A Snowball in Hell [MP3 Audio] [CD-ROM]

Christopher Brookmyre (Author), Kenny Blyth (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

If society has the B-list celebrities it deserves, it now has a killer to match. Except that Simon Darcourt is a great deal more successful in his career choice than the average talent show contestant. He's also got the media taped - by the simple expedient of by-passing them completely and posting real-time coverage of his killings on the internet. He's got viewing figures to make the world's TV executives gasp in envy, and he's pulling the voyeuristic strings of every viewer by getting them to 'vote' to keep his captives alive. Angelique De Xavier, his previous nemesis, is drafted onto the police team trying to bring this one-man celebrity hate-fest to an end. But she can't do it alone, she needs the magical skills of her lover, only she doesn't know where Zal is and meanwhile a whole load of celebs are, literarly, dying to be famous. An intelligent satire, a thriller with exhilarating pace - Christopher Brookmyre at his best.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Dazzling comic skills' The Times 'Sharply satirical and poignantly funny, this is a gripping and highly entertaining read.' Time Out 'Chris Brookmyre is a genius.' Mirror 'Brookmyre has no equal.' Maxim 'Achingly funny' Sunday Times 'Exhilerating linguistic fluency and keenly subversive intelligence' Scotland on Sunday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• CD-ROM
• Publisher: ISIS Audio Books (January 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0753138778
• ISBN-13: 978-0753138779
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Serial killer targets celebrity airheads. What's not to like?, August 15, 2009

By 

Mrs Plum (Market Blandings) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Snowball in Hell (Audio Cassette)

I'm reviewing the book here, although this is technically the audio book, but I can't find the book for sale on Amazon.

This author was recommended to me by someone who thought I would like it because I am a P.G.Wodehouse fan looking for modern writers I might enjoy. Given that I rarely read modern novels, the first chapter or so was a complete culture shock. I can't say I was comfortable with it. Brookmyre bears no resemblance to Wodehouse whatsoever that I can see.

I did stick with it though, and found myself really enjoying it, right through to the end. I found Brookmyre's style and characters quite fascinating. Also, as I loathe celebrity culture and reality TV, I gleaned some satisfaction in seeing the vapid celebrity victims bumped off. I would not call this book funny or comedic, but it is satisfying in a wry sort of way.

In summary, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this particular genre. I certainly will be exploring more of Brookmyre's work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pop culture noir, January 24, 2011

By 

LS Jakab - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Snowball in Hell (Paperback)

I chanced upon this book in paperback while browsing through a bookstore in London and was hooked immediately. With its great monologues, warped villain, spot-on mockery of pop culture and clever plot twists, it was hard to put down. Unofficially described as "Tartan noir," Christopher Brookmyre's books make ample use of violence and gore and this one is no exception. I have since read several more and this is still one of my favorites (the other is Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks). I recommend reading A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away and The Sacred Art of Stealing before Sowball in Hell as they are both also very good and they introduce three of the main characters.