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Bye Bye Baby
"A quick, taut thriller ... not a word is wasted." -- Ian RankinAn Amazon top ten bestseller with sales of over 50,000 copies, BYE BYE BABY is a short novella that packs a big punch.When a seven-year-old boy disappears after school, the case is handed to Detective Frank Collins. He's been looking to lead a high-profile case for a while, and sets out determined to prove his worth. But the missing schoolboy is only a trigger for another crime. Someone is intent on exploiting the boy's grief-stricken mother. And they have plans for Frank Collins too.Praise for BYE BYE BABY"A terrific read and a great premise from an excellent writer." -- Stuart MacBride"The approach is so fresh that it makes the whole thing feel like the first time I've read a police story." -- Do Some Damage"a purely original, funny, sharp piece of writing. It has a plot that develops in an unorthodox, non-linear fashion -- hardly resembling many of the police procedurals I've read. It's often noted that Guthrie is one of the top working mystery writers, and he certainly lives up to that reputation ..." -- Death By Killing"A story that moves quickly, in short chapters of crisp prose, with plenty of plot turns to hold the attention, and characters you can love and others you can hate... Like Guthrie's full-length novels, Bye Bye Baby is sly, noir as all hell (more noir than some, actually), and it just might bring a tear of pity to your eyes. It's a police procedural filled with incident and back story, and man, what an ending." -- Detectives Beyond Borders"a dark, clever, funny and sad story which races along to reach a smart conclusion. A tough and lovely slice of the hard side of life." -- You Would Say That, Wouldn't You?Praise for SLAMMER"SLAMMER is the most relentlessly page-turning novel this reviewer has come across in a long, long time, but Guthrie does so much more than just throw visceral action and sharp banter at the reader, teasing and cajoling us with red herrings and subtle foreshadowing, delving deep inside a mind that is quickly unravelling into psychotic madness. At SLAMMER's core is a surprisingly subtle examination of what it means to be good or evil, and how easily that distinction can become blurred. Guthrie creates empathy for all his characters -- there are no faceless monsters here -- and in portraying the prisoners and their guards as two sides of the same human coin, he nails a universal truth about the nature of life and about the way we differentiate good and bad, sanity and madness." -- The Scotsman"This is Guthrie's masterpiece to date, grim and brutal in tone, cunning in design and flawless in the telling. Guthrie keeps the numerous plot turns both exciting and believable. There is a surprise twist in the middle of the novel that stuns the reader and makes the pace even faster ... SLAMMER is not only artful, it's real art." -- Bookgasm"an absolute masterpiece, really should be at the top of everyone's "must-read" list" -- Eurocrime"Guthrie's prose is a series of short, sharp shocks, reeking of the visceral brutality of the toughest contemporary noir ... those who enjoy the darker side of the genre are in for some serious thrills." -- The GuardianABOUT THE AUTHORAllan Guthrie is an award-winning Scottish crime writer. His debut novel, TWO-WAY SPLIT, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger award and went on to win the Theakston's Crime Novel Of The Year.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 8, 2014
This was a rather funny, unusual crime novella which started as a typical missing child investigation case, but which then turned and twisted in a way I did not envisage.
Since it is short, I cannot say a lot about the plot or I would be giving it away. Basically, a frantic mother reports her seven year old son, Bruce missing. She went to collect him at the school gate as usual but he did not come out.
Detective Frank Collins who is assigned to this investigation, soon discovers that this poor woman is in reality a nut case. Her son had in fact died several years before in an accident and Frank immediately thinks that this is a prank made on him by his colleagues. He then realises that someone is trying to take advantage of the woman’s mental state to set off another crime.
In the end I have to say that I had thought the perpetrator was somebody else and I certainly did not expect the surprise ending.
Since it is short, I cannot say a lot about the plot or I would be giving it away. Basically, a frantic mother reports her seven year old son, Bruce missing. She went to collect him at the school gate as usual but he did not come out.
Detective Frank Collins who is assigned to this investigation, soon discovers that this poor woman is in reality a nut case. Her son had in fact died several years before in an accident and Frank immediately thinks that this is a prank made on him by his colleagues. He then realises that someone is trying to take advantage of the woman’s mental state to set off another crime.
In the end I have to say that I had thought the perpetrator was somebody else and I certainly did not expect the surprise ending.
October 26, 2016
Short, dark and to the point. Very enjoyable if a little unsatisfying due to its length.
July 5, 2022
Jag är mäkta imponerad över hur intressant och spännande den här boken var, trots sin korta längd. Först blev jag förvirrad och uttråkad över tempot, och mycket talade för att det här skulle vara en jättedålig bok. Men så började saker och ting hända, berättelsen kom igång och kastade mig både hit och dit, sen var den över. Som en berg- och dalbana!
dnf
July 17, 2025i've often said i don't like reading a book from a male detective's perspective and this one is just more proof.
it's very short so i could have continued but the amount of drama that they tried to include in the first 36% was enough for me to know that this plot was ridiculous and not something i would enjoy.
it's very short so i could have continued but the amount of drama that they tried to include in the first 36% was enough for me to know that this plot was ridiculous and not something i would enjoy.
July 7, 2020
Decent twisty, weird little story.
I recently picked up all of Guthrie’s titles (thanks to a Father’s Day gift card I got from my own parents) and this is the second one I read.
Didn’t know shit about it before going in and I spent an enjoyable hour or so reading.
I recently picked up all of Guthrie’s titles (thanks to a Father’s Day gift card I got from my own parents) and this is the second one I read.
Didn’t know shit about it before going in and I spent an enjoyable hour or so reading.
May 26, 2022
I actually enjoyed this book, although I figured out the twist at the end. It moved at a good pace without feeling hurried or lacking detail. Ont dropped a star because I would have liked it to be longer - but I know it’s a novella so was going to be a short read
October 15, 2017
Enjoyable little audio book. Liked the narrator very much !
March 21, 2017
If this had been written to measure how quickly and deeply annoying a story can be, on the scale of 1-10, 10 being the most annoyed, I'm happy to rate this one a 10.
November 3, 2014
By the end of the first page of Bye Bye Baby I was hooked. So hooked I finished it in one gripping sitting.
I'd read most of Guthrie's previous print works and been amazed how he never once repeated himself but this short novella surprised me in a different way. It's at once vintage Guthrie and at once something completely new for this versatile author. Expect tension, tough characters and suspense by the bucketful but also prepare to be rocked on your heels by the plot twists.
Guthrie is known for his explorations of deeply-flawed and psychologically-damaged criminals but here there is a fresh exploration of those on the other side of the law - the police. I was curious to see how the author would handle this aspect of the work and can report he has a knack for delivering an interesting set of officers - replete with all the conflict, canteen culture and back biting that goes on in the ranks; I hope he visits this setting again.
The final assessment of how highly I rated Bye Bye Baby is that I went straight out and bought Killing Mum for my Kindle. Just a first-rate crime read.
I'd read most of Guthrie's previous print works and been amazed how he never once repeated himself but this short novella surprised me in a different way. It's at once vintage Guthrie and at once something completely new for this versatile author. Expect tension, tough characters and suspense by the bucketful but also prepare to be rocked on your heels by the plot twists.
Guthrie is known for his explorations of deeply-flawed and psychologically-damaged criminals but here there is a fresh exploration of those on the other side of the law - the police. I was curious to see how the author would handle this aspect of the work and can report he has a knack for delivering an interesting set of officers - replete with all the conflict, canteen culture and back biting that goes on in the ranks; I hope he visits this setting again.
The final assessment of how highly I rated Bye Bye Baby is that I went straight out and bought Killing Mum for my Kindle. Just a first-rate crime read.
September 25, 2011
What originated from a short story evolved into the noir novella that is Bye Bye Baby. Detective Frank Collins is handed a case to solve the crime of a missing 7-year old boy. What looks like a straight forward kidnapping quickly turns out to be anything but as Collins is forced to play along with the delusional mother, emasculation from his wife, and be the brunt of jokes from his fellow officers. Bye Bye Baby is filled with tension and page turning adrenalin with a nice twist here and there thrown in for good measure. I liked the blending of crime elements and family drama with the basement crazy characters to form a classic Guthrie noir. The original short story is included in the kindle edition and is a great rendition of the events from the mother’s perspective. A highly recommended one sitting read – 3.5 stars.
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February 9, 2011Great and gritty novella by one of Scotland's top crime writers. It's a story of a missing child, and his delusional mother, and has some clever and surprising twists. I bought it on impulse as it was priced cheaply on the Kindle, and I'd wanted to read more of this writer's work - I read Two-Way Split a few years ago and enjoyed it.
Writers will especially like it as after the main novella the author has printed the original short story that it grew out of. Except the story is written through a different character's viewpoint. Intriguing. I'm surprised Allan Guthrie doesn't seem to be as well-known in the USA as he is in the UK.
Writers will especially like it as after the main novella the author has printed the original short story that it grew out of. Except the story is written through a different character's viewpoint. Intriguing. I'm surprised Allan Guthrie doesn't seem to be as well-known in the USA as he is in the UK.
May 27, 2014
I first came across the author Allan Guthrie in the ebook anthology True Brit Grit. Being curious I decided to investigate more of his work. Bye Bye Baby is an intelligent short novella that twists and winds its way along a police kidnap investigation. I have to praise Allan Guthrie for his clever use of plot in this story. He has created something quite unique and I was very impressed with the plot, execution and resolution. This is what crime fiction should be - surprising, flowing and rewarding. Don't hesitate to add this ebook to your collection you won't regret it.
February 5, 2014
First of all, this is not a novel length story, only about 126 pages which I wasn't aware of before reading.
The story started off with a very interesting twist; a baby is reported missing and when the detectives arrive to interview the mother,
they find out the child has been dead for a number of years. I thought the first half very unique and interesting, but then about the last
third seemed very ordinary and less compelling.
It kept me reading until the end, however, and the writer's style was good, so it does rate three stars, and is a quick read.
The story started off with a very interesting twist; a baby is reported missing and when the detectives arrive to interview the mother,
they find out the child has been dead for a number of years. I thought the first half very unique and interesting, but then about the last
third seemed very ordinary and less compelling.
It kept me reading until the end, however, and the writer's style was good, so it does rate three stars, and is a quick read.
March 15, 2011
My 2 cents:
I really enjoyed Allan's book. A boy goes missing and the mother has such fantasies about what is going on. I don't want to tell too much as I don't want to give the book away. Allan's characters are wonderful. Frank is a great character with so many twists you will not want to put the book down. I also like the fact it pining the villain down is hard to do. I will be reading more of Allan's work.
I really enjoyed Allan's book. A boy goes missing and the mother has such fantasies about what is going on. I don't want to tell too much as I don't want to give the book away. Allan's characters are wonderful. Frank is a great character with so many twists you will not want to put the book down. I also like the fact it pining the villain down is hard to do. I will be reading more of Allan's work.
July 10, 2014
I don't normally read Novella's but this one may change all that.
The story opens with a policeman visits a mother because she has reported her young son as missing and without spoiling the story line I can't really say much more....
This has a taut story line, characters are lifelike and the story progresses at a pace which makes this a fantastic read, I will buying more of Alan Guthrie's work.
The story opens with a policeman visits a mother because she has reported her young son as missing and without spoiling the story line I can't really say much more....
This has a taut story line, characters are lifelike and the story progresses at a pace which makes this a fantastic read, I will buying more of Alan Guthrie's work.
May 20, 2011
A delusional mother claims her dead son has been kidnapped. Det. Collins gets the case as a prank, but when a ransom demands comes in, nothing is what it seems.
Fast, twisted and quirky, this is a great little crime novella. Easily the best thing I’ve read this year.
As others have mentioned, Ian Rankin fans will enjoy this one.
Fast, twisted and quirky, this is a great little crime novella. Easily the best thing I’ve read this year.
As others have mentioned, Ian Rankin fans will enjoy this one.
December 21, 2012
Allan Guthrie is a gem. I have not read anything if his that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. BYE BYE BABY is no exception.
A fast, fun read with compelling characters and a decidedly noir twist. Also included in the ebook edition I read was the original short story, which acted as a great "DVD extra", retelling two key scenes from an alternate pov.
Recommended. Read Allan Guthrie!
A fast, fun read with compelling characters and a decidedly noir twist. Also included in the ebook edition I read was the original short story, which acted as a great "DVD extra", retelling two key scenes from an alternate pov.
Recommended. Read Allan Guthrie!
December 22, 2013
A well written tale of madness and betrayal. Collins investigates the apparent kidnap of a seven year old boy, but what was initially a joke turns into a kidnap. It's clever with several unexpected twists and turns packed into this novella. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to.
My first taste of Guthrie and I'll be back for more.
My first taste of Guthrie and I'll be back for more.
January 11, 2011
A great, quick read - not my usual fare (straightforward crime fiction) but the story is expertly structured and very light-handed in terms of the prose.
There is only as much in there as needs to be, but hints at a lot more.
There is only as much in there as needs to be, but hints at a lot more.
June 4, 2011
Fun story, if a bit terse. Wishing the story wasn't a novella, but what can you do. Reminds me a lot of "The Night Listener" from a while back. If nothing else, it's got a similar premise.
Quick and enjoyable.
Quick and enjoyable.
July 25, 2013
Police investigate the kidnapping of a child that died years ago.
Unusual short story with a few good twists and turns.
The writing is so-so, the four star rating is for the story.
It only takes an hour to read so if you like odd police stories this is probably worth reading.
Unusual short story with a few good twists and turns.
The writing is so-so, the four star rating is for the story.
It only takes an hour to read so if you like odd police stories this is probably worth reading.
December 27, 2013
Another great Allan Guthrie novella. A missing child. A crazy mother. a suspicious boyfriend. Money. And a cop who tries to do the right thing, though he sees the absurdity of the narratave he's thrown in to. Noirish humor, twists.
July 26, 2016
A very entertaining novella by Allan Guthrie. I obtained this freebie book off Amazon when I noticed that it had been a top seller for sometime. A very interesting story with lots of twists and turns and a well worth while read.
I will be reading more of his work.
I will be reading more of his work.
July 17, 2015
A fast-paced, dark novella with some nice plot twists. The plot advances quickly which made it difficult to put down. I liked the addition of the original short story at the end, telling part of the same story from the viewpoint of a different character. A nice, easy, lightweight thriller.
May 29, 2016
Really enjoyed this novella. I read it all in one sitting and didn't guess who was behind it until it was revealed at the end. Can't really say anything else without spoiling it. Another good book from his author.
March 28, 2011
What a wonderful quick hit of noir, Guthrie gets in fast, nails the story and slips out. A vastly entertaining read.
July 7, 2011
Twistier than a Chubby Checker song, I had no idea where this was going to end up until the last page. I'd have given it five stars if I'd liked the protagonist more.
January 25, 2013
Reviewed at Pulp300...
http://pulp300.wordpress.com/2013/01/...
http://pulp300.wordpress.com/2013/01/...
April 30, 2012
listened to this on Audible and enjoyed the performance by the reader. the story was predictable, however, and i knew well in advance what the 'twist' would be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews