Step into the zany, thrilling world of Fitzroy Maclean Angel, where a trumpet-blowing, taxi-driving rogue navigates the wild streets of 1980s London with wit, luck, and a knack for trouble! Mike Ripley’s comedy thriller series is a delightful blend of humor and suspense, capturing the chaotic spirit of Thatcher-era Britain through the escapades of its lovable hero, Fitzroy Maclean Angel.
With a de-registered black cab named Armstrong and a cat called Springsteen, Angel is no ordinary protagonist. His adventures, filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists, offer a fresh take on the crime genre, earning the series two CWA Last Laugh Awards for its razor-sharp comedy.
How Fitzroy Maclean Angel Began
In 1988, Mike Ripley, a journalist and crime fiction critic, introduced Fitzroy Maclean Angel in Just Another Angel. Inspired by the gritty vibrancy of London and the picaresque charm of roguish heroes like Lovejoy, Ripley crafted a series that mixed laugh-out-loud humor with thrilling plots. His background as an archaeologist and love for British thrillers shaped Angel’s world, a place where luck often trumps skill, and every corner hides a new misadventure.
The Heart of Fitzroy Maclean Angel
The series kicks off with Just Another Angel (1988), where Angel meets a mysterious blonde, only to find himself chased by gangsters, a vengeful cop, and an Inland Revenue inspector. In Angel Touch (1989), he dives into an insider trading scam in the City, uncovering a deadly car crash that’s no accident. Angel Hunt (1990) sees Angel roped into a police investigation after a friend’s fatal fall through a skylight, tangling with animal rights activists with sinister motives. Lights, Camera, Angel (2001) takes him to Pinewood Studios, where he drives for a movie star amid a vampire film’s chaos.
Ripley’s series shines through its vivid 1980s London setting, a time of Thatcherism, Loadsamoney, and social upheaval. Themes of luck, loyalty, and survival weave through Angel’s misadventures, with his street-smart charm and eclectic crew—fashion designer wife Amy, quirky flatmates, and dodgy contacts—adding heart and hilarity. The blend of dark crime and slapstick comedy creates a tone that’s both gritty and gleefully anarchic, reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s early films.
Angel’s world is a love letter to London’s underbelly, from Hackney’s backstreets to the glitzy City. Ripley’s prose, often compared to a young Len Deighton, is packed with weird facts and witty banter, making each book a rollicking ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Why Fitzroy Maclean Angel Resonates
The Fitzroy Maclean Angel series carved a niche in crime fiction with its irreverent humor and vivid portrayal of 1980s Britain. Fans adore Angel’s relatability—a hustler just trying to get by in a chaotic world—and the series’ ability to balance dark themes with laugh-out-loud moments. Its influence echoes in modern British crime comedies, and Ripley’s work as a critic and editor has kept the series’ spirit alive, introducing new readers to its charm.
Despite its cult status, the series’ reissues by Telos Publishing have sparked renewed interest, proving Angel’s timeless appeal. For those craving a break from gritty noir or formulaic mysteries, Angel’s adventures offer a refreshing, rollicking escape.
- First Book: Just Another Angel (1988)
- Total Books: 15
- Awards: CWA Last Laugh Awards for Angel Touch and Angels in Arms
- Setting: 1980s–1990s London
Grab Just Another Angel and dive into Fitzroy Maclean Angel’s wild, witty world of comedy thrillers—you’ll be hooked by the first trumpet note!