Category Archives: Review

Finn McRedmond reviews Vespers Restaurant, London

Posted on September 12, 2026 by odeboyz

“I will start with the euphemistically named ‘pizzette’ – it topped with Straciartella (tick) and mortadella (tick) and then? Mostarda. That is pineapple jam, between you and me. And I can tell you this: jam belongs on rice pudding, which … Continue reading →

Posted in cookery, Humour, Review | Tagged | Leave a comment

An Irishman eats potatoes

Posted on June 17, 2026 by odeboyz

“…theirs are so strikingly good: fire-smoked and bathed in butter, sweet and soft beneath their crunchy skins, their flesh perfectly waxed and salty. To eat one is to immediately know, deep in your bog-brained heart, that you will soon be … Continue reading →

Posted in cookery, Humour, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Grace Dent reviews Oudh 1722 London SE1

Posted on June 13, 2026 by odeboyz

“Oudh 1722’s a la carte menu opens with a lamb shorba, a traditional Awadhi welcome broth poured over finely chopped lamb tartare. Then spherical servings of gol guppa (you might know them by another moniker, pani puri)…..” Only Londoners love … Continue reading →

Posted in cookery, History, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Andrew Cartmel ~ The Vinyl Detective: written in dead wax (2016)

Posted on March 18, 2026 by odeboyz

Two things need to be noted up front. (1) I’m a very longstanding jazz fan and (2) I adore quirky novels, which destroy customary formula. There isn’t a maverick Detective Inspector anywhere in this novel. In fact, there are no … Continue reading →

Posted in Review, Science, Technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Lee Child ~ The Enemy (2004)

Posted on February 25, 2026 by odeboyz

After reading a few Reacher novels they begin to feel like a warm blanket. Predictable and a lovely interlude in life’s rich pageant. Reacher is a ‘righteous’ psychopath smashing people into pulp. Killing people in ever more ingenious ways. Wandering … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Review, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Victims of Trip Advisor strike back

Posted on February 7, 2026 by odeboyz
Posted in cookery, Economics, Humour, quips, Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Douglas Adams ~ The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (1979)

Posted on February 4, 2026 by odeboyz

For a comedic SciFi novel to become a best-seller is unprecedented. Douglas Adams was very, very lucky that he got decisive support from BBC Radio4. They produced 15-minute programmes, which became a cult. Adams then wrote a series of books … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Literature, Review, Science, Technology, TV sitcom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Martin Cruz Smith ~ Hotel Ukraine (2025)

Posted on October 29, 2025 by odeboyz

Authors who create wonderful characters own a gold mine.1 Killing a ‘Golden Goose’ is very expensive. Lee Child outsourced the Reacher series to his brother. Ian Ranken’s Rebus recently was imprisoned for murder and then solved a murder and lives … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Ian Rankin ~ Midnight and Blue (2024)

Posted on July 30, 2025 by odeboyz

Q) What does a brilliant detective do after being sentenced to life imprisonment? A) Solve ultra difficult murders. Rebus got a life sentence for murdering his criminal nemesis ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty. It was accidental but nonetheless he was found guilty … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Prison, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: James Ellroy ~ The Big Nowhere (1988)

Posted on June 25, 2025 by odeboyz

The USA has a menacing culture, which embraces extreme violence and corruption. The January 6th 2020 Insurrection led to multiple deaths and systematic vandalism. It was celebrated by President Trump as an act of ‘patriotism’. His first act, as president, … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Politics, Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment