Daren
Buchan's Richard Hannay #5 is a fitting climax to the series, despite it taking place 12 years after the last book. Written in 1936
Hannay finds himself dragged into a blackmailing case where he is called upon via an old oath to protect a Mr Haraldsen, to whose father the oath was made, many years before in Africa. The connection to Haraldsen comes via Lombard, another bound by the oath, and whom Hannay hasn't seen since his time in Africa. When things start to look tricky Hannay calls in Sandy Arbuthnot (now Lord Clanroyden), who adds to the mix.
The action takes place in London, the Scottish Borders and then the Faroe Islands (which are referred to as the Norland Islands in the book). There are the usual Buchan features - chases, disguises, a rogues gallery of villains, and for the first time in more than a mention, Hannay's son Peter John. (OK Peter John? I don't know that I have any context for a boy named Peter John - not just Peter, but in 99% of references to him his double name. I find this does not naturally roll off the tongue at all, it feels awkward in the narrative. Not sure why??)
Peter John and the daughter of Mr Haraldsen, Anna, both feature heavily in the story, and really take centre stage for much of the action sequences.
There are plenty of reviews of this to give more detailed plot descriptions, but rather than give away more I would simply encourage those who have read the earlier books to stick with it and finish the series, as this is by no means a let down.
4 stars
Buchan's Richard Hannay #5 is a fitting climax to the series, despite it taking place 12 years after the last book. Written in 1936
Hannay finds himself dragged into a blackmailing case where he is called upon via an old oath to protect a Mr Haraldsen, to whose father the oath was made, many years before in Africa. The connection to Haraldsen comes via Lombard, another bound by the oath, and whom Hannay hasn't seen since his time in Africa. When things start to look tricky Hannay calls in Sandy Arbuthnot (now Lord Clanroyden), who adds to the mix.
The action takes place in London, the Scottish Borders and then the Faroe Islands (which are referred to as the Norland Islands in the book). There are the usual Buchan features - chases, disguises, a rogues gallery of villains, and for the first time in more than a mention, Hannay's son Peter John. (OK Peter John? I don't know that I have any context for a boy named Peter John - not just Peter, but in 99% of references to him his double name. I find this does not naturally roll off the tongue at all, it feels awkward in the narrative. Not sure why??)
Peter John and the daughter of Mr Haraldsen, Anna, both feature heavily in the story, and really take centre stage for much of the action sequences.
There are plenty of reviews of this to give more detailed plot descriptions, but rather than give away more I would simply encourage those who have read the earlier books to stick with it and finish the series, as this is by no means a let down.
4 stars