Quite Ugly One Morning

by Christopher Brookmyre

Book Overview

Quite Ugly One Morning is the book that made Christopher Brookmyre a star in his native Britain, establishing his distinctive, scabrously humorous style and breakneck, hell-for-leather narrative pacing. The novel that won the inaugural First Blood Award for the best debut crime novel in the United Kingdom is now available in America for the first time, and comic crime writing on this side of the Atlantic may never be the same. Quite Ugly One Morning...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802138616
• ISBN13: 9780802138613
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

For Those Considering the Audiobook Version....

I agree with previous reviewers regarding the story and the writing style. This is a terrific novel full of quick, funny dialogue and an excellent plot. The characters are fun, complex, and memorable. But my review pertains specifically to the audiobook, for anyone wondering how David Tennant does narrating this novel. In a word: EXQUISITE. Those who know David solely as The Doctor from Doctor Who are missing out on his enormous acting range. If you've never heard his audio work, you really need to check out all the stories he has narrated (and there have been many). David does wonderful accents without tripping over a single syllable, and his timing with the dialogue is perfect. He is not afraid to dive enthusiastically into the story and is highly engaging. I also love the musical bits in between chapters. It adds just the right tone and mood to the story. If you're wondering whether or not this will be a good purchase, wonder no more. If you enjoy audiobooks, you will not regret investing your money in the audio version of this story.

Upcoming British Star!

I believe this was Brookmyre's first book and got me hooked on his writing. For American readers, one word of advice: just schlog through the first chapter! He writes in Scottish-accent so the beginning might be difficult to get into, but, please please, persevere, it is worth it. I laughed out loud - laughed so much I started crying! I have passed the book around to several friends and they all loved it. The story is absolutely crazy and amusing. Brookmyre has written several new books, but I still like this one the best. It is so, in your face and you will never read anything like this again!

what a legend!!

yes, i bought this book cold on a one lazy (but not ugly) sunday morning ... and what a wonderful discovery i made. and everytime i visit that bookstore i look for Mr Brookmyre's next. and why? Any author whose characters revere early Chain (JMC for the uninformed) and can write about jobbies without blushing deserves my respect, admiration and money. well done Mr Brookmyre! [and by the way are you a relative of Mr Iain Banks? i've always wondered about that.] So troops do yourself a favour and get stuck into this. you'll never trust double glazing again :-)

The best in British fiction

Quite Ugly One Morning opens with quite possibly one of the funniest chapters ever written. This one is not for the faint hearted. It is highly irreverant, witty and downright naughty. A genuinely fast paced novel very much a roller coaster of detective sleuthing and dark comedy. Works well alongside works by Ian Banks and Colin Bateman.

Black humor at it's best

This is a story of murder and mayhem set in a mid 80's Edinburgh, Scotland. There are a variety of crooks varying from the stupid and brutal, to the more rich and sophisticated , both being chased to ground by an unlikely hero.The style of Brookmyre is very unusual and refreshing, and the overall tone of the book is one of Black humor- perhaps a combination of the Wilt novels and a good detective novel. This is a fun book, and highly recommended.