Operation Angus by Terry Fallis is a Canadian civil servant style “thriller” based in Ottawa. This is a very timely story about a secret plot to kill the Russian leader by Chechen separatists on a diplomatic visit to the normally sleepy Capital City. Although this is a heavy topic, Fallis remains true to his style by keeping it light and bringing back familiar characters from his previous novels. The timing of this book as tensions between Russia and the Ukraine heat up is apt. And as I am from Ottawa, the story perfectly captures all the familiar gripes and controversies that tend to be hot topics in this city, such as the ugly redesign of a building and the endless gripes between political parties. However, with Ottawa currently under siege I read this book with a tinge of sadness as the image of the sleepy city has been shattered. At least this book is a reminder of the city I know and love. Operation Angus brings some much needed humour to politics, a fun read.

'Operation Angus' by Terry Fallis

Great to follow Daniel and Angus on another one of their adventures in Canadian politics. This humourous spy thriller is just what I needed for a light-hearted read during this pandemic.

I find Terry Fallis weaves very entertaining tales and I highly recommend his Canadiana books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, McClelland & Stewart for a digital ARC for my honest review.

Terry Fallis takes a refreshing new turn with the latest Angus book. By incorporating elements of spy and political thrillers, he avoids the readers getting bored with the characters. That said even though this book is more of a thriller, his trademark comedy and warm writing still shines through. As a fellow civil servant, I appreciated seeing bureaucrats get their turn in the spotlight and be the heroes to save the day!

If you enjoyed The Best Laid Plans and The High Road, then you will also enjoy the third installment of Angus McLintock’s political antics in Operation Angus. Once again, Terry Fallis gives us the characters we have come to love. Angus is now the Minister of State for International Relations and his Chief of Staff, Daniel are in England for the G8 summit when Daniel receives a text with instructions to meet an M16 agent.
Angus and Daniel are given top secret information about an assassination that will be taking place in Ottawa, but no one takes them seriously. So now it’s up to Angus and Daniel to try and stop this from happening and of course, with that, comes a lot of chaos and comedy.. I absolutely love Angus and Daniel's relationship. I think it's something special.
This novel seems like a nod to spy novels. Fallis brings his usual quirky characters and humour to the story and gives us a light hearted story that might be a stretch of reality, but it’s fun to pretend.

Synopsis: Operation Angus is the third book in the Angus McLintock series with the first being The Best Laid Plans and the second book, The High Road. In Operation Angus, Angus is still a Member of Parliament in Canada and is now the Minister of State for International Relations. The book begins with Angus and his Chief of Staff, Daniel Addison, in London to meet with their international counterparts. Everything is going smoothly until a MI6 agent contacts Daniel and advises him that there is a plot to assassinate the Russian President when he is planning to visit Canada in a few weeks and that MI6 is not planning on intervening with respect to the plot. That leaves Angus and Daniel to save the day (and the Russian President).

My thoughts: This third book fits in well with the series and I got what I expected – a not-too-plausible plot, several laughs and a few hours of enjoyment. I like that this series is set in Canada with Canadian politics being the backstory to each book and I always find the humor in them enjoyable. It is important to read these books in order, however, otherwise the reader will be a bit confused.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I must start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher Harper Collins for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. Fun! Fun! And more. Terry Fallis delivers what I feel is his best of the series so far. Operation Angus is the Third of the Angus McLintock tales, which delve into the bizar world of Canadian politics, this time throwing in alittle James Bond or Rocky and Bullwinkle. If your looking to laugh and enjoy a lighthearted read, this would be my choice.

This is a refreshing and frolicky read, especially during the current political climate in Canada. The cast of characters is a mix of real and fictional, including a few familiar ones. If you like James Bond, Ethan Hunt, or Jason Bourne, this is your next read.
I need to know more about The Nutcracker, Terry!
What a delightful blend of Canlit!

Who but Terry Fallis could make a being stranded in a small town with a broken down car fun?!? With my NetGalley advance reader e-copy, I giggled my way through an unpleasant experience. Angus McClintock is truly one of my favorite literary characters and this new book had him, his hair and his colorful vocabulary featured in all his glory. The crazy adventure payed lovely tribute to spy novels while still staying squarely in the realm of Canadian humorous fiction. I loved revisiting all the older characters but missed the Petes. I’ll be buying myself a hard copy when this is released. All I can ask of Mr. Fallis is that he please write another one!

Daniel and Angus return and wherever they go adventures follow. On a working trip to London, Daniel is contacted by an MI6 agent for a clandestine meeting. Despite being told to 'come alone', Daniel wastes no time in telling Angus all about this call. The meeting in an obscure London pub, late at night, begins their latest adventure. Once back in Canada the pair bring in long time friend Muriel, her friend Vivian and Daniel's girlfriend Lindsay to assist in the investigation. They need all the help they can get.
This long awaited return of Angus and Daniel is welcome addition to their hilarious adventures.

This was a fun, quick read, and I'm sure it will be a hit with Fallis fans who've been waiting for another political adventure featuring Angus and Daniel. It has all the wit, irreverence, bumbling heroism, and warmth everyone expects from these books. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.