Country Of The Blind (Jack Parlabane Book 2)

I've read a few of Chris Brookmyre's books, and thoroughly enjoyed them, and was looking forward to this one. But I've given up at the start of chapter 3, which is 17% of the way through the book. Which tells you just how 'fast-paced' this is. It isn't. As other reviewers have mentioned it gets off to a slow start. Very slow. There are flashes of classic Brookmyre: the scene in the lawyer's office with Mrs McGrotty is delicious.The pages and pages of backstory about the same lawyer's boyfriend who she went out with during her rebelling against dad phase...what can I say? I skipped and I skipped. I also skipped an awful lot of the pages and pages where Parlabane mentally waffles over his change in attitude since hitching up with Sarah. Ok, it probably reflects the difficulty of his decisions, the life changes he's mulling, but Brookmyre says the same thing three or four different ways. Skip a paragraph or two and, oh god he hasn't moved on yet... Yes, we get it. Sarah has changed his life.The plot may prove to be brilliant. I'm afraid I will never find out. As others have said...not his best book.

I think this is the best Jack Parlabane novel I’ve read so far. He writes with other main characters, but this one is probably the one guaranteeing the best political, social and richly ironic plot. Parlabane is a reporter – a very successful one – but when he finds out about the death of a rich newspaper owner and his wife, supposedly killed by the members of a small group of men whose background suggests they must be the killers Parlabane digs deeper and his suspicions are confirmed.A young female solicitor has her car tampered with, and Jack Parlabane prevents a her death. It takes a while for the rich subtext of several strands of activity to become clear, but this novel is something special. It is full of energy and has it’s heart in the right place. Each of the characters are very believable and well-developed and their stories give them gravity and attention.When the ending comes it is entirely satisfactory. It’s breathtakingly sad, razor sharp and very exciting. A marvellous thriller. Brookmyre is a writer who grips you, holds you, and you don’t want to let go.

If bands have "difficult second albums", the I suppose this is Mr Brookmyres difficult second book - and it`s pretty good. Very much a slow start compared with the debut "Quite Ugly One Morning", so a bit of patience is required to navigate the opening chapter. In the second chapter Parlabane realises his relationship with Sarah is changing the way he looks at his job and his eagerness to dive into dangerous situations. But sure enough, ultimately he can`t resist the pull of a big story (nor can he ignore injustice), and so the fun begins.The baddies in this story are the tabloids and the right wing politicians. Predictable targets perhaps, but very well written as always and you can`t help but root for the good guys. The story telling is assured, smart, witty and accelerates so you are well and truly sucked in.I would suggest people read Mr Brookmyres books in order - there are characters who appear in several stories, so in a way each novel is a chapter in the overall.Thoroughly recommended.

I just discovered this author and read his latest book in less than a week. Then I went back to read them all in order of publication. His writing is colourful and his characters are real enough kick you up the arse. The story is clever, incredible but compellingly believable if you have a good dose of cynicism, like me. Fantastic. Bring on the next book please!

This is the second book in the series and it’s even better than the first one. The author is really descriptive without becoming repetitive and is able to get the scottish slang into his writing without it becoming unreadable for us non Scotts. Look forward to reading the rest of the books!

I have been a fan of H G Wells since my youth and I would say his short stories are essential to anyone's library. Having ploughed through The War Of The Worlds recently (I don't usually like novels) I think that it is in the short story that the greatness of his fiction lies. My favourite stories are The Moth, The Cone (both included here), The Diamond Maker, The Flowering Of The Strange Orchid, The Man With A Nose, The Apple (not included here). This book is good, with a decent-sized typeface, but H G Wells' appeal requires a second volume containing the rest of the short stories.

I liked this better than the first Parlabane book, and that was pretty good. It keeps going at a good pace, and made me laugh a few times.

Absolutely brilliant! I have become a total Christopher Brookmyre addict, reading 8 of his books on one two week holiday. Interesting, complex plots, gory murders and very, very funny. Highly recommended!

Cracking story which trips along at a page turning pace. Only read it if you are prepared to see all aspects of society trashed :politicians, police, journalists etc.

Excellent book. Very slickly written and as a Glaswegian I really enjoyed the wit and 'patter'.

I think I enjoyed this more than the first book, it’s always good to chase to the end!

Another great read with the character of Jack P developing well.

Suffice to say this an interesting read once it gets going, but there's an awful lot of chord to get through first.

Loved the all action story line and the character development.Would happily have read another hundred pages. I'm now getting the next in the series.

First read this 20 years ago. It hasn't aged. Wonderful, wonderful book. Do yourself a favour and read it. Genius.

Excellant

I love Chris Brookmyre books and especially the character of Jack Parlabane. Gritty, Scottish, no nonsense crime with a touch of humour.