BARRY Lee is a smart-alec. I didn't expect to like him but, by the end of the first page, I did.

Barry is a chancer, the sort of loveable rogue epitomised by Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, while his wife, Lola, is his soul-mate, the love of his life.

She shares his somewhat cavalier attitude to the law and when another scam fails and they are completely broke, the two come up with a cunning plan -- to fake Barry's accidental death and collect 600,000 dollars insurance money.

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

The 'death' takes place in Lola's native Guerrera, Barry doesn't speak the language and some hilarious scenes follow as he attempts to blend into the background until his new identity can be established.

Then, to make matters worse, some of her many cousins discover the deception, decide that they are entitled to a share of the fortune and that it would be financially expedient for Barry's death to become permanent.

The story sees Barry escaping from one situation only to find himself in deeper and deeper trouble, with Westlake's fast-paced thriller moving slickly from scene to scene (and disaster to disaster).

The characters are utterly believable, from the hapless Barry to Maria, the enigmatic artist, and the ham-fisted cousins, while the atmosphere is vividly brought to life -- you almost feel as if you're really there, sounds, smells and all, as you leap from scene to scene.

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

One to savour and all in all, a thoroughly good read.

The Scared Stiff by Donald E Westlake (Orion, £17.99)