Trigger warning, some reference to police corruption and domestic violence below
Just finished Bob Mortimer’s debut, The Satsuma Complex! If you loved Vic and Bob’s chaotic comedy (raises hand!), this is a must-read.
Before diving in, I wondered: Would the author’s Laurel and Hardy meets Salvador Dali comedy translate well to a novel? Or would this book be another entry in the “celebrity writes a novel” craze?
The good news is this is a surprising page-turner that’s equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly deep.
And Mortimer’s surrealism translates beautifully to the page. Talking squirrels? Check! Battenberg cake obsession? Double check! But woven into this quirky world is a compelling mystery with a dark underbelly: police corruption and domestic abuse.
There’s also a heartwarming message about supporting your neighbours – you never know what someone might be going through.
A few minor quibbles:
Occasionally veers into stereotypical tropes (e.g., “guy meets girl”).
Character descriptions sometimes focus on physical details like hair, especially focused on the female characters.
Casual violence might be a turn-off for some (not a fan myself).
Overall, a wildly entertaining read! Imagine Raymond Chandler meets Monty Python. I’m intrigued by the prospect of the sequel as I’d be willing to catch up with Gary, Grace, and Emily again! ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
The World Outside the Window 