Context Clues: A Basil Coventry Misadventure [Paperback]

James Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2003

Do you enjoy Monty Python, P.G. Wodehouse and Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder? If so, then you might just enjoy Context Clues, an irreverent new novel from James C. Ferguson that combines both humor and history as it chronicles the fictional exploits of history's worst spy. Set during Sir Francis Walsingham's reign as chief secretary to Queen Elizabeth I, Context Clues follows the adventures of Basil Coventry, an "information gatherer" employed by The Crown. Coventry is the satirical antithesis of Ian Fleming's James Bond: an arrogant, incompetent clod with an unquenchable appetite for anything and everything alcoholic. How the man puts his clothes on-let alone foils evil plots and schemes-remains on of the great mysteries of the universe. The story begins as the agent is called to his superior's office to receive his new assignment. Unfortunately, Coventry has just returned home after an all-night bender at the local watering hole. He hears not a word of his instructions and spends the rest of the tale attempting to identify the very mystery he's been instructed to solve! Luckily, Coventry finds himself surrounded by a cast of extremely insightful supporting characters and makes absolutely no bones about appropriating their ideas. Now if he can just keep them from getting killed before they solve the mystery...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James currently lives in Los Angeles where he spends most of his time being hot. For additional information, please visit:www.scalepluspoints.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (October 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595291244
• ISBN-13: 978-0595291243
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,275,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complex Clues, December 29, 2003

By 

Sharon Devorss "shdevo" (Naples, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Context Clues: A Basil Coventry Misadventure (Paperback)

As you follow Basil Coventry, an "information gatherer" in Elizabethan England, there will be numerous chuckles, several guffaws,and even a belly laugh or two. Basil is more interested in finding the next potable and, somtiimes, not so potable alcoholic drink than he is in gathering information. Basil, stumbles, fumbles, and bungles his way, and you are treated to Ferguson's descriptions in simile and metaphor form. Basil dreams of better things for himself but, just when he thinks he has reached his goal, he drops himself back into his old ways and the chance is lost. This is not always an easy read. The archaic words require the use of "complex clues " and , perhaps, a dictionary but it is fun and well worth the read.