Don’t Look Back in Ongar: The final book in the acclaimed bestselling Irish satire series

Ross O'Carroll-Kelly #24

by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly

'Ross is a national institution' Irish Times

'One of the funniest writers in the land' Irish Independent

* * *

'When the literary history of the twenty-first century is written, it will record that a cartoon rugger bugger stole the hearts of the Irish people' Sunday Times

In the twenty-seventh instalment of the best-selling Ross O'Carroll Kelly series, the nation's favourite upper class yob returns home from bonding with goys on the Camino to pandemonium.

His father is causing havoc in Áras an Uachtaráin, Sorcha still wants a divorce and Ronan has snubbed Harvard in favour of working for the dastardly Hennessy Coghlan-O'Hara. Our daring hero may have come home to catch a breath, but the real circus has only just begun . . .

It's like, 'Fooooooock!'

* * *

'I hope this series runs for decades' Belfast Telegraph

'An extraordinary run of sustained comedic excellence . . . brilliant' Irish Times

Genres: Fiction, Irish Literature, Comedy

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2024

About the author

Pseudonym for journalist Paul Howard.

Reviews

[Phil Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe the journey is over, like Oh! My! God!

Don't know what there is left to say about a series that never failed to deliver laughs and the odd tear every single time, except that I will sincerely miss my yearly trip to South Dublin. This book is a fitting send off to the Rossmeister General filled with suitable ends for the entire beloved ensemble cast.

Have a stick of Heinomite on me dude, you totally deserve it, and I mean totally roych?

[Sarah Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sniff. This is the last ever Ross O'Carroll Kelly novel. I've been reading these every August for so long that I thought I would always have a new one to read.

This was excellent. Hilarious, and lots of loose ends have been tied up.

Bravo Paul Howard, you created an icon.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will miss these characters so much.

[Cian Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually the perfect ending.

There’s been so many times throughout these books where Ross makes a decision and I’m internally shouting at the book, ‘what are you doing?’, but the last few chapters just made sense for his character.

Glad it all worked out for him. Sort of 😂

[Conor Tannam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daft, amusing and a fitting way to end a long running series.
These books will be missed!

[Michelle Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot believe this is the last Ross O'Carroll-Kelly book. I started reading these back when the first was published, 24 years ago. I've grown up with Ross! And probably met many a version of him growing up in South Dublin. Thanks for the laughs, it was definitely a highlight of my year reading the newest book.

[Serena Corr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loike oh my God I can't believe it's over. Brilliant as always.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true end of an era, I spent most of my teenage and college years reading the Ross O’Carroll Kelly books and always looked forward to a new instalment coming out. The cultural references are always so spot on even after all these years. My husband usually gets first dibs on the new copy, dives into it at which point I’ll hear random outbursts of laughter as he points out a funny line or reference to me, when I get to read it a day or two later I find myself doing the exact same- I love that we both find it so funny and honestly just an easy read, will definitely miss the series

[Anders Frisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the series and an attempt to close out any lose ends. Not sure if Howard wanted to go out on a high or whether the character might struggle to remain credible/tolerable in the modern era. The writings is as always exquisite and the timing of the humour as good as ever. Ross’s tribulations remained consistent to the end.
It will be interesting whether Howard will look to stay engaged in modern satire as there is nobody else out there like him with the ability to describe the pulse of the nation.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so sad to see the series end. If the series must end for now, I firmly believe Ross should make a comeback in a few years and let us know what's happening in his life, in the meantime, I'll have to route out all my copies of the previous books in the series and start to reread them.
Thanks, Paul Howard.
Re: This book, awesome as usual and a fitting end to a lot of characters' stories.

[Nicola Bardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've grown up with these books and loved and hated Ross over them all. Every time I read them I think get can't get worse, and he does, and yet I cheer him on, even as he cheats for the billionth time.

This was the perfect last book, the ending seems right for him. Cried several times, from Ronan's speech to Fionnuala throughout.

Fair focks Rosser!

[Sandra Donegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! As expected 😂 I can’t believe it’s over! 24 years of Ross has been some ride, if you’ll pardon the pun! 😂😂
If you haven’t read any of these books yet, I would say start from number 1, it will be worth it.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit emotional finishing this after reading the series since I was 11 years old. As always, this was full of hilarious little jokes perfectly tailored to its audience. The Rossmeister gets up to all sorts and it was nice that it contained references to some iconic moments from past books.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boohoohooo!

The time was right, there's only so many kids Ross and his clan could keep popping out. I can't really believe it's over, but ending it with life beginning for Ross was perfect. I'm happy with where we left the characters, but I will miss them all. Except the triplets. LOL.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this series for 24 years! Grew up with it and now it's finally over. Ross and I both survived. A big thanks to the author for always making me miss home while I lived away. satire at its finest.

[Matthew Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic series that I have thoroughly enjoyed throughout. The humour is great and the touch of deep emotion really makes this a great series. I am sad to see it end but it has ended in a touching and fitting way.

[Aaron Byrne]

Unreal !

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't believe that this is the end. I'm huge fan of the books and always have a smile on my face when reading them.

[Jacinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss Ross already.

[Éilis Treacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment.

[Patricia Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t look back in Onger by Ross O Carroll kelly. As usual there are no words. Last book in the series - will definitely miss the laughs

[Jennifer Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect ending for Ross.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant.. Full of laughs, what a pity Ross has no more adventures

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it's the last one. This series has been with me for my entire adult life, and - no lie - I'm gonna miss Ross.

Thank you, Paul. 🏆

[Roshin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't think I could love ROCK any more. End of an era 🙏🏽

[Tom M]

I'm going to miss you Ross, dude!
It's been a great, great time riding by you on the Stillorgan dualler for all these years.
I could almost cry, right?