Go Fast

Simon Ellice #2

by Rod Humphris

Highly charged, action packed and intelligent, Go Fast is set in the vivid, exotic location of Morocco and is the first novel in the Simon Ellice series. On moonless nights Si runs hash from Morocco to Spain in his go-fast boat but soon discovers he's caught up in a tangle of illegal power and hidden love.

Genres: Fiction

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

About the author

In his office you will find Rod typing, flanked by two enormous dogs, and surrounded by the ephemera he has collected on his travels.

“I always read. Since I can remember. First Asterix, then Willard Price, then Conan Doyle, then everything else. I've had a paperback jammed into my back pocket most days of my life. I remember wanting to write a book when I was about 12 and wanting to put everything into it”

“I've read every kind of book, but the ones I love most are stories of adventure, so that's what I write. I've put thousands of hours into learning to do it well. It's taken me a long time, but I've developed my own voice and my own style. I spend so much time with Si, my main character, that he seems as real to me as anyone I know. In some cases, more so. I'm happiest and most productive when travelling about in my battered old truck with a canoe on top and a dog in the back.”

Winner of N. N. Light Best Fiction Award 2016

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously been blown away by the prequel novella (Dead Ground), this second book of the series is one of the best books I have ever read. I so enjoy the life and times of Simon Ellice.



This author captures my sense of humor and it has been times innumerable that my reading of this book had me laughing so loud it disturbed people around me! I am usually massively opposed to drug smuggling (and it as a topic) but this didn't dissuade me here. If I had been fighting in Afghanistan in my early twenties who knows what kind of s**t I would have been involved in two years later.



Simon was fantastic. The flawed character of Sam reminds me of the character Bullseye in Daredevil. Gripping, action filled, brilliantly staged, surprises, suspense, humor *that made me laugh anyway* and now I cannot wait for the next book.



Buy this book, read this book, love this book. They don't write books like this any more. One of the best books of all time and something I can add to my classic re-read pile. Brilliant. 1000 stars but I can only give it 5+ stars.



My Rating: 5+ stars



This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...

[Zoe Radley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good gun toting, James Bond blasting, mysoginistic, nasty characters. It’s great don’t get me wrong but I found myself not liking any of the characters and I mean anyone. Simon is this almost psychotic unfeeling machine who will have sex with a“pretty woman” trope. I am in two minds about this book on the one hand I managed to finish it and it did hold my interest but on the other it’s not really my book. I don’t love it, I just find it ok. I think if you are into James Bond, bourne identity and mission impossible then this will be right up your street, but for me no... not sure about it tbh.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good action film, but when it comes to the book I've been let down by Bond and Bourne. Just couldn't get into them. Not this time though, Simon Ellice is my new hero. OK so he's technically not a good guy, as he's a drug smuggler, but I'd have him on my team any day.

We meet Simon and his beloved boat Nottambulo, which is super fast - the reference of the title of the book. I don't know anything about boats but thanks to the author's skilful story telling and the hints dropped here and there about boats, by the time I got near the end I knew exactly what he was talking about. So when the plot focussed on a manoeuvre I just knew what Simon was doing with the boat.

I also liked that the book has strong female characters in Sam - the one woman army, and also Soumy his help. Soumy's has strengths not so obvious as those Sam displays, but nevertheless she is also a force to be reckoned with.

Although it's a lengthy book I raced through it as I really wanted to find out how this was going to end. I also just loved reading about Simon - he's smart, self assured, takes everything in his stride and yet caring too. I've never read a book in which a criminal recovers a body so his family could bury him.

There is a lot of violence - as you might expect, but only in as far as those in the way get dispatched! What made the book for me was the way Simon second guessed his opponents moves, just genius.

[Di Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rod Humphris is one of my new favourite authors, and his protagonist, Simon Ellice, one of my favourite literary characters. I love Rod's style and turn of phrase, his humour and the way his stories unfold. He leaves a lot unsaid, but never leaves you wondering what's going on. Yes, his characters are larger than life, but they're human too, with flaws and redeeming qualities where necessary. The non-stop action in this book kept me engrossed all the way, and even though I've read 'Bloodstock' (the fourth book in the Simon Ellice series - this is the second), and consequently had some inkling as to the outcome of this book, it is in no way predictable. However, what you can be sure of, is that Si will get himself into trouble, and the joy is in reading how he gets himself out of it. This book would make a fantastic movie with its fast-paced action scenes, and is so well written that I could 'see' everything happening, yet the descriptions are sometimes almost poetic; a dichotomy that works well when you consider the character of Simon, who, despite being a drug smuggler, still has a moral compass pointing in generally the right direction. If you enjoy action and adventure thrillers, this is a must-read book - and author.

[Shelagh Wadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we meet our hero Simon Ellice (Si) this time he is drug smuggling in Morocco for a big time hotshot and drug smuggler, Guy Wealden. Si uses his beautiful sleek and powerful boat Nottambullo (Nighthawk) to deliver drugs to Spain for their onward journey into Europe.

There are a lot of interesting characters in this book which are brought to life by the great writing ability of the author. To name a few there is Soumy the beautiful house girl, Samantha, Guy’s daughter who can shoot as well as any of the henchmen in Guy’s employ and not forgetting Alif and his sons who guard Nottambulo day and night.

The descriptions of the sand dunes in the Sahara desert and the forbidding mountains seen through Si’s eyes are mesmerising.

Greed, power and intrigue mixed up with love and questionable loyalties make for a great non stop action thriller.

Thank you Pigeonhole and Rod once again for giving me the opportunity to read Go Fast. I am looking forward to reading Starlight.

[Catherine Rickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced thriller full of action with a high body count.. Simon Ellice is a great character.and I look forward to reading more about him in the next book, Starlight. Thanks to Pigeonhole and Rod Humphris for the opportunity to read this book.

[Nathan Hodgson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never really got into this novel, and unlikely to read the follow up as the lead character Simon just isn't that interesting. A decent ending, although all the most interesting bits were reserved for the last few chapters, making the rest of the book feel somewhat superfluous.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rod Humphris immerses you in the dark world of his drug-smuggling protagonist, Simon Ellice. This is an adventure story, first and foremost, but also serves as an intriguing snapshot into the lives of those involved in the drug trade across the Alboran sea. You will find yourself taken by the hand and dragged off by the quick narrative, fast-paced action sequences and feverish romance contained within these pages.

Simon Ellice is an engaging protagonist: an antihero, you cannot help but root for him as he speeds through the story on the deck of his go-fast boat Nottambulo. Perhaps it is his leonine grace, or his calculated nature: something gives Simon the air of a predator.

If Simon is a predator, Sam is something more. Something darker. Casually violent, quick-witted and more than a match for Si, she is far from the typical damsel-in-distress or girl-of-the-week tropes.

Not only is it very well written, but the cloth bound hardback is a beautiful thing to own. It is clear that a lot of effort has gone into making this book timeless and beautiful and I can't wait to see what else Rod comes up with.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another stonking ( I love this word) good read from Rod Humphris. I am enjoying the fast paced, action packed adventures of Simon Ellice and cannot wait to read more.
Thanks Pigeonhole and Rod Humphris for giving me the opportunity to read this and I look forward to reading on.

[Pasi Kupiainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exotic places, dangerous women, guns, sea and sand. This is one of the best novels I've read. It's an old-fashioned adventure with a modern twist. The name comes from a go fast- boat, but describes the whole plot. Motto: Trust no one, or they get hurt or screw you.

[Carol Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was an action packed engrossing read from the start to the end. Thank you to Rod Humphris as well as Pigeonhole. Looking forward to reading and enjoying more books from this author

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fast paced action thriller. Simon Ellice is drug running in North Africa, we follow him as he deals with the extra complications of British Police/intelligence and rival gangs. Thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity, looking forward to more adventures of Simon Ellice.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bad guy like Simon Ellice, who isn't even trying to be nice or do the right thing, a pure anti-hero, is very refreshing turn of events in crime&thriller. I'd love to see more of that on the bookshelves.