Donkey-ride to Disaster; Madness in the Mountains

These titles are the first two pulsating parts of a four part serial, collectively entitled 'The Quest for 100 Gold Coins'. Humble woodcutter, Nev Niceguy attempts to find the money to pay years of back rent, which his dotty old gran has allowed to build up. Nev's quest, setting out into the big wide world is made more difficult by his fundamental honesty and his habit of feeling sorry for those few characters or creatures who are even worse off than he is.

Donkey-ride to Disaster sees Nerdy Ned getting 100 gold coins from alchemist Dr Hirasmus Baboom only for him to be slung into jail for using what turns out to be illegal currency. Madness in the Mountains follows Nev as he is kidnapped by the notorious and diminutive Big Ma Minky and her gang of desperados, including No Soap Nigel and Friendly Fernando. The kidnapping of feisty heiress Marietta Courgette changes all their lives but we still have two more episodes before we discover whether Nev succeeds in his quest.

These are two really well written stories which are superb entertainment. Great fun to read to lower junior children. With wacky characters and delightful comic dialogue, reminiscent of Henrietta Branford's 'Dimanche Diller' series, these books are enhanced by occasional chirpy sketches.