Today I’m delighted to welcome spy novelist Simon Fairfax. His ‘Porridge & Cream’ read is Heller with a Gun by Louis L’Amour.
“The book is called Heller with a Gun by Louis L’Amour. His books number 192 and 46 were made into films. 
“I first read it when I was about fifteen. I have always loved westerns, but this is probably the best western I have ever read. I bought it because I like the author’s style and stories. He is above all a great storyteller. I bought it in the winter and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a great sense of ‘place’ with writing truly evocative of a cold, frozen climate. I read it every winter and never tire of it. It would in reality be strange to read it in the summer.
“The lead is a great character and typifies a dying breed, with strong values, pitting himself against the wilderness and evil. Living by a code of honour that will one day fade as he inevitably will. The writing style is perfect and you can imagine exactly all the circumstances and places that the book takes you to. Everything he writes about exists and he inspired me to adopt the same approach in my novels. 
The plot: “King Mabry, an aging gunfighter and cattleman, is travelling to Cheyenne across frozen wastes and is being hunted for what he knows and the gold he is carrying. Thwarting his pursuer, he comes across a troupe of players (being led astray by outlaws), he is attracted to one of troupe and returning to help against his better judgement, tracks them and tries to help. Wounded, he is aided by one of the troupe who escapes. Travelling together they fight Indians, the weather and finally the outlaws in a tense action filled showdown. It is a perfect story of relationships, growth of spirit, survival and romance.”
Simon Fairfax’s Bio
A chartered surveyor for nearly 35 years, I have always loved crime thrillers, growing up devouring Ian Fleming and Dick Francis novels and a TV diet of The Saint, Persuaders, The Sweeney and The Professionals. I have seen first-hand what goes on in this world of multi-million pound deals and can attest to the fact that it has its fair share of characters, heroes and villains. I write about a world I know and enjoy with a spy twist, full of intrigue, great characters and set against world events that really happened and influenced markets and deals. I have enjoyed my characters, bringing them to life and continue to do so: I hope that you enjoy them too!
Simon Fairfax’s links
Website
Hursley Park Book Fair, June 23-24 2018
Simon Fairfax’s latest book
Rupert Brett is back and it is 1995, with the property markets raging and the Sub-Prime madness just beginning. The Irish Sea, a shipment of drugs is intercepted, the IRA lose the cocaine and their most feared enforcer, Tir Brennan, is captured. Deauville, a wealthy French aristocrat has a terrible accident with far reaching consequences. Bogota, the head of the old drug cartels is dead and Ballesteros is now running new routes to the US and beyond. The events are all linked and somehow drugs are being smuggled with impunity across the globe. With a source originating in Palm Beach, US, Rupert Brett is again asked to go undercover, with SAS Sergeant Chris Adams as protection. They must find out how the drugs are being smuggled into the corporate world of property, polo and high finance. The answers run deeper than either could imagine and a dangerous former nemesis returns, throwing their lives into turmoil.
‘A Deal with the Devil’ by Simon Fairfax [UK: S Fairfax]
What is a ‘Porridge & Cream’ book? It’s the book you turn to when you need a familiar read, when you are tired, ill, or out-of-sorts, where you know the story and love it. Where reading it is like slipping on your oldest, scruffiest slippers after walking for miles. Where does the name ‘Porridge & Cream’ come from? Cat Deerborn is a character in Susan Hill’s ‘Simon Serrailler’ detective series. Cat is a hard-worked GP, a widow with two children and she struggles from day-to-day. One night, after a particularly difficult day, she needs something familiar to read. From her bookshelf she selects ‘Love in A Cold Climate’ by Nancy Mitford. Do you have a favourite read which you return to again and again? If so, please send me a message here.
‘Heller with a Gun’ by Louis L’Amour[UK: Bantam]
Discover the ‘Porridge & Cream’ books of these authors:-
Jane Lambert
Carol Cooper
Shelley Weiner
And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Why does spy novelist Simon Fairfax re-read HELLER WITH A GUN by Louis L’Amour? #books https://wp.me/p5gEM4-3pw via @SandraDanby
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