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Drabble and Harris #1
Rule Britannia
'An immensely readable treat!' ALEXANDER McCALL SMITHThe first book in a light-hearted historical adventure series set during the mid-twentieth century............................................................................Ernest Drabble, a Cambridge historian and mountaineer, travels to rural Devon to inspect the decapitated head of Oliver Cromwell - a macabre artefact owned by Dr Wilkinson. Drabble only tells one person of his plans - Harris, an old school friend and press reporter. On the train to Devon, Drabble narrowly avoids being murdered, only to reach his destination and find Dr Wilkinson has been killed. Gripped in Wilkinson's hand is a telegram from Winston Churchill instructing him to bring the head of Oliver Cromwell to London.Drabble has unwittingly become embroiled in a pro-Nazi conspiracy headed by a high-status Conservative member of the British government.And so, Drabble teams up with Wilkinson's secretary, Kate Honeyand, to find the head and rescue Harris who is being tortured for information..............................................................................Praise for Rule 'A rollicking good read' IAN RANKIN 'Marsh chomps the period bit between his teeth and relates his yarn with winning gusto' NEW STATESMAN'Tremendous stuff! With the arrival of Alec Marsh's first Drabble and Harris thriller, John Buchan must be stirring uneasily in his grave'STANLEY JOHNSON
- GenresMystery
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2019
10 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Alec Marsh
4 books5 followersAlec Marsh is the author of the Drabble and Harris historical thriller series.
‘Rule Britannia’, the first book in the series, is set against the backdrop of the Abdication Crisis in 1936 – and described by Rebus-creator Ian Rankin as ‘a rollicking good read’. The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency author Alexander McCall Smith described it as ‘an immensely readable treat’. ‘Rule Britannia’ was published in 2019 by Headline Accent.
The second novel in the Drabble and Harris series – ‘Enemy of the Raj’ – is set in British India in 1937 and was released in Semptember 2020, and has been praised by bestselling novelist Abir Mukherjee: ''Told with humour and flair, Enemy of the Raj is a highly enjoyable, riveting read', he said.
Marsh was born in Essex in 1975 and studied history at Newcastle University before embarking on a career in journalism. Over the last 20 years he has written for most of the national newspapers as well as the New Statesman, the Spectator and Country Life. He lives in London with his wife and family, and is currently also working on the third novel in the Drabble and Harris series, which will be set in the United States.
‘Rule Britannia’, the first book in the series, is set against the backdrop of the Abdication Crisis in 1936 – and described by Rebus-creator Ian Rankin as ‘a rollicking good read’. The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency author Alexander McCall Smith described it as ‘an immensely readable treat’. ‘Rule Britannia’ was published in 2019 by Headline Accent.
The second novel in the Drabble and Harris series – ‘Enemy of the Raj’ – is set in British India in 1937 and was released in Semptember 2020, and has been praised by bestselling novelist Abir Mukherjee: ''Told with humour and flair, Enemy of the Raj is a highly enjoyable, riveting read', he said.
Marsh was born in Essex in 1975 and studied history at Newcastle University before embarking on a career in journalism. Over the last 20 years he has written for most of the national newspapers as well as the New Statesman, the Spectator and Country Life. He lives in London with his wife and family, and is currently also working on the third novel in the Drabble and Harris series, which will be set in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2019
Well, this is pretty spiffing! In this, the first book in the Drabble and Harris series, the two old school buddies and best friends don’t spend a great deal of time with each other but this just makes every single chapter a cliff hanger to get back to each of them. Both are gentlemen, highly educated and well respected in their fields. Drabble a Cambridge historian and mountaineer, while Harris is a well-respected newspaper reporter.
When Drabble confides in Harris that he is going to Cornwall to confirm that a Dr. Wilkinson is in possession of Cromwell’s head. Of course, Harris does what most reporters do best, he has to tell someone, who tells the wrong person and a chain of events begin. The year is 1936 and the week is that which King Edward and Mrs. Simpson hit world headlines. This is a bit of behind the scenes ripples that are taking place in parliament but in a fictional sense. It makes breathtaking reading.
The characters come to life with their humour, and the whole era I just fell into step with, the dialogue and romance of it all. The political side sent me cold and totally blew me away. I was carried away with the story, the anguish, the horror and power of it all.
These events make for one wild unpredictable ride, murder, kidnapping, torture, romance, and crazy overland chases with a gorgeous top of the range de-luxe car. Fascists, parliament and Winston Church. My heart raced, I laughed, I whooped and gasped. What a tremendous story. It left me thoroughly shell shocked, devasted, cheering and wanting more. This is a magnificent Debut! Highly recommended!!
I wish to thank Midaspr for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
When Drabble confides in Harris that he is going to Cornwall to confirm that a Dr. Wilkinson is in possession of Cromwell’s head. Of course, Harris does what most reporters do best, he has to tell someone, who tells the wrong person and a chain of events begin. The year is 1936 and the week is that which King Edward and Mrs. Simpson hit world headlines. This is a bit of behind the scenes ripples that are taking place in parliament but in a fictional sense. It makes breathtaking reading.
The characters come to life with their humour, and the whole era I just fell into step with, the dialogue and romance of it all. The political side sent me cold and totally blew me away. I was carried away with the story, the anguish, the horror and power of it all.
These events make for one wild unpredictable ride, murder, kidnapping, torture, romance, and crazy overland chases with a gorgeous top of the range de-luxe car. Fascists, parliament and Winston Church. My heart raced, I laughed, I whooped and gasped. What a tremendous story. It left me thoroughly shell shocked, devasted, cheering and wanting more. This is a magnificent Debut! Highly recommended!!
I wish to thank Midaspr for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
November 28, 2021
I rather enjoyed this story and loved the 1930’s vibe. I found Harris to be a rather funny character to read about and I loved Drabble. I think they make a rather nice team. I loved the plot although politics “goes right over my head”. I did find the language and o be a little difficult to follow along at times and found some of the descriptive writings to be a little odd but all in all a great book.
Great job on your debut novel Alec. I will be picking up book 2 as soon as I am able to get my hands on it.
Great job on your debut novel Alec. I will be picking up book 2 as soon as I am able to get my hands on it.
July 10, 2019
I've been looking for something a little different to read, and then Rule Britannia was sent to me and I immediately bumped it up to the top of my TBR pile.
The debut in a series, set in the 1930's we meet Ernest Drabble; a quirky combination of mountaineer and Cambridge historian, he is asked to perform the most macabre in his work - to go and verify a severed head that is believed to be Oliver Cromwell. A Dr Wilkinson has said severed head in his posession and asks Drabble to travel from London to Devon to verfiy it's identity.
Drabble confides in his best friend Harris before he sets off. Harris being a press reporter can't keep schtum - he blabs in a bar to the wrong person and ends up causing a rather dastardly chain of events...
Drabble is almost killed on the train journey to Devon and finds Dr Wilkinson dead upon his arrival...someone wants that head and will torture and kill to get it. Drabble and Harris find themselves embroiled in a pro-Nazi conspiracy lead by a prominent figure of the Conservative party.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so easy to get into and I loved the characters of Drabble and Harris - they were both likeable. True old school gents, but by heck did they suffer! I became really invested in them and really wanted them both to get out of the sticky situations they found themselves in!
Marsh has injected quintessential British humour into this book. The plot is crazy, over the top (at times utterly unreal) but I loved it. I can't wait for the next installment.
A 4 star read for me.
I would like to thank Phoebe Swinburn and Accent Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
The debut in a series, set in the 1930's we meet Ernest Drabble; a quirky combination of mountaineer and Cambridge historian, he is asked to perform the most macabre in his work - to go and verify a severed head that is believed to be Oliver Cromwell. A Dr Wilkinson has said severed head in his posession and asks Drabble to travel from London to Devon to verfiy it's identity.
Drabble confides in his best friend Harris before he sets off. Harris being a press reporter can't keep schtum - he blabs in a bar to the wrong person and ends up causing a rather dastardly chain of events...
Drabble is almost killed on the train journey to Devon and finds Dr Wilkinson dead upon his arrival...someone wants that head and will torture and kill to get it. Drabble and Harris find themselves embroiled in a pro-Nazi conspiracy lead by a prominent figure of the Conservative party.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so easy to get into and I loved the characters of Drabble and Harris - they were both likeable. True old school gents, but by heck did they suffer! I became really invested in them and really wanted them both to get out of the sticky situations they found themselves in!
Marsh has injected quintessential British humour into this book. The plot is crazy, over the top (at times utterly unreal) but I loved it. I can't wait for the next installment.
A 4 star read for me.
I would like to thank Phoebe Swinburn and Accent Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
September 24, 2019
Sadly lacking
This is the first novel by Alec Marsh, and according to the publicity it is intended to be the first of a series. I should state firstly, that I couldn’t finish the book although I did read 70% of it which gives me the authority to write a review. From this comment alone it can be gathered that I didn’t enjoy the read. Many might of course, but it didn’t appeal to me at all. It gives me no pleasure to write negative things about any book, and this is doubly true about a first novel as it’s obvious how much hard work goes into any publication.
Drabble and Harris are, respectively, a Cambridge University professor and a journalist. The story is based in the 1930s and starts with Drabble travelling to Cornwall to collect the missing head of Oliver Cromwell. He confides in his friend, who rather lets him down by an indiscretion, and as a result is attacked on a sleeper train. The plot becomes even more unbelievable as it continues.
My main criticism is that it fails on every level. The characterisation is pretty much non-existent. I couldn’t invest in any of the main characters as I knew nothing about them. There was no light and shade, and the dialogue was wooden. The action was literally incredible, and if the plot was intended as a light-hearted, humorous romp then why was there so much violence.
Unfortunately, not a book I can recommend.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
This is the first novel by Alec Marsh, and according to the publicity it is intended to be the first of a series. I should state firstly, that I couldn’t finish the book although I did read 70% of it which gives me the authority to write a review. From this comment alone it can be gathered that I didn’t enjoy the read. Many might of course, but it didn’t appeal to me at all. It gives me no pleasure to write negative things about any book, and this is doubly true about a first novel as it’s obvious how much hard work goes into any publication.
Drabble and Harris are, respectively, a Cambridge University professor and a journalist. The story is based in the 1930s and starts with Drabble travelling to Cornwall to collect the missing head of Oliver Cromwell. He confides in his friend, who rather lets him down by an indiscretion, and as a result is attacked on a sleeper train. The plot becomes even more unbelievable as it continues.
My main criticism is that it fails on every level. The characterisation is pretty much non-existent. I couldn’t invest in any of the main characters as I knew nothing about them. There was no light and shade, and the dialogue was wooden. The action was literally incredible, and if the plot was intended as a light-hearted, humorous romp then why was there so much violence.
Unfortunately, not a book I can recommend.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
October 4, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Midas PR.
A quirky, enjoyable tale RULE BRITANNIA by Alec Marsh is sure to please historical fiction and mystery fans alike.
Ernest Drabble is part traveller and part professor but when he is asked to study and inspect the decapitated head of Oliver Cromwell, he cannot wait to dive into this top-secret project. Naturally, this would be huge news but Drabble has trusted the truth with his close friend, Harris. As Drabble sets off on his journey to Devon, Harris is busy telling everyone about what Drabble is doing. But the secret has reached the wrong ears and it isn't long before Drabble is fighting for his life and the bodies begin to mount up. Why does someone want to kill to stop Drabble and Harris? And can they discover the truth before it is too late?
Fascinating, compelling, and with a more modern Sherlock Holmes vibe, RULE BRITANNIA by Alex Marsh is the kind of story that you intend to pick up for a half an hour and end up reading the whole night. The characters are your stiff-upper-lip type but with hidden depths and strengths that I enjoyed getting to know.
The first in a series, RULE BRITANNIA is an entertaining story and I look forward to the next book in this series.
A quirky, enjoyable tale RULE BRITANNIA by Alec Marsh is sure to please historical fiction and mystery fans alike.
Ernest Drabble is part traveller and part professor but when he is asked to study and inspect the decapitated head of Oliver Cromwell, he cannot wait to dive into this top-secret project. Naturally, this would be huge news but Drabble has trusted the truth with his close friend, Harris. As Drabble sets off on his journey to Devon, Harris is busy telling everyone about what Drabble is doing. But the secret has reached the wrong ears and it isn't long before Drabble is fighting for his life and the bodies begin to mount up. Why does someone want to kill to stop Drabble and Harris? And can they discover the truth before it is too late?
Fascinating, compelling, and with a more modern Sherlock Holmes vibe, RULE BRITANNIA by Alex Marsh is the kind of story that you intend to pick up for a half an hour and end up reading the whole night. The characters are your stiff-upper-lip type but with hidden depths and strengths that I enjoyed getting to know.
The first in a series, RULE BRITANNIA is an entertaining story and I look forward to the next book in this series.
January 19, 2020
I first heard about this book completely by accident. While at a writing festival, Capital Crime, I bumped into the author, Alec Marsh, who so happens to have been my boss in a previous life. Years ago, we both worked for YouGov (now purely a pollster, but at the time with a small news operation). I was one of the journalists, while Alec was the editor. Speaking with him after all this time, I discovered he had published his first novel and as a writer and book reviewer myself, I was keen to read it.
