The Last Manly Man is the fourth entry in a relatively
new series authored by Sparkle Hayter. In all of
her books the murder and mayhem contained therein is only
an excuse to crack wise about the modern world. The
plots all depend upon and are energized by Robin Hudson,
the accidental sleuth, harried modern woman, and
wonderfully witty protaganist in The Last Manly Man et. al.
On this outing, Hayter combines deranged scientists,
animal rights activists, industrial misogynists and
wildly improbable chance to cobble together a rather
less than perfect, but still enjoyable plot. Feminism
is always a feature in her novels but this time it
becomes a central issue when a conspiracy of demented
powerful men undertake to turn back the clock (this
is where the science fiction comes in). Our heroine
and fearless reporter, along with various oddball
friends she has just met, stumble around gathering
clues, trying to solve some incidental murders along
the way. And through it all we have Robin's wry
wit, skewed personality and cracking wise to show us
the way. It's never quite normal but then who needs normal
when you've got laughter and Robin Hudson on your side.
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