Customer Reviews

Send a Fax to the Kasbah

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has actually been published before under the title Moroccan Traffic- I mention this only becasue I thought it a new Johnson book and was disappointed to discover that I had already read it. This did not stop me re-reading it however. This series is a LOT easier than either the Lymond or Niccolo series but is still gripping and rather amusing. A series for those who like mysteries and adventure stories without the misogyny or obsessive weapon-cataloguing of all too many action stories. This pasticular book can be read on its own but it does pay to read Dolly and the Bird of Paradise (or whatever title it was reprinted under) to get some of the background

The Johnson Johnson/Dolly series is, as the other reviewer says, lighter and more easily digestible than Dunnett's historical sagas, but share all the same characteristics: a strong dose of intrigue, rousing good chases and oblique heroics. MOROCCAN TRAFFIC/SEND A FAX TO THE KASBAH, like all the other JJ novels is a self-contained story, narrated by a completely new character with things to say about bifocals. But unlike all the other JJ novels, has overt continuity with previous books in the series. If you like to have your bombs exploded in the proper order, I highly recommend that you sit on this one until you've (at least) read DOLLY AND THE BIRD OF PARADISE/TROPICAL ISSUE.

Typical Dunnett Byzantine plot, yet set in modern Morocco. It's amazing how intricate her webs become, with only a half dozen major characters, yet each of them appears to have multiple connections and motivations. The story runs from Marrakech to seaside Esssaouria, then back to the Atlas mountains. Her descriptions of Morocco give vivid reality to the otherwise fantastic storyline

I found this book extremely confusing. The story is quite convuluted, and there are a lot of characters to keep straight. I did not enjoy this one as much as the other Dolly books. In this book Johnston seems to be somewhat of a caricature of himself. He makes a lot more mistakes than he has in other books. The bird, Wendy, is not as likeable as the other birds either, and I never did "get" her mother. The action takes place is Morocco, and that was interesting. There is a lot about big business takeovers and shenanigans. We see motorcycle, horse and car chases. There is no lack of venues or excitement, but still a difficult book to get through. I'm sorry this is the last book in the JJ series, because I never will now get to his secrets.

I found this book randomly trying to see what else my preferred historical fiction writer wrote.
A thriller! I couldn't believe it, I rarely read any Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes excepted. And what a story. Non stop action. You'll find the good, the bad and those who are not so good or bad.
You won't be able to put it down. There will be the characters you love, those you want to strangulate because they talk too much or... too little.
It is refreshing, fast, no sex (sorry for those who need it), a lot of humor with all the beauties and nightmares of the wonderful Morocco. Enjoy!
Claude