Bob Mortimer is one of Britain’s funniest comedians and his novel THE SATSUMA COMPLEX (Simon and Schuster 2022) is a cosy, witty crime drama that is easy to read, and keeps up a steady pace with dashes of mystery, romance, self-deprecation, police inanities, quirky characters and absurd situations.
The narrator Gary Thorn goes for a drink one afternoon with a work acquaintance, Brendan, who leaves early, allowing Gary to start chatting with a girl in the pub who he quite fancies. She disappears without so much as a goodbye and all Gary is left with is the book she was reading, The Satsuma Complex. But then Brendan goes missing, and Gary must find the girl to find out what happened to Brendan.
Having up until now lived a thoroughly unremarkable life, Gary begins a quest for the truth, which involves dangerous criminals, dodgy police, many pie shops, his eccentric older neighbour Grace, illegal activity and a password-encrypted USB that holds the key to everything. His life becomes anything but ordinary.
Mortimer’s trademark sharp wit and humour make this novel a funny, accessible, light read that is as sardonic and ironic as it is heartwarming and charming.