Category Archives: Review

Book Review: George MacDonald Fraser ~ Flashman at the Charge (Flashman 4) (1973)

Posted on October 3, 2022 by odeboyz

 I made the mistake of thinking about the direction of travel that Britain is on. The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, believes Britain is a global military power. He’s a True Believer not allowing trivialities like evidence to interrupt his beliefs. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Jussi Alder-Olsen ~ Redemption (2013) (Translator Martin Aitken)

Posted on September 1, 2022 by odeboyz

Redemption is the third in the series of Department Q novels which centre on Danish detective Carl Morck and his assistant Assad. So far so trivial. But! This is a scandi-noir novel of the highest quality. It’s brilliantly written with … Continue reading →

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Film Review: Bullet Train (Brad Pitt) (2022)

Posted on August 18, 2022 by odeboyz

If you work very hard it’s possible to find out what’s happening but it probably isn’t worth the effort. This gore-fest has a body count going into three figures. Being set in Japan there are more than the usual gun … Continue reading →

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The cost-of-living crisis in Mayfair

Posted on August 15, 2022 by odeboyz

“A new Mayfair joint has opened with the proud announcement that its menu will include a dish costing £3000. Apparently, it involves a bucket load of caviar with a brooding sense of inadequacy on the side. I’m not naming the … Continue reading →

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Book Reviews: Russian Themed Thrillers

Posted on August 11, 2022 by odeboyz

When Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park (1981), was published it was an instant hit. The subsequent series had everything. A Russian version of a maverick Detective Inspector who was brilliant and opposed by the forces of institutional corruption. And they … Continue reading →

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Film Review: Elvis (Austin Butler and Tom Hanks) (2022)

Posted on August 1, 2022 by odeboyz

At 2 hours 40 this film had to be brilliant, otherwise it would have been a nasty self-indulgent mess. Director Baz Luhrmann is notorious for long films, which can be flabby. This isn’t one of them. 2 hours 40 wasn’t … Continue reading →

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 Book Review: Nigel Williams ~ R.I.P. (2015)

Posted on July 18, 2022 by odeboyz

Williams is the king of the suburban black comedy. He dives into the sheer nastiness of family life amongst the well-heeled with enthusiasm. This book is superb example of his genre.  George Pearmain is a bank manager with a 99 … Continue reading →

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Black Lives Matter: Billie Holiday’s song ‘Strange Fruit’

Posted on June 13, 2022 by odeboyz

Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” is now recognized as one of the greatest recordings of all time, being named to the Songs of the Century list by the National Endowment of the Arts. But this powerfully mournful song was almost never … Continue reading →

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Song Review: Blowin’ in the Wind (Dylan) 60th Anniversary (1962-2022)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by odeboyz

Blowin’ in the wind is an iconic anthem of the 1960s, which has been covered by many artists. Purists shudder at the implications. They believe that only the 1962 Dylan recording is perfection. I too thought this way, until like … Continue reading →

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A vicious review of a Bob Dylan concert: Scotland 1991

Posted on May 26, 2022 by odeboyz

Dylan now resembles nothing so much as an alcoholic lumberjack on a Saturday night out in some Saskatchewan backwater, staggering around the stage here in a huge plaid jacket and odd little hat. The band, meanwhile, have all the charisma … Continue reading →

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