These were ridiculous and a blast. I tore through both of these books so quickly. I can't believe it took me so long to read them. They were so much fun.

The laughter continues…

After reading the first in this series, I knew what was coming (happily so!). Majors Cornwall and Trevelyan’s adventures were legendary – at least in their own minds – yet I can’t help but agree. Full of mis-adventure and high hilarity, their capers were full of action and comic relief. I’m not sure what wins out in the end, other than me (as the reader) who gets to live each moment again with them.

Pause any thought of political correctness and be prepared to laugh. And laugh some more…

I was confused by this storyline which personally is not my usual genre. It was hard for me to complete the story. On saying that if it was my genre I would have reviewd it differently.

An amusing follow-up to "Scoundrels". As with the first book, it's well-written and pretty engaging. I still didn't love the over-the-topness. But, if you're looking for something lighter to read, and not totally silly, then I'd recommend this.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

I have been a regular member of NetGalley till Sept 2018. Later on my visits to their site reduced, I think one of those visits I applied for "Scoundrels 1 & 2". I got the approval for both the volumes. I think I checked the first volume and read a few pages. But somehow I forgot about those two books and found them during COVID Lockdown. I wanted some good books which can lighten the mood and stress level during these trying times. And Scoundrels gave me that peace of mind. I am grateful to NetGalley and authors for providing such a wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. And I would like to apologize for the delaying review. Still, books needed it's pending praise and here I am delivering duty which was due for almost a year and a half.

Before we discuss the plot let me tell you my first impression of the book cover. I was going through NetGalley shelves when two funny covers came into the view. They reminded me of my favorite childhood tv show "Laurel and Hardy". The title was equally funny, "Scoundrels". I knew the books will be a fun riot. I applied to them immediately. I think they were the last books I applied within those 12 months. I am glad I have these books with me to enlighten my mood. As I applied books in combo and got approval for both, I am posting a combined review.

"Scoundrels" & "Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp" are the first two volumes of adventurous, fun-filled & thrilled journey of Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan. The word scoundrels are not specifically for majors but rather a secretive club dedicated to great Britain. But the name does signify their activities which can not be done through political dialog or war. They do the nasty jobs.


The second volume starts with Major Cornwall getting poisoned by Hansclapp, and then went to Istanbul to destroy his plans. On their mission to Istanbul, Major Trevelyan met a lovely 8 years old girl named Anais and adopted her. Same way Major Cornwall adopted a gorilla named Titus. In this part, Major Trevelyan got married and got himself stuck knee-deep problems. Check out both the books to know more. I haven't given any spoilers. So don't worry.

Major Cornwall is shown smarter of the two always get stuck in the problem and later on saved by Major Trevelyan. Both of them, or I would say most of the club members, were shown as super-rich and their lifestyle is shown with comic style. The way Majors use a variety of liquor and specially made tobacco for various situation/place/moods bring a smile to your faces.

Now coming to characters & storytelling, I must have mentioned fun quotient more than 7-8 times, and you will find multiple styles of comedy. There is a black comedy, blue comedy, situational comedy, physical comedy, character comedy and whatnot. The selection of words is time appropriate. The first volume was around the second world war, and the second volume covers a decade after the second world war.

Language is not age-appropriate, it is strictly 16+ material.

My advice is not to read the book in public, you may end up laughing out loud and may embarrass yourself.

With this, I will complete the review. Talking about ratings
Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp - 3.75/5

I found this series challenging to engage with. I usually enjoy quirky, funny reads but I found myself wanting to read this because I had to...not because I wanted to. I can see why other people would enjoy it but it wasn’t for me.

This was a really enjoyable read. Lots of humour and excitement ... madcap would be a great term for it.

Thank you to the authors, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

This book is the second of three in a series of books about two crusty, over the top, psuedo wanna be James Bonds that sound a great deal more like Benny Hill. These two old codgers have been living in their familial estates under house arrest when they decide to write their memoirs. The story is related as a running written commentary between the two relating their hilarious, over the top adventures in unedited, raunchy detail. If you love tall tales, revisionist history all told in infantile humor prose, then you will love these books.

I can't wait to read the final installment.!

A solid second dose adventure and zany with this second installment of these Scoundrels.Great read, fast pace and thoroughly enjoyable.

Unfortunately, despite my hopes, this was not to my taste. With an abundance of competing books I was unable to generate much enthusiasm for this particular one.

The Scoundrels are back with the second volume of their memoirs. This one is based around their hunt for the arch-villain Hansclapp.

It is another romp that not so much pushes the boundaries of good taste, more tramples them underfoot and stamps on them for good measure. Reader beware if you have a nervous disposition, it would be best avoid this. Shame though, as you will miss out on what really happened on that grassy knoll, a very peculiar Wimbledon mixed doubles final, Trevelyan and Cornwall's adopted offspring (one is an amorous gorilla...), tales of daring and downright stupidity plus plenty of laughs along the way.

Great Sequel- better than the first, but with an added depth that I wasn't expecting. This book tells the next chapter in Cornwall and Trevelyan's lives and by the end of it you realize why they're so close. It's as laugh out loud funny as the first. Great Enjoyable story.

The two Majors take off where they left off.
Each tale is crazier than the next especially with each Major trying to get one over on the other.
This time they're after Gruber Hansclapp, their nemesis from school days

This book is a little less over the top than book 1 but still some ultra ridiculous scenes. It feels as if it has a bit more substance than book 1.

I went straight from book one to this book two. I enjoyed the way the stories were told and the animosity between both the narrators. I think this book was a bit lewder than the first, but it was easy to flip past any stories that bored me.

Revolving around the infamous gentlemen's club of London, Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp continues the combative joint memoirs of adventurer-spies, Major Cornwall and Major Trevelyan.

In this second volume, the Majors recount tales of kidnapping in the Congo, manslaughter on the Orient Express and romance at the Stasi's Christmas Party. The Majors are reeling from a series of devastating attacks by their Moriarty-like nemesis, Gruber Hansclapp, who is exacting an unspeakably horrific revenge, even by the Majors' standards. They must also adapt to their new roles as fathers to peculiar and exceptional offspring.

It is difficult to review without giving away spoilers but I can say that it is a great follow up to the first book (definitely recommended to read them in order) with funny silly humour and you never know what's coming next!

Cornwall and Trevelyan continue to tell their version of how they remember their story. It is done it a satirical format as they goad each other into never forgetting Hansclap, their nemesis, or the reasons why they have done all these things throughout their lives. It is a rather interesting, and intimate look at some historical events and shed light on how they might have been covered up by different governments or persons.

In the vein of Flashman, this book is absolutely hilarious! I don't know how the authors managed to maintain the witticisms in practically every line. Loved it!

It's billed as "... historically accurate, morally questionable and absolutely true ..." and dare I say, so politically incorrect! So if you are easily offended - step away now.

Full review of both Scoundrels and Scoundrels: The Hunt for Hansclapp can be found here @ Melisende's Library - https://melisendeslibrary.blogspot.com/2018/11/scoundrels-by-major-cornwall-and-major.html

I gave up on this one. I had already read book one, but this added nothing new to the experience and indeed quickly became tediously repetitive. And the characters somehow more unpleasant and less entertaining. Not a success for me.