From the Agency with Love
John Drake-Moore

Review by Morgan Beard

About ten pages into this book, I thought it was bad. About fifty pages in, I realized that it was of the kind of monumental badness that deserves its own category in fiction awards. The dialogue that goes on for pages without contributing anything to the plot. The characterization of women which makes 1940s pulp fiction look progressive. Descriptions like “shoulders which things hung well on, and bosom enough to put up a good front . . .” Need I say more?

Which is not to say this book — actually two separate, unrelated stories — is all bad. Moore has a good sense of plotting and suspense, and he weaves the various elements of each story to a solid conclusion. The problem is, as a self-published author, that he lacks an editor. Think of what happens to famous authors once they get enough clout to get their novels published untouched and you’ll get the idea.

Overall, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a movie that’s so bad it’s entertaining, pick up this book. Otherwise, you’re safe giving it a miss.

Synergy Books, 2004: ISBN 0974764418