The Satsuma Complex

By: Bob Mortimer

Narrated by: Sally Phillips, Bob Mortimer

*WINNER OF THE BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE PRIZE FOR COMIC FICTION 2023*

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Funny, clever and sweet’– Sunday Times

‘The much loved comic proves adept at noirish fiction in a debut whose surrealist humour sets it apart’ – Observer

My name is Gary. I’m a thirty-year-old legal assistant with a firm of solicitors in London. To describe me as anonymous would be unfair but to notice me other than in passing would be a rarity. I did make a good connection with a girl, but that blew up in my face and smacked my arse with a fish slice.

Gary Thorn goes for a pint with a work acquaintance called Brendan. When Brendan leaves early, Gary meets a girl in the pub. He doesn’t catch her name, but falls for her anyway. When she suddenly disappears without saying goodbye, all Gary has to remember her by is the book she was reading: The Satsuma Complex. But when Brendan goes missing, Gary needs to track down the girl he now calls Satsuma to get some answers.

And so begins Gary’s quest, through the estates and pie shops of South London, to finally bring some love and excitement into his unremarkable life…

A story with a cast of unforgettable characters, The Satsuma Complex is the brilliantly funny smash hit first novel by bestselling author and comedian Bob Mortimer.

©2022 Bob Mortimer (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, UK

Critic reviews

"Like Spike Milligan, Mortimer has managed to use a novel for his distinctive comedic voice." (The Telegraph)

Quite Pleased With What It Achieves

I was expecting to be amused, but I was surprised at how entertaining the entire story was. The plot was good, the characters engaging, and even though there are a minimum of duck references, I didn't feel short changed.

I was a little concerned when I saw two narrators on the audio version, but thankfully it wasn't done like a two-hander. The recording quality isn't uniform throughout and there's a stumble or two that didn't get edited out, but they in no way took away from the story.

I look forward to Mr. Mortimer's next book. And a slice of Battenburg.

A great first novel!

I feel like I’ve just had a quick glimpse of what it must be like inside the mind of Bob Mortimer, and boy how truly wonderful it is in there! I can’t say I thought I’d be listening to a talking squirrel when I started this book, but that’s Bob in a nutshell. (Pun intended) I truly hope we hear more from Gary,Grace and and Satsuma.

Great fun.

Good story with some very ‘Bob’ funny moments. I really enjoyed and hope that there will be more.

perfect Bob Mortimer

this is a great story by the inimitable Bob Mortimer and I loved it. the performance by Sally Phillips was a perfect addition to Bob's performance.

Lovely twists in the plot!

Nothing actually. It was a lovely read. Typical British sense of humor and the narration was excellent

Bob is the best!

As a fan of bob, this review is biased. I had low expectations of this book, being it’s his first novel, but I truly loved it. Great characters with an imaginative story.

So Much Tension!

First, Sally Phillips is a dream. Second, so is Bob Mortimer. The story telling was fabulous.
I was so tense during so much of this--which I enjoyed because, although I assumed there'd be a favorable conclusion, I was never actually sure--a quality that keeps you in the present of a story. Highly enjoyed, highly recommend!

Great find!!

This was a cover to cover listen! Such a compelling story with vivid detail and performance. I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. I would highly recommend!

Bob Mortimer at His Best

First novels are a glimpse into a writer's truest form. This was that and more. Gary is a protagonist that feels like a real person living a real life that is caught up in extraordinary circumstances. It felt like a friend reading you his newest idea for a novel while you laugh and love it more because the telling is so good.

Great, Funny, Listen!

A creative, funny first effort. Can’t wait for another charming gem from this new author