Earnest Drabble is a Cambridge historian and mountaineer, while his childhood friend, Percival Harris, is a fleet street journalist. It’s 1936 and Britain is being wracked by the abdication crisis of Kind Edward VIII. The King has fallen in love with an American socialite and divorcée, Wallis Simpson, and wishes to marry. This is anathema to many, not least the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, and rumours are in the air that the King is going to stand down.
Seemingly unconnected to all this drama, Drabble has learnt of a provincial doctor who has in his possession the long lost head of Oliver Cromwell. After the restoration of the British monarchy, Cromwell’s body was dug up from its resting place by supporters of the new king (Charles II) and beheaded. The head was then placed on a spike. Years later, the head blew off in a storm and was stolen as a keepsake by a guard. It then passed into private hands where it was eventually lost. Now it has reappeared, and Drabble, an authority on the period, is keen to see it. He tells only Harris of this, but the journalist is a bit of a blabbermouth and soon they are both in a heap of trouble. Why anyone wants the head of Oliver Cromwell so badly, neither Drabble or Harris know, but they are pursued by fascists and a cast of deeply unsavoury characters, all of whom are intent on getting the head.
Historical fiction is not my preferred genre. My preference is for the darkest of treacly noir. James Elroy and Don Winslow are my writing heroes. Rule Britannia is none of those but has been accurately described by other reviewers as a charming and entertaining romp. So, I admit to being a little hesitant when embarking on the novel. That said, I was soon thoroughly enjoying it. Drabble and Harris are well drawn and delightful characters, and the supporting cast are also strong, not least the villains.
Rule Britannia is a well plotted story and moves along at a good pace. It is also very well researched and the events of the book, while fictionalised, are grounded in reality. Cromwell really was dug up, decapitated, his head stuck on a spike only to disappear into private hands; while the fascists in the book might be made up, but Oswald Moseley’s British Union of Fascists really were almost as powerful. While the novel is lighter in tone than my usual preferred reads, and I generally prefer contemporary tales, I did really enjoy the basis for this story. I have a great interest in the far right (no sympathy for them I should quickly point out, just an interest) and the power they wielded at one point, which this story uses as a plot device, is frightening to contemplate.
Rule Brittania is a fun and irreverent tale. Apparently, it’s the start of a series and Alec has laid the foundations well here. It’s billed as a “Drabble and Harris thriller” but Drabble has the lion’s share of the narrative and Harris is very much in his shadow. I wonder if in future outings we’ll see more of the later. There’s certainly scope in both characters. If you’re after a light-hearted historical read, then this could well be the book for you.
Earnest Drabble is a Cambridge historian and mountaineer, while his childhood friend, Percival Harris, is a fleet street journalist. It’s 1936 and Britain is being wracked by the abdication crisis of Kind Edward VIII. The King has fallen in love with an American socialite and divorcée, Wallis Simpson, and wishes to marry. This is anathema to many, not least the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, and rumours are in the air that the King is going to stand down.
Seemingly unconnected to all this drama, Drabble has learnt of a provincial doctor who has in his possession the long lost head of Oliver Cromwell. After the restoration of the British monarchy, Cromwell’s body was dug up from its resting place by supporters of the new king (Charles II) and beheaded. The head was then placed on a spike. Years later, the head blew off in a storm and was stolen as a keepsake by a guard. It then passed into private hands where it was eventually lost. Now it has reappeared, and Drabble, an authority on the period, is keen to see it. He tells only Harris of this, but the journalist is a bit of a blabbermouth and soon they are both in a heap of trouble. Why anyone wants the head of Oliver Cromwell so badly, neither Drabble or Harris know, but they are pursued by fascists and a cast of deeply unsavoury characters, all of whom are intent on getting the head.
Historical fiction is not my preferred genre. My preference is for the darkest of treacly noir. James Elroy and Don Winslow are my writing heroes. Rule Britannia is none of those but has been accurately described by other reviewers as a charming and entertaining romp. So, I admit to being a little hesitant when embarking on the novel. That said, I was soon thoroughly enjoying it. Drabble and Harris are well drawn and delightful characters, and the supporting cast are also strong, not least the villains.
