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The Shroud of the Thwacker
In 1882 New York City, police chief Caleb Spencer, Evening Post reporter Liz Smith, and mayor Teddy Roosevelt try to unravel the mystery of the world's most bizarre serial killer, Jack the Jolly Thwacker, embarking on a wild chase through the streets of New York on the trail of a killer whose identity is revealed to modern-day comedian Chris Elliott, who joins the search courtesy of some time travel. Reprint.
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Chris Elliott
5 books6 followersThere is more than one author with this name. This profile is for the American actor, comedian and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 26, 2010
It's gonna be hard to give two craps about this book and review if the following do not apply to you:
--You have a mild crush on a balding man who used to write jokes for David Letterman.
--You read and had a violent reaction to Patricia Cornwell's Portrait Of A Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed, in which she pins the Whitechapel murders on a famous painter, using less hard proof than I use when I look at my nine cats, the hairball befouling the living room carpet and decide Wooster did it on the basis of his twitchy whiskers (actually, this is a mildly unfair assessment - if the wad of wet fur is white, it was undoubtedly Wooster).[
--You read and found interminable Caleb Carr's The Alienist.[
--You read and were largely ambivalent about The Da Vinci Code.
--You find puerile humor as hi-larious as I do.
--You embrace the ridiculous more than anyone else you know. Read the rest of the review here: http://ireadoddbooks.com/ire/shroud-o...
--You have a mild crush on a balding man who used to write jokes for David Letterman.
--You read and had a violent reaction to Patricia Cornwell's Portrait Of A Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed, in which she pins the Whitechapel murders on a famous painter, using less hard proof than I use when I look at my nine cats, the hairball befouling the living room carpet and decide Wooster did it on the basis of his twitchy whiskers (actually, this is a mildly unfair assessment - if the wad of wet fur is white, it was undoubtedly Wooster).[
--You read and found interminable Caleb Carr's The Alienist.[
--You read and were largely ambivalent about The Da Vinci Code.
--You find puerile humor as hi-larious as I do.
--You embrace the ridiculous more than anyone else you know. Read the rest of the review here: http://ireadoddbooks.com/ire/shroud-o...
August 9, 2010
The cover of the book promises something akin to Monty Python. I first heard of this book being promoted on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Stewbeef can do no wrong.
But this book is way wrong. Completely unfunny. And I've never liked Chris Elliot, so, honestly, I really should have known better. But I never expected it to be as bad as it was. It was almost as if Chris picked words randomly hoping that some cosmic mixture would produce humor. No. It was just random unfunny words. And page after page of them.
I would recommend this book to my worst enemies.
But this book is way wrong. Completely unfunny. And I've never liked Chris Elliot, so, honestly, I really should have known better. But I never expected it to be as bad as it was. It was almost as if Chris picked words randomly hoping that some cosmic mixture would produce humor. No. It was just random unfunny words. And page after page of them.
I would recommend this book to my worst enemies.
February 17, 2013
If you are a nine-year-old boy, with the attention span of a gnat, and a fondness for bodily-function jokes, random nonsensical statements, and a complete lack of taste or class, I recommend this book to you heartily. If you are anyone else, I strongly advise you to skip it!
I only made it to page 35 of this book, and frankly, I could have stopped on page eight, but wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, that's 15 minutes of my life that I can never get back, and someone should pay for that. Since the author is unlikely to recompense me for the shocking waste of good reading time I've been subjected to by his book, I'll take it out on my review.
This book is basically just a long, rambling series of random, childish and bad-taste statements and shock-value statements strung together purporting to be a story. Aside from the fact that Teddy Roosevelt is portrayed as a flatulent, moronic dope - which is kind of a cheap shot considering Roosevelt was by all accounts a pretty good mayor of New York - the number of adolescent boy cheap shots the author laces the book with are just tiring and annoying to anyone with a modicum of brain cells.
When I looked at the photo of the author in the back cover, I recognized him as the guy who's career as an actor consists of playing the stereotyped "stupid, disrespectful and offensive loser". If this book written by him is any indication, he apparently doesn't just PLAY an obnoxious jerk, he actually IS that character. The one thing I DID applaud in this book is the author - speaking as himself, being a character in the book as well as the author no self-importance there! - is when he says he's managed a career in the entertainment business despite having not discernable talent. On THAT - although on nothing else - the author and I agree fully.
The description suggests there is humour in this book. If so, it's well-hidden because I didn't see it. Mostly I was grimacing and rolling my eyes at the junvenile - and completely unsuccessful - attempt at cleverness.
Without question one of the worst books I've come across in a long time. Don't bother with this.
I only made it to page 35 of this book, and frankly, I could have stopped on page eight, but wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, that's 15 minutes of my life that I can never get back, and someone should pay for that. Since the author is unlikely to recompense me for the shocking waste of good reading time I've been subjected to by his book, I'll take it out on my review.
This book is basically just a long, rambling series of random, childish and bad-taste statements and shock-value statements strung together purporting to be a story. Aside from the fact that Teddy Roosevelt is portrayed as a flatulent, moronic dope - which is kind of a cheap shot considering Roosevelt was by all accounts a pretty good mayor of New York - the number of adolescent boy cheap shots the author laces the book with are just tiring and annoying to anyone with a modicum of brain cells.
When I looked at the photo of the author in the back cover, I recognized him as the guy who's career as an actor consists of playing the stereotyped "stupid, disrespectful and offensive loser". If this book written by him is any indication, he apparently doesn't just PLAY an obnoxious jerk, he actually IS that character. The one thing I DID applaud in this book is the author - speaking as himself, being a character in the book as well as the author no self-importance there! - is when he says he's managed a career in the entertainment business despite having not discernable talent. On THAT - although on nothing else - the author and I agree fully.
The description suggests there is humour in this book. If so, it's well-hidden because I didn't see it. Mostly I was grimacing and rolling my eyes at the junvenile - and completely unsuccessful - attempt at cleverness.
Without question one of the worst books I've come across in a long time. Don't bother with this.
August 5, 2007
I heard about this book on NPR, and the piece sounded quite funny. I liked Chris Elliot in a few of the things I'd seen him in, and thought I'd give this book a try. Sweet, merciful, tap-dancing heavens, this was a terrible mistake on my part. I had to force myself to finish this book like a child being forced to finish a plate full of lima beans. The dialogue was stilted, the humor was obtuse at best, and any semblance of a plot, dadaist, absurdist or otherwise, was non-existent. May God have mercy on the soul that green-lit this book.
July 9, 2008
This book is high-larious and pretty damn good. Besides every other line being a joke (We're talking jokes of Douglas Adams proportions here), the narrative itself is actually very interesting. In the midst of all the forth-wall breaks, off-the-wall jokes, and intentional historical inaccuracies, the story's plot twists are great (even *gasp* surprising at times) and everything plays out to an interesting conclusion. The story structure itself is pretty formulaic, but when the book itself jokes about that fact, you can't really hold that against it.
I re-iterate: High-larious.
I re-iterate: High-larious.
January 7, 2009
AWESOME!!!! Laughed my ass off the entire time :) I have been a huge fan of Chris Elliot since his David Letterman days in the 80's and was thrilled to discover he wrote another book (anyone remember Daddy's Boy?)
May 16, 2010
It's Chris Elliot...most people love him or hate him. This book is ridiculous and absurd in all the right ways as far as I'm concerned. If you don't find Elliot funny, you will hate this book. I love him.
July 17, 2008
This book SUCKED!
May 27, 2018
The book has some silly moments and is fast-paced: the author was obviously trying, with plot twists galore, surprises, social commentary, and bold personalities but the whole thing just fell flat. Like a one-winged bird flopping and flapping and unable to fly.
August 13, 2009
Humorous. Way better at the beginning when he's just using his amazing sense of humor to set the stage. The references and humor are top notch...at least, if you enjoyed 'Get a Life' and his character in "There's Something About Mary." However, once the plot gets going and things need to become a bit more internally consistent, as well as just move along faster, the humor falls by the wayside, and we're left with an overly unbelievable story and a fairly predictable "surprise" ending, which none-the-less was still fairly entertaining.
March 19, 2008
worst book EVER!!!
February 8, 2009
It's Chris Elliott. And like Chris Elliott, at times you love it at times you hate it but mostly, you find it mildly amusing
September 13, 2021
I love the fact that Chris Elliott did no research to write a parody about Jack the Ripper. Some of the funniest moments come from the endless string of anachronisms present in the story. People in the 1880s apparently already had mobile phones; it’s just that they were powered by rats running around a wheel. The book does eventually go down the path of time travel, which could explain some of these obvious mistakes, but it never does. And you’ll be too busy laughing to care.
