#1 Dead Famous by Ben Elton

10 second review: Agatha Christie for the Big Brother generation. Not bad.

A friend recommended this to me on the basis that he'd got a whole wodge of pages through and still didn't know who'd been killed, let alone whodunnit. I like a good cosy mystery, so that and the fact that the murder was set in a fictional version of the Big Brother house grabbed me. After all, how do you commit a murder when there are 40 cameras - and a cameraman and a production team - watching you? And why?

The unraveling of the mystery isn't as seamless as one might hope, but it all comes out to a satisfying conclusion, and the rules have been observed. You could have figured it out - but I didn't. I get the impression that this is Elton's first murder mystery. I'd happily read another, but don't know if I'd pick up one of his other-genre books.

It was an enjoyable, quick read, and would be great for a beach or a plane. On the other hand, there is a reason I don't watch Big Brother, and this was a little to realistic for comfort.

Read it if: You like Agatha Christie.
Don't if: You can't stand the whole 'Day 1 - the housemates are brushing their teeth... Day 24 - the housemates are brushing their teeth for the 24th time.' thing, even in jest.