Waiting for the End of the World [Mass Market Paperback]

Andrew Taylor (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140080635
• ISBN-13: 978-0140080636
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,931,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Campernoyles is an archaic word for mushrooms., April 11, 2004

By 

Mary E. Sibley (Carneys Point, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Waiting for the end of the world: A novel of suspense (Hardcover)

Dougal was waiting for Hanbury. Dougal had fallen for Hanbury's studied ambiguity. Malcolm was Dougal's insurance policy. They were in a library in a shapeless northern suburb of London. Hanbury was in a taxi at the exit. Mute hostility flickered between Hanbury and Malcolm.

Hanbury had money to turn over to him conditioned upon the performance of a service by Dougal of conducting a surveillance. He was to keep an eye on Alexander Vertag the leader of a sect. When Dougal went to pay his rent now that he could afford to do so, he discovered that his rent had already been paid for him by Hanbury. Unexpectedly Vertag turns out to be charming and with no trouble Dougal is made his private secretary.

A killing takes place, and Zelda, a friend of Dougal, emerges. Zelda had returned to school and obtained a masters degree in library science. Zelda is kidnapped and transported to a castle. Dougal, who had been inclined to drop out of Hanbury's scheme, had to stay involved for Zelda's sake. Dougal and Zelda end up being strung out in a creepy room. They do not know why they are being bound and held. They manage to untie each other and plot an escape. William Dougal and Zelda are rescued by Malcolm.

It turns out that James Hanbury and Zelda are in league with each other. Hanbury and Zelda are CIA operatives. This is a tale of spooks told in a spooky manner complete with a spooky atmosphere. In this instance a more linear format would have decreased the fuzziness in the story-telling without sacrificing the tension generated.