Customer Reviews

The Wager

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There are two types of "caper" novel. The first type uses an incredibly complex and complicated scheme. The reader sees all the preparations, but until the final chapter cannot figure out how the caper will be accomplished. (Oho! So that's why he needed 12 barrels of lard, a live dolphin, and TWO marching bands!). The second type is more simple to start with, but then complications arise that require changes in the plans. (The original plan was merely to break into a Post Office box, but the gang ended up having to steal a battleship.)

I think both types of caper novel are difficult to write. The plots have to be clever and original. Also there has to be a sustained light-hearted humor to distract us from the fact that we're usually talking about a crime and that the protagonists are facing the possiblity of imprisonment or even death if things go wrong.

Robert L Fish's "The Wager" falls into the second category. Series character Kek Huuygens is engaged to smuggle a valuable stolen object into the US past Customs officials who will be on high alert. Of course it isn't that simple. Things beyond Kek's control go wrong, and he has to do some clever improvising. The plot has a nice mix of plan and ad lib. Pleasant light tone throughout. Characters are just so-so, and as is so often the case, the baddies are more interesting the good guys.

Not the greatest caper novel, but still fun reading.