Just how many people can be masquerading under false names and trying to break into the safe in one château? The answer would seem to be somewhere in the region of eight - and when you add in a few engagements (mostly secret or fake), blackmail plots, private detectives (also mostly secret or fake), political conspiracies, and drunken lizards, chaos is bound to ensue.

This book is very, very funny. A particularly farcical farce, filled with characters possessing a superabundance of character. The plot is completely, splendidly ridiculous. The language is a treat, and the sheer insanity as the whole thing builds up to an absurdly complicated climax is wonderful. Pure entertainment. ( )

Wonderful Wodehouse. Characters masquerading as other characters, bumbling heroes, beautiful feisty women and happy endings all round. ( )

Like Wodehouse's book "French Leave", this is a twist on the usual Wodehouse with a plot centred on Americans in France, no doubt to appeal to his growing American public at that time. The format doesn't work that well for me. ( )