Gavin Lyall (1932–2003)

The operator of a small airline has been hired to fly twelve cases of champagne to a hotel in Nicosia, Cyprus. On arrival he finds the hotel in receivership and not only is there no payment but he is roped into helping out as chef and manager to try and keep the business afloat. He is aided by his partner who is fresh out of a two-year stretch in an Israeli jail. When an important guest requests champagne, well, the twelve cases still on the 'plane are the obvious source, until one box is show more opened and found to contain arms. Complicating matters even further, the champagne drinker is an archaeologist who claims to have discovered an artifact of fabulous historical importance. This is an exciting thriller if not very serious and I enjoyed that there was plenty of authentic aviation details including a dicey flight to Israel that has the reader hanging on by their fingernails. Lyall gave a very accurate portrayal of the area just after the Cyprus Emergency in the fifties when terrorist attacks were still common. Published in 1975 this an excellent example of thriller novels of the time. This was only my second Lyall book but I'll be looking for more. show less

I first read this many years ago and it is just as good as I remember. The characters are well written and convincing. I particularly like the way Harry’s personality is revealed - partly through his actions, partly through the observations of others, and partly through his interior monologue that reveals the doubts and uncertainties that his outer confidence and skills hide from the world.

It is interesting to get a glimpse into the attitudes of the different groups - army, spies, show more Whitehall and politicians - and, whilst this was written a long time ago (pre mobile phones - what a difference that can make to a plot!) I doubt the fundamental attitudes have changed that much.

There is a certain amount of technical information, as the book concerns the hunt for a missing tank of revolutionary design, but not so much that it would be tedious for the reader whose knowledge of car maintenance is limited to knowing when to take it to a mechanic.

A very good read. Now I want to re-read the others in this series show less

Former fighter pilot Keith Carr is living a quiet life as a charter pilot in the Caribbean, picking up cargo and taking the odd student up for flying lessons. Then he receives two lucrative offers in the space of a week. The one he accepts is to fly a film crew around to do some aerial shots for a film starring acclaimed Western actor Walt Whitmore. But revolution is in the air, and Carr may be compelled to take a part in it…

I found this a briskly paced book with lots of excellently show more technical discussion about planes. It has a kind of almost James Bond vibe, perhaps because it’s set on Jamaica and makes direct reference to Ian Fleming and his Goldeneye estate. This book features a handy female lead, J.B. the film company’s lawyer, and remarkable discretion in the romance department (of course there’s a romance! but it left me rolling very few eyes, so hurray).

This was included on the British Crime Writers’ Association’s list of the top 100 crime novels of all time, as established in 1990. I’m grateful to the compilers of the list for bringing this book to my attention; it looks like Lyall has some other airplane-related books that I’ll have to hunt for. show less

This one was a nice surprise I have to admit. Also it shows that history only repeats itself.

It is almost 20 years after the WW2 and all the veterans that where involved in the dangerous hide-and-seek game behind German front-lines in France are now involved into more shadier activities as hired guns for underworld, assassins, bodyguards, information-brokers and every role in between that requires tough, action driven person that is more than capable to take care of oneself with or without show more weapons.

And here enters Lewis Cane, former SOE operator in France, hired to transport famous businessman from shores of France to Liechtenstein so that businessman can attend a very important meeting while avoiding the police wanting him for questioning in regard to the sexual abuse.

Cane is joined by Harvey Lovell, veteran bodyguard of US Secret Service and [as they elude hired guns that try to kill them all] his friends from days of WW2 struggle. All of the characters have their own problems, and "mental-baggage" from the past. But the way they act and behave shows that they are professionals in their field. I have to admit level of details is exquisite.

Story is very fast paced and very, very modern. I have read some of the older thrillers but for this one I would never guess that it was written int he 1960's. I would place it in the more recent time-range (90's, even 2000's).

I am currently looking out for more works by this author.

Highly recommended for all fans of action thrillers. show less