This was the first novel by Christopher Brookmyre that either of us has read — or rather listened to — and it won’t be the last.

The second in a series of stories featuring the intrepid journalist Jack Parlabane, Country of the Blind is a thriller full of black humour that will have you laughing out loud at times. Listening to the tale in 2021 and then finding it was published in 1997, makes you realise that nothing has changed in the world of British politics, with many of the astute and witty criticisms and observations made totally appropriate today. Sleaze will always be sleaze!

The story centres on the murder of a media moghul in his country mansion that appears to be the result of him disturbing a gang of would-be thieves. The robbers are swiftly caught, but when they are unexpectedly moved to a different prison, they escape. Back in Edinburgh, a young solicitor reveals to the press that one of the subjects had left a letter with her some time before the break-in which proves his innocence. Jack Parlabane, journo-extraordinaire, is intrigued, but when he approaches the lawyer he discovers someone else is trying to get near her — someone with evil intent, political connections of the highest order and a corrupt agenda.

The above synopsis is the Amazon blurb, which only loosely does the story justice. Amongst other things, it fails to mention that the quite extensive cast of characters are a delight, in many cases totally eccentric and earthy. Great baddies and great goodies.

With a story set in and around Edinburgh, a good Scots narrator was essential and Angus King certainly delivers.