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  • A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away

  • By: Chris Brookmyre
  • Narrated by: Steve Worsley
  • Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (825 ratings)
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A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away cover art

A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away

By: Chris Brookmyre
Narrated by: Steve Worsley
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Summary

Back when they were students, Simon and his friend, Ray, had dreams to become rock stars. Fifteen years later their mid-30s are bearing down fast, and they're having to accept a less glamorous life.

Ray takes refuge from his responsibilities by living a virtual existence in online games. People say he needs to grow up, but everybody finds their own way of coping.

But for Simon it's serial murder, mass slaughter and professional assassination.

©2001 Christopher Brookmyre (P)2015 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Sharply satirical and poignantly funny, this is a gripping and highly entertaining read." ( Time Out)
"A bit like a literary computer game, this novel has plenty of verve and dash." ( Irish Times)

What listeners say about A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Performance
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Story
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favourite Brookmyre, perfectly read

I usually avoid buying audio books I have read before and loved as the voice In my head always sounds so different but I thought this was marvelously delivered, I loved it and I am pleased I broke my rule for it.

Essentially this is a comic thriller involving a depressed English teacher, a policewoman and two year 7 scallies taking on a team of international terrorists. laugh out loud, edge of the seat stuff.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

not as funny and charming as the parlabane series

the story is clever as always but a bit too dark and violent for my taste. and the first half hours negative rant almost put me off listening to the rest of the book

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A B+

Good storyline and an excellent narrator . Too many biographies and back stories though for the various characters meant that the story was very slow to progress.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb, sarcastic and full of great characters

The book itself is excellent - the student politics and characters (especially for someone who went to Glasgow University) are extremely well drawn and the story sweeps you along - flashbacks and all. My one gripe is the pronunciation of 'Rank Bajin' by the narrator, in Glasgow slang this should be pronounced as 'rank bad yin' - fan more apt for the character! Nonetheless, an excellent listen.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, well narrated

Really enjoyed both the story and the narration. The story is interesting and exciting, and the narrator does a great job. All of the characters are well defined.

Definitely recommended.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Super story - beautifullyl narrated

Unlikely heroes, lovely twisted plot and well crafted accents that I love. Beautifully narrated with an interesting exploration of less known power plants. This book feels like it was fun to write and has been assembled from expert knowledge of all key areas from pre-PC computer games to terrorist mentality. Utterly compelling.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

REALLY ENJOYED THIS

Would you listen to A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away again? Why?

Possibly - though I rarely do re-read or re-listen to books.

What other book might you compare A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away to, and why?

None really.

What about Steve Worsley’s performance did you like?

Excellent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really. Not that sort of book. Quite fast paced.

Any additional comments?

Loved it. Listening to another of his. Really good storyline, plenty of action, a bit off the wall, witty - and the reader was excellent. Carried the tone and pace of the book superbly. This was the listening equivalent of the book you can't put down. I do hope he's still writing!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Glasgow written but not Glesca read - the Lost Glottal Stop Mystery

It would help if the narrator at least spoke to a Glaswegian before trying to ape the accent and the local allusions.
Good story if you're into crime fantasy a good notch above and beyond crime fiction and very enjoyable once you adjust for the Estuary English accent - Rank Bajean for goodness sake!

Will Chris B.'s next book be set in Kelvinside Academy or will De Savier be investigating the the narrator and the list glottal stop. We can but hope!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Loved it. Interesting story with twists and turns. Great narrator. Would definitely recommend. Will be listening to more by this author.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Amusing but a bit long winded

Well I enjoyed the actual concept and the story but blimey did it get a bit wordy at times, just felt like it was trying to be clever when it could have been more succinct and less rambly! Love the narrator though and would probably recommend the book but it wasn’t my favourite from this author.

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7 people found this helpful