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The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
Cullen and Big Paul are back!
Getting to the truth. By trial… anderor error.
Cullen is on jury duty, and the sleepy Scottish town of Melrose is experiencing a rare crime wave: the famous Rugby Sevens trophy is stolen, a dead body is unearthed, there is a spate of petty arson, and someone drives a van into Gloria’s front room.
Why? And what is her husband doing every night up on Eildon hill?
In this hilarious crime romp, misguided loyalties, thwarted love, and unbelievable gullibility reach crisis point on the one day in the year when the world pays a visit to Melrose.
At the final whistle, Cullen will ensure that justice is done.
Because sometimes twelve good men just isn’t enough.
Getting to the truth. By trial… and
Cullen is on jury duty, and the sleepy Scottish town of Melrose is experiencing a rare crime wave: the famous Rugby Sevens trophy is stolen, a dead body is unearthed, there is a spate of petty arson, and someone drives a van into Gloria’s front room.
Why? And what is her husband doing every night up on Eildon hill?
In this hilarious crime romp, misguided loyalties, thwarted love, and unbelievable gullibility reach crisis point on the one day in the year when the world pays a visit to Melrose.
At the final whistle, Cullen will ensure that justice is done.
Because sometimes twelve good men just isn’t enough.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2018
32 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 15, 2018
It's a Mark Farrer alright - the funny is funnier, the dark is darker & the crude is ... well, about the same.
Another tall tale of the trials and tribulations of extreme characters in farcical situations, somehow richly painted and believable. Set around the Melrose Rugby Sevens, the good, the bad, and the rugby gets a thumbs up from me.
Another tall tale of the trials and tribulations of extreme characters in farcical situations, somehow richly painted and believable. Set around the Melrose Rugby Sevens, the good, the bad, and the rugby gets a thumbs up from me.
October 5, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is a voluntary & honest review.
This book will give you lots of laughs, smiles and rolling of the eyes. Once again, Cullen, the knight in rusty armour, is there in his search for justice, along with a couple of familiar characters from previous books. I'm not going to tell you the story, because the blurb (and ratings/reviews) should intrigue you enough.
The one thing I love about this author is that he gently blends so many - but not too many to get you confused or flicking back pages to find out where you are - side-stories into the tale as we travel to the conclusion. It's like a mother plaiting a daughter's hair, and then pinning it into a bun at the end. Quite amazing. As well, at the end of the author's books, he adds a brief postscript to tell the reader where the various main characters of the book progressed after the conclusion - he doesn't extend the book with an extra chapter/s to make the book longer, like most other authors.
Now this is a stand-alone novel but, as mentioned before, there are a number of other books involving the character Cullen. Although, for reasons I can't really put my finger on, I like this one the best so far, the early books are all 5-star novels and you should put your hands in your pocket and buy those too. Real value for money.
Highly recommended.
This book will give you lots of laughs, smiles and rolling of the eyes. Once again, Cullen, the knight in rusty armour, is there in his search for justice, along with a couple of familiar characters from previous books. I'm not going to tell you the story, because the blurb (and ratings/reviews) should intrigue you enough.
The one thing I love about this author is that he gently blends so many - but not too many to get you confused or flicking back pages to find out where you are - side-stories into the tale as we travel to the conclusion. It's like a mother plaiting a daughter's hair, and then pinning it into a bun at the end. Quite amazing. As well, at the end of the author's books, he adds a brief postscript to tell the reader where the various main characters of the book progressed after the conclusion - he doesn't extend the book with an extra chapter/s to make the book longer, like most other authors.
Now this is a stand-alone novel but, as mentioned before, there are a number of other books involving the character Cullen. Although, for reasons I can't really put my finger on, I like this one the best so far, the early books are all 5-star novels and you should put your hands in your pocket and buy those too. Real value for money.
Highly recommended.
October 2, 2018
Let's get the most important bit out of the way first, this book is a comedy and it is very funny, there is humour in just about every aspect of the book, the characters, the plot and the situations that the characters find themselves in.
The characters are the real backbone of the comedy in this book, a glorious array of misfits, social incompetents and petty criminals, all very cleverly parodied just enough to take them from rather inconsequential to very funny, but balanced with a touch of darkness or pathos to make them, just about, believable.
I particularly enjoyed the last couple of chapters, where the various plot lines are pulled together, and some funny but poignant revelations are made. However I did find that the courtroom scene was a little long and didn't keep my attention like the rest of the book.
Overall this was a very good book and well worth reading.
I received an advance copy of the book but have voluntarily reviewed it.
The characters are the real backbone of the comedy in this book, a glorious array of misfits, social incompetents and petty criminals, all very cleverly parodied just enough to take them from rather inconsequential to very funny, but balanced with a touch of darkness or pathos to make them, just about, believable.
I particularly enjoyed the last couple of chapters, where the various plot lines are pulled together, and some funny but poignant revelations are made. However I did find that the courtroom scene was a little long and didn't keep my attention like the rest of the book.
Overall this was a very good book and well worth reading.
I received an advance copy of the book but have voluntarily reviewed it.
November 13, 2018
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I wasn’t sure what I would get from this book when I read the blurb, it had me completely intrigued, but after reading it I can tell you it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me giggling and laughing at times, I did a fair few eye rolls and tuts too – I absolutely loved it!!
The plot is excellent and I loved the flow the author achieved with the story. It is very well written and I loved the different elements that they had. It is not your normal crime book, it is so much more!!
Five stars from me for this one, it was a treat to read and one I will be highly recommending – it is not a book I would normally have picked up so massive thanks to Emma Welton (aka damppebbles) for introducing me to this author!
I wasn’t sure what I would get from this book when I read the blurb, it had me completely intrigued, but after reading it I can tell you it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me giggling and laughing at times, I did a fair few eye rolls and tuts too – I absolutely loved it!!
The plot is excellent and I loved the flow the author achieved with the story. It is very well written and I loved the different elements that they had. It is not your normal crime book, it is so much more!!
Five stars from me for this one, it was a treat to read and one I will be highly recommending – it is not a book I would normally have picked up so massive thanks to Emma Welton (aka damppebbles) for introducing me to this author!
March 3, 2019
An excellent read - made me laugh, and has a wonderful, twisty, if unlikely plot. Being from the south of Scotland, it's set in places where I grew up, so I got extra pleasure from knowing the settings!
I love the anti-hero, Cullen, which brings up a question in my mind.....
I read a lot of Carl Hiaassen - another comedic writer with a very unlikely anti-hero who, like Cullen, is essentially homeless, but does a lot of good outside of the strict confines of the law. That hero is called "Skink".
Given that a popular Scottish dish is a soup called "Cullen Skink", I wonder if Mark's choice of "Cullen" is just a coincidence, or a nod of appreciation to Hiaassen.
I love the anti-hero, Cullen, which brings up a question in my mind.....
I read a lot of Carl Hiaassen - another comedic writer with a very unlikely anti-hero who, like Cullen, is essentially homeless, but does a lot of good outside of the strict confines of the law. That hero is called "Skink".
Given that a popular Scottish dish is a soup called "Cullen Skink", I wonder if Mark's choice of "Cullen" is just a coincidence, or a nod of appreciation to Hiaassen.
January 16, 2023
Hmm. Interesting.
I’m not quite sure what to say about this book. Did I enjoy it? Yes, I think I did. Would I read another by the same author about these characters? Yes I think I might.
It took me a while to get into this. At first, I thought it wasn’t my kind of book - it’s quite in-your-face in places. But as the story progressed, and I continued reading, I found myself beginning to care about the characters, and wanting to know how events unfolded for them. That always draws me in.
I’m not quite sure what to say about this book. Did I enjoy it? Yes, I think I did. Would I read another by the same author about these characters? Yes I think I might.
It took me a while to get into this. At first, I thought it wasn’t my kind of book - it’s quite in-your-face in places. But as the story progressed, and I continued reading, I found myself beginning to care about the characters, and wanting to know how events unfolded for them. That always draws me in.
September 15, 2021
Sommigen zullen The Good, the Bad & the Rugby kennen als de mateloos populaire podcast van James Haskell, Mike Tindall en Alex Payne, maar het is ook de titel van een boek. In het Schotse Melrose, de geboorteplaats van rugby 7’s is van alles aan de hand. Een busje rijdt een huis binnen, de beroemde 7’s beker is gestolen, er wordt brand gesticht, een lijk opgegraven, aliens of niet en tijdens de belangrijkste rechtszaak van de laatste jaren komen schokkende feiten aan het licht.
Mark Farrer heeft een bijzondere manier van schrijven, maar het pakt absoluut vanaf het begin. De verhaallijnen komen prachtig bij elkaar en de hoofdpersonen zijn één voor één karakters. Omdat het een ‘crime romp’ is mag het af en toe ongeloofwaardig zijn en daarom is het juist zo leuk. Weer eens wat anders dan een autobiografie van een Engelse rugbyer die 2 wedstrijden voor The Lions speelde of het zoveelste boek over de All Blacks. Gewoon een leuk verhaal met onverwachte wendingen en het gaat ook nog eens over rugby. Kopen en lezen !
Natuurlijk bestel je dit boek bij je plaatselijke boekhandel, zo steunen we de lokale ondernemer.
Mark Farrer heeft een bijzondere manier van schrijven, maar het pakt absoluut vanaf het begin. De verhaallijnen komen prachtig bij elkaar en de hoofdpersonen zijn één voor één karakters. Omdat het een ‘crime romp’ is mag het af en toe ongeloofwaardig zijn en daarom is het juist zo leuk. Weer eens wat anders dan een autobiografie van een Engelse rugbyer die 2 wedstrijden voor The Lions speelde of het zoveelste boek over de All Blacks. Gewoon een leuk verhaal met onverwachte wendingen en het gaat ook nog eens over rugby. Kopen en lezen !
Natuurlijk bestel je dit boek bij je plaatselijke boekhandel, zo steunen we de lokale ondernemer.
November 18, 2019
Quite likely, my least favorite book of all time. I wouldn’t even have finished it except that it was for book club. There really isn’t much to say. It was crass and I wanted to pitch it in a dustbin within the first 40 pages. Aside from that, it was extremely predictable and I’m not sure that there was a single character that I liked. ⭐️◽️◽️◽️◽️
July 14, 2024
Another instalment of Cullen & Big Paul. Plenty of humour within the pages, held together by a good narrative. Believable characters, although some stereotyping may be seen.
No more of this series in my local libraries, and the next in the series is a novella, this may be the end of the road of this series for me.
No more of this series in my local libraries, and the next in the series is a novella, this may be the end of the road of this series for me.
May 14, 2019
Taking a chance
Arriving back at my car after this year's Melrose 7's I noticed the flyer promoting the book. It sounded like fun so took a chance. Turned out to be even better. I will now be looking to read more books by Mark Farrer
Arriving back at my car after this year's Melrose 7's I noticed the flyer promoting the book. It sounded like fun so took a chance. Turned out to be even better. I will now be looking to read more books by Mark Farrer
February 3, 2020
This book is so quirky it made me think of Carl Hiassen with a little Christopher Moore thrown in. I chose it because I was looking for something set in Scotland but I will definitely be checking out more books by Mark Farrer.
June 21, 2021
A Rugby Story
But it doesn't end or start there. The characters speak for themselves and you learn to love them or hate them with a little doubt. I actually had a tear at the end. Maybe cuz it turned out fine at the end.
But it doesn't end or start there. The characters speak for themselves and you learn to love them or hate them with a little doubt. I actually had a tear at the end. Maybe cuz it turned out fine at the end.
March 14, 2022
The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
Cullen is out to see justice prevail and Big Paul helps while trying to keep Shirley happy. Great story, fun characters, and well written. I love reading these books! Thanks Mark Farrer
Cullen is out to see justice prevail and Big Paul helps while trying to keep Shirley happy. Great story, fun characters, and well written. I love reading these books! Thanks Mark Farrer
May 28, 2019
A decent story. Some good humour and characters, but lacked that something extra. Also, based of the title, I was expecting a fair bit more rugby!
October 2, 2019
Enjoyable read
A bit slow to start in painting the scene,
but it was well worth the effort to stay with it.
A bit slow to start in painting the scene,
but it was well worth the effort to stay with it.
October 11, 2018
Brilliantly Funny - Cullen Does it Again!
Mark Farrer is getting better and better. As with his previous three books the plot is intricate, well researched (although unlikely) and reminds me of Tom Sharpe at his best but this one hangs together more and is better written. Aspects of the characters are well observed and I began to feel some affinity for most of them even though I couldn't possibly approve of their mindsets and behaviour. Overall I found this book to be engaging, clever, a bit earthy and dark in places but very, very funny. If you appreciate comedy thrillers and enjoy a good laugh then it's well worth a read.
Mark Farrer is getting better and better. As with his previous three books the plot is intricate, well researched (although unlikely) and reminds me of Tom Sharpe at his best but this one hangs together more and is better written. Aspects of the characters are well observed and I began to feel some affinity for most of them even though I couldn't possibly approve of their mindsets and behaviour. Overall I found this book to be engaging, clever, a bit earthy and dark in places but very, very funny. If you appreciate comedy thrillers and enjoy a good laugh then it's well worth a read.
May 9, 2020
A murder, mystery, theft, love, family secrets, time travelling conspiracies; all wrapped up amongst court trials and rugby tournaments. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby is Farrer's third novel in the Cullen and Big Paul series. Once again these two serial characters work in the background while the novel's main characters are the focus for the drama and action. Amidst all the thrilling events, Farrer takes the time to subtly lay some more clues into Cullen's mysterious past. A very enjoyable read with a host of relatable characters.
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October 30, 2018Review to follow shortly...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews