Brown Bread

by Pete Brassett

"Hilarious, unlike anything I've read before. I couldn't put this book down." Donald Heathcote

"If you liked the films The Ladykillers or Arsenic and Old Lace, you will love this book!" Damon Martin

"Deliciously dark comedy, blacker than the polish on a good inspector's boot." Susan Freeman

A hilarious dark comedy about a family who seem to get away with murder

Most families have a problem with their freezer at some point or other. So too the Benardinos. Yet their problem is of a very unusual nature. Despite running out of places to store the bodies of previous unwelcome guests, gin-soaked mother Virginia has organised a party to celebrate her fifty-fourth birthday. Will anyone get out alive?

BROWN BREAD is a laugh-out-loud light-hearted satirical take on a genre that the whole family can enjoy. Not literally of course!

Pete Brassett is also the author of the thrillers KISS THE GIRLS and THE WILDER SIDE OF CHAOS, the murder mystery PRAYER FOR THE DYING, the personal memoir YELLOW MAN and the heart-warming romance CLAM CHOWDER AT LAFAYETTE AND SPRING, all available on kindle.

Genres: Humor, Fiction

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2015

About the author

Pete Brassett is the author of the best-selling series of detective novels based in and around his native Scotland featuring James Munro and Charlie West.

Following the publication of his debut novel, 'Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring', Pete ventured into the world of crime fiction tackling issues like PTSD, religious scandal, and manic depression with the novels 'Kiss the Girls', 'Prayer for the Dying' and 'The Girl From Kilkenny', before moving onto subject matter a little closer to home.

The forging of the Munro and West relationship begins with a fractious encounter in east London where a dissolute West, struggling with personal problems and misogynistic colleagues, is mentored by Munro who, recognising her potential, hoodwinks her into joining him back in Scotland where she flourishes as a first-class, yet ultimately flawed, detective.

Reviews

[JR Simons]

Should be a Play

This novella is quite dialogue heavy and read more like a play than prose. In fact, if Brassett would like, I'd be happy to adapt it for the stage.

[Kathy]

Hilarious - a string of murders? Yes! Outrageously funny.

[David Caldwell]

Murder seems to run in the family. Naturally, if someone stumbles upon the body you hid in the freezer, you have to kill them too. But what happens when nosy people keep showing up and you run out of room in the freezer?

This short novella reminded me of a bizarre cross of the play/old movie Arsenic and Old Lace and the children's story about the old lady who swallowed the fly. Bodies continue to pile up as the family with a loose set of morals follow the easiest solution time after time. To offset the murders, the dialogue is fast and sharp.

Now, this story might not appeal to a lot of readers that are used to comedies of today that specializes in blatant humor, usually having to do with bodily functions, and foul language. This is a more subtle and intelligent play of words that can be missed if you aren't on the ball.

If you enjoyed old comedies like Arsenic and Old Lace or Harvey that are filled with an over the top story and lots of quick patter, this story is for you. If you prefer your humor in the form of drunken louts on reality TV, this story might be a little too advanced. It would make a hilarious stage play.

[R.L.]

First of all, I do get British humor and this was not funny, though I'm sure the author had a fun time writing it. I didn't like it because the characters were one-dimensional and the author never did develop them. They just killed without a thought and that was more disturbing than anything. I did watch "Arsenic and Old Lace" and it really wasn't like it at all. Yes, bumbling cops, yes, a lot of bodies piled up, but I grew bored of the repetition.

[PIETER]

Pete Brassett is an accomplished author. I believe I have now read all his books which is no mean feat because he is prolific. This book is listed as humor and I guess it is, there are funny bits. But it's essentially a far-fetched tale of a family that collects murders and bodies at an alarming rate. I learned that brown bread is rhyming slang for down dead. I'm now waiting for an addition to the Scottish Munro police mysteries.

[Trish Davis]

I love Pete Brassett as an author and can't get enough of D.I. Munro and co. However this was not that!! I really didn't find it as funny as it was advertised and was therefore disappointed as it appeared totally stupid but guess that's because I don't share the same sense of humour!! Would have liked to have given this a higher score but sadly couldn't.

[Jeni]

This was fast and ridiculous, with cringeworthy humour, and yet still ended up being fairly entertaining. Essentially it was like reading a farce. Amusing, but not nearly as 'exceptionally humorous' as the blurb would have you believe.

[J Davies]

Absolutely hilarious

I found this book gripping, inducing in me many out loud belly laughs. Yes, it is a satire, but the writing style made me feel I was watching a farce. It's hard to put down.

[Ed]

Bizarrely interesting

Quite a change from his police series but with the same vein of humour I daresay. The story was unusual, almost slapstick, but well written, for that style anyway. Is it satire or is Pete channeling Joe Orton?

[Pam Strachan]

I started this book thinking that I was reading a normal thriller, but it is a farce along the lines of Arsenic and Old Lace.

It was very well written and I enjoyed it. Very funny.

[Chelle]

I chuckled through this entire book. It's been awhile since a book has given me that reaction. Very much recommend!

[Nichole Campbell]

Fun light reading

[Lesley Russell]

Cant say anything about this did not enjoy what felt like a cobble together of ideas

[Hari Brandl]

Entertaining, but actually kind of silly, no point or narrative arc. I kind of like the somewhat old fashioned phrasing.

[Mary E Kilpatrick]

Sorry but I have loved other books!

Murder, murder. Murder....no mystery. Sorry it if I had read this book first I wouldn't keep reading this author. Go with Munro series.

[Chris Spencer]

Daft and brilliant

Amazing! A bit different from Charlie and James, but wow! Just mad and great! Humorous and murderous! With many a twist

[wally walter]

Very witty

[Petra Alma Peta]

Yet another snobbish character who can’t even distinguish between Lithuania and Latvia.

[June]

Brown Bread is murder wrapped up in great fun-think Arsenic and Old Lace. This story is light and comical, just a joy to read. What to do with all the bodies? Most families have a problem with their freezer at some point or other. So too the Benardinos. Yet their problem is of a very unusual nature. Despite running out of places to store the bodies of previous unwelcome guests, gin-soaked mother Virginia has organised a party to celebrate her fifty-fourth birthday. Will anyone get out alive? Treat yourself to this book and have a good laugh-out loud, even! I highly recommend this book!

[Marianna]

Another great book by Pete Brassett, like all of his books it is unique, slightly experimental, always daring and well written (On every other page I learn a new English word to add to my vocabulary).
Brown Bread is billed as a black comedy, but it is also a satire and a nice, disdainful study of the arrogance of the rich.

[Tammy]

Would make a great play!

This short story takes place entirely in one day at one place. The cast includes the homeowner Virginia and her son Harwood. It would work very well on the stage.

[Laura Calla]

What the hell did I just read?

I was a little confused when I first started reading this. Then I got it! It's pretty amusing actually. It's a very quick read, I was done in less than 3 hours.

[Erik Empson]

Tongue in cheek but laugh-out-loud funny this book really tickled me. A wicked sense of humour. One I will be reading again.

[Alicia Huxtable]

Hilarious! I have not read a book that has been so amusing as this one in a while. The mother/son dialogue is just priceless

[Jjamieson1]

Great murder mystery but also wickedly funny. Brassett is one hell of a writer.

[Gayle Kee]

Really...0 stars!

[Twyla]

First book that I ever read start to finish whilst in line at the bank. Took two and a half months. I did not find it humorous. The end.

[Teddi]

Good prose but not laugh out loud funny. I think id just call it silly