Don't Point That Thing at Me

Charlie Mordecai, a "degenerate aristocrat, amoral art dealer, seasoned epicurean, unwilling assassin, and acknowledged coward," is our protagonist in this comic British crime series from the 1970s. In this one, Charlie encounters a stolen painting and takes a motor trip to New Mexico in a very special Rolls Royce. Mayhem, mischief, close calls, sex, food, and drink follow--something for everyone. The excellent Simon Prebble enjoys himself throughout as he mixes escapades with discussions of wine and fine cuisine. While his well-known range isn't really tested, he does get to entertain us with American English of the Southwest, a host of British accents, and the occasional French accent. The listener's attention will never wander. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

August 1, 2004
A cult hit in the author's native Britain, Kyril Bonfiglioli's Don't Point That Thing at Me, originally published some three decades ago, is a wickedly entertaining and veddy British account of one Hon. Charlie Mortdecai, fond of "art and money and dirty jokes and drink" and none too concerned about the laws he must break to keep himself in full possession of all of them. Add in an "anti-Jeeves" assistant named Jock Strapp, a gorgeous rich widow, a mad millionaire, a policeman who "likes hurting people, a lot" and dozens of other brilliant types-not to mention all kinds of shady deals-and the result is a sure-fire, acid-tongued winner.