MONSIEUR PAMPLEMOUSSE ALOFT

by Michael Bond ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1989

A frivilous fifth romp for Clouseau-like Aristide Pamplemousse, ex-Suret‚, and his four-legged sidekick Pommes Frites, who are now sent to Britanny, under orders of Le Guide's Directeur, to find a suitable caterer for the inaugural flight of a dirigible carrying both French and English heads of state. In quick order, Aristide is nearly run over by a pack of nuns, given a lift by Yasmin the trapeze artist, harassed by her roustabout lover, while idly photographing the circus personnel, as well as the terrain as viewed from inside the dirigible. Then the Directeur arrives, Yasmin falls from the trapeze in a suspicious accident, and a certain Mr. Picketing flits by in various disguises (dropping hints--which Aristide mostly disregards--that trouble's afoot/aloft). Many meals later, Pamplemousse pinpoints the terrorist, Pommes Frites locates his weapons cache, and the skies over Brittany are safe again. As usual, it doesn't pay to examine Bond's plot too closely--it's about as substantial as junk food. The fun is in the absurdities that Pamplemousse and his pooch get up to, and the lip-smacking meals they munch on. But this time, the flavor's gone, the romp is heavy-going. And, alas, not worthy of the two crossed snails rampant that Le Guide awards for commendable endeavors.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Ballantine

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1989

Categories: FICTION