I was wondering why the daftness of Thuggery isn't as annoying as the daftness of this plot.
I think for one thing in Thuggery they find themselves involved despite themselves, by accident of events. They have to do something - that's not true here. For another, it's only the younger ones, Patrick, Peter and Lawrie, who get involved (even sensible Nicola is excluded). It all happens in a day, so no time for second thoughts. And they are broadly on the side of the law, in trying to bust a drugs' gang, even if they do end up breaking it in other ways. (But then I'm one of those rare Thuggery fans.)
That said, I'm enjoying RAH more than I expected (I really disliked it last time I read it) and I don't think it's fair to say that the Marlows are presented as straightforwardly heroic - though that's a discussion for future chapters.
Re: A Miranda moment.
I think for one thing in Thuggery they find themselves involved despite themselves, by accident of events. They have to do something - that's not true here. For another, it's only the younger ones, Patrick, Peter and Lawrie, who get involved (even sensible Nicola is excluded). It all happens in a day, so no time for second thoughts. And they are broadly on the side of the law, in trying to bust a drugs' gang, even if they do end up breaking it in other ways. (But then I'm one of those rare Thuggery fans.)
That said, I'm enjoying RAH more than I expected (I really disliked it last time I read it) and I don't think it's fair to say that the Marlows are presented as straightforwardly heroic - though that's a discussion for future chapters.