Whether you’ve read any of Jasper Fforde’s other books or not, try this one. Imagine Chandler’s Philip Marlowe investigating the theft of Little Bo Peep’s sheep and you might be somewhere in the right ball park. Don’t worry that the nursery rhyme characters might be a little twee. Jack Spratt, detective and his side-kick Mary Mary are up for anything and they usually find it. I found this book very funny – a book you want to talk about and share with friends.
View The Big Over Easy
I found this a genuinely funny crime novel, in which a Bavarian Mma Ramotswe meets Commissario Montalbano. A perfect feel good read, especially recommended for older women (like me) not yet ready to give up on romance.
View Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions
Feeling like a rather racy young adult story, this paranormal urban fantasy is modern, funny and, sometimes, faintly ridiculous! Vampires and Celtic gods run amok in Liverpool and, of course, the fate of humanity rests on one woman’s shoulders!
View Dark Vision
Welcome to the Wild West and a cast of the usual suspects - settlers, famous outlaws and lawmen, whores and conmen inhabit these pages. But forget Little House on the Prairie, or Gunfight at the OK Corral; you’ll meet the Deadwood stage, but don't expect Doris Day to be on board. This life story of the hapless Wilbur McCrum, an engaging narrator and failed outlaw on the run, presents the Western in a new and comic light. Hugely enjoyable.
View The Swansong of Wilbur McCrum
In the Bollywood romantic cricket genre, you always know that the unassuming girl (junior advertising rep Zoya) will find her prince (Indian World Series captain) and that India (in spite of their well-deserved reputation for losing) will win the 2011 World Cup. Just enjoy the delightful, tongue-in-chic romp with a full cast of poseurs and hunks.
View The Zoya Factor
We're in 1980's Belfast the but the only terrorist in this story has literary revenge in mind. A really funny tale about growing up after University, outwitting the hands that feed you (aka Arts Council minions), the city's 'arts' scene, a poetical scam and a giant rabbit. Poetry lovers may be shocked but if you're a biscuit connoisseur this book is for you. A warning though, you may never want to drink milk again.
View Jammy Dodger
This is a delightful little book, I enjoyed it so much. Who could have thought that the adventures of a hat could be so amusing and thought provoking?
View The President's Hat
The narration of each poem creates a little universe of its own. Idiosyncratic ways of looking at things, unexpected personification of objects, long lists that start mundane and end surreal - all add up to an entertaining read. You don't have to be familiar with Stendhal's work but it might add to your reading of this book if you are.
View The Age of Cardboard and String
What might happen if professional historians were sent back in time to check that ideas regarding say William I's coronation are accurate? With strict instructions not to change anything of course. These short stories provide witty, often unexpected but completely plausible suggestions about, for example, what to swap with an Ancient Egyptian in order to get back a Glock - as well as fascinating and, to me, little known historical facts.
View The Long and Short of It
More twists than a tornado! The language weaves you into an African adventure of love, sex and war ... with a little fantasy twirled in for good measure. The passions run high and yet the end leaves you questioning whether you are happy or sad.
View Pandora in the CongoYou won’t find the biggest bestsellers on Whichbook as everyone knows about them already. But you can use your enjoyment of a current bestseller to see titles with a similar mood that you might try next.
