The Hotel Avocado

Gary Thorn #2

by Bob Mortimer

Gary Thorn is struggling with a big decision. Should he stay in London, wallowing in the safety of his legal job in Peckham and eating pies with his next door neighbour, Grace and her dog Lassoo, or should he move to Brighton, where his girlfriend Emily is about to open The Hotel Avocado? Either way, he’d be letting someone down.
 
But sinister forces are gathering in a cloud of launderette scented-vape smoke, and the arrival of the mysterious Mr Sequence puts Gary in an even worse soon he might be dead.
 
All Gary wants is a happy life. But he also wants to be alive to enjoy it…
 
THE HILARIOUS AND GRIPPING NEW NOVEL BY NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR BOB MORTIMER

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Comedy, Crime, Humor, Contemporary

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Robert Renwick Mortimer is an English comedian, podcast presenter and actor. He is known for his work with Vic Reeves as part of their Vic and Bob comedy double act, and more recently the Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing series with comedian Paul Whitehouse. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mor...]

Reviews

[David Ronan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
As funny as The Satsuma Complex.
All I want now is for a book completely from the perspective of the squirell and the pigeon

[Katie-Jane Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but not nearly as good as the satsuma complex, Have a little think around that.

[Alex Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this as a physical copy, but at the recommendation of someone, moved to an audiobook around 20% of the way in.

It was a far more enjoyable experience, narrated by the fabulous cast of Bob Mortimer, Sally Phillips, Bob Whitehouse and Julie Maisey. It felt like I was listening to one of Bob's tall tales - and this had his typical deadpan humour, odd naming conventions and metaphorical buffoonery that makes him such a hilarious man.

But. And there is a but. It just wasn't a very good story. Not compared to the first. It lost a lot of it's charm, and I found specific actions from certain characters a little bit, well, shitty. It made me lose interest in characters that I'd liked up to this point in both the Hotel Avocado and The Satsuma Complex.

I appreciate that some things are just people being people and we are all flawed, but it left me with a bit of a salty taste in my mouth.

It's not bad, but not great. It left me feeling a little underwhelmed, but glad I'd tied up the story from the first book.

3.1/5.0

[Dan Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an absolute worshipper of Bob Mortimer but even so, I literally could not put this book down, I read it all in one day, only stopping to eat and do the occasional chore around the house.

The humour is unrelenting, I had to stop and wipe away tears more times than I can count. But on top of that, the story writing and plot development and TWISTS are majorly improved from the first book, which I also loved.

This is an incredible sequel and dare I say, and incredible book by a man who's mind should be studied by scientists. If you love BM, The Satsuma Complex, or just joy in general, please read both these books.

[iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book..

Lovely characters that Bob Mortimer has created, this was quite witty in places.
Ive read this the wrong way around, so next for me is to read the Satsuma complex.
I’ve given this book 4.25 stars, well worth the read.
Crime, suspense and witty, what more can we ask for ..
enjoy all if you want a good read.
There is swear words in this book.

[Cat Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this as much as the satsuma complex. I feel there a lot of build up then all rushed in the last 30 pages. I can’t say it is bad. I still enjoyed the read.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy going read really enjoyed it and kept me thinking what will happen in the end

[Chloë · Rating 4 out of 5]

One star alone for the descriptions of the vape smoke smell 😂

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s more of Bob in an avocado than there is in a satsuma.

A thoroughly enjoyable diversion from the real world, something which Mr Mortimer is a master at.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quirky enjoyable novel which Bob and co. narrates brilliantly. The sense of humour is there as always but this time I felt it lacked in suspense compared to the previous one but it more than made up for this in comedic form.
I loved the characters and I got to know them a little more, their backgrounds and their personalities really came through. Again it’s not an overly complicated read so it’s easy to follow and very addictive.
Another light hearted, fun read which is an excellent continuation of the Satsuma Complex.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This directly follows on from his first book, The Satsuma Complex, so you really need to have read that first to fully enjoy this book.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one; I was used to the odd writing style Bob has so it didn't throw me off as it did with the first one. I knew what to expect. Plus I was already quite fond of the protagonist Gary, his friend Grace and, of course, Lasso the dog.

The story was a tad convoluted and not groundbreaking by any means, but I think it's the unique style you would be coming back for with this author. If you enjoyed his debut novel you will most certainly enjoy this one.

[Gillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Emily and Gary have more chemistry with literally every other character than with each other

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun listen from Bob Mortimer 👌

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I picked up this book, I would read the title to the theme of Hotel California and spend my reading humming along.

As much as I would love to say that I loved this book, I cannot. I did enjoy it, and I did get through it quickly, but it was an average read for me.

As with The Satsuma Complex, I laughed throughout. Every page is dripping with Bob Mortimer humour, and the characters are so good together.

I found the plot a little too sparse and repetitive, and this was my main criticism. The whole plot centred around one thing and became a series of similar events and character interactions.

I would absolutely read another in the series. I love the characters. I enjoyed that it was a lighthearted read that kept me interested. I just want a bit more plump to my pigeon. A bit more feather in the wing. A bushier tail to my squirrel. As it were.

[Jen Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very silly book, and it’s extremely enjoyable. I’m not sure the story is quite as good as The Satsuma Complex (I guessed the ending pretty early on), but who can resist anything written by Bob?

[Becks · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely treat to drive around having Bob read me a story, viva tomatoes!

[Chelsea Sherridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

The Hotel Avocado - Bob Mortimer

Following on from the tales of The Satsuma Complex, Gary finds himself trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life after the chaos has finally begun to settle down. Torn between wanting to help his girlfriend Emily run her new hotel in Brighton and not wanting to abandon his neighbour Grace, all the while mysterious and potentially dangerous forces start to interfere which could put all of their lives at risk.

I’ve started to grow really fond of this little series that Bob Mortimer has given to us. It’s cosy, it’s silly, it’s fun, and so full of charm in every corner of the story. I listened to this on audiobook like I did with the first and it was such a fun listen whilst ever I have been driving. Narrated by Bob himself and Sally Phillips, these two take us on the journey of Gary and Emily, and our beloved neighbour Grace (and of course her dog, Lassoo). I’d grown a real connection with these characters after all they went through in book one, so seeing everything unfold again as this story progressed in The Hotel Avocado definitely had me feeling a little stressed. I especially just wanted to wrap Grace up because she has become my favourite character of them all and never fails to make me laugh and warm my heart with her rough around the edges, but loveable ways. The chemistry amongst our odd little cast only shines through again even stronger in this book and I loved watching their journey. At times, Gary could annoy me - but this is pretty much just his character. Often described as a ‘shit house’ by the rest of them, but still likeable despite his faults.

I’d recommend listening to these books on audio over reading them if you feel like trying them. The narration is really what brings the story to life for me and makes it even more enjoyable. This book is filled with Bob’s usual witticisms and charms and it really makes this story as loveable as it is. This series is probably as close to enjoying ‘crime’ novels as a genre that I’ll get. They lean more to the romantic/suspense filled/comedy side of things but I think this is what I like about it all.

It’s fun, it’s daft, it’s full of heart, and humour! 🥑

[Don Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, not as funny as The Satsuma Complex. Saw the ending coming a mile away but found it an enjoyable enough read overall.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re ever feeling glum, read the Hotel Avocado. Unlike its fruity counterpart, it delivers on sowing the seeds of a well-versed comedy and an intriguing drama. There’s nothing (and I mean it, nothing!) that this book does wrong or oversells. The characters are built up throughout the course of the book and the stakes are tangibly real for the protagonist and his girlfriend. The ending is satisfying. And all the loose ends are tied up in a neat little bow.

So yes, I must recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh or a wild ride. Sometimes you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Side note: watch out for the chapters narrated by the squirrel and pigeon. They are a joy to read.

[Rachel Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️The second installment so far of Bob Mortimers Gary Thorn series. Following on from the first book the story continues as Gary and Emily avade some not very nice characters in their quest to open and spotlight the Hotel Acacado. Filled with dry 'British' wit and humour as well as a rather observant pigeon, this is another humourful read containing characters to which you just want them to have 'a nice day off!'

🥑🐦🌊🍅🔫💸

[Jamie Summerfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really just a drag of a read, enjoyed the first book so much finished it in a few days and this one felt like a slog from start to finish. Really sad to say the humour got old and was just begging for absolutely anything to happen.

[Hannah McCullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great narration on Audible, plot was a bit woolly but has all the humour you’d expect from Bob. “You might want to think on that”

[Polly Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy satsuma complex but honestly couldn’t stop giggling or put this one down. Obviously it’s not actually a good book but I enjoyed 10/10

[Molly Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed but wasn’t as obsessed with it as Satsuma Complex

[Lucy Marley Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

God bless Bob Mortimer

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know whether I just wasn't in the right headspace for this one, but I found it annoyed me? The humour that I loved in The Satsuma Complex didn't even make me chuckle here; I thought certain character tropes were becoming repetitive; and I found the prologue misleading as to what the rest of the story would be about. But, it was an easy read and the final ~40 pages were quite exciting

[Nieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it even more than the Satsuma Complex.

[Ella Sezen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 bit too close to home to be an enjoyable read and also wasn’t funny? got better towards the end.

[Claire Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it , great follow up to Satuma Complex , really hope there’s a 3rd 🥰

[William Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hotel Avocado is an overall great read—very enjoyable and filled with the sharp comedy and engaging storytelling that fans of the series have come to love. It was nice to see familiar characters like Gary, Emily, and Grace return, adding a sense of continuity and nostalgia.

However, one aspect that felt lacking was the exploration of Gary and Emily’s relationship. Their dynamic was primarily discussed in the context of Emily’s six-month hip surgery recovery, rather than being fully experienced by the reader. Instead, the introduction of two new love interests, Roma and Pete, felt somewhat distasteful and distracting from the core relationship many were invested in.

Despite these shortcomings, the book excels in humor and literary quality, delivering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and well-crafted prose. The pacing, however, felt rushed towards the end, leaving some plot points underdeveloped.

Overall, Hotel Avocado is an enjoyable read that delivers on comedy and charm but could have benefited from a deeper focus on its central relationships and a more balanced pacing.