In the Red by Mark Tavener

by Mark Tavener

Runner-up for the P.G.Wodehouse Humour Prize, this is a novel about the ultimate bank manager disaster. Mark Andrew James decides to murder his bank manager and then extends it to bank managers throughout the country.

Genres: Humor

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Shabbeer Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Cragge, a curmudgeonly, quirky, quick-witted and alcoholic BBC Radio 4 crime reporter, who runs around London chasing a serial killer while dodging employee rules/regulations and disregarding proper behaviour at the office, in the name of "the old times weren't like this".

Much of the story revolves around the theme of a political satire with Stephen Fry as director of Radio 1, scheming to topple the leadership of BBC to become the top dog. The mystery which gets squeezed out from all of this is rather a copy of Christie's whodunits.

But the entire cast including Fry's spot-on narration and superb humour is what scores points here!

My Rating - 3.5/5

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened the radio series adaptation based on this book and the subsequent follow-ups. I had a hard time with them. They are supposed to be satirical but they edge into farce and parody. It leans too hard to disrespect government, media and society with little sympathy or affection...and I think this is where it goes wrong for me for Mark Tavener's work. I had a similar problem with his Absolute Power for the same reasons.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to in audio format.

In the Red has a stellar cast starring the late Michael Wood (husband of Dame Judi Dench), Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

George Cragge is the star crime reporter for BBC radio. George is soon investigating a serial killer who targets bank managers.

I liked George who was a old school journalist who at times broadcasted to the nation from the pub. He is loathed by his bosses for breaking all the rules in the newsroom. This was obviously written years ago because the economics reporter obtained his information from Ceefax.

I recommend this British satire.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anarchic BBC reporter George Cragge hunts a murderer of bank managers. Mark Tavener's comedy-thriller

[Janine Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good who dunit .