Starlight

Simon Ellice #3

by Rod Humphris

Jamaica. Simon Ellice goes on a cocktail charged dally in Port Antonio. He brushes shoulders with the cloudy-eyed, over-sexed and deeply tranquillised Hollywood set. They become enamoured with him, and Si thus becomes embroiled when the ostensibly ostentatious wealth entices the exuberantly poor.

92 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2019

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

[Zoe Radley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm still not sure about this, I still don’t like Simon and I really really dislike Lara.... the way she’s written it’s almost offensive... passive and nothing behind the face... apparently he likes his women pretty yet monotonous and a bit “yes darling” “of course darling” ugh!!! Sorry but no I can’t accept badly written characters and this is one of them.
But having said that it was fun and silly.... and it engaged me. But I think other people will enjoy it more than me.

[Di Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella stands well on its own, but it's better read as part of the Simon Ellice series, after 'Go Fast', since that gives some background to the scenario, which just helps understand Simon's character better. One of the things I like best about these books is the way Rod Humphris uses dialogue, and in such a short story, it conveys a lot. Yes, sometimes it's a little corny, but I love it. The story itself is engaging, and never drags, although at only around forty-four pages, there really isn't time for it to do so. These are just great adventure stories, written with humour and featuring a larger-than-life protagonist, and are perfect for pure escapism.

[Lynn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has mentions of Soumy who we met in Go Fast. This novella reads like it's set in the 1920s and with few mentions of technology I did wonder at first if it was. Si plays more of a Columbo role in this plot, although he is also ready with his armed combat skills at the first sign of trouble.

This book has wonderful black and white illustrations, some taking full pages. All four books in this series have the most beautiful covers and are a joy to hold while reading.

[Andy Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another novella featuring Simon Ellice who has now left the army, stolen a boat (so he says) and sailed to Jamaica where he meets fading actress Lara - possibly the most gorgeous woman he's ever seen.

Plenty of action and a bit more insight into the character of Si (now more of a stock Jason Statham type - not that that's a bad thing)

Well, these two novellas have set me up nicely for the two full length novels to come

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

At only 92 pages, Starlight is a short novella, that takes for its inspiration hard-boiled crime, and film noir. We have the hero figure, the damaged femme fatale, the shadowy figures up to no good. Fight scenes, violence, thinly drawn characterisation. With books like this, you know that you won’t be getting Steinbeck like descriptions or Dicken’s like character, but sometimes a novella of this style is what you are looking for.
Starlight is the third such adventure in the life of Simon Ellice former soldier and private detective, who finds himself in the glamourous surroundings of Port Antonio in Jamaica, having won the yacht that gets him there. Soon, he is taking a misjudged walk along the beach, when he approached, some violence and a well-described fight scene follows, until he is rescued by the alluring Lara, a faded movie actress, well known in the clubs around town, but a stranger now to the movie world, too old for the parts she used to do, not old enough for other roles.
Her agent tries to sign Simon up, but he also represents Lara former sports star husband Hal, a useless actor, who is jealous of the attention that his wife still receives.
The dialogue, although being basic pushes the story along as Simon realises that not everyone’s attention for Lara is entirely honourable. The story ends with the hero rescuing the femme fatale, before leaving for another adventure, where he will fall on his feet.
Starlight is a simple read, with fast action, violence, and no characters without a slightly broken Moral compass, but sometimes escaping for a short time into the world that a book provides is all the reader needs.

[Shelagh Wadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story with Simon Ellice (Si) who is in Jamaica and meets a beautiful film star Lara who is quite frankly obnoxious. What follows is a confrontation with a couple of local louts who board Aphrodite the boat that Lara and her husband Hal are staying on with the intent of robbing them and raping Lara. But how is Lara’s agent involved? Si saves the day by outwitting them and just before the police arrive he leaves the boat and returns to Polly his yacht and to the beautiful Soumy on board.

I look forward to joining Si on his next adventure. Thank you Pigeonhole and Rod for the opportunity to read another great adventure with Si.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this was a little odd super quick read.

Wasn't sure what I was expecting and have only now discovered that it's a part/book 3 which may be why it was a little odd.

Maybe one day, I'll look up the first 2 and see if they help it make a bit more sense

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced short story featuring Simon Ellice. Very enjoyable plot, but the character, Lara, was sooooo annoying. Looking forward to Simon’s next adventure. Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Rod Humphris.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short story. Not read anything by this author before so went in totally blind .
Lara got on my nerves with her constant use of the word darling to everyone. She used Si to get what she wanted but it came at a price.
Enjoyed. Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for the read