Boiling A Frog

Jack Parlabane #3

by Christopher Brookmyre

In perfect Brookmyre tradition this new thriller featuring Jack Parlabane contains a lot of body fluids, the Establishment at its most corrupt, relatively few dead bodies and a formidable display of black humour.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Thriller, Scotland, British Literature

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Christopher Brookmyre is a Scottish novelist whose novels mix politics, social comment and action with a strong narrative. He has been referred to as a Tartan Noir author. His debut novel was Quite Ugly One Morning, and subsequent works have included One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night, which he said "was just the sort of book he needed to write before he turned 30", and All Fun and Games until Somebody Loses an Eye (2005). Brookmyre also writes historical fiction with Marisa Haetzman, under the pseudonym "Ambrose Parry."

Reviews

[David Baird]

This is the first Christopher Brookmyre novel I have read (I couldn't get hold of "Quite Ugly One Morning" or "Country of the Blind"). At first the discussion of Scottish politics and religion was somewhat overbearing, (if necessary to the plot) but I'm glad I ploughed through it. Once beyond the social studies lessons, it revealed itself to be a ripping yarn full of black humour, intrigue and nefarious scheming. Having not read any of the preceding Jack Parlabane novels, and seeing other reviews stating this was the "weakest" of the Parlabane outings, I can't wait to read the others. To me, at least, he is portrayed as a likeable rogue, who can't help himself and who (fueled by his wife's "betrayal") leads himself into more trouble than perhaps he was prepared for. Brookmyre has stated that the inspiration for Parlabane was Douglas Adams' Ford Prefect and has said "I always adored the idea of a character who cheerfully wanders into enormously dangerous situations and effortlessly makes them much worse." Parlabane lives up to that here, and the result is a genuinely entertaining read

[Algernon (Darth Anyan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I Learned:
Amphibians are poikilothermic - their body temperatures adapt automatically to changes in their environment, without their noticing. Theoretically, this means that if you were to put a frog in a pan of cold water, then turn up the heat gradually enough, you could cook the poor creature to death before it realised it was in danger.

Given the well documented Parlabane / Brookmyre fetish for conspiracy theories I have the feeling this proverbial frog is me, the reader, being slowly cooked in the fire tended by spin doctors and smooth operators who demonstrate daily that War is Peace, the earth is not warming up, evolution is a myth and politicians are honest, dedicated servants of the public good.
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After uncovering deadly conspiracies at the highest level of the National Health System ( Quite Ugly One Morning ) , media moguls and the Tory party leadership ( Country of the Blind ) the unorthodox methods of obtaining information have finally landed Parlabane in the slammer. The hilarious account of the investigative reporter's eyewitness account of his life among the Scottish prison inmates is weaved into the larger story of the Catholic Church struggles to maintain its role as moral arbiter of society and the role of Public Relations professionals in controlling the way information is presented / spinned for public consumption.

Brookmyre loves to editorialize in his books on hot topic issues, and this third book in the Parlabane series is no exception, expostulating at length on gay rights, the right to keep your bedroom habits private, the role of the yellow press in driving political discourse, the way religion and politics mix and set government policy, child pornography and online privacy. I must say, Brookmyre comes out as a more tempered crusader than in the previous books. He still has a vicious streak when portraying the bad guys (an incident with a certain vibrator comes to mind), but presents a more balanced debate by looking at he issues from the POV's of a senior Labor Party insider and a Church spokesman with moral scruples. But this is still Conspiracy Theory Central, and the author provides his own tongue-in-cheek headline:

RUTHLESS BAD GUY HATCHES MURDEROUS CONSPIRACY TO COVER UP EARTH-SHATTERING SECRET

The plot progression and the gradual revelations are more than satisfactory. My only complaint here is a certain ambiguousness about the timeline, with the transitions in POV jumping also backward and forward in time in a confusing manner. And for all the hilarious rendering of Scottish dialect (Fooaltiye is apparently Phew! I'll tell you! and Parlabane is described as "that snidey wee shite") the novel suffers from being too topical in pop culture and political references. The story is liberally seasoned with the names of local political leaders, soccer teams, religious nicknames, TV shows and other local brands.

The novel is largelly self contained and could be read as such, but some references to previous events are made, especially regarding Jack Parlabane marital relations and a meeting in jail with the bad guy from Country of the Blind. So there might be spoilers for those who start here.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. This was the third book in the Jack Parlabane series, and just didn't live up to the first two. This was a period when Brookmyre really needed an editor, and it shows. The first half (half!) of the book is a series of rants about sexual infidelity. While I thought some of the musing was interesting, it didn't really belong in a novel -- it would have made a reasonable essay, if phrased differently. The book did get exciting toward the second half, but it didn't quite make up for the first half. I still liked it, and it was fun to read, but he really needs an editor willing to tell him to cut it out.

