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The Ripple Effect
One town under siege . . . One batch of doughnuts . . . One ripple of resentment.
Profit-hungry developers are swarming over Middleton, determined to see the local football ground turned into luxury flats. But they haven't counted on the spirited resistance of local baker, Bill Baxter, who vents his frustration at the developers' plans by neglecting to put jam into a batch of doughnuts. Unbeknown to Bill, a rogue jamless doughnut sets in train a ripple of irrational anger that grows, wave upon wave, until finally it threatens to swamp the entire nation, leaving careers ruined, fortunes won and Parliament in turmoil. But where will it end? And what will become of Bill and his beloved Middleton?
Stand up comedian Dominic Holland delivers another slick slice of comedy that will have you roaring with laughter, rooting for the good guys and relegating the villains to the bottom of the table.
Profit-hungry developers are swarming over Middleton, determined to see the local football ground turned into luxury flats. But they haven't counted on the spirited resistance of local baker, Bill Baxter, who vents his frustration at the developers' plans by neglecting to put jam into a batch of doughnuts. Unbeknown to Bill, a rogue jamless doughnut sets in train a ripple of irrational anger that grows, wave upon wave, until finally it threatens to swamp the entire nation, leaving careers ruined, fortunes won and Parliament in turmoil. But where will it end? And what will become of Bill and his beloved Middleton?
Stand up comedian Dominic Holland delivers another slick slice of comedy that will have you roaring with laughter, rooting for the good guys and relegating the villains to the bottom of the table.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
11 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Dominic Holland
20 books165 followersDominic Holland has been a professional stand-up comedian for over 20 years and has become one of the most regarded and respected comedians of his generation.
‘The UK’s master of observational comedy ’ The Sunday Times‘A top notch stand-up who everyone should see’ The Daily Telegraph
But Dominic’s favourite quote comes from the late Bob Monkhouse – ‘Dominic Holland is the UK’s funniest not-yet-famous comedian.’ Rest assured Bob, Dominic is still working hard on the becoming properly famous bit.
He has just published his third novel, ‘A Man's Life’ as an ebook and his first non-fiction ebook – ‘How Tom Holland Eclipsed his Dad.'
Dominic has made countless TV appearances including The Royal Variety Performance, recorded an award winning radio series for BBC R4. Twice honoured at the Edinburgh Festival by the Perrier panel. Won a comic heritage award and published two comic novels and a raft of short stories.
His first ever downloaded stand-up show is available shortly – ‘dominic holland is alive in tring’
‘The UK’s master of observational comedy ’ The Sunday Times‘A top notch stand-up who everyone should see’ The Daily Telegraph
But Dominic’s favourite quote comes from the late Bob Monkhouse – ‘Dominic Holland is the UK’s funniest not-yet-famous comedian.’ Rest assured Bob, Dominic is still working hard on the becoming properly famous bit.
He has just published his third novel, ‘A Man's Life’ as an ebook and his first non-fiction ebook – ‘How Tom Holland Eclipsed his Dad.'
Dominic has made countless TV appearances including The Royal Variety Performance, recorded an award winning radio series for BBC R4. Twice honoured at the Edinburgh Festival by the Perrier panel. Won a comic heritage award and published two comic novels and a raft of short stories.
His first ever downloaded stand-up show is available shortly – ‘dominic holland is alive in tring’
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 17, 2020
This isn’t horrendous but a book based on football isn’t going to be my cup of tea to be fair !
May 23, 2012
I like comic fiction and I like football/soccer, and so I picked this up hoping to find an enjoyable light read to pass an evening or two. And indeed, that's pretty much exactly what I got -- nothing deep or particularly insightful, just a decent British comedy. The story's hero is Bill, a baker by trade, and diehard lifelong fan of his local lower-division soccer club. One morning, while despondent at his team's woeful record, he deliberately underfills the jam donuts, a simple act whose titular ripple effect hits a traffic warden, the star forward for Tottenham Hotspurs, a rising politician, and several others. Meanwhile, a scheming and striving lawyer is trying to put a deal together with a wealthy layabout to purchase Bill's beloved club and close it down so that he can get rich by tearing down the stadium and building fancy condos on the site with the connivance of a crooked councilman. And thus, wacky antics ensue. There's broad satire aplenty, and a fairly strong and clear message about some of the negative effects of big money on soccer in England. Again, it's nothing amazing, the characters are kind of cartoony, and the ending, while not totally predictable, is per the genre. If you're looking for a breezy fun time, this might fit the bill -- but only if you enjoy soccer, other may find it a bit hard to care about Bill and his team's plight.