The violence is all treated humorously as well. Victims are found with their intestines wrapped around their heads in the style of beehive hairdos. And while Elliott interjects frequently enough to describe his success and sexual prowess, it may be Teddy Roosevelt, with his nude portraits, illicit piercings, and bumbling antics who steals the show.
The whole thing maintains itself pretty well. Of course, it’s light hearted and screwball enough all the way through that there are no real stakes and none of it matters too much. Even so, it’s still fun.
The violence is all treated humorously as well. Victims are found with their intestines wrapped around their heads in the style of beehive hairdos. And while Elliott interjects frequently enough to describe his success and sexual prowess, it may be Teddy Roosevelt, with his nude portraits, illicit piercings, and bumbling antics who steals the show.
The whole thing maintains itself pretty well. Of course, it’s light hearted and screwball enough all the way through that there are no real stakes and none of it matters too much. Even so, it’s still fun.
March 1, 2020
Inspired silliness, not unlike Christopher Moore (Lamb, Fool, et al) for naughty shenanigan and wicked plot twists with a science fiction flavor. Elliott -- featured on many TV shows and movies, a full-grown child but capable of more serious acting too -- makes himself a character in this adventure set mainly in 1880s NYC, with lots of cameos from historical figures (like a ribald Teddy Roosevelt) and contemporaries (e.g. Yoko Ono). Lots of fun!
July 4, 2019
An eye-rolling jaunt through a ridiculous version of 19th century NY, starring Chris Elliott. I waffled between 1 and 3 stars, and finally settled on 3. If you can imagine Chris Elliott narrating aloud and giggling at his idiotic jokes the entire way, you'll probably enjoy it. It is easily the dumbest book I have ever kind of enjoyed in spite of all the groaning.
February 11, 2019
This was a crazy story that I can't remember. But I did read it.
May 19, 2020
As a comedy book, it’s a little insecure and overtopped, but it’s regularly funny and affable.
November 4, 2023
DNF. This was just a totally idiotic collection of I-don’t-know-what I’ve ever tried to read.
March 12, 2024
Odd and clever, but thought it would be funnier.
did-not-finish
February 20, 2022Yes, I picked the book up because I have been amused by Chris Elliott's television appearances. However, I read maybe 20 pages and said "ENOUGH!" While the premise was interesting, Elliott was all over the place in trying to set-up the story. I did not want to put the work in to figure out what was happening.
March 13, 2015
Yep. This book was pure Chris Elliott.
I always liked his comedy, especially the skits he used to do on Letterman or the role he had on Everyone Loves Raymond. This...was a bit much.
The book started out with a lot of promise. I loved this bit from the first paragraph: It was the year 1882, and New York City was caught in the grip of a serial murderer. His nightly forays into the shadowy streets hsd claimed the lives of four prostitutes, two women who looked like prostitutes, and, oddly enough, one cow (Bessie LeBlanc, who gave good milk in dark doorways at five bucks a cup.)
I ended up taking a break toward the middle of the book. It just seemed like the story was struggling and the author was trying oh so very hard.
The last third of the book went better, probably because I gave up trying to follow the story and just went along for the ride.
So, all in all, a good start but it didn't quite hold up.
I always liked his comedy, especially the skits he used to do on Letterman or the role he had on Everyone Loves Raymond. This...was a bit much.
The book started out with a lot of promise. I loved this bit from the first paragraph: It was the year 1882, and New York City was caught in the grip of a serial murderer. His nightly forays into the shadowy streets hsd claimed the lives of four prostitutes, two women who looked like prostitutes, and, oddly enough, one cow (Bessie LeBlanc, who gave good milk in dark doorways at five bucks a cup.)
I ended up taking a break toward the middle of the book. It just seemed like the story was struggling and the author was trying oh so very hard.
The last third of the book went better, probably because I gave up trying to follow the story and just went along for the ride.
So, all in all, a good start but it didn't quite hold up.
May 27, 2009
Chris Elliott, television and film writer, comic and actor, reads from and discusses his debut novel, The Shroud of the Thwacker.
