MUSICAL INTERLUDES
An expensive Bechstein grand piano is discovered in a Harrods storage unit by a young salesman. Its been there for some time, apparently forgotten. Should he:
1. Contact the owner
2. Ignore the piano
3. “Dispose” of it
Years after solving his dilemma, the salesman’s accomplice will be grateful they collaborated. How to Steal a Piano is the opening tale of thirteen short stories by John Hughes, author of Spitfire Spies and Follow My Leader. It’s an entertaining, eclectic collection that’s also sharp, wistful, and extremely funny! Respectable, elderly widow Dorothy Roberts gets intellectually worked up by a certain four-letter word that turns out to be surprisingly liberating when she uses it! In Runner a trio of thugs who brazenly try to avoid paying a bill, get their comeuppance at the hands of wily Mr Ping owner of the Mandarin Palace Chinese restaurant. Zulu the police dog fondly recalls his time on the force in the humorous Wuff Justice, while the wife of a sexually uptight vicar helps him find his mojo. How does she do it? Now, that would be giving away the plot!
Anyone familiar with Hughes’ work will know what a good writer he is and this collection does a great job of showcasing his talent. Moments of poignancy are underpinned with thought-provoking, contemporary themes: the destructive implications of road rage, the arrogance of racism, the emotional barriers between fathers and sons, and the complexities of modern dating. Finding a soulmate should be easy with so many dating apps in circulation, but for serial online dater Elaine it takes 13 to strike gold!
How to Steal A Piano combines the author’s imagination with actual life shaping adventures and the result is a smart, wickedly funny collection brimming with delicious plot twists. Enjoy!
Reviewed by Juliette Foster
Why not add Living with Jo, Follow My Leader and Spitfire Spies to your John Hughes collection? Click on the covers to find out more about these books written by the author.
