Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp

Amusing, more Charlie Mortdecai with touches of Armando Ianucci than Flashman, but an interesting historical romp nevertheless. Whereas Flashman repays close reading, and you actually learned a lot at the same time as enjoying the story, this series is more about instant gratification of a sense of humour rooted in cruelty exaggerated for comic effect. Think Wile E. Coyote and his eternal fate.
Good light reading, but the humour was a little juvenile and sadistic for my tastes - that is not to say it won't please a large readership. There are many out there whose humour is a little juvenile and sadistic for my tastes!

I loved the first book in this series. This second is less episodic and has an overarching theme. The title states it: the search for Hansclapp. I’d suggest that it’s essential to have read the first book before reading the second, otherwise many allusions will simply be baffling.

This is quite a difficult book to review without inserting spoilers, but I shall try…

The majors have grown older and age another seventeen years during the book, as it takes their story from 1952 to 1969. I hesitate to say that they have matured as one hesitates to use “mature” to describe two grown men who fight over a pair of binoculars when a VIP’s life depends upon them. Nonetheless, there are far fewer moments of sheer light-hearted fun than the first book contains. There is a pervasive air of melancholy and the ending is touching.

Both majors effectively adopt youngsters. A young girl in Trevelyan’s case and a young gorilla for Cornwall. It’s a shame that Titus’s cub scout evenings happen off-stage. Anais grows up exactly as you would expect with the company of the two majors: “I shall never forget her ninth birthday party. The look on her face as she tore open my gifts. A pair of silver-handled butterfly knives and a titanium-studded nunchaku.” That, of course, was ten years before she was longlisted for the Fields medal.

There is one moment that gives me sniggers when I think back. There is a plot to kill JFK and Trevelyan muses “JFK, JFK, JFK. Why you? Why now? […] is it because he’s black?” There is a rapid sotto-voce conversation which ends with “That’s Nat King Cole, you idiot!”

History. Humor. Adventure. This installment of the Majors’ madcap adventures did not disappoint. Thank to Farrago and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The two majors in the Scoundrel books could be The Odd Couple goes to War. Lots of arguing and plenty of agreeing to not agree will keep you reading and laughing as these two take you on a wild ride.

Again a fun book, which keeps the pages turning - probably not the most political correct book on the market, but really, its about time we didn't take ourselves t0o seriously and laugh again at a funny book.
And it is really funny, and silly and just wonderful escapism - everyone should read this and the previous book.

What a fun read action adventure escapades will have you laughing entertained from first page to last,I will be recommending it to my friends a delicious read looking forward to next in series. #netgalley #farrgobooks

The best!! The sequel to the hilarious Scoundrels- this volume tells more tales of Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan- adventurers, spies, and Saturn as they careen around the post world war 2 world engaging in the most extreme , wild and bawdy( too out it very mildy) escapades. These books are very funny, sexually, and scatalogically filthy and an all around joy to read. Imagine a filthier Flashman crossed with Monty Python. These books are also very intelligently written with scars of esoteric references. Hard to describe- just read it- everyone I’ve recommended these books too has agreed. Fantastic!

Fun escape read! Whether true or not is not for me to say - I just enjoyed the ride! I seriously hope there are more escapades to come! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Much of what I wrote about for the first book in the series plays well here (and for the record, this is what I wrote:
"Fans of Benny Hill and Mike Myers — you'll love this book and its sequels. The memoirs of Major Victor Cornwall (and, as it turns out, Major St. John Trevelyan) are exquisite in their black humor and historical tour of great world events, much of which is based in truth but embellished in the finest tradition of pomposity.

This is the novel that starts the series and introduces us to both of these gentlemen and the infamous gentlemen's club of London. Murder on Mount Everest, panda hunting with a Chinese emperor, Nazi lore and more ... the tales run deep.

Also deep is the running interaction between Cornwall and Trevelyan.. So much is said by what is left unsaid, and this is the real gem of the novel — and puts you in the front row of a fine British comedy.

Unless ... recall my lede. Friends of Austin Powers will get and love it. Those who more prefer Roy Clarke's "The Last of the Summer Wine" or perhaps "Are You Being Served" ... maybe not so much.

But, like the travels of Cornwall and Trevelyan, that's what makes the world go round.")

This second volume continues, with admitted historical accuracy and truth, the adventures of these two fine, English gentlemen as they witness murder on the Orient Express and kidnappings in the Congo.

Consistently well-written; this quick and worthy successor to "Scoundrels" is a fine continuation and set-up for the series.

Another fun book that kept me giggling, sniggering and turning the pages.

I would like to say that the Majors have matured since the last book – I’d like to, but I won’t, because they haven’t – but they have certainly aged.

Well, after enjoying...well lets say I had difficulties to stay calm and serious in public while reading this one. It is even funnier than the first instalment. Well done, you made me look like a nut case in public transport because I was bursting with laughter with no obvious reason... Can't wait to read the next one.

I enjoyed this second volume of Scoundrels even more than the first, about which I had some reservations. In Volume 2, the gross humour and absurdity is all still there but toned down a couple of notches most of the time, which to me made it a rather funnier parody of those Ripping Yarns of effortlessly gifted posh boys saving the world.

The plot...well, the plot is bonkers as our two heroes go on various “undertakings” for the club throughout the late 50s and the 60s, but it sort of hangs together, though, as they attempt to save the world from arch-villain Hansclapp. It makes for very entertaining reading which made me laugh out loud several times as they become absurdly embroiled in major (sorry) world events, with Hollywood stars and even in the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship. It’s full of sexual and genitally-based humour and some of it (like the wedding photos) is just shameless schoolboy innuendo, so be warned – the more sensitive reader may find it crude and offensive. Personally, though, I found it well done enough to make me laugh rather than cringe. There are some very funny and innocent jokes, too (including a fine running gag about cigarettes), plus some rather touching events as well, so there’s a good deal more to it than just somewhat gross knockabout humour.

This may not be an immortal comedy classic, but I enjoyed it very much so I’ve rounded 4.5 stars up to 5. If it sounds like your sort of thing, do give it a try. I was a bit sceptical before I read Scoundrels, but found it a really amusing read and I can recommend it warmly.

(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)

Even funnier than the first in the series. A highly enjoyable read. It has such a light heared style about it that you can pick it up and put it down and read 5 minutes here and there.

dark-comedy, farce, British-humor, hilarious

I confess that I was only able to read about a quarter of the book when it was snatched away by Number One Son who alleges that he will read parts of it to his out of town brothers when they come for the holidays. I made the mistake of reading it while he was here fixing something and I read parts of it aloud. He said he couldn't understand it because I was cackling so much, so he absconded with it! Guess that says it all!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Farrago/Black Door Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

This novel is about the shared memoirs of two gentleman, members /spies of a club known as the Scoundrels.
It is amusing, exaggerated, wildly unbelievable, funny, incredible and just a terrific read. Even as I found their escapades to be unbelievable, I just could not stop reading it. The humor...British, is dry and subtle...sometimes not to subtle....not a darn substantive thing that you need to read, but by God I recommend you read it just for the humor of the thing.

In the vein of Flashman, this book is absolutely hilarious! I don't know how the authors managed to maintain the witticisms in practically every line. Loved it!

Cornwall and Trevelyan continue to tell their version of how they remember their story. It is done it a satirical format as they goad each other into never forgetting Hansclap, their nemesis, or the reasons why they have done all these things throughout their lives. It is a rather interesting, and intimate look at some historical events and shed light on how they might have been covered up by different governments or persons.

I went straight from book one to this book two. I enjoyed the way the stories were told and the animosity between both the narrators. I think this book was a bit lewder than the first, but it was easy to flip past any stories that bored me.

Revolving around the infamous gentlemen's club of London, Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp continues the combative joint memoirs of adventurer-spies, Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan.

In this second volume, the Majors recount tales of kidnapping in the Congo, manslaughter on the Orient Express and romance at the Stasi's Christmas Party. The Majors are reeling from a series of devastating attacks by their Moriarty-like nemesis, Gruber Hansclapp, who is exacting an unspeakably horrific revenge, even by the Majors' standards. They must also adapt to their new roles as fathers to peculiar and exceptional offspring.

It is difficult to review without giving away spoilers but I can say that it is a great follow up to the first book (definitely recommended to read them in order) with funny silly humour and you never know what's coming next!

Great Sequel- better than the first, but with an added depth that I wasn't expecting. This book tells the next chapter in Cornwall and Trevelyan's lives and by the end of it you realize why they're so close. It's as laugh out loud funny as the first. Great Enjoyable story.

The Scoundrels are back with the second volume of their memoirs. This one is based around their hunt for the arch-villain Hansclapp.

It is another romp that not so much pushes the boundaries of good taste, more tramples them underfoot and stamps on them for good measure. Reader beware if you have a nervous disposition, it would be best avoid this. Shame though, as you will miss out on what really happened on that grassy knoll, a very peculiar Wimbledon mixed doubles final, Trevelyan and Cornwall's adopted offspring (one is an amorous gorilla...), tales of daring and downright stupidity plus plenty of laughs along the way.

A solid second dose adventure and zany with this second installment of these Scoundrels.Great read, fast pace and thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you to the authors, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

This book is the second of three in a series of books about two crusty, over the top, psuedo wanna be James Bonds that sound a great deal more like Benny Hill. These two old codgers have been living in their familial estates under house arrest when they decide to write their memoirs. The story is related as a running written commentary between the two relating their hilarious, over the top adventures in unedited, raunchy detail. If you love tall tales, revisionist history all told in infantile humor prose, then you will love these books.

I can't wait to read the final installment.!

This was a really enjoyable read. Lots of humour and excitement ... madcap would be a great term for it.

I have been a regular member of NetGalley till Sept 2018. Later on my visits to their site reduced, I think one of those visits I applied for "Scoundrels 1 & 2". I got the approval for both the volumes. I think I checked the first volume and read a few pages. But somehow I forgot about those two books and found them during COVID Lockdown. I wanted some good books which can lighten the mood and stress level during these trying times. And Scoundrels gave me that peace of mind. I am grateful to NetGalley and authors for providing such a wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. And I would like to apologize for the delaying review. Still, books needed it's pending praise and here I am delivering duty which was due for almost a year and a half.

Before we discuss the plot let me tell you my first impression of the book cover. I was going through NetGalley shelves when two funny covers came into the view. They reminded me of my favorite childhood tv show "Laurel and Hardy". The title was equally funny, "Scoundrels". I knew the books will be a fun riot. I applied to them immediately. I think they were the last books I applied within those 12 months. I am glad I have these books with me to enlighten my mood. As I applied books in combo and got approval for both, I am posting a combined review.

"Scoundrels" & "Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp" are the first two volumes of adventurous, fun-filled & thrilled journey of Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan. The word scoundrels are not specifically for majors but rather a secretive club dedicated to great Britain. But the name does signify their activities which can not be done through political dialog or war. They do the nasty jobs.


The second volume starts with Major Cornwall getting poisoned by Hansclapp, and then went to Istanbul to destroy his plans. On their mission to Istanbul, Major Trevelyan met a lovely 8 years old girl named Anais and adopted her. Same way Major Cornwall adopted a gorilla named Titus. In this part, Major Trevelyan got married and got himself stuck knee-deep problems. Check out both the books to know more. I haven't given any spoilers. So don't worry.

Major Cornwall is shown smarter of the two always get stuck in the problem and later on saved by Major Trevelyan. Both of them, or I would say most of the club members, were shown as super-rich and their lifestyle is shown with comic style. The way Majors use a variety of liquor and specially made tobacco for various situation/place/moods bring a smile to your faces.

Now coming to characters & storytelling, I must have mentioned fun quotient more than 7-8 times, and you will find multiple styles of comedy. There is a black comedy, blue comedy, situational comedy, physical comedy, character comedy and whatnot. The selection of words is time appropriate. The first volume was around the second world war, and the second volume covers a decade after the second world war.

Language is not age-appropriate, it is strictly 16+ material.

My advice is not to read the book in public, you may end up laughing out loud and may embarrass yourself.

With this, I will complete the review. Talking about ratings
Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp - 3.75/5