A Very Important Teapot

'Not all writers can carry off a sense of humour in their books; for want of trying it's easy to go over the top. Steve Sheppard, however, nails it just right. His central character, Dawson, lands himself purely by accident in a job with indistinct connections to British Intelligence, and gets shunted off to Australia in search of... he isn't really told. But part of the build-up lies in the arrival of a tea-set, of which the teapot catches his attention. Well, it would, wouldn't it? This is a thriller, a chase, a buddy story, a mystery (certainly for Dawson, who starts out off the back foot but manages to survive several rugged encounters), all smoothly told with hugely engaging characters, and rips along at a hectic pace. If you like some smiles, even chuckles, with your reading, this is great fun but doesn't dissolve into slapstick.' Adrian Magson, prolific crime and spy thriller author, including Hostile State; 'A curiously magical thriller with suburban subterfuge and sparkle.' Helen Lederer, author of Losing it, comedian and Founder of the Comedy Women in Print Prize; 'My goodness! What a hilarious, energetic and entertaining roller-coaster of a read this is. The pace never lets up. Dawson (for he is our hapless hero – and never was a man more lacking in hap) starts off in the UK, hops over to Australia and there is chased by a colourful collection of Germans and Russians, Brits and Aussies. Some are goodies, some baddies, and some lurk in the grey area in between. All are intent on solving the mystery of the eponymous teapot, or preventing others from doing so. It’s as clever and witty as its title. I certainly enjoyed the ride!' Sue Clark, author of Note to Boy; 'To Australia and back again, with a large cast of unusual characters descending, eventually, on the folk festival at Yackandandah. The reader is drawn into a merry dance of international spies, assassins, shady underworld hoodlums and beer. Our hero, the unassuming and unknowing Dawson, would rather be in the pub or pursuing the fragrant Rachel at the Grayfold am-dram's Christmas panto, but instead encounters every known espionage thriller trope (and some not yet invented) as he weaves his way across the outback, trailing cops, robbers and agents behind him. And then there's the teapot lid and the lovely Lucy. There is never a dull moment in this rollicking and hugely enjoyable tale.' Julie Anderson, author of Plague and Oracle; 'This is the perfect holiday read ... a spy thriller with a difference – a comedic spoof. When times are heavy we all need a laugh. What I like about this Tom Sharpish /Ben Eltonish novel is that the female characters are the equal of the men.' Sylvia Vetta, author of Brushstrokes in Time and Sculpting the Elephant; 'A very entertaining read that kept me guessing all the way through. I needed to have my wits about me as there is a large cast of characters and the chapters switch rapidly back and forth between them, but this only added to the book's fast pace. Steve's skilful storytelling and sense of fun made this a rollicking good read.' Imogen Matthews, author of the Hidden Village and Hidden in the Shadows