth. "Leathan, I am so, so, sooo sorry. Now you mention it, it's obvious: You're missing any sense of style. Oh, you poor thing. I am so, so sorry."

I should have been upset, but she managed to carry off the put-down with a certain aplomb.

Leathan is remarkably patient with Clementina, even though she can behave like a little snot. Leathan keeps his head, whether he's dealing with Clementina's demands or her boyfriend's dead body. He saves the day, by outwitting the bad guys with his quick thinking and fast talking.

There are two more books planned for the Leathan Wilkey series. They are also set in Paris. I can't wait to read them!

I recommend Clementina to all fans of crime thrillers and suspense. I think it will particularly appeal to fans of Frederick Forsyth and Simon Cann's other series.

I really enjoyed Clementina by Simon Cann, and award it Four Kitties!


Note: I received a complimentary copy of Clementina in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

Originally published on my blog Jane Reads.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Fascinating plot with great characters.

Leathan Wilkey didn't know what he was letting himself in for when he signed up to 'babysit' Clementina! This needs to be read to discover just what he has taken on.

I enjoyed this very much and would certainly recommend it.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clementines. Simon Cann

Leathan solves people problems. He was hired on a recommendation to keep an eye on a very rich mans daughter. He initially can't stand the pampered young girl. But then a bond between the two develops. Intrigue, suspense, murder... all the elements for an action packed mystery and thriller. Enjoyed tremendously!!