“Detective Charlie Baker was not in a good mood.” Thus begins the story. What to call Double Service? A World War II mystery? A love story? Rather than give a proper review, I’d like to delve into the editing process behind this book, given that I, Trent P. Lewin, edited the thing. That’s right. Me. And yes, that means I’m totally biased about the thing, so there!
I edit naked. True story. There is something liberating and breezy about sitting down at your computer sans clothing and imagining the mental processes of Art Browne (known on the cover of Double Service as A.H. Browne). It allows you to commune with his body and mind, even from far away, almost as though he were there tickling your fanny as you make your way through 205 pages (twenty two chapters) of this novel. Fanny-touching aside, I would like to note that not a sip of alcohol touched these delicate lips as I delved through the book over some several weeks. There is a good reason for that. I, intelligent and Canadian as I may be, wanted to concentrate on what the heck was happening in the story – and despite that smart-ass Canadian-ness, I could never quite figure out what the mystery was. This is a whodunit, with plenty of culprits and potential evil-doers – but picking the right one? Good luck.
As I read through the opening chapter, it became abundantly clear that the most singular character in the story was Warrant Officer Lewin (no relation). Described as a short but muscular individual with hard hazel eyes and a nose that looked to have been broken a few times, Lewin was incredibly lovable, very masculine, likely endowed with a massive member, and possibly the crux of the entire story. You’d have to read the book for yourself to understand.
What occurred to me most about this book during my various editing gyrations was that several important conventions (clichés?) were absent. There is one in particular, relating to the overall love story (which is done very well and tenderly – I love you Art!) that stands out. I won’t spoil it. I can’t spoil it. I want to spoil it… No! I won’t. By the way, I write my book reviews naked too. It alarms the family, but they’re used to it now. Anyway, what Mr. A.H. Browne has done here is to keep me guessing, as it relates to the big picture and to the motivations of pretty every main character, and that’s not an easy thing to do in this the age of narrative overload, where we see pretty much every permutation of every archetype on a regular basis. I have to say, this unpredictability was the thing that kept me at the editing process.
The characters? Sterling. Detective Charlie Baker, in particular, is our hero (that’s not a spoiler). The ride he goes on is difficult, painful, and uncertain, but he plays to a certain grist rightly attributed to British culture circa World War II that smacks of truth. This a man that does, but one faced with a mystery that thwarts him at every turn, until the truth comes crashing down on him in the most unexpected way, and in the most unusual setting. I had a real liking for his righthandman Billy, too. And of course the love interest was captivating, but I don’t want to at all delve into spoiler territory here… Just saying. The other string of characters creating a long line of information that adds to and subtracts from the story is fantastic – topped by the overtone of those wretched Nazis, of course. Join that with a realistic setting in World War II London (Mr. Browne, I think, has done his research here), and you have a fun read.
My wife assures me she will be reading this book next, but fully clothed (she is barbaric that way). There is no accounting for taste!
At any rate, I am proud to have helped Mr. Browne with this novel. In honour of his accomplishment, I’m giving away two copies of the book – but at a price of course. Your job is but to write a ten-word short story on any topic. No more or less than ten words. Be striking, be funny, be wonderful, be provocative, be anything. A copy to the two most memorable stories that are produced! I’m giving everyone until the 31st (that’s one whole week!) to come up with submissions. Just write them up in the comments section. I promise not to judge naked. Promise promise promise!
Neked, smart arse Canadian eh? Masculine, hazel eyed, incredibly lovable. Trent, I smell herrings in this review. But am not sure why.
Well there are a lot of fish around here, Talia…
Ten words? Not ten sentences? Are you insane? The end.
That’s the spirit. That’s the can-do attitude we like to see here.
Yeah really! What’s up with that?
Waaaaait… this is a ten-word story! Sweet.
Ha! I think Exile on Pain Street got it right off. Clever, isn’t it? Sometimes I surprise myself.
Damn! I could have saved myself the purchase price? But I will enter for the fun of it.
Blogger loses job as she struggles to read all Browne’s books.
This is called ‘getting Browned’, and it’s a surprisingly common phenomenon. It usually is associated with anal warts (you might want to get inspected).
My warts are not anal in the least. V
Please do not handle my books while naked, Trent Lewin!
Too late?
…ooo000ooo…
Absolutely it is.
I’m not even gonna try to win.. Naked Trent wins.
He always does
Nah you gotta toss in! You still got like a day.
Oh I’ll do more than handle them, my good man.
sigh
You can, however, edit them while naked, if you choose.
All I ever wanted was your approval…
you had that from day one… you big lug
I could keep going… because I can count to ten…
Everyone needs a talent.
I am saving up for one
Also, thank you for this… leave a review on TheBookPatch.com
I shall.
thou shalt!
Also, I have photos of you… riding a moose naked…
Those were the good old (but slightly frosty) days.
slightly frosty the snowman
Reblogged this on Pouring My Art Out and commented:
Well… really… what can I add to this???
Nutin, honey.
Rootin’ tootin’ Putin
Naked, sober, he read, until someone said “Last stop, sir.”
That’s my story and my shortest list of 10, Trent.
Pretty good X.
Oh, shit. That’s going to be hard to top.
I had an unfair advantage – it was 10 words, after all, and I know 10.
But I have faith in you, Mark.
This sounds surprisingly familiar, but I don’t know why exactly…
I love a whodunit and then it has a love story, too? Wow, I think that’s hard to do well. This book sounds like it has it all. I totally want to read it.
Now for my ten-word story:
He punched holes in the wall until his eyeballs popped.
The end! This encapsulates my current mood. I really needed 13 words. Oh, well. I always write from the heart. I hope I get points for that!
Popping eyeballs – that is so you, Amy. And I’m not going to quibble over a few words, right?
Well, I didn’t go over. If I did, Trent, it may have been a completely different story!
Thank God Mrs. Lewin has a modem of decency 🙂 (The smile will have to count!)
Very nice review – wonderful to see friends supporting each other 🙂
She’s the good one in this couple, I must say. You should totally read the book, it’s excellent.
I would like to! I know Arthur is a very talented writer, and with you being the crux and all… how could I resist?!
You should do fewer of these naked, methinks. Or maybe keep it secret, if you’re really needing to do these things naked.
I’ll throw my hat into the ring for the ten word story thingy: Six months later, the new owners felt the ghost relax.
It’s a compulsion, what can I say???
Ah, a ghost, the movement of time. Nicely done.
While reading, “Double Service”, this Canadian shall be clad in flannel.
(I know…talk about cliche!)
Maybe, but also very practical… my approach is a little less in touch with considerations of the thermal variety.
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
“I edit naked. True story.”
Photos or it didn’t happen.
That’s not my entry. I’ll meditate on it and submit.
You’re calling it on here, man.
President Trump was buried. President Palin gave an impassioned eulogy.
This is not a story, Mark, it’s a nightmare.
Same difference.
Art’s book sounds amazing…I want to read it twice – once naked and once fully clothed and see if I feel a difference.
Now…for my entry
“His naked-editing arse stuck wetly and firmly to the chair”
(author’s note – the hyphenated word should be counted as one)
🙂
Scandalous, SB. And got a hearty chuckle out of me.
As the sound of your schweaty arse releasing from the chair would have gotten outta me!!!!
I admire your family’s forbearance, Trent.
Here’s my effort.
‘Old woman beaten to death apparently for making lumpy custard’
I think she had it coming… what a horrible thing to say! But thank you Duncan.
You may have seen the long version of this tragedy.
https://nobodysreadingme.wordpress.com/apple-crumble-tipsylit/
I hadn’t but thanks for pointing that out, just had a read.
I love me a good whodunnit, especially WWII London. I’m also on a very restrictive budget until my retirement savings account is fully funded for the year (my husband is somewhat of a savings Nazi, if you will). With that being said, here is my entry –
‘Send for the cats!’ bellowed the Frenchman, his mustache bristling.
I don’t like cats, but I do like this story. And I positively love French moustaches!
I don’t think most cats like cats. They seem to be too aloof for that.
Cordelia’s Mom wants to win something. Anything. OK? The end.
That was very much to the point, CM.
Imagine the peace that would spread across the world if only wives would stop doing things fully clothed.
That last comment wasn’t my story entry, obviously. I count better than that. So, here’s my story entry.
We met in a bar. Drinks. Laughs. Life ensued.
I’ll take it! And that sounds like fun.
Tell me about it…
hmmm,,,, i missed the give away
Sorry… this was a while ago. Great book though, if you’re looking for a read.