Panama Oxridge - Tartan of Thyme Series:Thyme Running Out - Book Review

book cover of 

Thyme Running Out 

 (Tartan of Thyme, book 2)

by

Panama Oxridge

  • Pages - 368
  • Publisher - Inside Pocket Publishing
  • Date -  4th October 2011
  • Age 9+
  • ISBN: 978 0 71220 2                                                  
As the threat of the Thyme Curse closes in on Justin's family, his life is once again thrown into complete turmoil. Will he finally unmask Agent X and his spy? Has Evelyn Garnet stolen his wristwatch? What's making Eliza the gorilla act so aggressively? Why is Sir Willoughby planning a secret trip in the time machine? And where has Justin's sister, Robyn, mysteriously vanished to? Only Nanny Verity knows the truth - but can she be found before it's too late?
It has been such along time since I read Panama's first book that I never thought (five years on) that I would actually be reading the next instalment to this exciting series. The first book was, in my opinion, a self-published success. Especially, as I know that it took a great deal of hard work from the author for it to become acknowledged. However, he really did do a great job considering the huge amount of time spent doing all the jobs that a publishing house would normally undertake on your behalf. Anyway, at last and with huge excitement we have the second book 'Thyme Running Out' which has been published by the up-and-coming publisher Inside Pocket.

Getting back into this story was actually very easy. In fact, I felt like I had only just read book one as it started exactly from where I had left off. Yet, book two is full of amazing detail and description. It is written to a very high standard, which at times makes it very complex, but still it is packed full of many unexpected moments. The book oozes mystery and suspense - grabbing your attention when you least expect it. In fact, the author has layered so many cryptic clues into the story that you are actually able to become a detective for yourself. It must have been a huge process to map out the story to make it fit the intricate plot line. Very clever and I'm assuming very complicated to do.

This wacky and eccentric Scottish family are indeed a very unique set of characters. I believe that the main character (Justin) will have a huge fan following after this book. He's all of your favourite action characters rolled together, but wearing a kilt.

The family pets also assume a similarly bizarre description as they are, so to speak, off the wall! Although, you have to love Eliza the Gorilla who communicates through one of Justin's mad inventions. Whilst the story is full of humour, with some very interesting pronunciations and dialect, it works on many different levels. Thus keeping the story both fun and on your paws at all times. Although, when you finally get to the end of this fantasy epic you can't help but feel that you have only just scratched the surface within this story and that there's a lot more to come!

I think it is worth mentioning that the language in this book feels rather grown up. In fact, it may put some younger readers off. However, I feel that it may help its overall appeal to a much larger audience.

This book has everything and more. It makes you think and ask questions and yet, it is also an enjoyable and great story that has been told in a unique way. It has certainly been worth the wait. Hopefully, it will not be too long for the next book in the series - at least not another 5 years I hope . . . . !

Thanks go to the author himself and Tara at Inside Pocket - your support is very much appreciated.

If you would still like a signed copy of TRO then the Cotswold Bookstore are willing to take orders. They will mail copies out around the publication date. so you may get your book ahead of the release date if you're lucky.
They can be contacted at: 20 High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0AF. Telephone: 01608 - 652666
Or you can email: 
cotsbookstore@tiscali.co.uk 

Meanwhile, the most up-to-date details regarding TRO can always be found at the Tartan of Thyme Blog.

Comments

P.O. said…
Thank you for your wonderful review. I'm afraid I only just spotted it today; I've been incredibly busy since the TRO launch (mid-September), and haven't been online very much at all.
Thanks again,
P.O.