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A Brand to Die For: Comic murder mystery set in the advertising world of 1983
WORKING IN ADVERTISING CAN BE MURDER - LITERALLY. It’s 1983. Margaret Thatcher has been waging war on the Argentinians in the Falkland Islands. The miners are about to wage war on Margaret Thatcher. And Angus Lovejoy, once sent down from Charterhouse for shagging the Chancellor's daughter in the cricket pavilion, has now landed himself a job as a copywriter at London adland’s creative hot shop Gordon Deedes Rutter where he is teamed up with art director Brian Finkle whose neurotic Jewish parents are the bane of his life. The two are an unlikely duo, but their mischievous and sardonic take on the world makes them a brilliant creative team. Everything goes swimmingly until a bizarre and mysterious murder rocks the world of Gordon Deedes Rutter and ripples out into the national media. While the dearth of evidence leaves the police baffled, Lovejoy and Finkle take it upon themselves to apply their creative brains to solve the mystery, and in so doing, inadvertently get themselves into particularly deep water.
"This comic murder mystery made me laugh out loud. The dialogue is wonderful."
Goodreads
"I regard this as a comic masterpiece. Set in 1983, it paints a convincing picture of those times in an ad agency in Soho, where the 'creatives' are battling against the below-the-line and other branding marketeers. The dialogue fairly crackles with great jokes and wordplay. Roundabout half way through, and amidst all the fun, the main murder occurs. The resolution of the plot is very clever and the dialogue remains amusing right to the end. Humour is difficult to predict, but I reckon you'll love this!"
Smashwords
"I was sent a copy for review. I was never in the advertising industry, but I lived in London in the 80s and well remember the free-wheeling, economically liberated period that is well described here. This is a very funny book. The quips, wordplay and stories are extremely amusing and must come from the author's experience. The plot moves along at quite a pace and there are some good twists, but it's not a conventional whodunnit. The criminal side of things is a peg for all the humour. I haven't read anything funnier for ages and the dialogue often had me in stitches. Thoroughly recommendable."
Barnes & Noble
"This comic murder mystery made me laugh out loud. The dialogue is wonderful."
Goodreads
"I regard this as a comic masterpiece. Set in 1983, it paints a convincing picture of those times in an ad agency in Soho, where the 'creatives' are battling against the below-the-line and other branding marketeers. The dialogue fairly crackles with great jokes and wordplay. Roundabout half way through, and amidst all the fun, the main murder occurs. The resolution of the plot is very clever and the dialogue remains amusing right to the end. Humour is difficult to predict, but I reckon you'll love this!"
Smashwords
"I was sent a copy for review. I was never in the advertising industry, but I lived in London in the 80s and well remember the free-wheeling, economically liberated period that is well described here. This is a very funny book. The quips, wordplay and stories are extremely amusing and must come from the author's experience. The plot moves along at quite a pace and there are some good twists, but it's not a conventional whodunnit. The criminal side of things is a peg for all the humour. I haven't read anything funnier for ages and the dialogue often had me in stitches. Thoroughly recommendable."
Barnes & Noble
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2022
14 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Alex Pearl
21 books63 followersBack in the distant mists of time, Alex spent three years at art college in Maidstone; a college that David Hockney once taught at, and later described in a piece for The Sunday Times as the 'most miserable' episode of his life. Here, Alex was responsible for producing - among other things - the college's first theatrical production in which the lead character accidentally caught fire. Following college, he found employment in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He has turned to writing fiction in the twilight years of his writing career.
His novella, 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds' - a black, comic urban fantasy, was initially written for his children in 2011 and published by PenPress. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada..
In 2014 his short story, 'Scared to Death' - the fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War, was published in an anthology ('The Clock Struck War') by Mardibooks along with 22 other short stories to mark the centenary of the Great War.
Alex's psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' set in London following the terrorist attack in 2005 was published as an e-book by Fizgig Press in 2019 and as a paperback in 2020. It is his first full-length novel, and was a Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
His comic murder mystery, 'A Brand to Die For' is set in the 1983 world of advertising, and is only the second murder mystery ever set in London's adland. The first being 'Murder Must Advertise' by Dorothy L Sayers back in 1933. His sequel 'One Man Down' has been taken up by Roundfire Books.
Alex's claim to fame is that he is quite possibly the only person on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.
