Andorra Pett, my reluctant amateur detective, is a character that I never imagined would last. Originally intended as the heroine of a short story, her whole existence was the result of a bet.
Once I’d started writing about her, she just kept having adventures. Eight years later, she now has a whole series dedicated to her crime-fighting antics.
She’s proved controversial; people have told me that, as a male writer, I shouldn’t be writing female lead characters. Apparently, I don’t have the knowledge, experience or ability.
I don’t buy into that. I actually write a lot of female characters, and they seem to be more popular with readers than the detractors might like.
And I think that having a wife, three daughters and four granddaughters gives me ample insight and material to make them realistic.
All of them are strong women, with stories of their own to tell, some of which may have inspired me. I couldn’t possibly say who or what.
So I’m going to carry on writing females, as long as they keep appearing in my head.
Anyhow, the latest adventure for Andorra Pett is complete and will be available on May 1st.
On the dusty plains of Mars and in the Caves of Tharsis, Andorra Pett is on a mission.
She has to return to where Maisie met her end, there’s unfinished business to attend to. But things have changed on Mars, this isn’t going to be the easy job that she’d hoped it would be.
If that wasn’t enough, her partner, Derek’s, daughter, the one who tried to kill her, is due to be released from prison. She’s on Mars, too.
Which means Derek will have a reunion with the wife who left him. Where more secrets are sure to come out.
Meanwhile, all the people who Andorra’s upset recently are gathering, ready for what might be a final showdown.
Is this the end of the road for Andorra?
Here’s what one of my beta readers thought.
I’ve read every book in the series, so when I was offered the opportunity to read the sixth novel in the Andorra Pett series, I couldn’t say no.
And, as with all of the books in this series, it did not disappoint. In this sixth outing for our feisty trouble magnet, Andorra and her faithful, long-suffering best friend Cy, things are much as they always are. In trying to clear up a mess that started in Andorra Pett on Mars, Andi encounters the enemies she faced in Andorra Pett and the Lunar Mining Conspiracy.
On paper, this might become clumsy and confusing, but Richard Dee once again shows just how well he knows his body of work. He weaves action, adventure and threat with the cosiness and mundanity of everyday life to make an epic story.
There are a few twists along the way, while also bringing together several storylines from earlier in the series.
A couple of big twists really up the jeopardy in this book, heralding the end of an era.
Filled with humour, danger and plenty of unwanted crime, Andorra Pett Meets her Match is a fantastic sixth book with plenty of twists.
The most exciting thing about finishing an adventure is the anticipation of the next one. I have several thoughts about what Andorra might get up to next, following on from what happened in this story.
As they sort themselves out and it all becomes clearer, I can’t wait to see where her story goes.
I’m pretty sure that there are a lot of adventures left for her.
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Darlene Foster
Congratulations on another Andorra Pett story. Well done. I love that cover! You are certainly qualified to write from a female protagonist’s point of view.
Richard Dee
Thanks.