This is a very short novella which will therefore have an equally short review.

I have read and reviewed the other book in the series – Magical Disinformation, this book is a precursor to the events in that book.

Our lead protagonist is living his life, trying to not be part of the mainstream expat community as he uses his good Spanish in Guatemala. He is approached for a job he never even knew he might be in the running for and this changes his life in several ways.

It is a chaotic set of events, written well and more entertaining if you already know the lead character or plan to get to know him later.

I might not have remembered the events in the other book as well as I would have liked when picking this one up, but I did remember the tone and I enjoyed it then and now.

I would recommend this book to people who like ordinary people placed in unlikely situations in remote locations. I know that the recommendation is very precise but the combination is what worked for me, so I am passing on that information for anyone interested.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Thanks to Netgalley for and the publisher for this eARC.

The Smuggler's Apprentice of Guatemala: A Novella (Oliver Jardine Series) by Lachlan Page is a thrilling addition to the spy genre that manages to pack a punch in its concise form. The novella follows the adventures of Oliver Jardine, a backpacker turned unlikely spy, as he navigates the treacherous and murky waters of international espionage in the heart of Central America.

Lachlan Page's storytelling is compelling and immersive, with a narrative that proceeds at breakneck speed. The author's experience in various countries and his diverse professional background lend an air of authenticity to the setting and the plot, which is both entertaining and believable.

The protagonist, Oliver Jardine, is an everyman who finds himself thrust into a world of danger and deceit. His character is relatable and well-crafted, with a depth that is impressive for a novella. The story is reminiscent of classic spy novels, with nods to the likes of Graham Greene, yet it maintains a fresh and modern feel.

Page's writing is laced with light satire and a phenomenal sense of place, which shines through in his vivid descriptions of Guatemala's highlands and the bustling life within. The novella is not just a spy story; it's a cultural exploration that adds layers to the narrative.

"The Smuggler's Apprentice of Guatemala" is a perfect short read for fans of the genre looking for a quick escape into the world of spies and intrigue. It's a testament to Page's skill as a writer that he can deliver a story that is both intriguing and comical, yet full of suspense and action.

I wasn’t mad about this one, it was obviously written by someone not from London who was trying too hard to write dialogue for Londoners.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc. I look forward to reading more.

A short read that mainly appealed to me due to its location/setting.

I’m not entirely convinced that this is an accurate version of how MI6 recruit their spies, but having never been one myself, perhaps I’m wrong and I shall look forward to being signed up in the toilet when I visit Guatemala in two weeks time!

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Recommended: sure
For a "based on true events" story, for a regular person being thrown into a non-regular situation, for a travel adventure with some legitimate peril

Thoughts:
This was a surprisingly slow pace for a story considering it's so short! We meet Oliver in his trip and see some of his time going about his business before the crux of the story where he gets recruited as a spy. He's already been there for a while and has a good handle on how he's living there, so we just come along right in the middle of things. There's some setup on what his day to day life is like and why, so we're able to see him as a regular guy.

The story is mostly from his perspective, though there are a few chapters or moments narrated from the person who recruits him, and I enjoyed these little interludes. They felt like a peek behind the curtain kind of thing, though I don't know how accurate to spy recruitment it really is. 😅

My biggest pain point with this was some of the really bafflingly stupid decisions Oliver makes along the way. Sometimes it's that he's still in way over his head, but sometimes it's just... what are you doing, kid?? So that was kind of tough to get behind. I wouldn't trust him as a spy for *my* country, let me tell you that.

That said, this is quite a full story for the fact that it's just over a hundred pages! We meet him, see him debate the changes, become enmeshed, and walk that tightrope once he's on it. I was genuinely surprised by some of the events in the plot which was a delight. Again, I don't know how "true story" versus "based on" this is, but overall it was a fairly quick and entertaining read. The curiosity this sparked for me about what parts of it were based on the real events has been a delight.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a free copy. This is my honest review.

Not my usual fare to be honest but I was drawn in as I love Central America and haven't read a book set in Guatemala before! This spy novella packs in a lot for such a short story, and is apparently an introduction to main character Oliver Jardine, for further, longer novels.
Oliver Jardine is a backpacker working for an NGO who is approached randomly by MI6 to infiltrate a gang suspected of smuggling. That in itself is surprising as it transpires his application to join the Foreign Service was rejected, leading to his backpacking escapades.
Anyway, Jardine doesn't have a clue what he's doing which makes for a slightly Mr Bean ambience. I can only imagine it gets more intriguing in the full length books, if this is the prequel and he gets hired full time after this. Definitely an entertaining escape for a couple of hours!

Comical, Thrilling, and Intriguing - 120-page espionage adventure of a spy newcomer, Oliver Jardine.

It was a quick read and I enjoyed every page of action and witty scenes of the characters + the portrayal of Central America, the festive vibe, and the friendly people there. For the first book in the series, I think it is a great introduction to the characters - Oliver and his connection to MI6, and also explains the many "telling" scenes in this book. However, the lack of intense spy scenes made the story a little slow for me.

Regardless, I am looking forward to reading about Jardine's next spying journey + his respect and hate relationship with Ambrose. Thank you Netgalley and publisher WJ Press for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought that the Smugglers Apprentice of Guatemala was an easy, enjoyable read - it did feel like there was maybe a little more build up and slow burning waiting for the action that then came and went very quickly, but overall I enjoy the setting in particular and the action, when it arrived, kept me turning the page when I should have been asleep, which is always a good sign!

The Smuggler's Apprentice of Guatemala was a short novella of 130 pages or so.

This isn't my typical genre, but I was drawn to The Smuggler's Apprentice because my cousin was in the peace corps in Guatemala ... and I've never run across a book that had a Guatemalan setting.

I liked that the novella was short; but it did feel "too short".

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet once again) a "new to me" author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher WJ Press for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a short novel that acts as an 'origin story' for a young spy who has featured in two novels by Page. I haven't read the novels but as this predates them in the storyline it doesn't matter. As the title suggests, the action takes place in Guatemala. Ollie is a young graduate working for an NGO in a small town off the tourist trail when he's recruited by an MI6 agent and asked to infiltrate a smuggling gang.

Ollie is a likeable character, but the short length means the plot is basic without any twists. There's no real depth and the characters aren't fleshed out. I might have enjoyed it more if had It's apparently based on a true story which is surprising as it's not very plausible. I would be a terrible secret agent but even I wouldn't have made the basic errors that Ollie did.

People who have read the novels may well enjoy this more as they would have more of an investment in the character. and be keen to know his origins. It's an undemanding read and describes the country of Guatemala well, so might be a good choice for a holiday read if you're travelling to Central America and Guatemala in particular. I wouldn't recommend it outside of those situations, and I don't plan to read the novels based on this short story.

Fast paced, quirky adventure set in Central America within the international intelligence arena centering on a young backpacking civilian. Action packed and a quick read.

Lachlan Page is a new author to me so I wasn't sure what to expect from his novella, "The Smuggler's Apprentice of Guatemala" ,not least due to its rather convoluted title.
I needn't have worried,its very good,excellent in fact.

British backpacker Oliver Jardine is approached in the toilet of a small bar in Guatemala and asked to "keep an eye on" a local acquaintance on behalf of British Intelligence. Eventually convinced he very soon finds himself out of his depth and soon in serious trouble.

Despite its brevity this is a great read and introduction to Mr Page's Oliver Jardine books, which I looked for immediately on finishing it. The book is entertaining and believable, within a few pages I was thinking how much it reminded of Graham Greene's classic spy books when the great man was mentioned on the very next page,and again later in the book so I'd guess very much an influence..

An excellent read ,if you enjoy Graham Green,or even Mick Herron,you'll like this.

3.5 stars.
This is my first book by Lachlan Page, and it was well-plotted, tense, and a good introduction to main character Oliver Jardine. He had applied to the British Foreign service after graduation but didn't make the cut, and so decided to take some time to figure out what to do next. He's in Guatemala, working for an NGO, backpacking, and wandering where the whim takes him.

He meets a possible antiquities/drug smuggler one night, and later that same night is recruited by Roland Ambrose of MI6 to gather information on the smuggler. Oliver is quickly over his head, even with some basic training from Ambrose, when the smuggler takes him into a remote area. But, Ollie also shows an ability to think on his feet.

Though only a novella, author Page created a narrative that kept me reading, wondering what it would take for Ollie to accept Ambrose's offer, and how he would get himself out of his current situation.

Thank you to Netgalley and to BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my review.

A quick read with some fun intrigue. The locations were great and the dialogue was top notch. At times it was unrealistic but it’s entertaining!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a short thriller novella of how Oliver Jardine, the main character in the author’s two other books, was recruited to work for Britain’s MI6. A young Ollie is drifting a bit, retrying to figure out what he wants to do in life while working for an NGO in Guatemala. He’s happy go lucky, partying, meeting people, and backpacking around the country. Until he meets Diego Monteverde at a pool table. This is a fast read, giving us a glimpse into the rookie Ollie, and quite frankly, what felt like a bit of a shoddy approach by MI6 here. I can’t imagine this is how things happen, but then again one never knows! Overall, an enjoyable read, nothing amazingly scintillating but entertaining. Now I know how Ollie Jardine got started! I’ve read The General of Caracas and enjoyed it a lot. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a fun spy thriller - a quick read, and enjoyable. I loved the setting in Guatemala, a wonderful place to travel. While it's not the most intense spy book I've read, it's definitely a fun one with a creative location.

A great read . I enjoyed the setting and the characters .There was a ring of authenticity in the whole book . Lachlan Page is a fluent writer and preserves the readers interest all the way through to the end.
End ? I think there will be many other tales of derring-do for Lachlan Page, I hope they will be set in Central America , The descriptions are so good . . I was happy with the Novella length , it suited the story and left me wanting more .

This book gives you the feeling of a cheap movie, with talk first and kill later, and things aren't always logical. However, this is entertainment, and it's readable if you don't think too much.

A quick novella introducing us to Ollie Jardine and his escapades.

Mr Page loves to use the spy lingo and imagery and he really likes it when his characters smirk, but it's all done with tongue in cheek so it's a refreshing breeze.