Crime Wave at Tangents book review

Roderick Easdale’s second comic novel chronicling life at a village golf club skilfully blurs fact with fiction as he once more pokes fun at members, committees and officials alike.

Golfers, particularly those of a certain age, will recognise the bumbling characters, strange traditions, silly rules and regulations that are only found among the golf fraternity across the land.

With Crime Wave at Tangents, Easdale has scored another ace with this sequel to his debut novel, Summer in Tangents, and it’s sure to raise plenty of chuckles.

The author is well placed to spot idiosyncrasies emanating from clubhouse committee rooms having been a member of six clubs as an ordinary member over the years.

His sharp wit and literary skills have allowed him to pen another novel of light hearted humour which will appeal to many.

There is an underlying message in the plot, however, which is more pertinent and of possible consequence to all who cherish the game.

As he explores gentile village life in Middle England he touches on a modern day threat that all golf clubs should fear.

As the story unfolds it appears that property developers are putting the future of the village and the golf club under threat. All at the club rally round to save the course from housing plans and the saga reveals the true character of all those concerned, as fall outs and arguments come to the fore.

Various sub plots run throughout - we learn how Willoughby attempts to get round his diet imposed by his wife, realise that it’s not just the reader whose club has a tyrannical secretary and a know-all steward, that’s there is always one member more interested in making a few bob than winning a match, and of course a vicar whose drive is always short, but straight.

It’s a charming look at life through the eyes of a golf club and will resonate with golfers who recognise that in spite of some silliness found in the corridors of power in the clubhouse, there really is an overriding common camaraderie that shines through and that without its club, a village wouldn’t be the same.

Crime Wave at Tangents, published by Brindle Books, is available from bookshops and bookseller websites such as Amazon. Paperback RRP: £8.99, e-book RRP: £3.99.