By Australian writer John Martin
I'm famous in Canada, thanks to some wholesale plagiarism — read it only here. I think.
My novel is now in both ebook AND treebook. Check it out.
Between the crocodiles, the sucking-up politicians and the red smoke grenades, there are lots of laughs in this funny, satirical novel.
It is set in Australia but some of the main players are expats and the back story is rooted in an orphanage in south London. (what did happen there?)
Follow some idiosyncratic characters trying to thrive in a world beset with its environmental and societal issues.
The most over-the-top of all is Major Jeremy Billycock-Smythe ("Oh, do call me Major BS, old boy!"), who is a former British soldier, failed mercenary and bumbling adventure tour operator who puts his business interests on hold in a bid to save his wife's historic Australian homestead Rowbottom.
Along the way, he is recruited to carry out a top-secret government mission.
What happens?
Well, we can't give that away. Not to just anyone anyway.
Unfortunately, unless you have a top-level security clearance, it says on the back cover of the book you can't read what's inside. Though come to think of it, perhaps that is just satire. BS perhaps.
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REVIEWS
John Martin's latest offering features the adventures—although misadventures is a more accurate description— of bumbling mercenary and former British army officer Major Jeremy Billycock-Smythe.
Marriage number seven sees the major ensconced in a large rural homestead on the far outskirts of Canberra where his new wife Molly is trying to preserve some remnant of her family’s grand past in the Australian grazing industry.
The major’s ‘‘decorated’’ army career seems to have ended under a cloud and his activities in the private sector have attracted a certain notoriety with the media.
Even the spooks in the Australian diplomatic service are taking an interest in his often bizarre activities, which include illegal immigrants and clandestine military operations.
Numerous interesting, odd and plain mad characters are involved as the major tries to save his career and his marriage.
— Examiner newspaper
Once again John Martin creates an improbable world filled with improbable, but memorable, characters. Some you love and love loving; some you hate and love hating. The protagonist you love hating so much you can't wait to see what he does next so you can hate him even more.
— Gem Bordages, Texas, US
READ THE FULL REVIEWS HERE
EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 11
IN the gloom, Bax spotted a woollen thing among the rubble on the floor and stooped down to pick it up.
When he realised what it was, he dropped it like a hot potato. “It’s a sock! A dirty old sock. Why would there be a sock here?”
“Hmm? You sure it was a sock, not an old dag?" said Major BS. "You would expect an old shearing shed to have bits of wool scattered around the place.”
“It was a woollen sock, guv. With blue and red hoops. I can see fine now.”
Major BS shrugged.
“Guv, you never told me nuffin’ about this place before I came out," said Bax. "Why didn’t you warn me?”
“Need-to-know basis, sergeant.”
“Need to know? Need to bleedin’ know? You don’t you think I need to know how on earth we will be able to make this …. this … this… place liveable.”
“You surprise me, Bax. How long have we known each other? And have I ever let you down?”
