The Monsignor's Agents

2.5 stars for me, but I rounded up for the author’s evident humor and sense of adventure.

This could have used a solid edit. The characters often used the same phrases which is not realistic given their different backgrounds and speech patterns. There were also some elements of this book that American readers may not either understand or appreciate (like topless bathing to seduce a terrorist). I’m all for broadening people’s horizons, but the topless bathing scene, for example, seemed to have the limited purpose of fulfilling a male fantasy instead of progressing the plot or contributing to character development. An editor could have flagged some of these story elements and suggested alternative ways to progress the story.

Also, I think the author struggled to write a compelling female character. The main character gallivants around Malta, the Mediterranean sea, and Italy without a bra and obsessed too much about her sexual appeal to a functionally mute terrorist. While seducing a terrorist may be necessary in situations, the author needed to provide a more compelling reason for it in this story other than the woman was...horny. I also had a hard time relating to this one-dimensional character. The author did not provide a compelling enough background story about why she was in Italy, why she had joined Army intelligence, and why she was compelled to behave the way she did.

The real saving grace of this book was Max. However even Max was a single-dimensional character obsessed with food and money, obsessions which I understand, but which are not enough to create a compelling character. The author’s coup de grace was giving Max a good sense of humor. Max’s obsession with history, while a good character element, was overdone as it did not move the plot forward; it occasionally bogged down the plot.

Overall, it was an entertaining and creative story. I hope Mr. Lockwood continues to develop his craft and share his unique perspective. I look forward to watching his obvious skill progress.

espionage, history-trivia, suspense, verbal-humor, situational-humor

A fun frolic full of history trivia! Just my geek! She is a spy from the Midwest US nearing the end of her assignment in Rome, He is a history/music teacher from Maine who got dumped in Malta following a defunct rock band. Her assignment has need of him and he has need of an income higher than that of bartender to get back to the states. Enter several Roman Catholic clergy, Greek fishermen, a suspect with a lot of heavy suitcases, and even the Carabinieri. Don't think James Bond, think Mel Brooks! Great fun! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from The Wild Rose Press, Inc via NetGalley. Thank you!