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Confessions of a Crime Writer: A Laugh-out-loud Crime Satire
A budding crime writer, a death at a literary festival and a sardonic peek into the world of publishingHandsome, debonair Nigel Inchcock is a talented crime writer working on the next global bestselling thriller. Or so he believes. In his early thirties and still living with his ageing mother, his writing career is taking time to kick-start, hampered by his warped sense of self-belief. From attempting to woo literary agents and library assistants, to becoming a victim of his own research, we follow Nigel on his turbulent journey through the bewildering world of publication.
While attending a series crime writing festivals, Nigel befriends octogenarian author Edith Sparrow, after which his writing career takes an unusual turn. An accidental murder, the unintentional theft of a manuscript and the devious misuse of intellectual property leads to some unexpected publishing scandals that will change Nigel’s world.
While attending a series crime writing festivals, Nigel befriends octogenarian author Edith Sparrow, after which his writing career takes an unusual turn. An accidental murder, the unintentional theft of a manuscript and the devious misuse of intellectual property leads to some unexpected publishing scandals that will change Nigel’s world.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2026
I absolutely loved this one. Confessions of a Crime Writer is a witty, satirical mystery that had me laughing from beginning to end while still delivering a cleverly crafted story.
Nigel Inchcock is such a memorable main character. He’s a rather scrawny man with an ego far bigger than his achievements, completely convinced he’s destined to become the world’s greatest crime writer. His unwavering self-belief, despite everything constantly going wrong around him, creates so many hilarious moments. The irony woven throughout his journey is brilliantly done, making Nigel both exasperating and strangely endearing.
The publishing world setting adds another layer of humour, poking fun at literary festivals, aspiring authors and the industry itself. Beneath the comedy, though, there’s a well-plotted mystery that keeps the pages turning.
The ending was the perfect conclusion, cleverly bringing everything together in a way that felt both satisfying and true to the tone of the book. Looking back, all the pieces were there, making the final reveal even more enjoyable.
Nigel Inchcock is such a memorable main character. He’s a rather scrawny man with an ego far bigger than his achievements, completely convinced he’s destined to become the world’s greatest crime writer. His unwavering self-belief, despite everything constantly going wrong around him, creates so many hilarious moments. The irony woven throughout his journey is brilliantly done, making Nigel both exasperating and strangely endearing.
The publishing world setting adds another layer of humour, poking fun at literary festivals, aspiring authors and the industry itself. Beneath the comedy, though, there’s a well-plotted mystery that keeps the pages turning.
The ending was the perfect conclusion, cleverly bringing everything together in a way that felt both satisfying and true to the tone of the book. Looking back, all the pieces were there, making the final reveal even more enjoyable.
August 3, 2026
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for the invitation to participate in this blog tour. I have previously read two of Louise Mangos' books, so I was excited by the blurb for this one. If you pick up this novel, you can expect a fun, laugh-out-loud read that offers an entertaining glimpse into the world of publishing.
Louise Mangos has created an impressive, humour-filled story about a wannabe crime writer, an accidental murder, and the chaos surrounding a writers' festival. Along the way, she explores just how difficult it can be for aspiring authors to break into the publishing industry, while also highlighting how easily plagiarism can sometimes slip under the radar. Rather than tackling these themes in a serious way, she wraps them in plenty of wit and humour, making this an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Nigel Inchcock believes he is a gifted writer and is determined to publish the next great crime novel. He lives with his mum, is colour-blind, and, unfortunately, has a name that nobody seems able to take seriously. During a visit to a writers' festival, Nigel confronts a renowned publicist late one evening and accidentally kills him. In a desperate attempt to cover up his involvement, he leaves the festival early with copies of a manuscript that he believes is his own.
Although the story offers an amusing look behind the scenes of the publishing industry, it never takes itself too seriously. I loved the humour throughout, and the characters were absolutely delightful. Nigel's unwavering self-confidence shines through on every page, even as it becomes increasingly clear that he may be vastly overestimating both his talent and his situation. Watching him stumble from one predicament to the next made for some genuinely funny moments.
Edith Sparrow is an equally memorable character who nearly steals the spotlight from Nigel. With her speech impediment and the little dog she secretly sneaks into hotels, she adds another wonderful layer of comedy to the story. She quickly became one of my favourite characters, and I looked forward to every scene she appeared in.
Having now read three of Louise Mangos' books, I really appreciated how different this one was from her previous novels. It showcases her versatility as a writer while still delivering the engaging storytelling I have come to expect from her. This was a solid four-star read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted, entertaining mystery that is guaranteed to leave you smiling—and laughing out loud.
https://featzreviews.com/confessions-...
Louise Mangos has created an impressive, humour-filled story about a wannabe crime writer, an accidental murder, and the chaos surrounding a writers' festival. Along the way, she explores just how difficult it can be for aspiring authors to break into the publishing industry, while also highlighting how easily plagiarism can sometimes slip under the radar. Rather than tackling these themes in a serious way, she wraps them in plenty of wit and humour, making this an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Nigel Inchcock believes he is a gifted writer and is determined to publish the next great crime novel. He lives with his mum, is colour-blind, and, unfortunately, has a name that nobody seems able to take seriously. During a visit to a writers' festival, Nigel confronts a renowned publicist late one evening and accidentally kills him. In a desperate attempt to cover up his involvement, he leaves the festival early with copies of a manuscript that he believes is his own.
Although the story offers an amusing look behind the scenes of the publishing industry, it never takes itself too seriously. I loved the humour throughout, and the characters were absolutely delightful. Nigel's unwavering self-confidence shines through on every page, even as it becomes increasingly clear that he may be vastly overestimating both his talent and his situation. Watching him stumble from one predicament to the next made for some genuinely funny moments.
Edith Sparrow is an equally memorable character who nearly steals the spotlight from Nigel. With her speech impediment and the little dog she secretly sneaks into hotels, she adds another wonderful layer of comedy to the story. She quickly became one of my favourite characters, and I looked forward to every scene she appeared in.
Having now read three of Louise Mangos' books, I really appreciated how different this one was from her previous novels. It showcases her versatility as a writer while still delivering the engaging storytelling I have come to expect from her. This was a solid four-star read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted, entertaining mystery that is guaranteed to leave you smiling—and laughing out loud.
https://featzreviews.com/confessions-...
August 4, 2026
I once told someone I’d only just met that I was writing a book about a female serial killer and it was ‘dark humour’. He looked at me a bit weird. How can a book where someone gets murdered be funny? Think Killing Eve I suggested. OK, that’s a bit extreme, but crime fiction can be funny so long as you don’t go in for really gruesome details. And Confessions of a Crime Writer IS hilarious.
Budding crime writer Nigel Inchcock may believe he is talented, debonair and handsome, but in reality he is awful, be it in an almost lovable way. Well his mum loves him. Jennifer Primrose at the Library thinks he’s stalking her. When he gets a job there, she leaves, saying she is being stalked. Nigel questions who it could possibly be. Yes, he’s that dense.
Then there’s Marion Winterbottom, who Nigel is convinced is a literary agent. He asks her on a date, which she accepts, but it goes disastrously wrong. It’s her dog you see. It doesn’t like him. But octogenarian author Edith Sparrow’s dog Riddles – or Widdles as she pronounces it with her lisp – adores him.
When Nigel attends a famous crime festival, there’s a murder, and Nigel becomes the prime suspect. But there’s doggy DNA on the victim, as well as human. And poor Riddles is implicated.
‘Her dog,’ said Best. ‘Jesus, the old biddy had a dog! The DNA! We need to question Mrs Sparrow’s dog.’
This is so my type of book. I love a bit of crime humour, and occasionally as in the ‘we need to question the dog,’ it slips into the absurd. All the better as far as I’m concerned.
As an aside, I love this self-insertion by the author.
Sally scrolled a little further through the thread … she looked down at the list of names:
Hugh Smith – Evening’s Standards
Louise Mangos – The Beaten Track
Nigel Inchcock – untitled spy thriller
… Flannery hadn’t been quick enough to send her an offer before she was snapped up by another agent right after the festival …”
But seriously this book is so entertaining I read it in two and a half days. I adored Edith Sparrow and I’d love to see a picture of Widdles, sorry Riddles, please.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours #blogtour
Budding crime writer Nigel Inchcock may believe he is talented, debonair and handsome, but in reality he is awful, be it in an almost lovable way. Well his mum loves him. Jennifer Primrose at the Library thinks he’s stalking her. When he gets a job there, she leaves, saying she is being stalked. Nigel questions who it could possibly be. Yes, he’s that dense.
Then there’s Marion Winterbottom, who Nigel is convinced is a literary agent. He asks her on a date, which she accepts, but it goes disastrously wrong. It’s her dog you see. It doesn’t like him. But octogenarian author Edith Sparrow’s dog Riddles – or Widdles as she pronounces it with her lisp – adores him.
When Nigel attends a famous crime festival, there’s a murder, and Nigel becomes the prime suspect. But there’s doggy DNA on the victim, as well as human. And poor Riddles is implicated.
‘Her dog,’ said Best. ‘Jesus, the old biddy had a dog! The DNA! We need to question Mrs Sparrow’s dog.’
This is so my type of book. I love a bit of crime humour, and occasionally as in the ‘we need to question the dog,’ it slips into the absurd. All the better as far as I’m concerned.
As an aside, I love this self-insertion by the author.
Sally scrolled a little further through the thread … she looked down at the list of names:
Hugh Smith – Evening’s Standards
Louise Mangos – The Beaten Track
Nigel Inchcock – untitled spy thriller
… Flannery hadn’t been quick enough to send her an offer before she was snapped up by another agent right after the festival …”
But seriously this book is so entertaining I read it in two and a half days. I adored Edith Sparrow and I’d love to see a picture of Widdles, sorry Riddles, please.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours #blogtour
August 23, 2026
Sometimes a book comes along that just captivates in a way you weren’t expecting, well this was one such book, it held me transfixed from first to last, it was different.
As a read it is wonderfully unique, the plot both imaginative and inventive is tightly knit and executed with aplomb on the page, throughout it managed to surprise me and it is those moments when you realise how slick a plot it is.
The narrative is a delight it weaves throughout showing a wannabe crime writer trying his best to be the next big thing but it is the journey that the author takes the reader on as you follow Nigel’s exploits.
Great plotting is nothing without character and here the book really shines, to some degree we all know a Nigel, it is hard not to dislike him or on some level to sympathise with him, he has a dream unfortunately circumstance and fate collide in the most unliklely of fashions. There is something unique about the way he is written there is a down to earthness about him. Throughout the book I loved the way the characters were brought to life you can believe in them.
The locations will be quite familiar to some, for me it was different and quite ingenious to set the story around the world of crime festivals.
Humour more than plays it part, there were times when I was laughing out loud even at some points where i’m not sure I should have been, it is the characters though which bring this out. Make no bones though this is a crime novel at its core with the investigation taking a few turns.
I loved the way the book is paced it rolls along allowing you to revel in the narrative, all the time keeping the suspense levels high. The way the author unfolds the truth with those unexpected moments is to be applauded.
There is so much to recommend with this book it has something for everyone, for me it will be on of the years top reads, I cannot recomend this highly enough.
As a read it is wonderfully unique, the plot both imaginative and inventive is tightly knit and executed with aplomb on the page, throughout it managed to surprise me and it is those moments when you realise how slick a plot it is.
The narrative is a delight it weaves throughout showing a wannabe crime writer trying his best to be the next big thing but it is the journey that the author takes the reader on as you follow Nigel’s exploits.
Great plotting is nothing without character and here the book really shines, to some degree we all know a Nigel, it is hard not to dislike him or on some level to sympathise with him, he has a dream unfortunately circumstance and fate collide in the most unliklely of fashions. There is something unique about the way he is written there is a down to earthness about him. Throughout the book I loved the way the characters were brought to life you can believe in them.
The locations will be quite familiar to some, for me it was different and quite ingenious to set the story around the world of crime festivals.
Humour more than plays it part, there were times when I was laughing out loud even at some points where i’m not sure I should have been, it is the characters though which bring this out. Make no bones though this is a crime novel at its core with the investigation taking a few turns.
I loved the way the book is paced it rolls along allowing you to revel in the narrative, all the time keeping the suspense levels high. The way the author unfolds the truth with those unexpected moments is to be applauded.
There is so much to recommend with this book it has something for everyone, for me it will be on of the years top reads, I cannot recomend this highly enough.
June 11, 2026
A step away from her usual taut psychological thrillers, Louise Mangos brings us the reprehensible but fabulously named Nigel Inchcock, a man so blinded by his own self belief he has literally no concept of just how awful a character he is! Mere seconds away from bestselling fame at any given moment - in his mind, never actually on the page - he breezes blithely through life and various crime book festivals, perennially convinced that everyone wants to know him as he's the soon-to-be Next Best Thing. Never mind that he's barely written a word! Our 'hero in his own head' is colour blind, although he's in total denial about that as well, and Mangos puts this to brilliant effect at Iceland Noir, utilising a genuine news story as the basis for an excellent comedic farce! Look out for a fun cameo here as well ;-) Book festival by book festival, the plot builds and thickens - this is not just a giggle, there is a good plot carrying through, and of course - how could it be Noir without one - a good old fashioned murder! Nigel blunders his way through all this with the aplomb we've come to expect from him, and it all makes for a very fun read!
August 12, 2026
To be honest I didn’t really get into the storyline straight away and it wouldn’t normally have been a book that I would have stuck with. However, once the murder had taken place I found that I had been fully captivated with the different angles the plot took , whilst still cringing at Nigel and his understanding , or lack of, so many different aspects.
There certainly is a quid pro quo aspect to the story that will leave you feeling that justice has been served at the end and Louise certainly knows how to plot out a good storyline, which is more than Nigel does.
Confessions of a Crime Writer is different to other books that Louise has previously written but it is equally as good in a different , light hearted , tongue in cheek manner and is an ideal read to relax with when you want a relaxing laugh.
There certainly is a quid pro quo aspect to the story that will leave you feeling that justice has been served at the end and Louise certainly knows how to plot out a good storyline, which is more than Nigel does.
Confessions of a Crime Writer is different to other books that Louise has previously written but it is equally as good in a different , light hearted , tongue in cheek manner and is an ideal read to relax with when you want a relaxing laugh.
August 5, 2026
My thoughts
This book was so funny. Louise Mangos takes the sort of stories you hear at every single big festival. There are always people exactly like Nigel, who have this pure self confidence who are telling you that they’re on the verge of becoming HUGE. Or the haven’t you heard of me people. So this was like the people that pop up everywhere. And then it took a turn. Pure hilarious comedy that really had me laughing and totally hooked from start to finish. It had a few great twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. There were times I wanted to thump Nigel, but I loved Mrs Sparrow. I’d highly recommend this for a fun read and a satirical peek into the publishing and bookish world.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
This book was so funny. Louise Mangos takes the sort of stories you hear at every single big festival. There are always people exactly like Nigel, who have this pure self confidence who are telling you that they’re on the verge of becoming HUGE. Or the haven’t you heard of me people. So this was like the people that pop up everywhere. And then it took a turn. Pure hilarious comedy that really had me laughing and totally hooked from start to finish. It had a few great twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. There were times I wanted to thump Nigel, but I loved Mrs Sparrow. I’d highly recommend this for a fun read and a satirical peek into the publishing and bookish world.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
July 27, 2026
I started this and immediately thought the main character, Nigel, was a bit of an idiot. I really didn’t warm to him at all and have to admit to reading a little faster than usual. But a few more chapters in, and I actually started to like him and think that he was just a victim of circumstance.
Nigel is attending a literary festival, well he actually attends 2 in the book - both with vastly different outcomes - and takes the opportunity to put his manuscript into the bag of a famous literary agent. Things take a bit of a turn when said agent turns up dead the following morning! Cue an avalanche of disasters that seem to snowball over the rest of the book, Nigel unfortunately caught in the middle of the all.
I have to admit that he did grow on me and I really felt he got the best outcome when things turned on their heads. I really liked his mum too and Edith was a breath of fresh air too. I’ll keep this author on my radar for sure, she really knows how to turn a character round and leave you rooting for them!
Nigel is attending a literary festival, well he actually attends 2 in the book - both with vastly different outcomes - and takes the opportunity to put his manuscript into the bag of a famous literary agent. Things take a bit of a turn when said agent turns up dead the following morning! Cue an avalanche of disasters that seem to snowball over the rest of the book, Nigel unfortunately caught in the middle of the all.
I have to admit that he did grow on me and I really felt he got the best outcome when things turned on their heads. I really liked his mum too and Edith was a breath of fresh air too. I’ll keep this author on my radar for sure, she really knows how to turn a character round and leave you rooting for them!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews