Graham Norton’s Holding - help please .

I’ve read the book and I’m not quite sure what you don’t understand. When you learn about the Sgt’s physical attributes, it all makes sense!

It’s the use of ‘ managed’. Should it be manage ? It doesn’t read smoothly to me. I’m being nit picky I suppose .
I thought there were several people on here who are very good at grammar and could tell me if it’s right or not?
It’s just a little thing but it’s driving me mad.

Now I’m re reading it , it seems correct. Now I’m certain I’m going mad. Sorry. It is a very long sentence though.
Do you think the book is worth a read It’s on special offer today .

Should be ‘manage’ - it’s a subjunctive. But most people have no idea how to use a subjunctive, and tend to use indicative mood past tense instead.

Thank you so much geekesse. I thought it should be ‘manage’ .

I used to be good at things like that but these days ...

Oh I see! I thought you meant that another word should have been in its place.

It’s a very light read. I enjoyed it, think it was a 99p Kindle buy. I wouldn’t pay any more than that, though.

I enjoyed the book very much. Worth a read. Graham Norton is a talented man

Enjoyed it too. Somewhat in the style of Maeve Binchy, I thought.

Do you read it in Graham's accent in your head? I do! ?

Hope not all the sentences are that long.

Agree it should be 'manage".

Quite possibly a Kindle-ism.

Stop being so picky and enjoy the read. If it’s all too much then close the book and choose another.

Did he leave a gap before every comma? Now that would get on my nerves.

No, Furret, that was my mistake. ?

No, 'managed' is correct.

It just means that Sergeant Collins could not run very fast, for whatever reason.

If youn think that manage is correct, then it should be 'should manage', not manage alone.

I think it’s managed -matches ‘committed’.

Oh for heavens sake!

Calistemon, incorrect. If it were expanded, the section in question might read “should a crime be committed, and should Sergeant Collins manage to apprehend the culprit, it would be very unlikely that the arrest had involved a pursuit on foot.”

The “should” is doing double duty here.

Just enjoy it

Or not, OP!!

For 99p you could afford to delete it.

99 pence is probably a good price for this author. Think he should stick to what he is good at, hosting radio and TV shows

Thanks everyone.