Set in New York City in 1882, this hilarious story chronicles the adventures of Police Chief Caleb Spencer and his cohorts, Evening Post reporter Liz Smith and Mayor Teddy Roosevelt, as they unravel the mystery of the world's first serial killer, Jack the Jolly Thwacker.
We met Chris Elliott when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about The Shroud of the Thwacker here: http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=45
Set in New York City in 1882, this hilarious story chronicles the adventures of Police Chief Caleb Spencer and his cohorts, Evening Post reporter Liz Smith and Mayor Teddy Roosevelt, as they unravel the mystery of the world's first serial killer, Jack the Jolly Thwacker.
We met Chris Elliott when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about The Shroud of the Thwacker here: http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=45
August 20, 2011
When I first started reading this, I thought this was going to be one of the very few books that I never finish and have no intention of finishing. After the first three of four chapters chapters, I actually started to enjoy the book. I don't know if I started getting used to all the "olde timey" talk (or at least the author's take on it) or if the writing somehow got better. That being said, I was a little disappointed in the ending. I'm not sure if I missed something or what. I tried to reread a little of it but was still a little confused. I wasn't going to spend too much time on it. Overall, I thought it was a fun read, provided you willing to sit through a sloooowwww start.
July 16, 2009
I had a bit of trouble deciding what to rate this book. On the one hand, the portion of the book that takes place in the past is overly absurd and lame. On the other hand, the stuff that takes place in the present is laugh-out-loud funny. I chock this up to the fact that I find Elliott's brand of self-deprecating humor most enjoyable. I will say that the revelation of the mastermind behind this whole plot is an ingenious one, but I still can't bring myself to give this book more than two stars. Sorry, Chris. I loved Daddy's Boy, though.
January 5, 2014
This is probably one of the only books I have stopped reading before reaching the end. I read for two reasons... To learn something or to be entertained. This book fulfilled neither of these. Carl Hiaasan or Christopher Moore he is not. I know Mr. Elliott is a talented writer and actor but maybe his talent lies in the visual representation of his writing. This book was just silly and not in an entertaining or laugh out loud sort of way. And so I have decided after 69 pages that I will move on to something else.
October 29, 2008
Throughout the book Chris Elliott showed why he wrote for and starred in Saturday Night Live. The Shroud of the Thwacker was a very humorous and witty book. The story is very odd and at some points it was tough to understand why he would put a line somewhere in the book, but thats the genius of it. The book makes little sense while providing a lot of humor and that was the point. If you are looking for a good laugh The Shroud of the Thwacker is the right book for you.
May 14, 2009
Not a big fan of Chris Elliot-the comedian. However his book is hilarious so far.
Finished this book. It was actually pretty funny...inane, stupid, mindless and historically inaccurate. Chris Elliot pokes fun at himself and society in general. Not a bad book, not one to bring you to a deeper understanding of life or anything else, but sometimes all you really want is entertainment. This was entertaining.
Finished this book. It was actually pretty funny...inane, stupid, mindless and historically inaccurate. Chris Elliot pokes fun at himself and society in general. Not a bad book, not one to bring you to a deeper understanding of life or anything else, but sometimes all you really want is entertainment. This was entertaining.
March 22, 2012
The Shroud of the Thwacker is hilarious. You will be surprised how much you'll laugh throughout, even if you consider yourself a hard-hearted reader. The book gets tired in the last quarter but by that point you've laughed so much that you'll forgive Elliott's lack of talent.
He's a comedian, not a writer. Cut him some slack and give in to his good-natured attempt.
And did I say you will laugh? Because you will laugh.
He's a comedian, not a writer. Cut him some slack and give in to his good-natured attempt.
And did I say you will laugh? Because you will laugh.
August 12, 2007
Anyone who has enjoyed any of Caleb Carr's tripe or The DaVinci Code will hate this hi-larious send-up of historical and conspiracy-laced fiction. Those whose humorous tastes range from farts to turn-of-the-century political jokes will fully enjoy this masterpiece from Chris Elliot's diseased mind.
February 3, 2008
Not one of any substance, this book is fantastic for a light, silly read. I appreciate Elliot's humor and the liberties he took with portraying an 1882 New York City. More than that, I enjoyed his self-deprecating style. If you enjoy movies such as Airplane, you'll more than love this novel. Only if you like to read, of course.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews