Trading Vincent Crow by D.C.J Wardle

Trading Vincent Crow by D.C.J. Wardle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trading Vincent Crow is a book of British dark humour. Don’t let the title put you off. We first meet Vincent Crow employed in a lowly job as kitchen pot-washer in a pub called “The Carrot and Jam Kettle” in the Midlands of England; it’s New Year’s Eve. Vowing not to be stuck in this job forever Vince decides it’s time to aim higher, he’s got a trade-up plan to better himself in life.

Through luck and keeping his eyes open to opportunities, his head on his shoulders and his strict three month trade-up rule Vince finds himself as; a bar-man, a factory worker, a London hotel receptionist, a temporary hotel manager, a London cabbie, a Porsche driving Chauffeur, a Pub manager and ends his year with an offer to run a business in Asia.

I did find the first part of the book a bit slow, it pre-dates the internet boom and the social networking of today, but once Vince got to London, the book picked up and had me chuckling along. The black-market world of the foreign Europeans and their scheming hard-working ways to make money poked fun at the more gullible Westerners. I particularly warmed to Vince’s Nan when he came home and her colourful language, plus there is a delightful episode with a Tiger in Asia.

A quick read and definitely one with a few giggles along the way.

This book was supplied by Publishing Push.

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Derek’s Good Relations by Mac Black

 Derek’s Good Relations by Mac Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Derek’s Good Relations continues the humorous adventures of Derek Toozlethwaite, in the Derek series. A single child brought up by his Gran and Grandad, Derek is suddenly surrounded by relatives. Re-united with his Mum, he’s also discovered his Dad and he’s found he has a sister too.

Derek’s been trying to write a book for years and now he’s been successful with his book on rock group Rabid Revenge. Publicity for the book takes him away from   home as his wife goes into labour at the same time as his sister, but there are enough female relatives to hold the fort.

In fact the female relatives all form the Newingsworth Mafia: Ladies section. They welcome Josephine, Derek’s publicist’s representative into their group unknowing that she is the voluptuous Sophie Clerkenwell-Brown in disguise.

The book is selling like hot cakes until one reader contacts Derek, complaining aggressively about some of the material. in fact Derek finds himself under physical threat from the reader until he’s saved by his mum.

The future is beginning to look rosy until a late birthday celebration has Derek returning to some controversial dressing habits, but its a trip to London for a boxing match which has Sally walking out on Derek once more.

Poor Derek, he really is an unfortunate chap as you’ll see in this fourth book in the Derek series. British comedy still shining through in this latest episode in the life of Derek.

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Long Leggety Beasties by Alienora Taylor

Long leggety beasties by alienora taylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miss Geraldine Dolan is a probationary teacher in her first job. She’s been accepted as an English teacher at St.Thelma’s school in Cornwall. It’s the 1980’s, the school is in a castle near the village of Port Tossack, there are keeps and dungeons, a great hall and that’s where any thoughts of a resemblance to Hogworts should leave you immediately.

This is adult British humour at it’s driest, full of classic clichés, innuendos and mirth. There are a great many characters to love; The Archers, teachers who meet on the battlements with bow and arrows, Zoe, a plain teacher who looks in love and bets are taken as to who has captured her heart. Rogue is an Aussie supply teacher who brings an Antipodean artistic flair to the story and a set of dinner ladies to rival no other. Amongst the children there is Giblet and Nivek (Yes Kevin spelt backwards) and plenty of traditional Cornish surnames to liven things up.

The tale is written around a school year and involves riotous lessons, the use of the moat for fire drill, an Archery tournament, some builders with a reputation for being The Durex Boys and the crowning glory, a Pageant to end all Pageants if not the school.

If you love such British classics as St. Trinian’s, Faulty Towers, Carry on Films, Open All Hours and Only Fools and Horses, then the humour and bawdy jokes of this book should appeal to you.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

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