Quite Ugly One Morning ~Review

Synopsis: 

Yeah, yeah, the usual. A crime. A corpse. A killer. Heard it. Except this stiff happens to be a Ponsonby, scion of a venerable Edinburgh medical clan, and the manner of his death speaks of unspeakable things. Why is the body displayed like a slice of beef? How come his hands are digitally challenged? And if it’s not the corpse, what is that awful smell?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: 

I am seriously going to have to stop chatting to Graham Smith as he is costing me a fortune from all his author/book recommendations!  Mr Smith suggested that I may find Chris Brookmyre‘s writing style and characters right up my street, and I hate to say it…he may not have been wrong!

Set in Edinburgh, this book is full of a dry, dark wit that you are either going to love (Me! Me! Me!) or completely dislike (Booooo!) – a marmite sort of book you could say!  It oozes the grittiness of the gangland underworld, with deception, betrayal, murder most foul, revenge, gory violence and the search for justice seeping from the pages.

Although the synopsis is vague, it gives away enough to inform you what the storyline is and to be honest, I think reading the book is the best way to pick up the complexity, hilarity, dry wit and totally gripping context of what this book is about!

Now let’s talk characters! *rubs hands together excitedly* – For me, the characterisation is the best part of this book!  The author revealed the character’s personalities through descriptions from other characters!  I loved this. There are so many I can mention, each drawing me into the story for different reasons – but I will mention a few who really intrigued me, made me laugh or evoked another emotion as I turned the pages.

Jack Parlabane – bloody awesome!  He is clever, tenacious, deconstructs and deduces people & situations, has great banter, uses unorthodox methods and his skills…..they are intense!  Totally unrealistic but absolutely believable – I definitely want to know more about this guy.

OMFG Darren Mortlake!!  WTAF?!  This guy has got to be the most unfortunate guy there is out there!  He is friggin hilarious through his misfortune! And his logic?  OMFG! Is this guy for real?  Laughed my arse off!

Stephen Lime – seriously messed up! Basically an arse and I grew to really despise him! ha ha!  Jenny Dalziel– LOVED her.  Her dry wit is fab!  She has a nose for truth.  She and Parlabane bounce off each other perfectly!  Finally, Sarah – adore her!  Confident, determined but not wanting to stand out particularly – she inadvertantly makes her mark.

I know this is a somewhat vague review, but I really cannot say more without spoiling the unique, funny and absolutely CRAZINESS that is Quite Ugly One Morning!  Do I recommend you read this book?  Ab-so-friggin-lutely!  I am a huge fan of Mr Brookmyre now and have downloaded a few more of his books – I am only sorry it has taken me so long to discover his writing!

I suggest you head over to amazon and download this badboy!  You will not regret it!