Montmorency Series - Series - Montmorency On The Rocks

Montmorency On The Rocks

Five years after the first book ended, Montmorency, the ex-thief and liar, and Lord George Fox-Selwyn have long become established as undercover agents for the British Crown. Through their numerous dangerous exploits in the far reaches of war torn Europe, the two men have come to depend on each other for their sacred lives.

The book begins in the aftermath of dangerous intelligence gathering trip in Turkey, where George Fox-Selwyn has come to note that among fine art pieces and Turkish rugs, Montmorency has also picked up a strange Turkish drug.

By the time the agents return to London, Montmorency is deep in the throes of drug addiction. The drug has severely affected his character and influenced his judgment, frequently landing George Fox-Selwyn and himself in danger as well as leaking state secrets.

Elsewhere, Dr. Robert Farcett, accidentally kills one of his patients on the operating table in an unnecessary operation (gall bladder removal) in front of a live audience in an operating theater. Sickened that his ethics have been overshadowed by his ambition, Farcett resolves to leave his practice.

With Farcett about to give up medicine, and Montmorency near death from his drug addiction, Lord Fox-Selwyn decides that the only way to save them both is to reunite the two men once again.

George Fox-Selwyn invites his both Farcett and Montmorecy to his family castle in Scotland, owned by his brother Augustus Fox-Selwyn (Gus). By bringing both men to the open air of Scotland, He hopes that Farcett will be able to cure Montmorency of his addiction, and regain his own confidence in Medicine.

Arriving in Scotland's Glendarvie Castle, Montmorency suffers from severe withdrawal. Barely conscious, he is reintroduced to Farcett who helps rehabilitate him from the addiction. From Farcett's accounts on Prisoner 493 and George Fox-Selwyn's portrayal of Montmorency, the men begin to gain a complete picture of Montmorency's bizarre past.

As the three friends spend time in Scotland, the terrorist bombing of a London train station summons Lord Fox-Selwyn back to England. Too weak to travel, Montmorency joins Farcett in escorting a young maid named Morag from the castle to Tarimond, a remote island in the Scottish isles, following the death of her younger brother.

On the island of Tarimond, Doctor Farcett is mystified by an unknown agent that has been killing an entire generation of the island's children. Working with Maggie Goudie, the island's school teacher and midwife he tries to get to the heart of the mystery.

After a period of recovery, Montmorency and Farcett are summoned back to London by George Fox-Selwyn to assist in the increasingly urgent investigation.

The trio encounters Vi Evans, the daughter of Scarper's old land-lady, and finds her to be a key witness in the case. The lives of Scarper and Montmorency has intersected and Montmorency reveals to George Fox-Selwyn, Farcett and Vi his criminal past and bizarre background. Outside a second terrorist bombing takes place.

Through evidence provided by Vi and Scarper's skills the investigation comes to a close as the culprits are apprehended, and the Trio return to Tarimond with Vi for celebration.

Over the course of the adventure, the three men become close friends with Vi. The book ends with the announcement that Vi is pregnant.