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Celtic Cousins' Adventures #3
An Explosive Time
ASIN moved from less recent edition here
Dealing with stolen circus elephants, pit fighting alligators, and man eating pigs are a walk in the park for Detective Crombie.
However, it's when the Celtic Cousins get involved that the explosions really start.
When a circus elephant goes missing on Detective Inspector Crombie's watch, he immediately thinks of Wren and Rhyllann, who have to his mind made a career out of being the collective bane of his existence. And his instincts are correct: the Celtic Cousins HAVE been up to something--but when Crombie finds out what it is and why, he runs into resistance not only from his immediate superiors, but also from the corridors of power in Whitehall itself.
Will Crombie take the easy way out, or will he "leave the reservation" in an effort to do the right thing? The answer may surprise you...
Dealing with stolen circus elephants, pit fighting alligators, and man eating pigs are a walk in the park for Detective Crombie.
However, it's when the Celtic Cousins get involved that the explosions really start.
When a circus elephant goes missing on Detective Inspector Crombie's watch, he immediately thinks of Wren and Rhyllann, who have to his mind made a career out of being the collective bane of his existence. And his instincts are correct: the Celtic Cousins HAVE been up to something--but when Crombie finds out what it is and why, he runs into resistance not only from his immediate superiors, but also from the corridors of power in Whitehall itself.
Will Crombie take the easy way out, or will he "leave the reservation" in an effort to do the right thing? The answer may surprise you...
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2012
17 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Julia Hughes
19 books117 followersQuick update! The new DI Crombie title is out: "Everybody Lies" can be downloaded exclusively from Amazon, for the special early bird price of 99p. Or download an excerpt right here, from Goodreads - just navigate to the book title.
An additional Christmas bonus!
Crombie's Christmas will be free to download from Amazon from 23 Dec - 27th December.
Author of The Celtic Cousins' Adventures: (A Raucous Time, A Ripple in Time and An Explosive Time), also The Bridle Path, and The Griffin Cryer.
An additional Christmas bonus!
Crombie's Christmas will be free to download from Amazon from 23 Dec - 27th December.
Author of The Celtic Cousins' Adventures: (A Raucous Time, A Ripple in Time and An Explosive Time), also The Bridle Path, and The Griffin Cryer.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 1, 2012
What does a ‘thumping great beast’ of an alligator named ‘Alfie’, the ‘Prince of Geeks’ known as Wren and a resolute yet winsome detective named Crombie have in common? They are the charming, fearless central players cast in a rip-roaring, skillfully woven novel, AN EXPLOSIVE TIME by Julia Hughes.
The problems begin because the circus came to town. An elephant is missing and DI Crombie from the MET Police begins to investigate. He is an irascible yet captivating character, reminding me of the old TV show detective, Columbo. Crombie, though often appearing to be distracted, doggedly follows each crumb of evidence. I found myself laughing out loud as Crombie dealt with London traffic, cantankerous characters and even his cranky yet beloved Passat. The fun, and the danger, escalates when the evidence ends up leading him to Wren, the youngest of the Celtic Cousins. Though Wren has an endearing quality to his character, his unconventional ways to solve problems leaves quirky mayhem in its wake. The dialogue, especially between these Crombie and Wren, is rich and zesty.
There is a well-integrated flow to the story. I found myself captivated by the detailed descriptions of people, places and countryside. It felt as if I were present in the story instead of being merely an observer, a reader. The problem of corruption in both high and low places is one of the themes. To portray yet keep less prominent the gritty scenes, i.e., descriptions of the underbelly of society where torture is commonplace and government corruption exists, is a challenge that Julia Hughes cleverly met. There are some tough, heartless characters involved in torture, animal cruelty and corruption. Yet they have more than met their match in Crombie, Wren and the other Celtic cousin, Rhyllan, who joins the team later in the story. His encounter with ‘the..crocodile in my room’ is hilarious!
Julia Hughes has an uncanny ability to write a scary, dangerous scene with a wonderful, witty flair. The most delightful scenes are those that involve Alfie the gator. He has been rescued from the circus and is being hidden upstairs in a hot tub in Rhyllan’s room. Since gators literally live in my back yard canal, I reveled in the author’s realistic descriptions of Alfie’s movements and behaviors. A favorite line depicting his movements during feeding time is spot on. Alfie is moving towards Crombie and his food. I could literally visualize Alfie as his legs ‘churned against the floor in an ungainly dry land dog paddle, too quickly covering too much ground.’ Readers will take delight in the many antics that Alfie’s ‘normal’ gator behaviors cause to occur for Crombie and Rhyllan. Animal lovers will take notice of the many instances in which Wren and, even Crombie, voiced concern for handling Alfie in ways that minimized his stress levels.
I found myself paying attention to the titles of each chapter. Each title whetted my curiosity as to what Julia Hughes had next in store for me as a reader. AN EXPLOSIVE TIME has all the elements that could make a great movie: engaging main characters, who play off each other so well, involved in a gritty, complex plot. AN EXPLOSIVE TIME now sits on the top shelf of my Kindle bookcase.
July 8, 2012
This is the third instalment of the author's 'Celtic Cousins' series, however it is also written in such a way that it can be enjoyed as a stand alone story which is the sign of a good serial writer. The characters are easy to empathise with, starting with the protagonist DI Crombie who spends a lot of time battling his own middle age and the spread that is so akin to this time of a person's life. The Celtic cousins themselves, Wren and Rhyllann, provide a lot of the excitement and humour within the story that intersperses so well with the main theme.
The writing is suspenseful during moments of tension and gritty when action is involved, so the pace of the book is absolutely spot on. As a shorter story it will keep avid readers entertained for the best part of a weekend and those wishing to make it last will find it too difficult to put down. Alfie is clearly the star of the tale and keeps the central characters on their toes most of the time. Phrases such as 'the PC Brigade' at the police seminar and 'the dog's personal hygiene' when describing a camera strapped to a dog's head provided real laugh out loud moments.
If possible it is worth taking a look at the author's other work before this one, however the differences between the books mean that readers will not necessarily dislike this instalment just because the others are not to their liking.
The writing is suspenseful during moments of tension and gritty when action is involved, so the pace of the book is absolutely spot on. As a shorter story it will keep avid readers entertained for the best part of a weekend and those wishing to make it last will find it too difficult to put down. Alfie is clearly the star of the tale and keeps the central characters on their toes most of the time. Phrases such as 'the PC Brigade' at the police seminar and 'the dog's personal hygiene' when describing a camera strapped to a dog's head provided real laugh out loud moments.
If possible it is worth taking a look at the author's other work before this one, however the differences between the books mean that readers will not necessarily dislike this instalment just because the others are not to their liking.
April 7, 2012
The third in the 'Celtic Cousins Adventure' series and once again, Julia Hughes has delivered the goods.
Wren, Rhyllann and Detective Crombie are back for a London adventure and this time, they have a rather unusual friend called Alfie. We have a circus, a disappearing elephant and some sinister villains who will stop at nothing to stop Crombie from getting to the truth.
'An Explosive Time' does exactly that, it explodes from the page give the reader an exciting read and a gripping finish. The plot and the pace keep you flipping the page for more and now that the characters are established, this third volume allows us to get to know Wren, Rhyllann and Crombie like they are old friends.
A well written book from an author who just keeps delivering.
Wren, Rhyllann and Detective Crombie are back for a London adventure and this time, they have a rather unusual friend called Alfie. We have a circus, a disappearing elephant and some sinister villains who will stop at nothing to stop Crombie from getting to the truth.
'An Explosive Time' does exactly that, it explodes from the page give the reader an exciting read and a gripping finish. The plot and the pace keep you flipping the page for more and now that the characters are established, this third volume allows us to get to know Wren, Rhyllann and Crombie like they are old friends.
A well written book from an author who just keeps delivering.
September 10, 2022
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 family relationship romantic murder mystery adventure thriller novel Celtic Cousins' Adventures by Julia Hughes. The story is set in London where crime is controlled by a boss king. Our hero is gathering evidence but is blocked 🚫 by the upper level. But it all comes together in an action packed conclusion. I would recommend this novel, series, and author too readers of action mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading. 2022 👑😃🏰
Another will written British 🏰 family relationship romantic murder mystery adventure thriller novel Celtic Cousins' Adventures by Julia Hughes. The story is set in London where crime is controlled by a boss king. Our hero is gathering evidence but is blocked 🚫 by the upper level. But it all comes together in an action packed conclusion. I would recommend this novel, series, and author too readers of action mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading. 2022 👑😃🏰
July 1, 2019
Another great read!
