The Motor Car Affair

The second book in the Appleby & Hedges seriesEdward Appleby is a gentleman of leisure with a talent for "extensively resting" and a dangerous new ambition: he wants to drive. When he purchases a 1922 Hispano-Suiza H6B from the cash-strapped Bimbo Farquhar, he believes he's acquiring a ticket to a faster, more sophisticated life. What he actually acquires is a mechanical nightmare with a "weeping" oil seal and a gearbox that only cooperates on alternate Thursdays.Fortunately, Edward has Hedges.Hedges is more than a valet; he is a master of "organised attention" who operates a secret network of mechanics, solicitors, and informants to ensure Edward's life remains a series of successful decisions rather than a string of catastrophic events. As Edward navigates the treacherous waters of the London social scene-and the even more treacherous interest of the direct and purposeful Susannah Rivers-he begins to realize that the car isn't the only thing requiring expert management.From the quiet village greens of Wiltshire to the congested junctions of Piccadilly, The Motor Car Affair is a witty, light hearted comedy of manners about the distance between a man and his motor car. It is a story of learning to steer one's own life, the peculiar brilliance of the British servant, and the enduring truth that everything can be fixed - provided you have the right map and a very good man to hold it.