The Other Half

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MY THOUGHTS: Clever, complex, and witty, there's nothing not to love about The Other Half, including the characters. Some I loved, some I vacillated about, and others I intensely disliked. An accomplished crime debutthat is part mystery and satire, froma writer to watch.” —Steve Cavanagh, bestselling author of Thirteen

The Other Half isa sinister, erudite, and clever whodunit; a modern story propelled by literary allusions and a sophisticated wit that seem to have sprung from the era of the bright, young things.” —Peter Swanson, New York Times bestselling author of Nine Lives Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer team up to exonerate a woman who’s already served five years for killing her ex-husband. I really enjoyed this book and it had so many elements I love. Personally, I could have done with a bit more of the rich people and a little less of the investigation, but that could have been related to my dislike of the male narrCaius looked at the dead woman’s face. She had been beautiful and hadn’t yet been dead long enough for her features to become horribly distorted. The press was going to go bonkers for this case. As many other reviewers have noted, the opening chapter of The Other Half is a slog! I almost gave up and it is unusual for me to be so disinterested in a book right away. The characters were so pompous and annoying but, more than that, it felt like the author had swallowed a thesaurus! It was a first for me to have to look up so many words in a single chapter and it was tedious! It felt gratuitous as well (triumvirate instead of trio, really???) and some of the words didn’t even seem to be used correctly (haemophilic flowers, I’m sorry, pardon?). But, as I read on, I realised that was maybe the whole point… how the “other half” live, speak, behave. If I could describe this book I would say it gave me vibes of The Secret History meets Made in Chelsea meets Agatha Christie.

Brilliantly compulsive storytelling and in a completely repellent milieu. I could not stop reading this book.” —Denise Mina, bestselling author of Conviction An incredible crime debut. The Other Half is the love child of Evelyn Waugh and Susie Steiner, I devoured it. Gripping, funny, enraging and incisive.' – Erin Kelly If you love to hate a novel's characters, enjoy a good investigation, and like getting a glimpse at the rich and titled, The Other Half is definitely for you!The Other Half is the story of two men, both with what looks like the same surname. Rupert Beauchamp is the heir to a baronetcy and his thirtieth birthday party is a catered-with-butler event at McDonalds in Camden Town. Think Bollinger and cocaine. His surname is pronounced 'Beecham'. Caius Beauchamp is a detective inspector with the Metropolitan police and is bi-racial. His surname is pronounced as you see it. The two encounter each other when Caius, out for a run, stumbles across the body of Clemmie O'Hara, Rupert's girlfriend. Rupert thought that she was being deliberately late for his party. She was dead under a bush. You might also enjoy Blotto, Twinks and the Ex-King's Daughter by Simon Brett or for something very upper class, try Her Majesty the Queen Investigates: Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett. Hampstead Heath Constabulary have closed the park and there are officers stationed at all the exits taking statements. The dogs are going to do a sweep once forensics are done with the immediate crime scene. It’s so much easier when people get killed in their own homes.’ I was out for a morning run before I caught my train. Better me than a dog walker. Makes a change from Carol and her diabetic Labrador,’ Caius replied to the shrouded face.

Matt and Caius, the detectives, were a breath of fresh air. The book improved dramatically as soon as they appeared and I loved the banter and humour between them. I would happily read that all day long. I also adored Sir Edgar and wished he had been in the book more.Overall, I found it an engaging blend of literary and crime fiction with just the right amount of dry humour and satire. Will DI Caius Beauchamp return for another case? I really hope so as he and Matthew were such a fantastic team. Still, following this impressive debut I am looking forward to her future projects whatever their premise. Caius ignored his question. ‘Barry’s team have just found her bag, so hopefully we can use it to identify our Jane Doe.’ Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroine’s survival. The misogynistic whiff--the men predators, the women victims--overwhelmed what charm that Rupert (the possible villain) might have been intended to have. I sighed every time he turned up, as he was more predictable than intriguing, and the ending left me absolutely cold. I loved this book and I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy. I can't wait to read what Charlotte Vassell writes next.