Customer Reviews

QUITE UGLY ONE MORNING

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first read Brookmyre in the Fresh Blood 2 anthology, where his story "Bampot Central" had me in stitches (the story is also posted on Brookmyre's website). I then read his book to be publishedin the US, "Not the End of the World," which is a fairly predictable Los Angeles-set thriller, suitable for a long rainy night or airplane, but little else. I thought I'd give him one more chance to wow me with this, his prize-winning first novel.

I have to say, I'm not sure what other reviewers are talking about when they throw out terms like "noir", "pulp", or "Irvine Welsh" when talking about this book. I mean, it is a crime story, and it is set in Edinburgh, and there are a (very) few Scottish idioms, but otherwise it's a pretty mainstream crime novel, heavily laced with humor. It's not noir at all, it's not Irvine Welsh at all (unless you think Irvine Welsh invented black humor), and it's only pulp in the Quentin Tarantino sense, which is to say, hip postmodern neo-pulp. There are some rather gory scenes at the beginning and end, but it's all handled with so much comedy and wisecracking that it's more cartoon show than horrorshow. Think Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiassen rather than Raymond Chandler or James M. Cain.

In any event, the story is a mostly enjoyable tale about corruption within the National Health Trust system. Hero investigative journalist Jack Parlabane literally stumbles into a cover-up murder and then teams up with a female cop and the murder victim's ex-wife to get to the bottom of it all. Fast-paced, with some memorable villains (the shell-suited hitman is a riot), and plenty of digs at Thatcheism and privatization schemes, it's a fun read with plenty of one-liners, but unlikely to make a lasting impression.

Quite Ugly One Morning opens with quite possibly one of the funniest chapters ever written. This one is not for the faint hearted. It is highly irreverant, witty and downright naughty. A genuinely fast paced novel very much a roller coaster of detective sleuthing and dark comedy. Works well alongside works by Ian Banks and Colin Bateman.

feel like an attack of the sniggers? read "quite ugly one morning" by christopher brookmyre, a scot who writes fabulous female characters. *have* to get more of his stuff. the book is peopled with credible characters. the hitman is a shellsuit-wearing doofus from cortina-land with poor impulse control called darren. just enough brains to be dangerous. but only just - priceless. a funky chick called sarah slaughter - a doctor, no less. and more. it's full of constant digs at thatcher and portillo and the national health service. never has a mutilated corpse been so funny. a balm to the soul.

Great tale of the underhanded financial coup of a wannabe Portillo (Aaargh), foiled by the collaboration of a pesky non standard threesome compiling lesbian cop, walking-dead-journalist and English born, pseudo Scottish anaesthatist. The brutality of several murders is tempered by humour that makes you splutter; and the tension as the plot thickens, darkens and finally becomes clear is all the better for avoiding the formulaic pitfalls of 'boy meets girl' having any relevance on the scene Brookmyre so diligently sets. Good fun. Worth an evening's dedicated read.

I agree with previous reviewers regarding the story and the writing style. This is a terrific novel full of quick, funny dialogue and an excellent plot. The characters are fun, complex, and memorable.

But my review pertains specifically to the audiobook, for anyone wondering how David Tennant does narrating this novel. In a word: EXQUISITE.

Those who know David solely as The Doctor from Doctor Who are missing out on his enormous acting range. If you've never heard his audio work, you really need to check out all the stories he has narrated (and there have been many).

David does wonderful accents without tripping over a single syllable, and his timing with the dialogue is perfect. He is not afraid to dive enthusiastically into the story and is highly engaging. I also love the musical bits in between chapters. It adds just the right tone and mood to the story.

If you're wondering whether or not this will be a good purchase, wonder no more. If you enjoy audiobooks, you will not regret investing your money in the audio version of this story.

I believe this was Brookmyre's first book and got me hooked on his writing. For American readers, one word of advice: just schlog through the first chapter! He writes in Scottish-accent so the beginning might be difficult to get into, but, please please, persevere, it is worth it. I laughed out loud - laughed so much I started crying! I have passed the book around to several friends and they all loved it. The story is absolutely crazy and amusing. Brookmyre has written several new books, but I still like this one the best. It is so, in your face and you will never read anything like this again!

Quite Ugly One Morning is a wickedly entertaining story but the memory of it fades away after you have finished it. Some stories you will remember forever and buy copies for your friends. Not this one. Worth a read/listen but I will only give it 3.5 stars.

A stubborn and brave investigative reporter Jack Parlabane comes along risks his life to expose the culprits and while he is at it, tries to solve a murder of a man who has two fingers one of each hand bitten off.

But there is an awful smell also??? How does he hid a dead dog from its owner who lives downstairs. The stench of the decaying dog overwhelms his appartment. He opens windows, covers his mouth with a BRUT drench hankerchief but the tench is still overwhelming. How does he hide the dead dog from its owner or get it past her always watching eyes.

The Narrator is excellent!!!! Love the accent!!!!!

Funny, crude, over the top, entertaining, are some of the first thoughts that popped in my head after finishing this debut novel.Endless greed and pathological selfishness of the New Era capitalists. And there comes stubborn and brave investigative reporter Jack Parlabane and risks his life to expose the culprits and while he is at it, solve a murder.
Its a fast paced, modern mystery that pulls no punches. It entertains us successfully but quickly fades away from our minds.

This is a story of murder and mayhem set in a mid 80's Edinburgh, Scotland. There are a variety of crooks varying from the stupid and brutal, to the more rich and sophisticated , both being chased to ground by an unlikely hero.The style of Brookmyre is very unusual and refreshing, and the overall tone of the book is one of Black humor- perhaps a combination of the Wilt novels and a good detective novel. This is a fun book, and highly recommended.

yes, i bought this book cold on a one lazy (but not ugly) sunday morning ... and what a wonderful discovery i made. and everytime i visit that bookstore i look for Mr Brookmyre's next. and why? Any author whose characters revere early Chain (JMC for the uninformed) and can write about jobbies without blushing deserves my respect, admiration and money. well done Mr Brookmyre! [and by the way are you a relative of Mr Iain Banks? i've always wondered about that.] So troops do yourself a favour and get stuck into this. you'll never trust double glazing again :-)