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From the author of the latest official James Bond novel
'Charlie Higson's thrillers are major events' Mark Billingham
'An off-beat, atmospheric novel' Mirror
'Written with chilling perception' Time Out
' I do not believe that a man can be truly happy unless he fully understands what he is and can act accordingly... how can it be wrong to be happy?'
These lines are taken from Will's diary, a seemingly innocuous exercise book which details his house-breaking activities. Will carefully selects houses - forty-seven so far - ensuring their owners will be in. As they cook their supper or watch television, Will (wearing surgical gloves and leaving no trace behind) enters not only their houses, but their secret lives. A secret museum, housed in his loft, is 'held together by sex'. All his trophies are carefully catalogued and he keeps a very precise diary of his activities and his thoughts.
All his life Tom Kendall had lived as quietly and normally as possible ... but he gave people the creeps ... 'kids didn't like him, or the cat'. When Tom discovers Will's diary he decides to adopt the same quest for happiness. Tom has problems of his own - a difficult temper, problems with his girlfriend, Maddie, and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Perhaps Will's diary holds the key?
'Charlie Higson's thrillers are major events' Mark Billingham
'An off-beat, atmospheric novel' Mirror
'Written with chilling perception' Time Out
' I do not believe that a man can be truly happy unless he fully understands what he is and can act accordingly... how can it be wrong to be happy?'
These lines are taken from Will's diary, a seemingly innocuous exercise book which details his house-breaking activities. Will carefully selects houses - forty-seven so far - ensuring their owners will be in. As they cook their supper or watch television, Will (wearing surgical gloves and leaving no trace behind) enters not only their houses, but their secret lives. A secret museum, housed in his loft, is 'held together by sex'. All his trophies are carefully catalogued and he keeps a very precise diary of his activities and his thoughts.
All his life Tom Kendall had lived as quietly and normally as possible ... but he gave people the creeps ... 'kids didn't like him, or the cat'. When Tom discovers Will's diary he decides to adopt the same quest for happiness. Tom has problems of his own - a difficult temper, problems with his girlfriend, Maddie, and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Perhaps Will's diary holds the key?
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 8, 2023
Harry Enfield / Saturday Night Live / Fast Show writer Higson, comes up with a rather dark, yet funny book. There's a young man that essentially copulates with houses, by entering them, when they are occupied and masturbating in their (obviously empty) beds! There were no typos in the last sentence. There's a nerd, who after a lot of hard work has become a muscle karate expert; and then there's his brother-in-law Tom Kendall, who attends anger management therapy. Higson entwines these three lives in a clever way and produces a tale rooted in the dark past of Tom Kendall. Re-reading this summary in 2022, I wonder how was it possible not to get more than 6 out of 12 from me, with such a funny original concept!
2011 read
2011 read
August 24, 2015
Well that was creepy as fuck.
I loved it.
I loved it.
June 14, 2011
This is a dark exploration of childhood abuse, modern morals and the quest for happiness in a world where life seems much more compliacted than it used to be.
There are some twists and turns along the way, some of which I certainly didn't see coming, but there isn't the usual dose of comedy and humour which I've experienced in other Charlie Higson books.
The characters are absorbing and the threads of the plots pull together like a tightening noose, as the past catches up with all the players in this ultimately gloomy story of redemption and finality.
This isn't a book you walk away from whistling a happy tune, but then that's what makes it quite powerful.
There are some twists and turns along the way, some of which I certainly didn't see coming, but there isn't the usual dose of comedy and humour which I've experienced in other Charlie Higson books.
The characters are absorbing and the threads of the plots pull together like a tightening noose, as the past catches up with all the players in this ultimately gloomy story of redemption and finality.
This isn't a book you walk away from whistling a happy tune, but then that's what makes it quite powerful.
May 5, 2012
Very disturbing, full of tension and confusion, the story of the breakdown of a man's mental state, through his search for a false hope of happiness.
May 24, 2018
TOM IS HAPPY.
TOM IS HAPPY.
TOM IS HAPPY.
... but is he really?
Tom has anger issues. He also has a very boring life.
When he meets Maddie at an anger management class , it seems like to perfect opportunity to introduce a bit of excitement into his otherwise plain existence.
Tom thinks Maddie makes him happy. He knows. He thinks. He hopes?
Following a massive family drama involving an uninvited house guest at a dinner party , Tom starts to question what happiness really is. If this intruder gets his happiness from breaking into people's houses , who's to say which strange and illicit activity could resort to his happiness?
Only one way to find out.
To track down the intruder.
*
A book that deals with the strange justification and thought patterns of mental issues and how it affects everyone around you. No one is loyal and NO ONE IS HAPPY. Happiness is a fleeting.
Is that something we can ever accept?
TOM IS HAPPY.
TOM IS HAPPY.
... but is he really?
Tom has anger issues. He also has a very boring life.
When he meets Maddie at an anger management class , it seems like to perfect opportunity to introduce a bit of excitement into his otherwise plain existence.
Tom thinks Maddie makes him happy. He knows. He thinks. He hopes?
Following a massive family drama involving an uninvited house guest at a dinner party , Tom starts to question what happiness really is. If this intruder gets his happiness from breaking into people's houses , who's to say which strange and illicit activity could resort to his happiness?
Only one way to find out.
To track down the intruder.
*
A book that deals with the strange justification and thought patterns of mental issues and how it affects everyone around you. No one is loyal and NO ONE IS HAPPY. Happiness is a fleeting.
Is that something we can ever accept?
July 2, 2020
I felt that this was unnecessarily graphic at the beginning and nearly stopped reading. Some of the details of Will's breaking and entering weren't necessary to the plot.
I'm glad I got through that though, the other three quarters of the book were a pleasure to read.
Just be aware, these are not children's books!
I'm glad I got through that though, the other three quarters of the book were a pleasure to read.
Just be aware, these are not children's books!
October 13, 2019
This is a dark book, a funny book, a sad book, in fact it’s many things. I’m unsure why it’s not a 5 star book but it’s just missing something, possibly that the central character is a bit bewildering and unsympathetic.
November 13, 2016
Fantastic read. Gripping page turner. The description of a decent into insanity & an incredibly dark view of family is brilliant. You will not guess the ending!
April 30, 2023
Well written but a bit disappointing - creepy and weird, usually a good thing but less so here
August 10, 2024
It seemed like an amalgamation of horror plot points all shoved together in a br*t*sh kinda way. Twas okay.
December 14, 2025
Black comedy of psychological disintegrations, both disturbing and quite funny. Distinguishes itself with a couple of pleasing twists midway and very much nailing the ending.
August 23, 2015
It starts off well and sucked me in with some interesting ideas. I really didn't know who the hero of the book was for the first half, and I'm glad some people got killed.
Plenty of gore, but a bit of waffling about 2/3 in. It picked up and I couldn't put it down in the final vinegar strokes.
A light hearted look at sexual abuse and anger.
Plenty of gore, but a bit of waffling about 2/3 in. It picked up and I couldn't put it down in the final vinegar strokes.
A light hearted look at sexual abuse and anger.
July 12, 2010
10/10. Very suprised by this book- it is fantastic! Led me into reading more of this genre- i.e. Brookmyre/ Hiassen.
December 3, 2011
I should have paid attention to the quote on the front: "A pyscho for our times."
January 20, 2012
I have no idea what I just read... but I liked it.
June 26, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. I'd like to shake Charlie Higson's hand !!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews