Someone is trying to blackmail theatre owner Fluster Varmint. Tucka Merslin wants to own the theatre and she has teamed up with the shifty Corpius Crounce, also known as Magner Wooliun, expecting he can make this happen and make it happen fast. First of all, though, she needs the famous actress, Nurella Pinch, declared dead. Hermux is employed by Fluster, under the pretence of installing alarm clocks in the theatre dressing rooms, but really he is supposed to solve the blackmail mystery and Fluster has also asked him to design the set for the next big show - The Silver Jubilee Spectactular. As you might expect there are also many other interesting and shifty characters you will meet along the way.
How wonderful to spend an afternoon in the company of Hermux Tantamoq and his friends. No time like Showtime is the third book in the Hermux Tatamoq adventure series and it did not disappoint. The action just races along and I continue to enjoy the delicious food (donuts), character names and plot twists. In this instalment Terfle has a staring role too. I adore little Terfle.
" ... a great choice for families to share" Kirkus
At the start of the first book from the series, Time stops for no Mouse, when Linka Perflinger enters the clock shop owned by Hermux Tantamoq. it is easy to see straight away that Hermux is in love. Michael Hoeye keeps his readers in suspense through the whole series waiting for Hermux to find enough courage to declare his love for Linka. And of course we all hope Linka will reciprocate his love.
"They looked at each other for a long time, not saying a word. Linka's fur gave off the nicest smell. ... Linka closed her eyes. He leaned forward. She leaned forward. Their noses were almost touching. It seemed that his dream was about to come true. Just then a taxi gave a long, rude honk. Hermux's dream of romance evaporated." (page 30)
At times it feels as though Michael Hoeye was working from little models. His descriptions of the shop and theatre are just perfect.
"He registered the sales counter with its three heights to accommodate Hermux's customers who came in a variety of sizes. The neat glass cases were filled with watches and wooden shelves crowded with clocks lined the walls"
The fashion descriptions these books are also something I also thoroughly enjoy:
Brinx Lotelle - action film director: He "was a rugged-looking mouse. He wore threadbare jeans and a motorcycle jacket. He had a handsome, narrow face and extremely short, clipped whiskers. His ears were shaved. One of them was tattooed and it looked like the other one was pierced with a ring."
Hermux: He "got up early and dressed carefully for his first day in court. He wore a bright yellow shirt, his orange daisy necktie, his pink-and-red plaid vest and his blue corduroy suit with brass buttons."
The next book on my huge reading pile is the final one in the series - Time to smell the Roses. I have every hope Hermux and Linka will finally be united in love. It is so sad that all of these books are now out of print but I do suggest you try to find the whole series. I found my copies in a well stocked school library:
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