Book Review - Frank Derrick's Holiday of a Lifetime by J.B. Morrison - Paperback Summer

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Title: Frank Derrick's Holiday of a Lifetime

Author: J.B. Morrison

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Supplied review copy

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 4th June 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Frank Derrick is eighty-two. And apparently that makes him old. But he just doesn't feel old. Sure, his limbs ache, he can't sleep more than a few hours a night and it takes him a while to get going in the morning. But he's still Frank. A dad, a granddad, a friend to Bill the cat.

So when he receives a phone call from Los Angeles with news that his grown-up daughter's life is falling apart, his natural instinct is to drop everything to be with her. Unfortunately for Frank, that means using his life savings and putting himself in danger of losing his home. But then, Frank's never been one for long-term plans. He can sort out where he and Bill the cat will live when he's back.

And so Frank gets on a plane for the first time in his life. He was never much good at helping his daughter through crises when she was growing up. He left all that to his wife Sheila, who died nearly ten years ago. Now it's time to step up to his role of father to Beth. Joining forces with his determined granddaughter Laura, they begin The Reunion Project in an attempt to bring some happiness back into Beth's life and to bring the family back together again for one happy family holiday.

Filled with moments of great sadness, joy and humour Frank Derrick's Holiday of A Lifetime reminds us all to make the most of every day and to appreciate those closest to us.

This is a wonderful sequel to a fantastic first book. If you haven't read The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 then don't worry, this will work as a standalone book, but you will have missed out on an equally entertaining opener to the life of Frank Derrick. 

We rejoin Frank, as he receives a phone call from his daughter Beth, in LA.  She has some bad news for him, and all Frank wants to do is fly off to LA to be with her. However lack of funds is a general issue, especially for a man with very little financial sense. Luckily for him, his landlord offers him a cheque, to get him out of his home permanently. 

Frank being desperate to fly to LA, and not thinking through the inevitable consequences accepts, and soon his home is at risk, but he is able to prepare for a holiday, his first holiday in many years. 

Reading Frank's experiences at London Heathrow, and then on the plane, will be familiar to everyone. In fact the descriptions of Los Angeles, especially all the places used in the movies, will feel familiar to avid film watchers, but yet it is J.B. Morrison's unique voice, and the way he describes everything that adds the charm and humour to this book. 

It was lovely getting to know Beth, and her daughter Laura a lot better, especially as not much was known about them in the first book. To see Frank reignite his relationship with his family, while on holiday is heart-warming, and gives you a warm feeling inside. 

The story at is most basic level is very simple, but yet its because of that simplicity, that the author can layer on funny anecdotes, observations and witticisms. Even the simple act of Frank going out for a walk, before long, turns into the adventure of a life time for him, its amazing how incident packed a single walk can be. 

I am hoping this isn't the last we have seen of Frank Derrick, as I feel there are so many more adventures he could have, especially now he has a passport. Frank Derrick's Holiday of a Lifetime is incredibly entertaining, and a very fun book to read, I loved every second of it. 

Thank you to Natasha Harding for my review copy of this book. This was my honest opinion.