Not strictly speaking an invincible male sleuth, Blotto -a nickname for the Right Hon. Devereux Lyminster- is a bit of a nincompoop, whose sleuthing skills are easily outmatched by his brilliant sister Twinks, and also relies heavily on the assistance of his trusty batman and chauffeur Corky Frogett. A series that reminds the readers of P.G. Wodehouse with a twist of cosy evil, as the amateur sleuths go around solving high society crime and blundering through country houses and mansions like bulls in a china shop. Hilarious and witty.
Blotto, Twinks and the Ex-King's Daughter Synopsis
Ex-Princess Etheline, daughter of the exiled king of Mitteleuropia, has been kidnapped during a visit to Tawcester Towers, ancestral seat of the Dukes of Tawcester, and ducal family honour demands that she should be rescued. The Dowager Duchess entrusts the task to her son, the Right Hon. Devereux Lyminster, known universally as 'Blotto'. He is, of course, terribly handsome, honourable and brave, but as sadly deficient in the brains department as his sister 'Twinks' is gifted. So Blotto sets off, accompanied by trusty former batman and chauffeur, Corky Froggett. They drive across many countries to Mitteleuropia, a realm now ruled by a usurper, the ex-king's brother, where they suspect the princess has been taken. Can brave Blotto and loyal Corky rescue Ethelinda, or will they meet their end in the evil clutches of King Vlatislav?
Simon Brett worked as a light entertainment producer in radio and TV before taking up writing full time in 1979. As well as the Charles Paris and Mrs Pargeter detective series, he is also the author of the radio and television series After Henry, the radio series No Commitments and the best-selling How to be a Little Sod. His novel A Shock to the System was filmed starring Michael Caine. Married with three children, he lives in an Agatha Christie-style village on the South Downs.
Simon Brett was the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger 2014.
Chair of the CWA, Alison Joseph said: ‘'I am delighted that the CWA Diamond Dagger for 2014 is to be awarded to Simon Brett. He is a writer of great wit and integrity, and his success over the years has been very well deserved. The Diamond Dagger is awarded not only for a writer's work but also for their contribution to the genre, and Simon has always been a stalwart supporter of his fellow writers. I am sure I am not alone in feeling that it is entirely appropriate and merited that Simon should be receiving this award.'
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