The Long Shoe

Matt Giles lives with his girlfriend, Harriet, and his cat, Goodmonson, in a rented apartment. He has just lost his job, the lease of the apartment is about to expire and then Harriet disappears. But when Matt is offered the opportunity to move into an apartment block that Harriet had admired Matt hopes that the move might convince Harriet to return. There is one problem. The building owner expects Matt to report any suspicious activities of his neighbours to him. 

The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer is a humorous mystery novel written by British comedian Bob Mortimer in his normal dry style. There is a host of eccentric and possibly dangerous characters who may be involved with the wrong side of the law.  The story is revealed through the observations of Matt, Harriet and their former neighbour, Carol. Matt's conversations with his cat also add to the story. Matt needs to find Harriet but also needs to decide how he wants to live the rest of his life.

The novel is the March 2026 book in Dervla McTiernan's The bookclub that isn't a book club. 

The Hotel Avocado

 The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer is a continuation of the story of the lives of Gary and Emily who we originally met in The Satsuma Complex. Gary continues to work in a law firm in London while Emily has moved to Brighton where she is upgrading the hotel she has inherited from her father. Gary and Emily continue to meet in Brighton each weekend. In order to attract publicity for the hotel, Emily decides to purchase a model of a giant avocado to use as the hotel sign. However, before the avocado can be suspended from the balcony permission needs to be obtained from the local council and the chair of the planning department is known to be corrupt.

Meanwhile Gary has his own issues in London. He is working to help his elderly neighbour, Grace, have visiting rights to see her grand-daughter again. But then as the trial of the police who were arrested in the previous novel is looming, Gary is targeted by two men working for the criminals to persuade him not to attend the trial to give evidence that would convict them. His only solution is to disappear for awhile.

The story is told largely through the voices of Gary, Emily and Grace plus a fourth voice whose identity is only revealed at the end of the novel. The squirrel that Gary communicated with in the first book also makes an appearance.

The author's humour and quirky method of weaving a story is a feature of the book which will appeal to those who enjoy Bob Mortimer's quirky story-telling abilities. The result is a light, amusing enjoyable read.

The Satsuma Complex

The Satsuma Complex is a quirky crime novel by British comedian Bob Mortimer. When Garry Thorn meets a business associate in a pub he is not ready for the changes that are about to occur in his life. When Brendan leaves early Gary notices a girl sitting alone at a table. She is reading a book but she indicates that she does not mind him joining her. They start talking and sharing drinks. Then she just leaves without saying goodbye.

Next day Gary is informed by two policemen that Brendan is dead. He needs an alibi so sets out to find the girl from the pub. What happens next involves Gary facing many dilemmas as he attempts to establish who he can really trust and how he can escape the danger that he is walking towards.

The highlight of the book is the "conversations" that Gary has with a squirrel about his predicament. He also is provided with support from his elderly neighbour, Grace, and her dog, Lassoo.

And Away

In Australia we primarily know Bob Mortimer from his appearances on the television show - Would I lie to you? However his occasional appearances on this show make up only a fraction of of his show business life.

Problems with his heart in 2015, resulting in surgery, prompted the the author to reflect on events in his life as a shy, insecure, lad who studied to be a solicitor only to eventually become a successful comedian, especially when performing in partnership with his friend, Jim Moir (Vic Reeves).

Two chapters of the book have the chapter heading, 'Would I lie to you?' allowing Bob to recount stories that may, or may not, have happened during his life. The reader is left to decide the possible validity of each story.

Essentially this is the story about how a shy person learned to deal with life through forming close friendships and learning to make the best of opportunities that came his away. As you would expect humour is an essential part of the writing of this autobiography. The book also provides an outline of some British comedy shows over the years.