The Satsuma Complex Paperback – 25 May 2023

This book is an absolute belter! Couldn’t put it down. It’s not only bloody hilarious but the story is written perfectly and so incredibly intriguing. I’m hooked and ordered all bobs books!

The author Bob is a good raconteur and this book is written in a similar style. After a bright beginning it sags a little then perks up again. It is written with humour, an easy read with a not too complicated plot. If you don't know of the author you can search his name on YouTube for his many (Briitish) TV appearances. I will be reading his second book soon.

Is it a crime thriller? Is it a romance? Is it an ode to Battenburg cakes? Well, yes, I suppose so, sort of. Sometimes gripping, often a chuckle, occasionally bizarre and never sloppy. You never quite know what's coming next, though it will probably involve an imaginary conversation with a squirrel somewhere down the line. Don't analyse it or categorise it. Just enjoy it!

I read this as a palette cleanser between books because I needed something to read quickly before the release date of another book and it did the trick just nicely. It's a nice little book, it was easy to read and had likeable central characters, there was nothing too taxing with this, the plot plodded along nicely with the mystery slowly unravelling as the story progressed and it all tied up quite neatly at the end.There have been comparisons drawn between this book and Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series and having read both they don't really compare. They are similar in the sense that there is mystery in the plotline that is being solved but the comparisons stop there, I also feel if you were to compare the two then Richard's plotlines and character development are far superior. Bob has a unique sense of humour which he is well known for and I think that fans of his comedy work would enjoy the humour within this book as it is his usual style. It didn't really land that well with me but thats a personal preference, particularly towards the beginning of the book it felt like it was trying a bit hard to be quirky but that did settle down as the book progressed.It's such a small irritant but for some reason when the characters kept referring to the corn on the cob memory stick as the corn cob memory stick it made me irrationally annoyed. It's not a big thing but it kept being said and every time it annoyed me a little more. I fully get that this is on me and definitely not a reason to not read this book and I'm probably the only person annoyed by this.It was an enjoyable read and I would like to read future fictional offerings from Bob.

I bought this book just before heading away on holiday, and decided to read it on the holiday. I loved everything about this book - the characters, the setting and the storyline. I laughed and I was anxious about what the outcome would be for our hapless hero Gary. I had already read Bob's autobiography and enjoyed it, so thought I would check out his first novel. I am looking forward to reading the sequel. I would like to meet Bob for a pint and say thanks for doing what he does best - making us laugh.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it wasn't that. It was fabulous, weird, witty, clever and had you turning the page to find out more and what happens next. Looking forward to reading the next one now.

The first book I’ve read of Bob Mortimer’s, but thoroughly enjoyed it. A lighthearted comedy mystery with a touch of surrealism thrown in, as the main character Gary, holds several two way conversations with a squirrel.

Great book I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could hear Bob Mortimers voice as I was reading it. So funny in places had to laugh out loud. I’ve ordered the follow on ……