His novella, 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds' - a black, comic urban fantasy, was initially written for his children in 2011 and published by PenPress. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada..
In 2014 his short story, 'Scared to Death' - the fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War, was published in an anthology ('The Clock Struck War') by Mardibooks along with 22 other short stories to mark the centenary of the Great War.
Alex's psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' set in London following the terrorist attack in 2005 was published as an e-book by Fizgig Press in 2019 and as a paperback in 2020. It is his first full-length novel, and was a Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
His comic murder mystery, 'A Brand to Die For' is set in the 1983 world of advertising, and is only the second murder mystery ever set in London's adland. The first being 'Murder Must Advertise' by Dorothy L Sayers back in 1933. His sequel 'One Man Down' has been taken up by Roundfire Books.
Alex's claim to fame is that he is quite possibly the only person on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 6, 2023
The marketing business is all about creating desire. Magnus O’Shea, the recently installed creative director of the Gorden Deedes Rutter ad agency, describes the task on their latest case, “Basically, we’re trying to persuade the client to run a classic branding campaign for real fires that isn’t built around any specific product benefits.” Apart from the inherent silliness of treating combustion as a consumer product, it may seem like an insurmountable task to convince customers to invest in “real fire” without mentioning any of its utilities. But even fire can be branded.
Alex Pearl’s novel, “A Brand to Die For,” satirizes the marketing world of London in the 1980s, while also offering up an almost tangential murder mystery. The book’s heroes are the creative geniuses of the firm: Magnus, the team’s boss; Bernard Smythe-Rodney, the gay account manager; Brian Finkle, the young gun art director; and Angus Lovejoy, the loose cannon copywriter, who introduced himself “I suppose I am partial to a bit of joy… particularly if it involves shagging.” Flush with success from their “real fire” campaign, the lads’ next challenge is to secure their lucrative Cranberry Crunch breakfast cereal account, which the firm is in danger of losing.
The book is slowly developing. The murder doesn’t even occur until chapter fifteen, over 100 pages into the narrative, when Lord Cecil Allard, patriarch of the Cranberry Crunch empire, is found stabbed to death in his wild boar pen. By this time, in addition to the main and supporting characters, the author has introduced dozens of other named characters, some with quite minor roles. There is thus no dearth of suspects or motives.
While readers may be pondering clues and trying to figure out who done it, the plot does a 180-degree turn—this isn’t just a plot twist, it is a complete detour involving entirely new characters and narrative. Readers may feel whiplashed.
The overall effect is that this book entertains at several levels but doesn’t fully commit to any of them. In part, it is an insider’s sardonic look at the British marketing industry of an earlier era, when the game was run almost entirely as an old boys’ club. It contains elements of drama tempered by silliness, although it doesn’t quite achieve the laugh-per-page quota that might qualify it as a gut-busting comedy. And it feels like the murder mystery is added to the plot almost as an afterthought.
Alex Pearl’s novel, “A Brand to Die For,” satirizes the marketing world of London in the 1980s, while also offering up an almost tangential murder mystery. The book’s heroes are the creative geniuses of the firm: Magnus, the team’s boss; Bernard Smythe-Rodney, the gay account manager; Brian Finkle, the young gun art director; and Angus Lovejoy, the loose cannon copywriter, who introduced himself “I suppose I am partial to a bit of joy… particularly if it involves shagging.” Flush with success from their “real fire” campaign, the lads’ next challenge is to secure their lucrative Cranberry Crunch breakfast cereal account, which the firm is in danger of losing.
The book is slowly developing. The murder doesn’t even occur until chapter fifteen, over 100 pages into the narrative, when Lord Cecil Allard, patriarch of the Cranberry Crunch empire, is found stabbed to death in his wild boar pen. By this time, in addition to the main and supporting characters, the author has introduced dozens of other named characters, some with quite minor roles. There is thus no dearth of suspects or motives.
While readers may be pondering clues and trying to figure out who done it, the plot does a 180-degree turn—this isn’t just a plot twist, it is a complete detour involving entirely new characters and narrative. Readers may feel whiplashed.
The overall effect is that this book entertains at several levels but doesn’t fully commit to any of them. In part, it is an insider’s sardonic look at the British marketing industry of an earlier era, when the game was run almost entirely as an old boys’ club. It contains elements of drama tempered by silliness, although it doesn’t quite achieve the laugh-per-page quota that might qualify it as a gut-busting comedy. And it feels like the murder mystery is added to the plot almost as an afterthought.
February 27, 2023
A Brand to Die For by Alex Pearl is a fast-paced and entertaining crime novel set in a creative advertising agency in 1983. In London’s Soho, competing agencies work hard and play harder, until they find themselves on the scene of a bizarre murder inquiry. When the action begins Angus Lovejoy, who was sent down from Charterhouse in disgrace, is working without much success as a copywriter for the high-flying Gordon Deedes Rutter agency. When creative director Magnus teams Angus up with art director Brian Finkle, a young genius straight out of St. Martins School of Art, the creative sparks begin to fly. Their first triumph is a campaign for solid fuel, which is much funnier than the name suggests. The kudos this success brings gives Brian and Angus credibility which supports them through some sticky situations. At last they find themselves involved in finding the guilty party in a murder where there is no evidence. This leads to a scary encounter with international organised crime. Along the way there is romance, hilarious interference from Brian’s family and a cast of quirky characters, some of whom deserve a novel to themselves.
What I liked best about A Brand to Die For was the close relationship and very funny banter between the leading characters. There are great descriptions of eccentric personalities, such as GDR’s aristocratic client, Lord Cecil Allard. I also enjoyed the imaginative account of the wild boar wars. Because the story is set forty years ago, some of the humour is a little out of line with current values, but I did not find anything offensive. There is a shortage of women in the creative roles, but that is simply a reflection of how things were at the time. I was pleased to see that Fay Weldon got a respectful mention.
What I liked best about A Brand to Die For was the close relationship and very funny banter between the leading characters. There are great descriptions of eccentric personalities, such as GDR’s aristocratic client, Lord Cecil Allard. I also enjoyed the imaginative account of the wild boar wars. Because the story is set forty years ago, some of the humour is a little out of line with current values, but I did not find anything offensive. There is a shortage of women in the creative roles, but that is simply a reflection of how things were at the time. I was pleased to see that Fay Weldon got a respectful mention.
May 28, 2023
A country house murder mystery that won’t “boar” you
A Brand to Die For is a cross between Mad Men, Agatha Christie and some of the BBC’s most memorable sitcoms. Its references to James Bond, Dudley Moore, Peter Cooke, Mohammad Ali, and Dr Who, brought back many wonderful circa 1983 memories which was arguably a golden age of creativity in the world of advertising. Speaking of advertising, Alex Pearl drew well on his experience as an advertising practitioner from that period as I found myself appreciating the book’s insider descriptions of the inner workings of a pre-Internet creative ad agency.
Magnus O’Shea, Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle, the creative A-team of Gordon Deedes Ritter, are called along with six other agencies to the country estate of breakfast cereal and wild boar magnate Lord Allard. Gordon Deedes Rutter is the incumbent when it comes to Lord Allard’s creative advertising business, however due to Allard’s declining sales numbers they are in the awkward position of having to compete for and re-pitch Allard on their agency’s capabilities.
During the proceedings Allard is found dead in a wild boar pen stabbed to death by the nib of a pen and shot in the torso. It was around this part that I made careful notes of the “suspects” and half expected Hercule Poirot to make an appearance. Without revealing any spoilers, one mystery leads to another along with plenty of gratuitous sex and violence as alluded to in the book’s beginning. A Brand to Die For is a breath of fresh air and a joy to read. I’m looking forward to letting out many uncontrolled chuckles and having another blast when I read the upcoming sequel.
A Brand to Die For is a cross between Mad Men, Agatha Christie and some of the BBC’s most memorable sitcoms. Its references to James Bond, Dudley Moore, Peter Cooke, Mohammad Ali, and Dr Who, brought back many wonderful circa 1983 memories which was arguably a golden age of creativity in the world of advertising. Speaking of advertising, Alex Pearl drew well on his experience as an advertising practitioner from that period as I found myself appreciating the book’s insider descriptions of the inner workings of a pre-Internet creative ad agency.
Magnus O’Shea, Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle, the creative A-team of Gordon Deedes Ritter, are called along with six other agencies to the country estate of breakfast cereal and wild boar magnate Lord Allard. Gordon Deedes Rutter is the incumbent when it comes to Lord Allard’s creative advertising business, however due to Allard’s declining sales numbers they are in the awkward position of having to compete for and re-pitch Allard on their agency’s capabilities.
During the proceedings Allard is found dead in a wild boar pen stabbed to death by the nib of a pen and shot in the torso. It was around this part that I made careful notes of the “suspects” and half expected Hercule Poirot to make an appearance. Without revealing any spoilers, one mystery leads to another along with plenty of gratuitous sex and violence as alluded to in the book’s beginning. A Brand to Die For is a breath of fresh air and a joy to read. I’m looking forward to letting out many uncontrolled chuckles and having another blast when I read the upcoming sequel.
July 29, 2024
Something of a mixed bag, this book! The plot and tone are an unusual mixture of the TV series Mad Men, P.G. Wodehouse’s Blandings stories and a gangland thriller, which was entertaining but kept throwing me off balance just as I was settling into the story.
The satire-style ad-men beginning was quite funny, despite the rampant misogyny and casual sexism – which were likely true to the setting! – and I absolutely LOVED when the plot suddenly sidestepped into a Wodehousian murder mystery, complete with beloved pigs. Then I was baffled, and a little disappointed, when the story took another steep swerve, this time into Italian crime families, car chases and shoot-outs. I had really enjoyed trying to work out whodunnit up until that point, then rather lost my grip on the plot and had to sit back and just enjoy wherever the ride took me next.
This definitely could have been a 5* read for me, if the thriller aspect had been omitted entirely and the suspects restricted to the pool of advertising executives and miscellaneous others who attended the ad-pitch conference. It was such a clever set-up and with plenty of subtle British humour and satirical touches, and the mash-up of the Gordon Deedes Rutter dream team with cereal and wild boar was utterly inspired.
Ultimately I felt that too many different books collided here but the story caught in the collision was a potential “pearl” nestled amid swine of both the literal and metaphorical variety.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
The satire-style ad-men beginning was quite funny, despite the rampant misogyny and casual sexism – which were likely true to the setting! – and I absolutely LOVED when the plot suddenly sidestepped into a Wodehousian murder mystery, complete with beloved pigs. Then I was baffled, and a little disappointed, when the story took another steep swerve, this time into Italian crime families, car chases and shoot-outs. I had really enjoyed trying to work out whodunnit up until that point, then rather lost my grip on the plot and had to sit back and just enjoy wherever the ride took me next.
This definitely could have been a 5* read for me, if the thriller aspect had been omitted entirely and the suspects restricted to the pool of advertising executives and miscellaneous others who attended the ad-pitch conference. It was such a clever set-up and with plenty of subtle British humour and satirical touches, and the mash-up of the Gordon Deedes Rutter dream team with cereal and wild boar was utterly inspired.
Ultimately I felt that too many different books collided here but the story caught in the collision was a potential “pearl” nestled amid swine of both the literal and metaphorical variety.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
June 18, 2025
I recently downloaded A Brand to Die For by Alex Pearl. His book is a witty and nostalgic murder mystery that brilliantly captures the chaos of 1980s advertising. With playful nods to cultural icons like James Bond and Doctor Who and clever in-jokes about ad agency life, Alex draws on his own industry experience to craft a setting that’s both vivid and authentic.
The plot, a blend of Mad Men, Agatha Christie, and The Office, revolves around a quirky, creative team re-pitching to a demanding client—only for that client to end up murdered in a boar pen.
Alex deftly mixes sharp satire, absurdist mystery, and over-the-top antics, resulting in a fast-paced, highly entertaining whodunit. His characters shine, especially in the banter between the ad men Brian and Angus, whose dry, British humor carries much of the book’s charm.
Alex’s writing is filled with witty wordplay, punchy dialogue, and sly cultural jabs—think Tom Sharpe meets Poirot by way of Soho. His jokes are as relentless as they are funny.
In summary, this is a fantastic read, and I recommend it to anybody who loves a good mystery.
The plot, a blend of Mad Men, Agatha Christie, and The Office, revolves around a quirky, creative team re-pitching to a demanding client—only for that client to end up murdered in a boar pen.
Alex deftly mixes sharp satire, absurdist mystery, and over-the-top antics, resulting in a fast-paced, highly entertaining whodunit. His characters shine, especially in the banter between the ad men Brian and Angus, whose dry, British humor carries much of the book’s charm.
Alex’s writing is filled with witty wordplay, punchy dialogue, and sly cultural jabs—think Tom Sharpe meets Poirot by way of Soho. His jokes are as relentless as they are funny.
In summary, this is a fantastic read, and I recommend it to anybody who loves a good mystery.
July 21, 2022
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. I only do honest reviews so here goes.
I loved it. Set in the 1980s in an advertising company where our two heroes Brian and Angus work. They are asked to ‘re pitch’ for an advertising campaign for the owner of a major cereal company.
While attending a meeting at the clients country estate they become involved in a murder and subsequently the boys become involved in attempts to solve the murder.
The murder doesn’t actually happen until almost half way through the book, the first half is mostly set up to introduce the major players in the story, especially the Ad men.
The book is very funny and a refreshing look at the Ad industry. I feel that I’ve seen some of the adverts.
The murders (there are two of them) are somewhat preposterous but that doesn’t detract from the fun.
I really enjoyed it, it’s a good fun light read and will look for any future books by Mr Pearl.
I loved it. Set in the 1980s in an advertising company where our two heroes Brian and Angus work. They are asked to ‘re pitch’ for an advertising campaign for the owner of a major cereal company.
While attending a meeting at the clients country estate they become involved in a murder and subsequently the boys become involved in attempts to solve the murder.
The murder doesn’t actually happen until almost half way through the book, the first half is mostly set up to introduce the major players in the story, especially the Ad men.
The book is very funny and a refreshing look at the Ad industry. I feel that I’ve seen some of the adverts.
The murders (there are two of them) are somewhat preposterous but that doesn’t detract from the fun.
I really enjoyed it, it’s a good fun light read and will look for any future books by Mr Pearl.
December 13, 2022
This was another offering I received from Voracious Readers.
The setting in the 1980's world of advertising creates an atmosphere that intrigues at the outset. Some of the characters verge on the "likeable rogue" spectrum and you wonder where it's all going. So, we have some new employees, some new ideas and a curmudgeon of a client. Without giving too much away, it becomes a mystery to be solved and in the process of course, something unexpected happens. Then towards the end of the book, we have the introduction of characters and a place that do not seem remotely connected. Curious indeed.
At this point, I confess I must have been an English teacher in another life. Add to that my proofreader mode, I found this book quite irritating to read and it could do with an editor. Having said all that, I was entertained.
The setting in the 1980's world of advertising creates an atmosphere that intrigues at the outset. Some of the characters verge on the "likeable rogue" spectrum and you wonder where it's all going. So, we have some new employees, some new ideas and a curmudgeon of a client. Without giving too much away, it becomes a mystery to be solved and in the process of course, something unexpected happens. Then towards the end of the book, we have the introduction of characters and a place that do not seem remotely connected. Curious indeed.
At this point, I confess I must have been an English teacher in another life. Add to that my proofreader mode, I found this book quite irritating to read and it could do with an editor. Having said all that, I was entertained.
November 15, 2022
(I received a complimentary review copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only)
While I did enjoy the development of some of the lead characters in this book, the story lost me in the last third with the introduction of a new plot element I was not expecting. I'm not going to give anything away here, but the story took a turn I found difficult to process after spending two thirds of the book getting used to the world of the story and the characters in it. But despite this, the protagonists are interesting and entertaining and I enjoyed the look back at London in the 1980s.
While I did enjoy the development of some of the lead characters in this book, the story lost me in the last third with the introduction of a new plot element I was not expecting. I'm not going to give anything away here, but the story took a turn I found difficult to process after spending two thirds of the book getting used to the world of the story and the characters in it. But despite this, the protagonists are interesting and entertaining and I enjoyed the look back at London in the 1980s.
October 10, 2022
No doubt about it, the bizarre world of advertising is always asking to be made fun of. And this book by an ex-advertising copywriter does exactly that, but with the affection of someone who was there on the spot. The unusual twist here is that Alex has added a murder/detective theme into the mix. Alex obviously had a good time in the 80s and so I did I reading about it. Good fun all round - I enjoyed it!
December 8, 2022
I received a complimentary copy through Voracious Readers Only, and I'm really glad I did! I didn't want to stop reading - I was back in the bad old ways of the 80s and agency life which is portrayed so convincingly. It's light-hearted, funny, and well written. Loved the unexpectedness of the wild boar and would have loved to have seen Angus and Brian's solid fuel campaign! It would be great to see this duo make a return in another novel.
July 21, 2022
If you’re looking for a complex and detailed murder mystery or police procedural, then this probably isn’t the book for you. But, if you’re looking for a quirky story based primarily around snappy dialogue with a dry British flavour of humour, and some startling twists, then definitely give this a try.
October 4, 2022
This was a bit of a romp in the vein of Wodehouse. However being set in the 1980's, it just didn't gel with me. The characters were likeable, the plot was outrageous and the ending was slightly abrupt. I'm afraid it didn't work for me.
Many thanks to Voracious readers for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Many thanks to Voracious readers for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
December 18, 2023
Ex-advertising copywriter Alex Pearl has conceived a light hearted and funny world in which The Office and Mad Men meet Agatha Christie.
Set in the 1980s in an advertising company, the protagonists in this light-hearted murder mystery, Brian and Angus are well written with wily British-flavored dialogue.
Set in the 1980s in an advertising company, the protagonists in this light-hearted murder mystery, Brian and Angus are well written with wily British-flavored dialogue.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this great book. It has a brilliant comedy-mystery storyline and is very humorous at times. It is definitely a page turner and a fun read from beginning to end. I would highly recommend this book.
November 1, 2022
Alex Pearl has a great writing style and a way of telling a story. I always enjoy a good murder mystery and this does such a great job. I really enjoyed reading this and glad I read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 8, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. I liked the mystery part of the book and the characters were well defined. It was interesting to hear about the inner workings of the advertising industry. The plot moved along nicely, with no slow parts. I would recommend!
July 14, 2022
This comic murder mystery made me laugh out loud. The dialogue is wonderful.
July 27, 2022
Just finished ‘A Brand to Die For’ and I really enjoyed it. Credible characters, plausible plot and an authentic insight into the 1980’s advertising world. Murder mystery interspersed with humour, light on the police procedurals (and indeed leaving some of the kidnap details to the imagination) but always a pleasure to read.
August 12, 2022
Brilliant book could not put it down. Really enjoyed it and would highly recommend.
November 4, 2022
A wonderful read. Very entertaining. Quite different from the usual murder novels.
February 14, 2023
A quick fun read! Easily will get you intrigued and easily to finish fast
February 16, 2025
A slow burner, as the victim doesn't die till just under half way through the book, but then it speeds up to a creshendo at the end.
Bit of a disappointing ending with no resolution.
Bit of a disappointing ending with no resolution.
July 24, 2023
I received a free copy of this book from VRO in exchange for an honest review. This novel is meant to be a humorous mystery set against the background of a UK advertising agency in the 1980's. It is amusing in that subtle British tongue in cheek way but I detected an element of farce as well. A murder is committed at a country estate during a gathering of several ad agencies, there to make presentations, vying to secure an account. Later, back at their agency one of the protagonists realizes something that could point to a suspect, so three of our heroes decide to take a road trip back to the countryside in hopes of learning more. They arrive just in time to witness the police taking the "suspect" in for questioning. As well, one of our protagonists is Jewish, though as he says, not very Jewish, yet his parents talk like New York Jews as portrayed on large and small screen alike. All in all, a nice light read.
Read
July 13, 2022As far as I can tell, the last murder mystery set in the world of a London advertising agency was penned way back in 1933 by Dorothy L. Sayers (Murder Must Advertise). So I thought it was about time to write another one. I also confess that I am a lazy so-and-so, and the thought of not having to do masses of research, appealed to me. You see, advertising is a world I inhabited for an unhealthy number of years, and it's a world I know well. And the 80s was a particularly interesting time to have worked in the industry. It was, of course, a very different world back then. The internet and mobile phone hadn't yet been invented, and clients were prone to spending eye-watering sums on production. It was also a time of social unrest. Margaret Thatcher was rubbing the miners and the Argentinians up the wrong way, and the Poll Tax would eventually lead to riots and the fall of Thatcher. Against this backdrop, A BRAND TO DIE FOR is a comic murder mystery that will hopefully appeal to those who lived through the 80s and those who like to read about that period. But above all, I hope it raises a laugh or two.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews