Satsuma Complex

English language

Published 2023 by Simon & Schuster, Limited.

ISBN:
978-1-3985-2123-0
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3 stars (14 reviews)

3 editions

A decent debut

3 stars

I love a bit of Bob Mortimer, and this book contains his signature absurdist humour and gift for story telling.

That said, it's obvious this is a first foray into writing. It got a bit much / less funny as it continued in the same vein. It's a pretty standard comedy mystery, with some legitimately funny observational gems scattered throughout.

I'm looking forward to the next one which seems to have better reviews and I imagine doesn't suffer from the first-novel-itis.

Also, far too many sweats were got on.

A nice little fast paced crime story

4 stars

I got really into this. I don't think it's at all ground breaking, you won't be massively surprised by anything that happens and I suspect I will forget all about this relatively soon. However, the main point here is it was just really enjoyable to read, and I did do rather quickly which is usually a good sign. Recommend.

Review - Satsuma Complex

3 stars

My review of The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer has just been published at:

www.austcrimefiction.org/review/satsuma-complex-bob-mortimer

"... it's not a particularly bad outing, it's just not a standout, grab you by the throat, this is great stuff outing. And it's definitely going to be better if you can hear Mortimer's voice when Gary's on page. "

Not bad for a celeb author

3 stars

I'm always suspicious of celeb authors ... but then of course there's Richard Osman.

As for Mortimer he does an OK job to be honest. There's a slightly unlikely hero, a plausible plot, a twist which in truth I did see coming, and it all works out all right in the end so that's no bad thing. So yeah, worth a read.

A Comic, Holiday Read

3 stars

Bob Mortimer speaks my language - I grew up with his humour, catching Shooting Stars and Big Night Out, amongst others, in the evenings after school. I knew what I was in for, and it's exactly why I picked up the book - surreal humour.

But the book is actually pretty tame on this. The decision to make it 'book-like' might have limited Bob in this regard. In the end, you have a perfectly readable 'holiday book'; not too complex, easy to follow, enough to keep you going - but it never tested me as a reader, and it didn't stray into anything challenging.

As the book draws on, the surreal drops away to reveal a light plot - which held my attention to the end, but was only 'satisfying'.

All that being said, I enjoyed reading it! And there are some great little moments in here in which Bob's …

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Subjects

  • English literature