The storyline follows Jack, now in prison after having been caught breaking into a church, mostly musing over issues of fidelity and avoiding trouble in jail, while exciting things are happening in politics on the outside. Unfortunately for him, it turns out he was peripherally involved in the exciting events, causing an escalating series of attempts to kill him, and resulting in his eventually being pulled into the scandal and finding a uniquely Parlabane way out. Fun to read, but only if you've enjoyed the other ones and need more Parlabane.

[Karl]

Sex, Perversion, Murder, Floor Polishing.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd in the Jack Parlabane series, the audio of this book kept mildly freaking me out. Originally published in 2000, the political satire, the social commentary, and the sheer breathtaking bloody awfulness of the "powers that be" could be right now. So right now, that it was freaky, distracting, unbelievably disappointing, hilariously funny, scarily on topic, and scathing in it's portrayal of the Catholic Church in all it's pestilence, politician's in all their connivance, and political minders in all their brutality of purpose (and the utter lack of ethics, morals, decency and I don't know... everything else about the lot of them).

This audio journey through a favourite series is going incredibly well - in a sweary, pissed off, crazy, manic, bloody good fun kind of way. The narrators thus far have been David Tennant and Angus King - both have been a pleasure to listen to.

[ReadsSometimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining 👏

[Jamie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distressed by a marital crisis, Scottish journalist Jack Parlabane reverts to his old habit of breaking & entering, but he's off his game - as the novel opens he's beginning a six month jail sentence. Meanwhile we're introduced to a shrewd politician who becomes entangled in the devious scheming of a bitter public relations guy with a penchant for blackmail.

This third Parlabane novel is my favorite so far. All of the scenes of Parlabane in jail are hilarious. I was worried at first that the Scottish political stuff was going to drag, but the story picked up quickly. Perhaps the endings of these books are a bit too neat, but there is something viscerally satisfying in watching the bad guys get caught red-handed, just in time.

[Gregory Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another viciously funny Brookmyre novel with Jack Parlabane, the scourge of government corruption and coverup. This time Parlabane's in jail, trapped by his own bad instincts, and sharing a cell with "Fooaltiye" and on the receiving end of an assault by a fictional Rupert Murdoch. If anything, Brookmyre shows himself to be alarmingly prescient in his portrayal of vengeful rightwing media. A gem.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favourite of the genrally entertaing and riviting work of good old chris. I just never felt "on the boat" with this one. Maybe the disticnt yet over lapping story lines where a bit jarring . But Chris didn't let down in his brillaince and encapturing glaswegain banter. still laughed and loud and got weird looks on the tube when I was reading this.

Its just that he has done better.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book is very apt. I have to say I was not impressed with the start of the book, there was a lot of background on Scottish politics which was quite tedious to wade through. But it was necessary for the rest of the story which soon got really good. The Jack Parlabane books are always funny but this one had moments which really cracked me up - particularly the one about the vibrator getting stuck... well you have to read it.

I think this is the book in which Jack finally grows up. He is married to anaesthetist Sarah and she has laid down the law that he needs to stop taking risks and doing his cat burglar stuff. But a fateful indiscretion sees him don the burglar tools one last time and he got caught. It starts off with him going to jail for six months. What - you say? Yes, its true, and its quite a scary time for him as he is targeted by miscreants within the system. But then you get the backstory of why he went to jail. Then he gets out of jail. Then the trouble really starts and poor Jack is in fear for his life again. So please, have patience at the start. It ended up being an excellent story and I'm keen to see who's next for out intrepid reporter.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny as usual. Not all the jokes land but enough do, and that's OK. The Scotland its set in is very realistic and tracks political developments of that day. In that respect, it's like Ian Rankin if Rebus was less of an old misery. In this episode, Parlabane is in prison which makes it even more complicated than usual to suss out the conspiracy theory and solve the crime.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took a while to get going, but turned out to be an exciting page-turner with touches of humour

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!

Set in 2000’s Scotland, in the early years of the devolved parliament, Brookmire has yet again made a top-notch satire of politics and media with brilliant characters and world building (the world being Scotland).

A real page turner; highly recommend

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am done with Jack Parlabane, though I really enjoy the author’s other series. Too little action and not enough Jack and Sarah. Ho hum.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book with a thought provoking plot.

Enough to give anyone in public life the creeps 😁

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't think of another writer like Christopher Brookmyre. He is sort of a combination of Carl Hiassen and Ian Rankin, which is odd, indeed. He can really do almost anything with a story. Here we have the usual madcap capers (several), blood and gore, many laugh out loud funny bits, a very sexual theme, an acute ability to describe ordinary people (especially the types he does not like), and the dry pedanticism of a social studies teacher.

The number of goodreads reviews and ratings surprises me. I am wondering if most of those writing and rating are in the UK. His books are painfully hard to find in the US. (I live in Maine and my local library took about a month to get it from Iowa).

Anyway, for the most part this was great fun. You have an evil guy it is fun to hate, what feels like a cross-section of the Scottish population, and a memorable plot. Three characters from #2 in the series make cameo appearances, which makes a dedicated Brookmyre fan feel appreciated.

The downside is Brookmyre's tendency to go a little preachy, even though I think I share his values.
This Yank has gotten pretty used to the Scottish dialect, and understood most of it aside from the slang. (I look things up on line as I read him). There are also myriad political allusions to Scotland and the UK in the late 1990's, when the book was written, and I have to admit most of them whipped right by me. I expect if you recognize them, the book is even more fun. And boy is this an intricate plot. maybe a little too much so.

And as with my comments on the previous book in the series, the parallels between the political and media worlds in the UK twenty years ago to what is happening in the US these days is downright eerie.

This is not a book for the squeamish or for prudes, I suspect. Brookmyre has a "take no prisoners" sense of humor. For my part, the black humor is a blessing, and all that blood somehow has the impact of the violence in a Roadrunner cartoon, so I could handle it.

I think this series is terrific, and recommend it heartily.

[Dipanjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom!!! Thats what I get to hear every time I think of Jack Parlabane. Insane dark humour, true grit and absolutely superb "non-conformist" view to almost everything. Mr. Brookmyre EXCELS in a "twisted imagination" which I cant just get more off. Every time, with every book, he leaves me breathless for more. Brookmyre is "disturbingly truthful" about his perspectives which border dangerously close to the "unspoken truth". Jack Parlabane is therefore a crusader. A fearless non-conformist. A man with brains between his ears and balls between his legs. What makes him a hero is that in this book he accepts that "he has got into trouble because he had switched his balls between his ears and brains between his legs. HILARIOUSLY true, considering that I have seen MANY get into trouble EXACTLY because of that. Just like all the previous Jack Parlabane capers, even this one will send random sparks in your brain in all random directions for utter chaos and laughter. This is deranged, make no mistake. Totally deranged.

"Boiling A Frog" spends a LOT of time on the Scottish political system and the role of the Church and the Media in it. Please do NOT skim read. Pay attention to the details. The devil IS in the details. You will NOT get the most out of the thrill of the crime UNLESS you understand the complete setup.

If you are on this book, I am assuming you are already acquainted with Jack Parlabane. If not, go back to "Quiet Ugly One Morning" and start there. Read in sequence. And for those who already know him, he is BACK with a BANG.

The world is clearly divided as "those who know Jack" and "those who don't". I sincerely hope you are in the first category, or you have not lived ..... not just yet.

[Nick Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember buying this from a bargain bucket in my local Spar convenience store back in the early 2000s, and I must've read (and probably enjoyed) reading it back then, but I wanted to re-read it having become more familiar with, and more of a fan of, Chris Brookmyre's work.

This was excellent. Set in the early years of the Scottish Parliament, this blends several strands of politics, religion, journalism, crime, and relationships all together in Brookmyre's witty and humourous style. Investigative reporter Jack Parlabane is in prison having been caught breaking into the Catholic Offices, and while he is interred a number of complicated plots involving blackmail, political wrangling, murder, and morality unravel. It's a satirical novel (much more so than the book I read immediately previous to this, which stated 'deeply satirical' on the cover quotes!) yet with plenty of observational humour and funny moments amongst the hard hitting violence and words. Some may struggle with the Scots dialect and/or miss aspects of the cultural, but I found it a satisfying and amusing read.

[Wendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boiling a Frog = Parlabane + (((Politics + Catholicism) x the media) ^ scandal)

More Parlabane! Yay!

This book… This book. There is a lot going on in this book. Parlabane's in trouble, Parlabane's in trouble and Parlabane's in trouble. Basically.

Most of the book feels like a lot is going on, without anything yet really happening. Most of the book feels like a set up before something happens. And it doesn't really work out like that. I read it with a constant feeling of 'what next?' and 'where does this lead?' and although other Brookmyre books have had a huge payout at the end of those kinds of build ups, this one didn't seem to have that as such. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I rather loved the constant tension, the constant gradual progression of the plot.

And really, regardless of everything else in the book, you should read it just for that one chapter. That one, gloriously hilarious chapter, that I refuse to spoil for anyone, even if they want to be spoiled.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boiling A Frog is political conspiracy thriller that Jack Parlabane, a reporter, finds himself caught up in. I loved the writing style and the sense of humour. The characters and the dialogue were well written and the storyline kept me turning the pages. It would have helped if I had read some of the preceding Jack Parlabane books in the series. I also found myself wishing I knew a bit more about UK politics.

The only criticism having read this book and Pandaemonium is that Brookmyre occasionally goes on rants about subjects like the Catholic Church. While I agree with him on the points he's making,and its good to write about issues one feels strongly about, it feels like these rants were more fun to write than they are to read.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adventure in Brookmyre's Jack Parlabane series can be a little hard to follow at times because the plot involves the intricate machinations of Scottish politics. He points out early on that, because a frog's metabolism constantly adjusts to its environment, if you put one in a pot of cold water, then put the pot on the stove, the frog won't realize it's in any danger until it's too late. He uses that as a metaphor for the way this plot unfolds. The villain does show some brutality as things start to unravel, but for the most part this book is about his cruel, self-serving manipulation of people. Of course, you still get all the humor and inventive twists that you expect in a Brookmyre novel. All in all, plan to spend long periods riveted to that comfortable reading chair and immersing yourself in a great story.

[Raymond Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Despite being Scots myself I came late to the world of Christopher Brookmyre but i intend to catch up. Especially if this is anything to go by. I found the opening scene hilarious and he had me hooked by chapter two. The book was devoured in a few days despite the fact that it becomes ever more serious as it goes on. Do not let that worry you it just means you become more hooked with the actual crime story which again is well told and enjoyable as well as credible. You wont believe that this is possible after the first scene but Mr Brookmyre makes it work and work well. An entertaining read that will make you laugh and better still It turns into a first rate crime thriller. I would recommend this book highly even on the initial couple of chapters; I have not laughed so much in ages, but as i say it gets better and better. Highly recommended

[Sarah Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Christopher Brookmyre and how I got hooked to his books! My husband picked it from the library for the title when I was in hospital as he is not really a book person, and he thought it was a funny title! I have read some amazing books when he has picked them!

In all the Jack Parlabane books you get a wonderful mix of black comedy, gory details and a wonderfully flawed main character who is easier to relate to than you might want to admit! The use of the Scottish dialect makes it authentic to the character. Brilliant books!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably four and a half rather than five, except for the amount of pleasure this gave me, and recognition of the four-dimensional dove-tailing of the plot. And such dialogue and laugh out loud humour too.

I've not read the preceding two; note, and disagree with comments below about intrusiveness of so-called 'rants' but certainly enjoyed this a good deal more than 'One fine day in the middle of the night.' Perhap I just needed to get tuned in.

[Lindsay Erwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Borrowed this from a library and glad I didn't buy it. I usually like Chris Brookmyre's books but this felt slow and very dated - it was a 2000 publication. It deals with the new Scottish Parliament, politics spin doctors / ex journalists and the Catholic Church but it's a very slow read an I didn't feel engaged by any of the characters - perhaps it's just dated now at 19 years post publication - we've moved on to worse things....

[Emz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth analysis of Scottish politics, religion, sex and the psyche of the population at the turn of the last century. You have to kiss an awful lot of frogs to find your prince in this one. Akin to the effort you have to put in to get to the fleshy part of a coconut. You have to get your hands dirty in this one I'm afraid. Is it worth it? I hear you ask. Yes... yes, it is, the plot when you eventually get to it is very entertaining.

[Eve Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not so much the story or anything, but the writing. The third in the series and I'm done with Brookmyre's style. Too much about all other characters except Parlabane. And those rants of his, I just can't. The ending was a bit redeeming, but giving one star because I don't want to return to this author again.

[Alan Fitzgerald-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A now-dated situation in Scotland’s political system that is remarkably similar to now.
Jack Parlabane, investigative journalist turned house-breaker, ends up in jail, and his house gets him out to settle previous accounts.

[Thermalsatsuma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parlabane in jail
PR consultant and church
Unholy allies

[Bethel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jack's crazy adventures and schemes but this one is a bit different---He goes to jail! Lots of Scott's politics and the marriage is in trouble. Crazy scheme pays off!