*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author and Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Blurb: ALL THE AUTHOR’S ROYALTIES WILL BE GIVEN TO SUPPORT CHARITIES FOR THE HOMELESS

Pimlico People is the third book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.

The Goddesses Artemis and Hebe are staying in Central London to obtain a better understanding of the lives of ‘normal’ people.

To their surprise, they soon encounter a plot to blow up a foreign embassy. Add to that a sophisticated operation involving the theft of valuable paintings from a major art gallery, and the two goddesses begin to question what a ‘normal’ life is all about.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld Cerberus encounters another dog who, amazingly, only has one head! How will they get on?

This is the third of Rupert Stanbury’s modern-world-ancient-gods humorous fantasy novels, but you don’t need to have read Gods Galore and The Four Horsemen to be able to enjoy the story and characters here – everything stands alone perfectly well and it won’t take you long to get into the swing of it. And there is a handy cast list at the beginning too that you can refer back to if you get stuck!

In this story, Hebe and Artemis decide to try out human-style living in London and somehow immediately end up in the middle of an international art theft ring AND an attack on the Lilliputian people by their similarly diminutive enemies. Luckily there is an efficient team of mortals already in place that, with the help of the goddesses and a lot of luck, are ready for the challenge. And Hebe and Artemis even get to brush up their cleaning skills along the way.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Cerberus makes a new friend in a tiny, mortal lady dog called Billie, and uncovers a dastardly revenge plot instigated by her horrible former owner. As usual, this involves some demanding of Mars bars, threatened biting of bums and some awkward chats with the clueless hellhound about friendship, the birds and the bees, and bathing… bless him!

With plenty of running jokes, comic misunderstandings and silly names, an action-packed plot and some fun new characters alongside the returning regulars – like the precocious young Emily and the spry elderly Octavian Stegosaurus – this story is a gleefully light romp through heists and other havoc that is ideal for fans of easy-reading comic fantasy.

And while, as I said, it does stand alone, if you enjoy this book then you should definitely check out the rest of the series so far, for more silly shenanigans and ungodly goings-on.

“It’s usual to give the man some coin,” Death said to the woman.
“What for?” she haughtily demanded. “I didn’t ask to come here. You turned up and took me away against my will.”
The ferryman now made a more aggressive set of grunts. On occasions, Death would throw him a coin instead of his passenger, but not this time. He didn’t like the woman.
“You must pay!” he said firmly. “Or there will be trouble.”
“Don’t threaten me, you horrible whatever you are.”
Death’s dislike was increasing with every word she spoke. “Just pay,” he replied firmly.
The woman looked at him, scornfully. “What if I don’t?” she finally asked.
“The river’s got piranha fish in it. They bite.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
Death didn’t reply because he’d never pushed anyone into the river beforehand. Despite his dislike of the woman, he wasn’t sure if he would do so now. Instead, he merely stared impassively at her; he knew most people found it disconcerting to be eye-balled silently by a skeleton wearing a black cloak and carrying a scythe.
The woman didn’t know if Death was bluffing or not, but she decided after a while not to take the risk.
“Alright,” she eventually said as she petulantly opened her bag. “I don’t carry coins. Does he take American Express?”

– Rupert Stanbury, Pimlico People

Purchase Link: Pimlico People on Amazon

About the author

Rupert Stanbury is a Cambridge graduate who previously had a professional and business career. He has always been an avid reader and recently decided to take up writing himself. His first book, Gods Galore, was published in November 2021.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070534804639

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RupertStanbury

Don’t forget to check out the other blog stops on the tour for more great reviews and content (see the poster below for details)!