Country of the Blind - Christopher Brookmyre

Following the adventures in Quite Ugly One Morning, we fast forward not so very long to find Parlabane living in domestic bliss and about to get hitched. As part of the engagement package, Parlabane has promised his soon-to-be-missus that he'll give up the, urm... more dangerous, dodgy and downright illegal parts of his investigative journalism career. Of course, that's before a former adversary of our hero is found in a plush stately home with his throat cut. The story takes up the aftermath of the death of powerful media tycoon, Roland Voss, who is found slaughtered along with his wife and bodyguards. The culprits seem obvious: the burglars caught fleeing ...  Read the complete review

Not as thrilling as some of Christopher Brookmyre's other books, especially One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night which is by far my favourite, but still well worth a read. The book brings back the character of investigative journalist Jack Parlabane who was first introduced in Brookmyre's first book, Quite Ugly One Morning. Other characters such as Jack's girlfriend, Sarah, and policewoman, Jenny, also feature again in this book. The story begins with the murder of a media mogul in his country house, apparently by a group of would-be thieves who are swiftly caught. Everyone is convinced that they are guilty but not Parlabane who sets about ...  Read the complete review

Nicole Carrow is a young solicitor in Glasgow who finds herself at the centre of a media storm after she defends four men accused of murdering a newspaper tycoon. Then she gets home to find a strange man in her flat who tells her that her life is in danger. Jack Parlabane is an investigative journalist who has been looking into Nicole's controversial case. He will protect her if she goes with him. Showing a surprising degree of trust, she consents. Luckily for her, Jack is a good guy. Unfortunately though, he's right about the danger, and the events which follow suggest his optimism could be misplaced. ...  Read the complete review

Country of the Blind is the second book by Christopher Brookmyre, and features the return of Jack Parlabane, investigative journalist extraordinaire. The book opens with the murder of a millionaire media tycoon, whilst at a country retreat in the highlands. Caught running from the scene of the crime are four burglars, found breaking into the retreat. Everyone is convinced of their guilt, except Jack Parlabane, and the rest of the book is a rollicking, roller-coaster ride of excitement. Featuring the ever sarcastic Jack Parlabane, his suffering wife, and many of the characters from the first book (Quite Ugly One Morning), this is a sharply observed, ...  Read the complete review