Aug 15, 2003 09:42 PM
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(Updated Aug 16, 2003 07:22 AM)
THE FURY by COLIN FORBES
Introduction
Despite the busy schedule whilst on leave at Allahabad recently, I found time hanging on me in the evenings especially when my wife had gone to her “Maike” (mother’s place). Busy schedule while on leave?? Yes you did read it right. Well that is a different story. Some other time perhaps.
Whilst at Allahabad, I had no computer at home to keep me busy in my sparingly spare time, so I could not turn to reading or writing reviews on MouthShut. Being an avid reader in the past (it seems like ages ago that was before I got married), I thought what better way to pass time than to read a few books. I have never been one for heavy stuff, except using it as a sleeping pill perhaps, so I thought I must get some thrillers (not those with cheap thrills he he) to keep me occupied.
I went to a store and while searching, I found a few of Colin Forbes works. I had never tried out Colin Forbes works though I had been hearing his name on the bestsellers list off and on. The books were on heavy discount. Rs 50/- each. No they were not old or worthless books, but their cover had got torn in transit, hence the discount. Some people will say what is a book if the jacket is missing? Not me. I think what is a man if his pocket is empty. I decided to buy a few books and yet have some weight in my purse. :-) On the way I had bought a few packets of popcorn, chips etc to munch along with the books. Sorry munch while reading the books. Thus armed, I returned to an empty house (wife had gone to maike along with the girls), made myself comfortable poured myself a drink (Royal Stag) and sat down to read. (Ah what bliss!) I selected “The Fury” at random to do the honours, as I did not have the book jacket to go by.
A Word About the Author
Yes, I like to know a little about the author before I read his (or her) books so I did a little searching and here is what I found.
Colin Forbes has written books as Raymond Sawkins, Richard Raine, Jay Bernard and Harold English during the early days. He has been writing one book per year and has written 25 books to date. His books have been translated into 31 different languages so he has millions of readers all over the world
Surveys have shown that half of Colin Forbes readers are women, which is unusual for a thriller writer, but this is a big plus because women are great readers of books and great buyers of books. Men, like me, buy at discounts mostly (They know how hard earned each penny is?? ha ha). Another reason why women read his books is that unlike some thriller writers, his books contain a considerable number of women characters who are absolutely essential to the plot. He says “I very much like writing about women. Now, the world is divided into roughly 50% women, 50% men, so I think a book which hasn't got that sort of mix of character is not very convincing to real life and won't be convincing to the reader.” How logical. Let me see if 50% women read my review?
He is one of the most consistent top ten best selling authors in Britain, and has turned thriller writing into a kind of industry. It is said that Colin Forbes is to books what the Spice Girls are to music.
Colin Forbes gives a lot of importance to locations and always visits every location which he uses in any book. His descriptions places and locations are so exact that you feel you are actually there.
The Fury
Jean Cardon, who worked for Reed & Roebuck, an outfit that collected information about a company’s financial status, stumbled upon a story about a mad billionaire Gabrial March Walvis and his “Project Tidal Wave”. He dreams of controlling the world by taking control of England and thus Europe by his misplaced concern for the state of the world. He planned to unleash widespread destruction and cause chaos in Europe. (Reminds me of Osama Bin Laden in some measure.)
Walvis who comes to know, gets Jean tortured and killed, but not before she leaves some clues behind for her husband Phiip Cardon to follow. Philip works for the intelligence service under Tweed, Deputy Director SIS, in England.
Tweed and his team comprising of Paula Grey and Bob Newman, the central characters of many of Colin Forbes mysteries set about in search of Walvis and plan to stop him in his mad designs. They are assisted by Philip Cardon, Marler, Nield and Butler, who make up the complete team.
Their search takes them all over Europe closely followed by Walvis’s men trying to prevent them from prying. A lady assassin, “Teardrop” leaves behind a trail of death as she follows Tweed and company across Europe. She is one of three ladies who stumble on to Tweed’s team wherever they go, but her exact identity remains a mystery to them.
Can Tweed stop Walvis? Can he identify Teardrop? Can he save Europe from destruction? To find out read the book.. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
My Comments on the Book
The Fury is a fast paced thriller with a mix of violence and humour. There is the ever present air of suspense and anticipation right through the book, which does not let you put it down. After the first packet of popcorn, the other snacks remained un opened, as I got so engrossed in the book. I can safely say that the book stopped me from gaining some weight. Ha ha ha. Lesson learnt – read the book to stay trim.
