Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring

by Pete Brassett

Fast talking Luca Montella takes us on a bitter sweet journey in this heartbreaking tale of love, with an astonishing ending, that is guaranteed to make you weep. An exceptional classic in the making.

"Okay, so here's the thing: you ever wake up, face down, in a bowl of noodles? You ever cruised at 30,000 feet without flying? You ever been in love then it lose it all? No? Well, listen up and maybe, just maybe, you might just learn something."

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GR5725S/r...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GR5725S...

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Pete Brassett is the author of the best-selling series of detective novels based in and around his native Scotland featuring James Munro and Charlie West.

Following the publication of his debut novel, 'Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring', Pete ventured into the world of crime fiction tackling issues like PTSD, religious scandal, and manic depression with the novels 'Kiss the Girls', 'Prayer for the Dying' and 'The Girl From Kilkenny', before moving onto subject matter a little closer to home.

The forging of the Munro and West relationship begins with a fractious encounter in east London where a dissolute West, struggling with personal problems and misogynistic colleagues, is mentored by Munro who, recognising her potential, hoodwinks her into joining him back in Scotland where she flourishes as a first-class, yet ultimately flawed, detective.

Reviews

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this seems like a well-crafted love story but without giving it away, it becomes much more than that - an insight into the human condition: trust, hope, loving, longing. Clam Chowder is a beautiful book that will stay with me for a long time.

[susan prentice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry - but I hated this book from page 1. Pete Brassett is usually such a good writer and the press reviews for this book were amazing so I bought the book immediately. Wrong - I should have just read a sample first. The style in which the book was written was practically incomprehensible - some kind of American slang - and it drove me mad trying to understand the rambling tone. The central character is dreadful and difficult to connect with, and the so-called 'romance' was impossible to understand. I struggled through the book and got to about 20%, then gave up. If I had been able to rate the book '0' I would have done so .......

[PIETER · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever quirky romance. Luca Montello spins a booklong dialog about his life as a press still-photographer and his love life with Melanie Ward. What makes the book special is the wordplay and puns. Sometimes it's truly funny, often it's not. I think this is the last published book by Brassett that I hadn't read and I've always been pleased by what he's written. He's not among my favorite writers but I recommend reading him. I planned to give this book three stars but decided to relent to four. Cheers.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I've loved all his other books, this one is completely different from his detective series. Usually reading his books fly by, finishing quickly. However this one was tedious for me. Not sure if it was the constant stream of consciousness verbage or just didn't care for or identify with the main character.

[Leanne Kendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping to enjoy this just like his other books but only got 6% in on kindle and gave up- just a lot of rubbish rambling on and on with no structure.
Not going to finish this one at all

Doesn't even deserve 1 *

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I truly did. However, it was the writing that got to me. The horrible grammar and use of slang and colloquial terms got in the way of any enjoyment I could have had. The author tried to write the book like someone from the Bronx would speak. Though the main character, Luca, claimed that between he and his 2 friends they had 5 master's degrees between them. I'm not buying it. The people I know with master's degree do not speak that way, no matter where they're from. This would be a good story if it were written differently. I just couldn't get past the grammar and phrasing.

[Erik Empson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to enjoy here, not least the way the narrator charms the reader into following his story. A delightful book and a careful study of character, with a fateful twist. Exquisite.

[Jjamieson1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great New York story. May have shed a tear or two. Just read it you'll understand.