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Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer

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The book opens with a serial killer, whose evil roots were planted from a traumatic childhood. He makes an agenda to rob and kill women for financial gain, over the years 2008 to 2014. His crime spree efforts are checked and eventually foiled by Mavis Bone, a forty-year-old Australian, lesbian, private investigator. And with her lover, forty-five-year-old German secretary, Gertrude Stick, they operate the SW19 Wimbledon Broadway based, Mavis Bone Detective Agency.
Mavis and Gertrude, live above the agency office, and share the top two flats. The walls of Mavis’s flat are adorned with pictures of Mario Lanza. Being a true fan, she has all his old records. Gertrude’s flat is full of Nazi memorabilia. In her teens she was a member of the Hitler youth.
Using a Russian motorcycle and sidecar, nicknamed Lenin, for their mode of transport, they often turn up at a crime scene, wearing hell’s angel’s leathers and Nazi helmets. Mavis’s secretary, had recently purchased the storm trooper helmets from a Nazi memorabilia website. Included with her delivery, was a giant swastika patterned bedspread, and a black satin pillow case set, all decked out with swastikas and portraits of the Nazi leaders. Through the week, Gertrude rotates the pillows, so she can take it in turn to sleep on the faces of Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler.
Chasing the `Fledgling Killer`, through his ingenious methodical killing spree, is hands on Mavis Bone, and she’s not afraid to get them dirty. This involves the death of her husband, and a problem client that could send her secretary to prison for a war crime.
Dealing with her own personal issues through the years, Mavis has blood on her hands and sees it justifiable, even though the police wouldn’t. Her gender choices, along with her racist opinionated views, were moulded in her hard-Australian outback childhood, and were the motivation for killing her prostitute philandering husband.
Mavis Bone is a real believable Ozzy crude character, who has a preference for strap-on lesbian sex and snorting Charlie - a cocaine habit she picked up in Columbia as a student, while backpacking around South America during her early twenties
Mavis and Gertrude are lovers, and share a bond of tortured childhoods. They suffer each other, and are comparable to Holmes and Watson in their crime fighting gay relationship; while using sound racist logical reasoning and drug taking, to solve crimes.

Mavis Bone explained:

With my book, `Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer`, I hope to transform the standard thriller genre. This is achieved by using chapter heading teasers that unveil a narrative with a diverging short story structure; weaving its way through a series of connecting subplots. Subplots which are paced with peaks and troughs, through a series of scene and sequels. While never forgetting what’s at stake, through its chapter driven storyline.
The novel explores in detail, Mavis Bone as a fictional lesbian detective, who is on the outside of the margins of society, while trying to achieve justice and generate change.
Mavis Bone is sexualized, condescended to, and used as a pawn. And yet, when her body trembles, her gaze never wavers.
Her life story is a blueprint, peppered with the ugly elements of Homophobia.
The book fits into our obsession with serial killers, and our interest in their pathology, along with the suffering of their victims.
Its story telling, bridges rites of passage and transformation, to create a book of terror, but not with gratuitous racism, sex or violence. A book in which, being different, is challenged, forcing us to look twice before judging another human being, whether they be a criminal, psychopath or plain mad.
A book in which the human drama supersedes, and propels the plot, instead of falling victim to it.
Mavis Bone’s emotions and fears, are described vividly, and the book is full of penetrating insights into her human condition, that go way beyond her sexual appetite.
The moral of the story, is meant to provoke readers to see life differently, and make them understand LGBT life styles - as well as gender inequality and the inevitable discrimination, as seen through the eyes of Mavis Bone’s early sexual experiences.
With this novel, I hope to achieve reader empathy - showing and creating the plotted life story of Mavis Bone. This is while inviting the reader to peek behind her intimate torrid life. Similar to a voyeur inviting the viewer to peek behind drawn blinds and through the window. And finally, drawing the reader into the psychological aftermath, revealing how killing and sexual urges can fester and go sour, when suppressed for too long.

Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2021

1 person is currently reading
1125 people want to read

About the author

B.P. Smythe

7 books126 followers


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5 stars
7 (29%)
4 stars
7 (29%)
3 stars
3 (12%)
2 stars
2 (8%)
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5 (20%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,290 reviews161 followers
June 10, 2022
Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B P Smyther is one of those books that are hard to rate for me. The way it was written, almost like it was short stories, made it difficult to follow, yet the characters were the ones that stole the show.

Mavis Bone and Gertrude Stick live together and run a private detective agency. To say they are lesbians may distract from how twisted and damaged they really are. Is Mavis a racist and drug addict? And what about Gertrude? I took so many notes, that I think they may be a spoiler, so I tossed them aside.

I will say they are fascinating characters that walk to the beat of their own drum. Their pasts created their present, but I will leave that to you to discover. They are not my usual kind of characters, but that was the allure, to walk outside my comfort zone.

The motto of the Mavis Bone Detective Agency – An eye for an eye makes the world blind.

Is there any character that stands, morally, above the rest?

I was entertained with this twisted story and its OMG moments. It was a wild ride with quirky characters that kept me on my toes. I think Mavis Bone has something for everyone: suspense, horror, paranormal, and most of all, the outlandish characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B P Smythe.

Profile Image for Tony.
622 reviews49 followers
February 13, 2022
First time I’ve ever given up on a book before I reached the bottom of the first page.

A medal should be in order. Maybe a highly inappropriate iron cross?

Not for me.
Profile Image for Carol Hutchinson.
1,115 reviews74 followers
January 15, 2022
Very dramatic

Mavis Bone has a set up a Private Detective Agency and is uncovering all sorts of grim findings about the people she is looking for or investigating. One particular case is filled with lots of dark and horrific revelations, that put Mavis in many dangerous and life-threatening situations, but she is pro at handling them.

This was not the story I expected it to be, and although filled with many good ideas and exciting premises it was a little difficult to follow at times. It is difficult to share too much about the story without giving spoilers as it was detailed and all pivotal to plot. While the book was well written, there are many scenes that some readers may find triggering or upsetting. It isn't a story for anyone who doesn't really enjoy crime and horror.

The story provides background about Mavis' past and then also her present. The glimpses into Mavis' past are essential to understanding her character, actions, and decisions, but for some may be very traumatic. It was good to have the background about Mavis to put into context some of phrasing used by her and the colourful cast of characters joining her. Many of the situations were most horrific, making this more of a horror novel than the mystery solving of a Private Detective investigating missing persons and strange goings on. When you learn about Mavis' you can understand why she has chosen this career path, but at other times I wondered if her customers knew her background they'd be as keen to have hired her.

Mavis' isn't a character you'll forget in a hurry, and I did enjoy parts of the story.
18 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2021
I was sent this book in in exchange for an honest review. It is still sitting in my TBR pile. I have continuously received letters from this author sent to my home (I have received 5 so far). It has honestly freaked me out and now I don't even want to read the book because of it. I will gladly send this book back If you please stop sending me letters and please not hold onto people's addresses when they enter the giveaways!
Profile Image for John Naylor.
929 reviews22 followers
October 8, 2021
I received this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Having read some of his other works, my impression is that the author has a lot of ideas in his head. I feel he sometimes has the ideas but no way to link them directly to the plot he is producing. He also doesn't stick to a genre, which is often a good thing for an author. The problem is that the genres he chooses don't necessarily fit the narrative.

There is a lot to review in this book.

From a crime point of view I don't think that saying that there are a lot of grisly murders is a spoiler. Some of these are set up in a lot better ways than others. Some of these require some suspension of disbelief as to how the perpetrators got away with them too.

As for the main characters, none of them are particularly likeable. The author seemed to try and tick all the boxes of what characteristics would be the most grating to an audience and probably managed to correctly tick most of them. From racism, to anti-Semitism, to homophobia, and beyond. None of these added much to the plot but made the reading experience more difficult.

The author has tried to explain the racism on a Goodreads post attached to the book. I have read it but disagree with his justifications. He also mentioned the next big thing this review needs to mention. The portrayal of lesbians.

It might come as a surprise to some but not all lesbians are predatory. They also are not just going to jump in bed with anyone who comes along. This story doesn't indicate either of these facts. Then you have the sex itself. I feel that writing sex scenes is definitely not the strength of this author. That is the nicest way I can put that. To put it another way (with a minor spoiler), the giant reptile in the story is a lot more realistic than anything that happened with Mavis in the bedroom.

I feel this book could have been made better by cutting out certain things. A taut thriller having two killers match off against each other would have worked for these characters. The novel I read was just too bloated, discombobulated and inconstant to get any higher rating than I have given it.

I feel the author has done better works and could do better works again. The elements for him to become a more famous and successful writer are there. This doesn't show the focus that would be needed too.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,782 reviews72 followers
October 21, 2021
Vincent Pollack is a serial killer, whose evil roots were planted during a traumatic childhood, with an agenda to rob and kill women for financial gain. It is down to Mavis Bone, a forty-year-old Australian, lesbian Private investigator, and her German lesbian secretary, Gertrude Stick, to try and foil his murderous plans. Together they make up the Mavis Bone Detective Agency based in Wimbledon Broadway, London SW19.
It is a hands-on job to chase down this ingenious killer, and Mavis is not afraid to get them dirty. Dirty with the blood of her prostitute philandering husband, and the blood of a problem client that could send her secretary to prison for a war crime. Both detective’s and killer’s paths, have already crossed during their troubled youths, but as the murders pile up, they move towards a final conflict.
Mavis’s hard Australian outback childhood, led to her sexual and gender choices, as well as some questionable racist opinions. Not to mention the drug habit she picked up as a student, while backpacking in South America. This, making her, not your average South London Private Eye.

This is a good thriller/mystery read.
The plot and story line are well written and executed.
There are a lot of characters and they are well fleshed out and I enjoyed following them through the story.
Very descriptive world building that added a lot to the story.
Kept me reading long into the night.
Recommend reading and looking forward to reading more from the author.

I received this book directly from the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
864 reviews76 followers
March 20, 2022
Enjoyed this story!

What a grand story in Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B.P. Smythe. This is the first book of this author that I've read, and I have become a fan. I like how it shows a bit of the backstory of not just Mavis, but the killer. Everyone has a reason why they do things, even if it doesn't make sense to others. I really liked Mavis, and she is a strong, and "knows what she wants" kind of a person, and somehow, that led her to being a private investigator. This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It was a honor to read this book. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! This book is on a list of banned, burned, challenged or controversial. The author brought this book to my attention, and I was intrigued to want to read it. Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I hope to read more books by this author.
Profile Image for Rog Harrison.
2,119 reviews32 followers
September 18, 2021
The author contacted me and asked if I would like a copy of his book in return for an honest review. Unfortunately I really struggled with this book and felt more and more uncomfortable as I read it so I gave up at page 288 (there are 407 pages). Mavis Bone is a private detective in England but some of the book deals with her earlier life in Australia and she came across to me as an unpleasant person. Bone's assistant was a member of the Hitler Youth and says some distasteful things. Vincent Pollack, the fledgling killer of the title, is also extremely unpleasant. A lot of people die, some horribly, and I just could not stomach trying to finish the book. I did wonder if this was meant to be a black comedy as several characters are "over the top" but if so, I did not find it at all amusing.
1 review
December 1, 2021
This is a well-researched book in which the author seamlessly transports us between antipodean Australia, Surrey in the UK and Majorca in the Balearic Isles. Each setting brings to light a facet of Mavis Bones’ character and demonstrates who she is and why she holds her sometimes radical beliefs. The villain Vincent Pollack and his sickening violent deeds appear throughout the book until his eventual nail-biting demise at the hands of Mavis.
Several interesting investigative scenarios appear during her career as a detective. The author is not afraid to touch on modern-day sensitivities such as LGBT, racism and homophobia – but written as objective observations and not self-opinions.
The book is a very enjoyable recommended read guaranteed to lock the reader into a page- turning roller coaster ride.
Profile Image for Robin Price.
1,156 reviews44 followers
May 4, 2022
The author sets out to shock the sensitivities of his readers - and succeeds! Sprinkling profanities like confetti throughout the text he introduces characters including Gertrude Stick, ex-Hitler youth who hates Jews, and Mavis Bone, herself, who hates Aboriginals. Together they ride around on Lenin, a Russian bike and sidecar, wearing stormtrooper helmets! They have a parakeet in the office named Adolf.
The genre shifts backwards and forwards between crime, horror, sci-fi and explicit erotica but if you can stomach all the political incorrectness a little gem emerges.
If the author could only tame his over active imagination! There are moments of sheer genius here which together with a concise linear plot could bode so well for future bestsellerdom!
126 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2022
I struggled with this book as it was difficult to follow. The random detours into sex and violence did not add to the story, but simply left me wondering how the scenes tied to the basic story and why the scenes were even included. It seemed to me that I had a window into the author's thoughts which was somewhat disturbing. Also disturbing, was the numerous letters from the author demanding a 5 star review.
Profile Image for Fiona.
521 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2021
If you’ve previously read any of B.P. Smythe’s short stories you will recognise some of the characters. It’s nice to see them grow and develop. As usual they are very interesting characters. I’d definitely recommend this novel, along with the authors other works.
Honest review has been provided for my free copy, thank you B.P.Smythe.
Profile Image for Bookgypsy.
269 reviews30 followers
October 18, 2021
I liked this book much more than I was expecting. I wasn't sure about it when I first started, but I kept reading and really began to enjoy it. Some of the characters are a bit... harsh, I guess is the word I'd use. But I think they're supposed to be that way...it's part of the story. Also, a few of the scenes seemed a bit over the top. but the plot is fresh and different.
Profile Image for Mel.
344 reviews34 followers
May 16, 2022
I hate writing bad reviews. I hate not finishing a book. But on this one I just can't help but be honest. Scattered, bizarre, confusing, I tried for 100 pages to get into this book. It just was so all over the place that it didn't hold interest at all. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway thank you.
1 review1 follower
September 16, 2021
The title attracted me to the book. Mavis Bone is a great name. If you like murder mystery books then this is a winner. The characters are interesting and all the killings by different methods. I couldn’t put the book down and was sorry it had ended, despite such a brilliant conclusion.
Profile Image for Ann Greyson.
Author 6 books1 follower
November 24, 2021
Vincent Pollack’s name keeps coming up at the London agency of private investigator Mavis Bone, and author B.P. Smythe touches some sensitive issues such as homophobia and discrimination with grace through the journey of both these characters. Mavis’ job is to find the hard evidence her clients’ need to prove Pollack is responsible for the suspicious deaths and disappearances of women he was acquainted with. The suspicions of her clients are right on the money. That’s what it’s really about for Vincent Pollack, who turns out to be a serial killer of women for the purpose of financial gain and vengeance.

But because Australian native Mavis Bone has some cold-blooded murders under her belt too, Smythe complicates the morality of his story. That she manages to completely get away with a handful of murders is a situation that would challenge even the most adept of critics to wonder if Smythe is a modern-day Agatha Christie, despite being a bit on the explicit side.

The Mavis character is no doubt real and larger than life, even carrying out sexual escapades with women for the majority of the story, though she had been married to a man for a period of time. And there's a lot of friction in this novel between the characters’ biological instincts of sexuality and vengeful murders, tension and angst that is realistic.

Suspenseful more often than not, with some grisly murders and even a paranormal twist towards the end that somewhat works but requires a suspension of disbelief. Still, Mavis Bone And The Fledgling Killer is sure to please readers with a taste for the psychological thriller genre, while emphasizing that it is a little mind-boggling at times. But what's a novel without a little exaggeration?
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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