July 15, 2017
Since I surrendered my TV licence in 2014 (BBC w***ers - *spit*…), the only time I see TV is when I'm with my folks. They are fans of 'The Chase', and the other day, it was a celebrity version with Saira Khan off 'The Apprentice', Mark off 'Eastenders' and a guy called Dominic, about whom none of us had a clue. But it told us in the Radio Times he was a comedian called Dominic Holland. [This is all completely irrelevant, actually, as I wandered off to finish my previous book before Dominic even spoke, because Saira Khan was so stupid, she made me want to vomit...].
Anyhow... later in the day, I was perusing my shelves later for a quick, light, holiday read, when the name caught my eye. And yeah, like journalists, comedians shouldn't really write books. It was a fun premise, and Bill was a likeable chap. But all the football chat dragged it down. Still, because I'm starting to sound like an insufferable snob, and because I deliberately wasn't looking for Tolstoy, I'll give it 3 stars.
Anyhow... later in the day, I was perusing my shelves later for a quick, light, holiday read, when the name caught my eye. And yeah, like journalists, comedians shouldn't really write books. It was a fun premise, and Bill was a likeable chap. But all the football chat dragged it down. Still, because I'm starting to sound like an insufferable snob, and because I deliberately wasn't looking for Tolstoy, I'll give it 3 stars.
April 27, 2022
This is my second Dom Holland book that I've read and he has such a fun and engaging way of weaving a story together!
This novel has a heavy focus on soccer (football) and uses lots of British lingo and historical soccer references to emphasize certain points and drive the plot - so if you aren't familiar with English terms or English soccer, you might find it a bit harder to follow along.
This novel has a heavy focus on soccer (football) and uses lots of British lingo and historical soccer references to emphasize certain points and drive the plot - so if you aren't familiar with English terms or English soccer, you might find it a bit harder to follow along.
August 9, 2021
I loved this book. It was written 15 years ago - but is totally relevant today. It was like a Carl Hiaasen book - full of scammers and dreadful people. With one or two redeeming characters.
So a Carl Hiaasen set in England was great fun.
So a Carl Hiaasen set in England was great fun.
July 28, 2011
Had I known in advance that this was about football/soccer for the most part, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. But the first chapter or two got me with its humour. Just the fact that the entire book is based on the results of a non-jam-filled donut makes it hilarious. The end end wasn't predictable either, as so many of this sort are. Also, the characters are very consistent and strong - I'm terrible with names, but could tell after the first sentence from each character, who I was dealing with again, as I'd often mix up a few of them. Bill, Lee and O'Dowd were the most dominant for me.
July 13, 2015
I read the first page and debated with myself whether I should continue. I did and am very pleased that I did. What a good book. I really enjoyed reading it. It was set in a part of Britain that I know fairly well with characters I might recognise. The story though was completely outside my experience, centring on football - hence my reluctance to start reading it.
However, it was a gripping tale of intrigue, cataloguing the ripples emanating from an early event. The event itself was very funny and it was this that persuaded me to carry on reading. I've always loved doughnuts!
However, it was a gripping tale of intrigue, cataloguing the ripples emanating from an early event. The event itself was very funny and it was this that persuaded me to carry on reading. I've always loved doughnuts!
February 16, 2015
For the first time in a long time I bought a book without a clue what I was about to read, other than I'd read the authors previous book, Only In America.
A laugh out loud book that anyone who follows a smaller lower football league club (such as myself who's club is mentioned in the book in a way which is totally believable) can relate to.
A laugh out loud book that anyone who follows a smaller lower football league club (such as myself who's club is mentioned in the book in a way which is totally believable) can relate to.
January 24, 2016
There are so many books about football and I've read more than a few but this is bar far the best. A struggling team, bad debts, hopeless players & owners, die hard fans and a Premier league that couldn't give a sh*t.
Loads of smiles and some great laughs - most enjoyable book I've read for a while.
Loads of smiles and some great laughs - most enjoyable book I've read for a while.
March 2, 2012
Loved this and bought numerous copies to give to friends. Very very funny. True to life too (a manager once told me this mirrored the goings on at his club)! Only problem is it seems to be out of print and I can't get my hands on any more to give to the uninitiated.
December 4, 2020
This is the first adult book I ever read and it was a pretty good intro. It goes from one persons life to the next showing the small little effects that one action can have on another and then another. Very clever how it all connects and follows on in sweet succession.
August 5, 2011
Very funny - especially if you've ever been part of a low league football / sports club
November 13, 2016
Lots of Belly laughs. So clever - Ingenious; just what the doctor ordered.
May 13, 2013
A good read, enjoyable, not to heavy and in the end all the stories come together.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews