Robin Anderson Author Reviews

81 Today! (Payback)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"A masterclass in storytelling technique, plot construction & dialogue"

“Jesus! Talk about a tumultuous tornado, twister, whatever.” Cried Gordon, gleefully clapping hands.
“Why, this is almost as exciting as the day Bartholomew, my favourite budgerigar, spoke his first words!”

It’s quite likely you’ll never look at a French Baguette the same way again after reading 81 Today.
The latest release from the prolific maestro of the double entendre Robin Anderson.

Payback is the name of the game with Teddy, Randy and the dapper Mr Noel Howard working through a list of deserving victims as Anderson’s narrative marches to the beat of its own drum… and delivers with a resounding boom…

There just aren’t enough literary clichés to describe 81 Today. A masterclass in storytelling technique, plot construction and dialogue. However genius may flourish, you know it when you see it, and 81 Today is it. Anderson is an exceptional builder of delightfully graphic scenes, crafting loaded, highly imaginative edge-of-your-seat moments that grab our attention and hold it tight.

The murder scenes delight with shock humour. Injecting fun and thrills back into a dastardly plot that strikes an energetic balance between cartoonish action and character-driven drama… The mix is seamless and Anderson’s plot never loses its oomph as it barrels forward and humour never flags.

It’s fair to say that a Robin Anderson novel wouldn’t be the same without a quirky cast of over-the-top characters with delightfully rakish names and beyond Teddy, Randy and Noel we are introduced to the likes of Cherry Love and Hieronymus Hoppa.

To call 81 Today campy doesn’t do Anderson’s novel justice: Yes, he camps it up but he still allows us to believe in his characters. The narrative twists (of which there are plenty) never lapse into predictable melodrama whilst his wickedly clever plot never misses a beat as it hurtles towards its cathartic crescendo.

Never less than the slick, precision-honed writing Anderson’s fans have come to expect 81 Today is a blast and an antipathy to the vast majority of formulaic and forgettable releases that litter the genre. It is unreservedly recommended!

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"‘Pity I never got the chance to introduce you to my bondage room…’
Another sparkling winner!"
Grady Harp, Goodreads and Amazon

British author Robin Anderson reignites his magic in writing with a new global travelogue of mystery and derring-do – this venture being populated by a cast of seniors! Robin was born in Scotland, educated in Rhodesia Zimbabwe, living in South Africa then England, gaining insights (and expertise in interior design) at each latitude. But solid as that career journey has been, the real magic Robin owns is his ability to pen novels of literary expertise embellished with a delightfully keen wit.

Note the title and welcome the special characteristics of those in the 80s decade of life, well introduced as we meet the principle character: ‘”I’m eighty-one today, eighty-one today,” warbled Teddy Lowes as, drink in hand, he made his way unsteadily across the somber sitting room in his worn-out Gucci slippers.’ And as the author synthesizes his tale, ‘Teddy, along with fellow octogenarians Noël Howard and Randolf (Randy) Roswell, decide upon Operation Payback which sees them set about on a series of heinous “paybacks” involving all who dared cross swords with them in the past. With a list of nineteen offenders to deal with, the three friends creak into slow but lethal action. Action which sees them having to search as far afield as Egypt, Italy, South Africa, the Caribbean and last, but not least, Los Angeles, for their complacent targets. It goes without saying that the three geriatrics cannot carry out the paybacks without outside help. Enter a team of willing helpers ranging from former mercenaries, a Wonder Woman wannabe, a team of hungry hitmen, and a ventriloquist with a pair of deliciously vicious ventriloquist dolls. One a sinister-looking Mr. Toad.’

Once again Robin Anderson shares his originality and inimitable skill at spinning unique twists on mystery-spinning embellished with tart humor. This is one fine ‘escape’ from the acrid world we are experiencing – an engrossing and delightful apologue! Highly recommended.