Rule Britannia is a well plotted story and moves along at a good pace. It is also very well researched and the events of the book, while fictionalised, are grounded in reality. Cromwell really was dug up, decapitated, his head stuck on a spike only to disappear into private hands; while the fascists in the book might be made up, but Oswald Moseley’s British Union of Fascists really were almost as powerful. While the novel is lighter in tone than my usual preferred reads, and I generally prefer contemporary tales, I did really enjoy the basis for this story. I have a great interest in the far right (no sympathy for them I should quickly point out, just an interest) and the power they wielded at one point, which this story uses as a plot device, is frightening to contemplate.
Rule Brittania is a fun and irreverent tale. Apparently, it’s the start of a series and Alec has laid the foundations well here. It’s billed as a “Drabble and Harris thriller” but Drabble has the lion’s share of the narrative and Harris is very much in his shadow. I wonder if in future outings we’ll see more of the later. There’s certainly scope in both characters. If you’re after a light-hearted historical read, then this could well be the book for you.
October 19, 2019
In a cross between Dick Barton and the Boys Own Paper, Alec Marsh has penned a tale of derring-do; full of dastardly chaps in smart uniforms and pretty girls with more than a dash of pluck about them.
Ernest Drabble is an historian, though not unused to adventure. Recently returned from an arduous climbing expedition where he sadly lost his partner, he is looking forward to returning to Cambridge for a quiet, academic life.
Percival Harris is his friend. A journalist, whose nose for a story is greater than his ability to keep a promise to a friend not to publish it, Harris is usually to be found propping up the bar at his club, The Granville.
It is 1936. Stanley Baldwin is Prime Minister and the Government is wrestling with the news that King Edward VIII wants to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. Drabble receives a note from a Dr. Wilkinson, asking him to travel to Cornwall to inspect the severed head of Oliver Cromwell. Drabble is of course aware that after being posthumously executed at Tyburn, Cromwell’s head was severed from its body and its whereabouts lost for hundreds of years. Excited by the prospect of such a momentous find, Drabble confides in Harris, swearing him to secrecy, and heads off for Cornwall.
What follows is a tale of high adventure, lots of car chases, sharp faced men (and the odd nasty woman) and a political conspiracy designed to bring fascism to power in the most terrible of ways.
Part Indiana Jones, part Errol Flynn, Drabble will find himself pitted against some of the most dastardly villains in Britain as he fights to save the soul of the nation and rescue Harris from a terrible fate.
Verdict: Written with brio and a light touch humour, Marsh cleverly uses historical facts to pen an adventure story to gladden the hearts of fans of mild mannered historians with plucky hearts of fire.
Ernest Drabble is an historian, though not unused to adventure. Recently returned from an arduous climbing expedition where he sadly lost his partner, he is looking forward to returning to Cambridge for a quiet, academic life.
Percival Harris is his friend. A journalist, whose nose for a story is greater than his ability to keep a promise to a friend not to publish it, Harris is usually to be found propping up the bar at his club, The Granville.
It is 1936. Stanley Baldwin is Prime Minister and the Government is wrestling with the news that King Edward VIII wants to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. Drabble receives a note from a Dr. Wilkinson, asking him to travel to Cornwall to inspect the severed head of Oliver Cromwell. Drabble is of course aware that after being posthumously executed at Tyburn, Cromwell’s head was severed from its body and its whereabouts lost for hundreds of years. Excited by the prospect of such a momentous find, Drabble confides in Harris, swearing him to secrecy, and heads off for Cornwall.
What follows is a tale of high adventure, lots of car chases, sharp faced men (and the odd nasty woman) and a political conspiracy designed to bring fascism to power in the most terrible of ways.
Part Indiana Jones, part Errol Flynn, Drabble will find himself pitted against some of the most dastardly villains in Britain as he fights to save the soul of the nation and rescue Harris from a terrible fate.
Verdict: Written with brio and a light touch humour, Marsh cleverly uses historical facts to pen an adventure story to gladden the hearts of fans of mild mannered historians with plucky hearts of fire.
January 31, 2020
Loved it! It absolutely rips along, decapitated heads, severed fingers and bullets fly - gilded fascists, valiant mountain climbers and rescued democracies. History & Conspiracy Theory cheek to cheek.
Bring on Drabble & Harris 2!
Bring on Drabble & Harris 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2019
Review available on Instagram, @have_you_read_this 🌟
September 21, 2019
Reminded me of a cross between a Wooster/Jeeves book and a Blotto/Twinks book. Would have given it a '5' except for one issue at the end.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews