Under the Influence

Marc Notes: Originally published: London: Allison & Busby, 2000.; Showbiz hack Will Benson's life is at its lowest ebb as he recalls his halcyon days as a cub reporter on the Esher Herald. But the past comes flooding back as he learns that Henry, his hero, has a hot Vermeer painting on his hands and is on the run. Publisher Marketing: For Will Benson, life on "Theatre World "has its compensations, although they are mostly to be found in the nicely rounded shape of Kim, the chief sub-editor. But there are drawbacks, too: the Wednesday morning hangovers after the Tuesday night sessions at the typesetters; stroppy Martha, receptionist from hell; Colin the odious star reporter; having to review fat-headed avant-garde productions of Romeo and Juliet in smelly Cambden Town basements. And, of course, the death threats. Somewhere out there is Will's own personal psychotic, who is really very displeased with him, and pretty handy with a crossbow into the bargain. It's not all that easy to work out who it is, either, as the list of candidates starts to grow alarmingly. Does getting drunk and handing your girlfriend a few home truths really warrant this kind of reaction? Or stumbling on a loudmouth comic's dirty little secret? In his amateurish attempts to stay alive Will lumbers from posh West End crush bars to suburban roadhouses, where they hold Talent Nites and wet T-shirt contests, from the antiseptic pleasures of the Docklands Light Railway to the wild thrills of the Big Dipper, while Kim turns out to be helpful in all sorts of amusing and stimulating ways. Fast-paced and funny, with a vivid sense of place and sharply drawn characters, " I Nearly Died" is Charles Spencer's vastly entertaining debut novel. Contributor Bio:  Spencer, Charles Charles Spencer is a journalist who worked for The Surrey Daily Advertiser, London Evening Standard, The Stage and Television Today, before becoming the theatre critic of the Daily Telegraph.