Past Mortem

I must say before the rest of this review that I listened to this on audio whilst I was at work and had no alternative - to all of you who enjoyed this book, please read Mark Billingham or Christopher Brookmyre they are good! The 'twist' was pretty obvious from the off, and the poor friend from years ago was well, probably a twisted ex of old bens, I used to think he was funny when I was 12, and that was the 80's, when I was at school, maybe he should have written about the 60's when he was there!

A cracking read (2/3 people found this helpful)

Ben Elton proves his immense status as prolific author amongst readers as this novel clearly indicates. Past Mortem is a fine blend of humour, sex and seriousness. The novel is written with such simplicity and really readable. The manner in which the novel is written entices you to the story. You are addicted to the book for long periods.

The main plot is about a series of murders that a ginger and midget inspector Newson and her attractive sergeant Natasha are assigned to solving. The parallel events to the novel includes the Friend Reunited website, in which Newson wants to rekindle old flames from his schooling days. The key question posed here is their a parallel link between the past and present. That will be all revealed in the novel.

Past Mortem is really intriguing and cracking read, which keeps you guessing and really absorbed in the story. Ben Elton is a wonderful author as this novel proves and I desire to read further novels by him.

Fantastic (1/1 people found this helpful)

I would give this more than 5 stars if I could! This was one of the best books I have ever read - it has humour, romance, and lots of tension. The plot and characterisation are spot on and the ending was completely unexpected - (I usually spot twists a mile off). The encounter between Ed and Helen was hilariously graphic, Ed and Natasha's relationship was brilliantly written. I'm currently working my way through all of Ben Elton's books - all are excellent (particularly Inconceivable), but Past Mortem just has the edge - a brilliant book.

Top Read (3/3 people found this helpful)

Ben Elton is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors, by quite simply writing highly, highly entertaining material such as this. I have never been an avid reader, but I bought this book on the off-chance that it might be amusing. And it was.

The storyline itself revolves around a very "Seven"-esque murder and the subsequent investigation. This is a very compelling read that kept me up for several nights, unable to put it down until the very end.

A very well thought-out plot, loads out-loud guffaws (the kind that get people staring at you on the bus) and many of those oh-so-poignant social observations that Elton is famous for; all the while actually managing to tackle a serious social problem without detracting from the importance of it.

I've never been over-enamoured with Ben Elton as a comedian, but he sure knows how to write!

fantastically entertaining. (3/4 people found this helpful)

this book really will have you either gripped or wetting yourself laughing until the very end. in usual ben elton style this book takes something that is madly popular at the time, in this case friends reunited, and really turns it on its head. as well as taking a swipe at friends reunited this is also a really clever detective novel with lots of twists and turns to the plot and some extremely strange murders. watch out for the really disturbing sex scenes though, i'm not sure if they're actually in there to further the plot or just to make us all wince. in short, if you like ben elton's novels then you will love this.

Ben Elton

Reader Reviews:

You cannot be serious!! (0/0 people found this helpful)

A cracking read (2/3 people found this helpful)

Fantastic (1/1 people found this helpful)

Top Read (3/3 people found this helpful)

fantastically entertaining. (3/4 people found this helpful)

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