Once again I'm stunned by the fast paced action that keeps me holding my breath. No ghosties in this one, just straight up bad guys, Crombie and the boys. And an alligator. And a sweet elephant.
Still lots of misspellings that wouldn't be caught by spellchecker. Fought for fraught - that sort of thing.
Once again I'm stunned by the fast paced action that keeps me holding my breath. No ghosties in this one, just straight up bad guys, Crombie and the boys. And an alligator. And a sweet elephant.
Still lots of misspellings that wouldn't be caught by spellchecker. Fought for fraught - that sort of thing.
July 18, 2018
It starts with a missing elephant in west London. Then it gets stranger. Entertaining crime novel.
October 2, 2018
Shenanigans
The cousins are back and so are the shenanigans. Where wren is so is a lot of craziness. Have fun reading Julia's series both the crombie and the Celtic cousins.
The cousins are back and so are the shenanigans. Where wren is so is a lot of craziness. Have fun reading Julia's series both the crombie and the Celtic cousins.
March 15, 2015
Right from the start DI Crombie has problems to sort out and his character is developed much more in this third Celtic Cousins' Adventure. Crombie has a more mature relationship with the Celtic Cousins and the snappy, witty dialogue that passes between them is at times laugh aloud funny.
The supporting cast of police officers and villains, including those in very high places, are really engaging and the author has made them real and convincing even though some of the plot elements stretch credulity: yes the elephant and the alligator on the book cover of the version I was reading really are in the story.
The plot is fast paced and once it got going I found this was a book I couldn't put down. In the end I gave in and just sat down and had a good read. The plot hurtles from one side of London to another and the descriptions of some of the places visited are vivid and real.
Everything comes together so well in this book: great plotting, lively and entertaining characters and a quirky, slightly sardonic, light-hearted writing style makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The supporting cast of police officers and villains, including those in very high places, are really engaging and the author has made them real and convincing even though some of the plot elements stretch credulity: yes the elephant and the alligator on the book cover of the version I was reading really are in the story.
The plot is fast paced and once it got going I found this was a book I couldn't put down. In the end I gave in and just sat down and had a good read. The plot hurtles from one side of London to another and the descriptions of some of the places visited are vivid and real.
Everything comes together so well in this book: great plotting, lively and entertaining characters and a quirky, slightly sardonic, light-hearted writing style makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
August 28, 2015
This book is a mixture of mystery and police procedural.
The story picks up shortly after 'A Ripple in Time'. DI Crombie thinks he has a simple case of a missing elephant from a traveling circus. He seeks out the help of Wren who happens to live nearby where the circus is camped. Crombie soon discovers that Wren has been up to no good - again! What's worse is all roads are leading to a major crime lord. Will Crombie be able to follow all the leads or will he find himself knee-deep in alligators?
This book was so good, it was hard to put down. I loved that as much as Crombie gets mad at Wren, he also loves him in his own way.
Warning: This book is for audiences mature enough to deal with adult language, some violence, and suggestive sexual situations.
The story picks up shortly after 'A Ripple in Time'. DI Crombie thinks he has a simple case of a missing elephant from a traveling circus. He seeks out the help of Wren who happens to live nearby where the circus is camped. Crombie soon discovers that Wren has been up to no good - again! What's worse is all roads are leading to a major crime lord. Will Crombie be able to follow all the leads or will he find himself knee-deep in alligators?
This book was so good, it was hard to put down. I loved that as much as Crombie gets mad at Wren, he also loves him in his own way.
Warning: This book is for audiences mature enough to deal with adult language, some violence, and suggestive sexual situations.
November 23, 2016
Bedfellows
Having the villain be cozy with the prominent legal bigwigs ads just the right touch of realism to this highly unlikely story. But then truth is often harder to grasp than reality. Very amusing.
Having the villain be cozy with the prominent legal bigwigs ads just the right touch of realism to this highly unlikely story. But then truth is often harder to grasp than reality. Very amusing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews