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Quite Ugly One Evening

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Quite Ugly One Evening

By: Chris Brookmyre
Narrated by: Angus King
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An Atlantic voyage. A family at war. A secret worth killing over.

Reporter Jack Parlabane thrives on chasing stories in unlikely places, and where could be less likely than a fan convention on a cruise liner celebrating a contentious Sixties TV series? But unlike the media family exploiting their show's renewed relevance, he's not there to stoke controversy: he's there to solve a murder.

Already in deep water with his employer, Jack desperately needs a win, and solving this decades-old mystery could be it. Problem is, he's in the middle of the Atlantic, and someone onboard has already killed once to keep their secret.

And that's not even the tricky part. No, the tricky part is definitely the dead body locked in a stateroom with him, covered in his blood. Now Jack has to solve two murders, otherwise the only way he's getting off this ship is in handcuffs - or in a body bag.

Quite Ugly One Evening is a zeitgesty locked-room mystery that sees the return of rogue journalist Jack Parlabane thirty years after his first appearance in Quite Ugly One Morning.

Praise for Chris Brookmyre:

'Chris Brookmyre is a genius' Richard Osman

'In the pantheon of great crime writers' Elly Griffiths

'There's nothing he can't do' Mick Herron

'Chris Brookmyre is a storytelling mastermind' Chris Whitaker©2026 W.F. Howes Crime Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Psychological Thriller & Suspense Crime Murder
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So happy to have Jack back again ☺️ Absolutely loved this, Angus is perfect with his narration, and Chris, as always keeps you on the edge of your seat with so many twists and turns. Just asking for a friend, when is your next book out 😁

He has done it again!!

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It was nice to find out the back story to Jack. Well written and well narrated. A lot of characters to remember and slowed a little halfway through before the plot picked up again . Always a joy to read Chris Brookmyre. Very perceptive and on point as usual

Enjoyable listen

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Jack Parlabane is probably the easiest to empathise with that he has been in any of his books. The humour is still there, but with an increased warmth for the character, who is softening in his old age! The usual well-plotted story, and a critique of our tribal media and their manipulative tendencies.

One of his best.

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Chris Brookmyre is always a pleasure to read & Parlabane is his best creation.

Angus King is a favourite narrator & he’s excellent her.

Another great Parlabane.

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Funny twists great story line brilliant characters
don't think I will go cruiseing though
can't wait for the next book

Brookmyre at his best

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