 Word On Books
with Jeremy Fenton
Full House
By Janet Evanovich & Charlotte Hughes
Published by Headline
 "He
had a feeling teaching Billie Pearce to play polo would be like spitting into the wind."
So thinks Nik Kaharchek, the 'hero' of romance-cum-adventure novel Full House, before being whisked off into a fanciful and over-the-top plot
that might, or might not, lead to that Holy Grail of romance novels, everlasting love.
Author Janet Evanovich is known for the best-selling Stephanie Plum series (light and breezy crime novels that included One for the Money and Two for
the Dough), while co-author Charlotte Hughes is responsible for a 'series of romance and comedy novels' (which I'll be dammed if I can find
reference to anywhere).
There are several things that make Full House suspect for this reader, not the least of which is the dual authorship.
Evanovich has been candid about originally publishing Full House in 1987 under the name Steffie Hall. She thought it was "a fun book at the time",
but believes herself and Hughes have made it "bigger and better". You show me a co-authored book, and I'll show you a compromise.
Full House isn't just a one-off indulgent trip down memory lane either, as there's a projected series to follow that promises a plethora of
"fast-paced action, dysfunctional, loveable characters, steamy sex, serious suspense and lots of humour". The term something for everyone taken
to ridiculous levels.
There's certainly no doubting that the prose fairly rips along in the best tradition of screwball comedy.
And in case anybody really misses Evanovich's well-known crime series heroine there's a back-up Plum short story included called The Last Peep
(which, just to confuse matters even more, is actually a re-hashing of a previous short story called The Plot Thickens - but is none-the-less enjoyable
for it).
Past Evanovich books have been something of a publishing phenomenon, and there's every likelihood that Full House will appeal to the type of readers
who like their fiction fast, funny and ultimately throwaway.
I won't be one of them!
Acid Row
By Minette Walters
Published by Allen & Unwin
 Acid
Row is the latest paperback work from acclaimed thriller writer Minette Walters (author of The Echo and The Shape of Snakes).
The plot follows young doctor Sophie Morrison as she enters the home of a known paedophile on one of Britain's infamous housing estates. Unfortunately
for her, this takes place at a time when a little girl called Amy has reportedly disappeared.
Given the social conditions of the residents it's not surprising that violence soon erupts as they riot with horrific consequences. Morrison finds
herself the hostage of a violent psychopath, trapped in a siege that cannot end without bloodshed.
But what are the true circumstances behind Amy's disappearance? And who is really guilty when people have their backs against the wall and are still
pushed further?
The subject matter may not be pretty, but the plotting and prose is beautifully focused. Drawing you into the world of fraught estates (Acid Row is the
name given to the estate by its inhabitants) and social dysfunction, the book grabs your attention from the first pages to the last with its combination
of crime-forensic, the struggle of people seemingly without hope, and thriller.
Acid Row is a long, involved, intricate and ultimately satisfying thriller (like previous works this one is also prime material for some enthralling
television).
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