I downloaded this about a week ago as it was listed as free on Amazon ( it's now £1.25) so it was a bit of a bargain really and the synopsis and positive reviews really drew me in. Normally I quite like thrillers but this one just didn’t do it for me, it didn’t really grip me until the last chapters and even then it was more a mild curiosity rather than an I can’t put it down page turner. It’s also described as ‘zany’ and ‘humorous’ in the comments clipped from Amazon reviews so I was expecting some laughs or at least a smile but sadly nothing about it struck me as funny.The plot was almost over complicated involving murders, drugs and bombs with little real connection until the villain explains at the end so you do have to read the whole book to find out what’s going on, and while I stuck with it I wasn’t blown away.The writing is clunky, and there are occasional attempts at writing dialogue in local accents and some token rhyming slang for the Londoner as of course he couldn’t be a cockney otherwise. I’m not against accents but sometimes it’s less jarring if we are told the character has an accent and left to imagine it, rather than being given a few words in an accent scattered amongst standard dialogue. If you feel the need to write an accent phonetically then stick with it through the whole book and do it for all the characters who are supposed to have accents, and for me the mismatched dialogue just felt like it lacked polish.The characters themselves fell a bit flat too I didn’t feel that any of them were really developed in to people and they all felt a bit two-dimensional. The protagonist, Tony Robinson, didn’t engage me (one of the dullest hero's ever?), and the motivation for some of his decisions seemed flimsy at best. He had a lot of useful skills, quite convenient really that all his previous dead-end jobs had prepared him so thoroughly for murder and intrigue.The overcomplicated plot began to bore me about half way through as there were no obvious connections between the various developments and I started feel like progress wasn’t really being made in the story. However the book does improve a bit during the latter half as things slowly start to come together, and while it seems a bit contrived at times it just about works. Despite the many elements to the story it feels well researched but it lacked atmosphere and failed to build then tension required for a thriller. The reader is only given the information that Tony has and it's presented in a very straight, this happened the this happened, manner. Had the reader been told he felt something about this, other than what seemed to be mild annoyance (I would expect some fear or concern even if he got over it), it might have added a level of peril that was sadly missing.This does get good reviews on Amazon (as do his other titles) but it just wasn’t rounded enough for me as I tend to be drawn to a book through character development rather than plot alone, and I often find modern thrillers have either clichéd or flat characters that I just don’t care enough about to engage with. If you enjoy well-paced adventures, tales of amateur sleuths making good and have a soft spot for British characters and humor, then `The Abigail Affair' by British author, Timothy Frost, is sure to appeal.`The Abigail Affair', Frost's second novel since ditching a successful career as an advertising copywriter, has a lot going for it.Its plot has been well structured, with an exciting prologue and an adventure-genre suitable ending. Frost uses appropriate descriptive detail and tension-creating foreshadowing to keep readers interested from chapter to chapter.Protagonist, Toby Robinson, becomes involved with high-seas espionage after he applies for a job as a deckhand on a Russian oligarch's luxury yacht. Through the use of internal dialogue, colloquial language and humor, Frost has created a likeable and everyday-casual anti-hero, who deals with all sorts of calamities with wit, charm and admirable gumption.As you'd expect from an adventure/thriller, particularly those featuring amateur sleuths, spies or heroes, there are times in this novel when it is necessary to suspend belief. However, there are no major loose ends or details that Frost does not return to.It's an oft-used phrase `I could see this book as a movie', but it's a statement I don't make flippantly. This novel is visual and exciting and I would like to see it transferred to the Big Screen, preferably by a British director, or one sensitive to the charm-value of irony, used so well in British literature and film.Does Toby save the day and the world from disaster?? Does he win the beautiful girl?? Read `The Abigail Affair' to find out. It will be time well spent.3 1/2 stars.
What do You think about The Abigail Affair (2000)?
Thriller set in the Caribbean seas. Enjoyable plot but I couldn't really warm to the protagonist
—Krmanukyan
This is a quick and easy read and a decent enough thriller. Some parts are a bit far-fetched!
—chloch
Found it almost silly. Elaborate conversations at illogical times. Would not recommend.
—Ashyg
A good read. Found it a little drawn out but has a good pace. Set in the Caribbean.
—huongpham
