THE FIVE MILLION DOLLAR PRINCE

by Michael Butterworth ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1986

Another far-fetched but endearing comedy-scam from inventive British suspense-clown Butterworth--not as entrancing as X Marks the Spot, but wryly amusing nonetheless. The unlikely heroes here are an odd couple of con men: Horace Bunbury, a one-time Oxford scholar brought to virtual bum-hood via a broken heart, booze, and poor performance as a London tourguide; and suave Thomas O'Leary, a more professional sort of crook, ""late of the Irish Guards."" Teaming up, Bunbury and O'Leary decide--ludicrous as it may seem--to sell the massive, hideous Albert Memorial to George Sawtry, a rich, oafish Texan, in London on his honeymoon with wife #7, the former DesirÉe Hofmayer. Ridiculous? Perhaps. But the real complications set in after Sawtry is persuaded to pay $5 million for the Memorial at an elaborately faked-up auction. The con men's scheme for cashing the $5-million check goes awry; Sawtry starts insisting on immediate delivery; and Mrs. Sawtry, no fool, sees through the seam and blackmails the con men into joining in a murder plot. . .one that doesn't quite go as planned. Despite the dated rich-Texan stereotype and the basic implausibility: engaging, tongue-in-check capering--given some welcome warmth by Bunbury's guilt-ridden romance with one of the con artists' many (minor) victims.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION