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The Idiots' Club
Four middle-aged losers. Five ridiculous dares. One prize.
Eric Gideon has always found it impossible to say ‘no’ to a challenge. Traverse the alps on a pogo stick? Absolutely. Blag your way into a Royal wedding? No problem. Swim the English Channel wearing handcuffs? Hold my beer. But when Sean Heschmeyer provokes him to attempt five improbable dares in seven days, even Eric might be out of his depth.
Sean isn’t any old challenger. He’s a multi-millionaire with a twenty year grudge. The unfortunate victim of an Eric dare that had life changing consequences. Now it’s time Eric and the other members of the ‘Idiots’ Club’ experienced some payback in the only way they understand; a game. But unlike the juvenile pranks of old these dares will ruin their lives and destroy their friendships. Unfortunately for Eric, the old members of his club aren't that close anymore and, under Sean's rules, none of them can win the ten million pound prize he's offering unless they work together.
Eric must convince Callum, the world’s worst entrepreneur, Josh, a serial divorcee, and Micky, a moderately successful Pharmacist, that taking on challenges involving a narcoleptic ex-girlfriend, five disgruntled black ops mercenaries, a World War Two bomb and a family of hat-loving night monkeys is worth risking their livelihoods, reputations, and relationships. Not that they have much of those left these days. Worse still the reunion will force them to face up to what they did to Sean all those years ago. Which, as it turns out, might be a lot harder than stealing a lion.
The Idiots’ Club is the heart warming, inventive and sidesplitting novel from Tony Moyle the author of The Limpet Syndrome and The End of the World is Nigh. If you love anarchic, contemporary comedy with plenty of twists and turns then I dare you to start reading this today.
Eric Gideon has always found it impossible to say ‘no’ to a challenge. Traverse the alps on a pogo stick? Absolutely. Blag your way into a Royal wedding? No problem. Swim the English Channel wearing handcuffs? Hold my beer. But when Sean Heschmeyer provokes him to attempt five improbable dares in seven days, even Eric might be out of his depth.
Sean isn’t any old challenger. He’s a multi-millionaire with a twenty year grudge. The unfortunate victim of an Eric dare that had life changing consequences. Now it’s time Eric and the other members of the ‘Idiots’ Club’ experienced some payback in the only way they understand; a game. But unlike the juvenile pranks of old these dares will ruin their lives and destroy their friendships. Unfortunately for Eric, the old members of his club aren't that close anymore and, under Sean's rules, none of them can win the ten million pound prize he's offering unless they work together.
Eric must convince Callum, the world’s worst entrepreneur, Josh, a serial divorcee, and Micky, a moderately successful Pharmacist, that taking on challenges involving a narcoleptic ex-girlfriend, five disgruntled black ops mercenaries, a World War Two bomb and a family of hat-loving night monkeys is worth risking their livelihoods, reputations, and relationships. Not that they have much of those left these days. Worse still the reunion will force them to face up to what they did to Sean all those years ago. Which, as it turns out, might be a lot harder than stealing a lion.
The Idiots’ Club is the heart warming, inventive and sidesplitting novel from Tony Moyle the author of The Limpet Syndrome and The End of the World is Nigh. If you love anarchic, contemporary comedy with plenty of twists and turns then I dare you to start reading this today.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2021
About the author
Tony Moyle
18 books107 followersTony Moyle was born in the small town of Shepton Mallet in 1976. He's spent the last four decades attempting to find a third reason for the town to be famous behind Babycham and a Frank Bruno heavy weight boxing fight. Although he studied Chemistry at Exeter University he was terrible at it and instead fell into a role within the business community. After twenty years of deliberation and prevarication he published his first novel, 'The Limpet Syndrome.' His second novel, and sequel, 'Soul Catchers' is out in November 2017. He lives in the small town of Ashington at the base of the South Downs national park with this wife, Laure, and two children. He regrets that he still currently has a day job.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 27, 2022
One of the best things I’ve read for some time. So well crafted. To be fully honest, it’s fucking brilliant!
Can’t recommend this enough or praise highly enough! Read it!
Can’t recommend this enough or praise highly enough! Read it!
March 16, 2025
One of the best random finds I've ever had at a library book sale. Why would you want to read a book about a bunch of idiots? Because we're all idiots in some ways, and we all seek what these men do: camaraderie. Now, these men may not be aware that this is what they need, because they're idiots, but they understood it when they were young, and perhaps they can understand it in middle age. The pages of this book will fly by as our heroes speed towards doom or glory or something else—I'm not going to spoil the ending other than to say that I found it very satisfying.
July 21, 2022
Listened to this book on Audible. This book is hilarious. Loved the characters and narration was fantastic.
Really loved that the author addresses the issue of racism . Well done!
Really loved that the author addresses the issue of racism . Well done!
June 27, 2022
I have now read three of Tony Moyle’s books, and love them all. The best thing about his writing is that it seems to get better and better. The two Ally Oldfield books I can highly recommend, but there’s a new favourite now – The Idiots’ Club.
Imagine the scene - a man in a jester's hat attempting to steal a lion in the back of a clapped-out hearse. Don’t you want to find out what led to that situation? Well, so do the police, and the story slowly unravels, taking us on a funny and enjoyable ride. Humour of course is subjective, but Tony Moyle can make you laugh, giggle, and snort without resorting to cheap jokes.
4 friends. 5 dares. 1 prize. Infinite fun. I do hope there’s a sequel someday, as I loved the characters.
Imagine the scene - a man in a jester's hat attempting to steal a lion in the back of a clapped-out hearse. Don’t you want to find out what led to that situation? Well, so do the police, and the story slowly unravels, taking us on a funny and enjoyable ride. Humour of course is subjective, but Tony Moyle can make you laugh, giggle, and snort without resorting to cheap jokes.
4 friends. 5 dares. 1 prize. Infinite fun. I do hope there’s a sequel someday, as I loved the characters.
June 28, 2022
A cross between Ocean’s 11 and The Hangover. I loved it. Great, fun story. Loved the writing. So well thought out and all the characters were brilliant. Could see this as a film. Super, enjoyable read!
June 15, 2022
The premise of the book is nothing short of brilliant
I think if I'd read this as a physical book the over-indulgence of adverbs and ridiculous dialogue tags would quite possibly have driven me crazy but as an audible, and as a story so hilariously well-thought out and 'laddish' they kind of suited the whole theme. I imagine this style of writing is exactly how any of the main characters would write and talk. The narrator of the Audible does a fine job of getting into the characters too.
So, if anyone's wondering where all the superfluous adverbs, dialogue tags that aren't 'said', and stereotypical behaviour is gathering, you'll find them here... but on the other hand, the book is just so funny I could overlook all of that, and that's not something I say lightly!
Meanwhile if anyone's also wondering where a lion, a bunch of irresponsible men who forgot to grow up, a girl who can't stay awake, a hearse, and a whole bunch of idiotic behaviour is, you'll also find that here. I think this book is the absolute answer to 'Is there chick lit for boys?' - there is - it's right here.
But honestly, overall, this was a laugh out loud riot and I'll take that happily.
It's quite different from the other of Tony Moyle's book I've read, but equally enjoyable: The End of the World is Nigh, and its spooky premonition of the pandemic is also well worth a read.
I think if I'd read this as a physical book the over-indulgence of adverbs and ridiculous dialogue tags would quite possibly have driven me crazy but as an audible, and as a story so hilariously well-thought out and 'laddish' they kind of suited the whole theme. I imagine this style of writing is exactly how any of the main characters would write and talk. The narrator of the Audible does a fine job of getting into the characters too.
So, if anyone's wondering where all the superfluous adverbs, dialogue tags that aren't 'said', and stereotypical behaviour is gathering, you'll find them here... but on the other hand, the book is just so funny I could overlook all of that, and that's not something I say lightly!
Meanwhile if anyone's also wondering where a lion, a bunch of irresponsible men who forgot to grow up, a girl who can't stay awake, a hearse, and a whole bunch of idiotic behaviour is, you'll also find that here. I think this book is the absolute answer to 'Is there chick lit for boys?' - there is - it's right here.
But honestly, overall, this was a laugh out loud riot and I'll take that happily.
It's quite different from the other of Tony Moyle's book I've read, but equally enjoyable: The End of the World is Nigh, and its spooky premonition of the pandemic is also well worth a read.
July 20, 2021
The Idiots' club is one of the most enjoyable, often humorous, novels I've read for a long time. Having enjoyed The Circuit Series novels by Tony Moyle I was eager to read this brand new release.
The first page captivated me immediately, with the first paragraph describing wounds and an appearance of having recently played rugby against a team of rhinos, and lost, whilst wearing now lacerated expensive Saville Row clothes. The author follows this scene setting with the line "Stealing a lion has consequences". I was already hooked!
Four friends met at Exeter University back in the nineties, all 'outsiders' and not conforming to the regular social groups, they formed the idiots club, daring each other to do more and more outrageous tasks, whilst not really bothering to attend classes or study. Havoc had been created around the University and city and the friends were well known to the local constabulary. Until the final dare, which had life threatening consequences for one member.
Twenty years later circumstances occur which lead to the Idiots Club members reforming. "Four old friends. Five dares. Seven days. Ten million pounds." The members lives are all very different now, but the only way the dares can be completed is by them all agreeing to take on the five dares together. And of course there is ten million pounds at stake.
This book has laugh out loud moments - "What - you mean more ridiculous than a man in a jester's hat attempting to steal a lion in the back of a clapped-out hearse?" as well as lump in the throat moments as the relationship between the four friends rekindles throughout their journey.
I was totally engrossed in the story, reading the whole book in one weekend, and experiencing a whole range of emotions. And who doesn't want to know what arachibutyrophobia is a fear of, or even anatidaephobia! The answers are to found in the book, along with a whole lot of other enjoyable words.
I was on the advance reading team for this book and received a copy from the author. I am happy to leave my honest review of The Idiots' Club.
The first page captivated me immediately, with the first paragraph describing wounds and an appearance of having recently played rugby against a team of rhinos, and lost, whilst wearing now lacerated expensive Saville Row clothes. The author follows this scene setting with the line "Stealing a lion has consequences". I was already hooked!
Four friends met at Exeter University back in the nineties, all 'outsiders' and not conforming to the regular social groups, they formed the idiots club, daring each other to do more and more outrageous tasks, whilst not really bothering to attend classes or study. Havoc had been created around the University and city and the friends were well known to the local constabulary. Until the final dare, which had life threatening consequences for one member.
Twenty years later circumstances occur which lead to the Idiots Club members reforming. "Four old friends. Five dares. Seven days. Ten million pounds." The members lives are all very different now, but the only way the dares can be completed is by them all agreeing to take on the five dares together. And of course there is ten million pounds at stake.
This book has laugh out loud moments - "What - you mean more ridiculous than a man in a jester's hat attempting to steal a lion in the back of a clapped-out hearse?" as well as lump in the throat moments as the relationship between the four friends rekindles throughout their journey.
I was totally engrossed in the story, reading the whole book in one weekend, and experiencing a whole range of emotions. And who doesn't want to know what arachibutyrophobia is a fear of, or even anatidaephobia! The answers are to found in the book, along with a whole lot of other enjoyable words.
I was on the advance reading team for this book and received a copy from the author. I am happy to leave my honest review of The Idiots' Club.
June 9, 2022
One of the funniest books I've read in a long time.
A brilliant read.
A brilliant read.
July 15, 2021
Funny, intelligent, an absolute riot!
Drove my partner insane while reading this, it’s impossible to not burst out laughing regularly from start to finish. You get all the clues yet still can’t work out how it can end well, the characters are so well described you think you know them, the funny bits, of which there are many, are hard to explain without reading the book. It is very funny.
Drove my partner insane while reading this, it’s impossible to not burst out laughing regularly from start to finish. You get all the clues yet still can’t work out how it can end well, the characters are so well described you think you know them, the funny bits, of which there are many, are hard to explain without reading the book. It is very funny.
July 14, 2021
The Idiots’ Club by Tony Moyle is a tale of dares, revenge, and friendship. Centered around an unlikely group of friends that joined forces at university, this is a tale that will completely suck you in as you wait anxiously to see if they can complete the dares on time.
I had so much fun with this! The characters were a hoot, the storyline was perfectly organized to keep me antsy to learn more, and I just couldn’t wait to see how it would all end. I found myself easily losing track of time while reading this story because once I started reading, I was totally immersed.
For fans of reads that are filled with twists and turns and lots of laughs, this is one you need to pick up!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
I had so much fun with this! The characters were a hoot, the storyline was perfectly organized to keep me antsy to learn more, and I just couldn’t wait to see how it would all end. I found myself easily losing track of time while reading this story because once I started reading, I was totally immersed.
For fans of reads that are filled with twists and turns and lots of laughs, this is one you need to pick up!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
June 25, 2022
The Idiots Club manages to be both funny and clever. Tony Moyle has established himself as a very fine writer with his previous books, and I have enjoyed many of them, but this must surely be his best so far. We have really entertaining characters, backed up by equally entertaining support characters, we have situations that are imaginative, outlandish and somehow plausible. We also have a plot that weaves the agendas of many of the characters together that had me wondering where it would all end. This is truly a laugh out loud book and it’s extremely well written. I was sad when I’d finished it. One other point, if you have the chance to enjoy it on audiobook do so because the reading by Aubrey Parsons is on a par with the great story.
August 30, 2021
I have read and enjoyed Tony's books before, but even I was not expecting The Idiots Club to be this good. Its utterly hilarious from beginning to end. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns, the characters engaging and relatable ... its pure joy.
It would be cruel to get into the story in case I gave something away, but go get this book now!!!!
It would be cruel to get into the story in case I gave something away, but go get this book now!!!!
February 4, 2022
At first I thought this book was not for me but as I got further into it I found myself being wrapped up.in it, the slowly unfolding story, it's look at five people and their slowly changing respect for each other. A really good feel good read with amusing parts well worth a couple of hours of your time . And more to the the point they all loved happily ever after.
January 31, 2025
The premise of the was interesting, 4 friends coming together to do dares put forth by a 5th member of the Idiots Club, 20 years after. They had a reputation for the things they did while at university, until one was seriously injured doing a dare. It gets very wordy and I found myself skimming those areas. Worth reading as it changes all their lives in the end
April 18, 2022
Glad I never went to uni
Brilliant laugh out loud reading.
What a wonderful idea, friendship is everything.
Loved all the twists and dares
The characters were all so convincing, the story sucked you into their lives
Brilliant laugh out loud reading.
What a wonderful idea, friendship is everything.
Loved all the twists and dares
The characters were all so convincing, the story sucked you into their lives
May 9, 2022
Got a bit slow in the middle but overall a good read
Ended up really enjoying this book. It got a bit slow in the middle, and I didn't think the characters would evolve. The pace picked up and the ending was very satisfying.
Ended up really enjoying this book. It got a bit slow in the middle, and I didn't think the characters would evolve. The pace picked up and the ending was very satisfying.
September 10, 2022
Hilarious tale!
I wish I had friends and experiences like this when I was in college. This was a wonderful story and it made me laugh in several places. I'm hoping the author has other books.
I wish I had friends and experiences like this when I was in college. This was a wonderful story and it made me laugh in several places. I'm hoping the author has other books.
September 10, 2022
Fantastic Book
This book is extremely addictive to read,and so funny, just loved it all,especially the ending which was exactly as it should have been,don’t miss out on this book,highly entertaining!
This book is extremely addictive to read,and so funny, just loved it all,especially the ending which was exactly as it should have been,don’t miss out on this book,highly entertaining!
December 26, 2022
Well rounded characters, a hilarious plot, some ridiculous challenges and an excellent ending. The written book is brilliant, the audio book even funnier. I'm looking forward to the next one from this author.
April 3, 2023
Usually find it hard to find something like but this is a joy to get into. Very funny well written and with an intelligent use of English to the point i couldn't put it down. Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
April 15, 2025
This would probably make a great tv series if the right guys are picked to act in it. A lot of English humour in it so I had quite a few LOLs while reading it. I'll admit (To me) it had a slightly shaky start but then again, we all have an opinion, but I really enjoyed reading it. Hopefully we might see the "Idiots club" back in action again in the near future.
March 7, 2022
Lost interest and put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2022
A fun read was very funny in parts the descriptions are great, you can picture it all so well. The trouble these friends get in to into is great.
August 15, 2022
Dnf...it had it's moments but not enough to keep my interest
August 24, 2022
I enjoyed it, it was funny, it had plenty going on, but there was just something missing for me, to make it a truly good read.
January 31, 2023
Fun fiction with surprising depth about personal relationships and failings.
February 25, 2023
Just loved it!
April 14, 2023
I dare you to read this....
April 24, 2023
Dares
Wasn't sure at first that I would like this book but once I got into it I couldn't put it down!
Wasn't sure at first that I would like this book but once I got into it I couldn't put it down!
June 13, 2023
Very funny and well crafted story. Extremely pleasing resolution. Didn’t really warm to the characters but they were perfect for this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews