#9. A Character-Driven Novel – The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer (Paperback)

Many, many, moons ago, I was given the nickname Mad Bob. I worked with a girl called Vicky, who became a great friend until her untimely death. At the time Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer were starting to become household names, everyone at work would be talking about “Vic Reeves Big Night Out” on Channel 4 and so my mate and I became affectionately known as Vic and Bob! Many a happy hour after work was spent in the pub trilling the well-known catchphrases from the TV, so all these years later, when I heard Bob Mortimer had written a book, I knew it was something I would enjoy reading. I thought it was bound to have some unique and interesting  characters in it like the ones he makes up on the panel show “Would I lie to You?” and it would be a perfect fit for #9 on my reading list.

"Gary Thorn goes for a pint with a work acquaintance called Brendan. When Brendan leaves early, Gary meets a girl in the pub. He doesn't catch her name but falls for her anyway. After she leaves suddenly, all Gary has to remember her by is the book she was reading: The Satsuma Complex. But when Brendan goes missing, Gary needs to track down the girl he now calls Satsuma to get some answers. And so begins a quest, though the streets of South London, to finally bring some love and excitement into an unremarkable life…"

I honestly cannot believe Bob Mortimer has waited so long to pen a novel. I was worried that as a fan of Bob Mortimer, the book might not live up to my expectations, but I loved it. From the start I was laughing and looking at the world through the joyous eyes of this great comedian and I was genuinely sad when I finished the book and had to say goodbye to the character Gary Thorn.

In this tech savvy world where everyone has their face firmly attached to their smartphone, even when out for a walk in the countryside, Gary Thorn is living in the here and now:

“if I’m out and about I keep my head up and my mind stimulated by the sights and sounds around me: neighbours arguing (I might imagine it’s over the need to replace a washing machine filter); a broken window (I imagine it was smashed by a child manoeuvring an adult ladder); rust penetrating the wheel arches of a long abandoned car (I imagine the car has been dumped by a wine merchant who went nuts); dogs sharing an interest in a spillage (I imagine the dogs are called Zak Briefcase and Lengthy Parsnips).”

I think I’d like Gary. He is a solicitor, but one of little talent, who enjoys eating pies and going to the pub. It’s refreshing to meet someone with such an upbeat outlook on life, even if he does have imaginary conversations with a squirrel in the local park. I can’t say anything really, I talk to the squirrel who regularly visits my garden, and Mr and Mrs Dove, and of course I have many lengthy conversations with my cat. I’m still trying to work out if it’s the first signs of madness or an overactive imagination…although I have spoken to animals from a very early age, so…

All jokes aside, I was extremely impressed by Mortimer’s skill in filling a novel full of characters you genuinely care about; although the jury is out on Satsuma, I’m conflicted about whether I liked her or not. The descriptions about the people, the places and the things that happen are gloriously detailed, but not in a boring way, so you are transported to every scene as though watching a movie.

Gary meets his work colleague Brendan in the pub for a pint, but Brendan leaves suddenly, saying he’s taken a work call and must go. Gary’s attention moves to a girl in the pub who he is quickly smitten with, but without warning she disappears, leaving him alone with only the title of her book to remember her by.

I was hopeful as Gary and Satsuma conversed in the pub, and then crestfallen when she just disappeared, leaving him sat there all alone, but then not all is lost as he embarks on a mission to find her…or is it? Somehow, Gary has found himself in the middle of a crime ring and that Brendan has been murdered.

I did not think this book would have as many twists and turns and moments of real palpable joy and tension, but it did, it really is a book that brings pleasure to the reader. I found that I didn’t want to put the book down, but equally I didn’t want to race through it because then the thrill and anticipation of “what happens next” would be over.

Now I must be honest and say it’s not the best crime thriller novel I’ve ever read. It is a simple book, and I guessed where the mysterious item would be; but this book isn’t really about the mystery, it is more about the characters, and what a wonderful bunch of people he has created. Who wouldn’t love a neighbour that has a penchant for Battenburg?! It is a cake I fear gets overlooked by home bakers in favour of banana bread, and I’ve not seen it once make an appearance on an afternoon tea (of which I have sampled many up and down the country.) And Brendan…oh Brendan, how I wish we could have got to know you better, a man who not only likes a novelty sock, but is proud to show it off.

If you are a fan of a quirky novel this book should be right up your alley, because Mortimer’s surreal outlook on life defines the whole text. If you are a fan of Bob Mortimer, as hard as you try, you can’t help but read it with Bob’s voice in your head. (If you get the Audible version, you literally have Bob’s voice in your head!) If you are looking for a serious crime thriller with a scary criminal enterprise, then this book is probably not for you.

             

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Comedy, Humour, Crime, Contemporary Thriller, Drama

Release Date: 27^th October 2022

Publisher: Gallery UK

Pages: 299

 

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