Meantime: The gripping debut crime novel from Frankie Boyle

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Kind of bonkers, often funny, sometimes unexpectedly poignant, this is a murder mystery investigation the like of which I have definitely not read before. I have just finished this book so I thought I’d get my review written and posted now before I take myself off to bed. I’m very happy that my wife is also a fan of Boyle’s because I certainly said “Hey, can I read you this one part? There is a certain sincerity in pushing a joke too far, of getting to the point where there is an internal voice that says “that’s not funny anymore”. I don't think the plot was perfect but this novel is a great addition to Scottish Crime fiction - more Christopher Brookmyre than Val McDermaid - and I'm really looking forward to Frankie's next novel.

I can’t remember the last book I read where I laughed out loud so much, was fascinated by the odd and endearing characters and didn’t really mind what the plot was. He is later released and with the help of his Watson, Donnie, his downstairs neighbour undertake an investigation of their own.The novel is set in the aftermath of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and also explores Scotland's role in colonialism. Donnie drives Felix to meet Healing Hands charity workers that Marina volunteered with, but the pair aggravate Mary and Matt to the extent that a fight breaks out. However, some reviewers criticised the plot as unfocused and that some digressions are excessive or read like Boyle is directly expressing his thoughts.

Many Frankie Boyle-esque moments of social commentary, both barbed and not, litter the text, and whilst Felix may seem to be a complete waster, someone who would rather avoid life by sinking a few (dozen) valium, there is an astute mind there.As a recovering addict myself, the drug scenes, though comical, shine a light on how harrowing and chaotic dependence can be.

I gave up at 50 per cent and if there was 2 pages in all that lot that had the crime story in it, I'd be amazed. All said, a very strong debut novel which is eminently readable and enjoyable, packed full of every human emotion there is. To have the ability to convey feelings the way he did either suggests maybe his own past trauma or an incredibly special talent to relate to that level of loss on that deep of a level.Starts off the funniest noir - like a Glaswegian Big Lebowski - then takes you somewhere suddenly heartbreaking . The book, according to Dugdale, had elements of whodunit fiction and some content resembles a stand-up comedy monologue. This amount includes seller specified domestic postage charges as well as applicable international postage, dispatch, and other fees.