The latest instalment of the Dogsbreath family history plays out in the Old West. Exploring the calamitous quest into the gold strikes of America to seek his fortune, ‘The Good, The Bad And The Haddock’ by Keven Shevels is the story of the current Ivor Dogsbreath’s great-great-great grandfather. In a parody of a western film we see Ivor’s agreement to “clean up the town” is taken slightly less literally than he meant it, as he is named deputy Marshall. With sinister figures looking to lay claim to as much land as possible, landowners resisting the takeover and many colourful characters about town, this is an entertaining read that doesn’t not require you to have read the rest of the books about the Dogsbreath family history that have been published so far. There is an irreverent humour throughout the book, with farcical shoot-outs, fluke trick shots and play on words that will bring a smile to the reader's face. In any jeopardising situation you’re never too worried because you’re sure that whatever is around the corner will be wholly unexpected for characters and reader alike. This enjoyable new comedic take on an old western will be a great addition to the variety of genres already explored in a series that potentially has a very broad scope. A comedy of errors style story that will appeal to fans of parody and quick, off the cuff style humour.
In a style that one reviewer has likened to ‘Monty Python meets Terry Pratchett’, the author continues his chronicles of the history of the Dogsbreath family with the exploits of the current Ivor Dogsbreath’s great-great-great grandfather in the Old West. He rode into town on the stage as a poor, penniless immigrant. Then they told him his job was to clean up the town. He thought they meant put out the rubbish. They meant a different sort of rubbish. When he rode out again he was still a poor, penniless immigrant … but behind him ten men and one hamster lay dead and the town would never be the same. For animal lovers it was subsequently proved that the hamster had died of natural causes after a long and happy life. Contains strong language and adult humour.
