Haris Orkin's "You Only Live Once" is an absolute riot. In this blog, I mentioned a recent giveaway, where Orkin generously offered the book for free for a limited time. There are real gems hidden in those promotions, and this novel is undoubtedly one of them.
The narrative revolves around James Flynn, a remarkable individual boasting expertise in marksmanship, a black belt in karate, fluency in four languages, and a magnetic charm with women.
He's also a heavily medicated patient in a Los Angeles psychiatric hospital.
In Flynn's eccentric world, his locked ward is the secret headquarters of Her Majesty's Secret Service, and he believes himself to be a licensed-to-kill secret agent. His superior is none other than the head of the hospital, whom he refers to as "N." When N and his assistant Honeywell get fired, James interprets it as a nefarious kidnapping, prompting him to escape the hospital with the unwitting help of orderly Sancho.
Thus kicks off an adventure that's part Don Quixote, part James Bond. James's first mission is to rescue Dulcie, a nurse at the hospital who he believes is a kidnapped fellow agent. His escapades lead him to Dulcie's boyfriend's house, where he stumbles upon a bag of drug money. Seizing the opportunity, James walks away with the cash.
When Sancho encounters James again, the transformation is staggering. Clad in Armani and cruising in a new Aston Martin, all thanks to the recovered cash, James fits the role he’s imagined for himself.
The drug cartel, however, isn't pleased about their lost money, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase where James is determined to thwart the imagined plot he believes the cartel is hatching.
"You Only Live Once" is a rollercoaster of hilarity, with laugh-out-loud moments and masterfully crafted writing. I highly recommended for those seeking an entertaining and uproarious read.
Have you completed your set of Nicholas Foxe Adventures?
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