The tale of a stumped policeman, a third man, and a well-placed shot.
The tale of a stumped policeman, a third man, and a well-placed shot.
Crime, Humorous (general), Mystery & detective (general)
The tale of a stumped policeman, a third man, and a well-placed shot.
It’s 1984. Princess Diana has just given birth to her second child. The legendary comic Tommy Cooper has died on stage (quite literally). And Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle are gloriously oblivious to it all as they strive to enthral the nation with their television commercials for the advertising agency Gordon Deedes Rutter. But all is not as rosy as it might seem in the frenetic world of Soho. Following a disastrous presentation to a manufacturer of diarrhoea tablets, Lovejoy and Finkle let off steam by playing cricket for an old school friend - but in doing so, stumble upon a nest of vipers involving a gay vicar, a small-time antique fraudster, a photographer, and blackmail. There can only be one outcome and it’s going to entail murder.
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Pearl has written a very funny and compelling page-turner. 11 out of 10! ~ Jeremy Dein, K. C. and presenter of the BBC's award-winning series Murder, Mystery and My Family
Alex Pearl writes with a dry humour, drawing on his knowledge of the advertising world. He paints a satirical picture of the 80s, combining this with cricket and a unique mystery. ~ Paul Kane (P. L. Kane), bestselling author of Her Husband’s Grave
The worlds of cricket, advertising, and 1980s London can feel far away if you aren’t British. But in Alex Pearl’s capable hands they are made real - and very, very witty. Mr. Pearl clearly knows what he’s writing about. The pace of the writing is brisk, but you’ll want to take your time in order to savor the quips and puns. One Man Down is a highly enjoyable read! ~ Jadi Campbell, author of The Trail Back Out, 2023 San Francisco Book Festival Winner
A 1980s gem sizzling with witty dialogue and the mysterious murders of an advertising executive and a fraudster to boot. Alex Pearl writes from his personal experience of having worked in 'the glory days of British advertising.' Its tongue-in-cheek anecdotes and unashamed name-dropping of celebs like Julian Clary, had me laughing out loud. This is well written, entertaining, and different from the usual murder mystery. ~ M. J. Mallon, author of the Curse Of Time series: Bloodstone and Golden Healer
In One Man Down, Alex Pearl’s biting satire on 80s individualism, London’s adland is as much a character as Morse’s Oxford. Run on two parts alcohol and one part cynicism, the sybaritic excesses of old Soho’s creatives are the perfect accompaniment to this feast of theft, blackmail and murder. ~ Pete Langman, author of Killing Beauties, Slender Threads, Black Box, and The Country House Cricketer
In One Man Down, Alex Pearl delivers another hilarious and compelling mystery set in the world of a London advertising agency. As Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle strive to create the perfect television commercial, they find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. With witty dialogue, unexpected twists, and a nod to the iconic figures of the 1980s, including comedian Julian Clary, this book is a must-read for fans of classic murder mysteries. Your only regret reading it will be that it's over too soon. ~ Drēma Drudge, author of Victorine and Southern-Fried Woolf
Many a true word is spoken in jest. And former ad man Alex Pearl gives us plenty of pithy truths, as well as spot-on jests, in this witty exposé of the world of advertising agencies in the supercool ‘80s. Clever, unsparing, engaging and a lot of fun. ~ Sue Clark, former comedy writer for the BBC and author of Note to Boy and A Novel Solution
Alex Pearl breaks all the rules of fashionable modern fiction — meaning that his stories are compelling, his characters are plausible and live in a recognisable world, and his writing is clear, vivid and entertaining. ~ Jonathan Margolis, columnist and author
Alex Pearl’s new novel is a highly entertaining tale of shenanigans and skulduggery set in 1980s London ad land. Pearl is a very funny writer, with a keen eye for the absurdities of life. ~ Ian Critchley, book reviewer and writer
There’s no mistaking excellent work, and Alex Pearl writes excellent stories. Novels that read like great films. Engaging, immersive, relatable. And funny. Leaving me sorry that One Man Down is now done, yet eager to read Pearl’s next book. ~ Bill Arnott, bestselling author of the Gone Viking travelogues and The Year of Living Danishly
