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An exclusive short story for World Book Day from one of our bestselling authors. This brilliant comic thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.Albert Rossi has many qualities. He’s a man who can spot polyester at a hundred paces. He’s the person you’d have on speed dial were you to find yourself at the centre of a tailoring emergency. He has an excellent working knowledge of Bonnie Tyler’s back catalogue. These skills are essential to a Gentleman’s Outfitter from Eastcote. They are not necessarily on the job description for recruiting an assassin.When Albert hits an unsuspecting pedestrian whilst listening to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ in his Nissan Micra he is amazed to escape the inevitable knock on the door from the police. Instead he receives a mysterious phone call from a man who sounds surprisingly like Stephen Hawking telling him that his money will be left in the ‘usual’ place. At that very moment, Albert Rossi decides to change careers.Albert Rossi’s life is about to get a whole lot more interesting...
A mundane tailor finds himself thrust into the world of international espionage after a vehicular accident leads to a case of mistaken identity. Albert Rossi, a man whose expertise lies in fabric and pop music, suddenly becomes the target of a mysterious organization that believes him to be a professional assassin. He must navigate this high-stakes misunderstanding while maintaining his cover as a simple outfitter from Eastcote. The narrative unfolds with a focus on the absurdity of Albert's new reality as he attempts to survive a world he is entirely unprepared for.
This short story functions as a lighthearted diversion that plays with the expectations of the thriller genre. The narrative relies on the juxtaposition of a mundane protagonist against the backdrop of high-stakes espionage to generate its humor. Readers likely appreciate the brevity of the piece, which allows the premise to remain focused without overstaying its welcome. The stylistic choices suggest a deliberate attempt to subvert the serious tone typically associated with spy fiction. By grounding the absurdity in the specific, relatable details of Albert's life, the story maintains a consistent comedic rhythm throughout its duration.
Page Count:
96
Publication Date:
2012-02-02
Publisher:
HarperCollins UK
ISBN-10:
0007456085
ISBN-13:
9780007456086
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