Barry is a chancer, a sort of loveable rogue, while his wife, Lola, is his soul-mate.

She shares his cavalier attitude to the law and when one more scam fails, the two come up with a cunning plan -- to fake Barry's accidental death and collect $600,000 insurance money.

You just know from the outset that something is going to go horribly wrong and sure enough it does, in spades.

With plenty of twists and turns to the plot, and a touch of comedy you'll be eagerly turning the page. One to savour.

JANE LEWIS