Danny Baker Record Breaker: The World’s Biggest Bogey by Steve Hartley

The Blurb On The Back:

Join Danny as he attempts to smash a load of revolting records including:
Loudest trump!
Cheesiest feet!
Nittiest scalp!

TO THE MANAGER
The Great Big Book of World Records
London

Dear Sir,

I have been collecting bogeys from my nose for the last two years. I have stuck them all together to make an enormous bogey. It measures 5.3cm in diameter and weighs 3.6 grams. Is this a record?

Yours faithfully

Danny Baker
(Aged nine and a bit)

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Funny, silly and rude, this is an amusing children’s book in the tradition of Roald Dahl. Aimed at 7+ readers it has some v. amusing illustrations by Kate Pankhurst and the yuck factor of the record attempts is sure to delight the target age group.

Acts of Violence by Ryan David Jahn

The Blurb On The Back:

This is the story of Katrina Marino’s last night.

It is also the story of Katrina’s neighbours, those who witnessed her murder, those who did nothing: the anxious Vietnam draftee; the former soldier planning suicide; the woman who thinks she’s killed a child, and her husband who will risk everything for her. And others, too, whose lives are touched by the crime: the elderly teacher whose past is catching up with him; the naive blackmailer who’s about to find out just what sort of people he’s been threatening; and the corrupt cop who follows his own brutal law.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Over-ambition spoils this dark character story that draws on a real life crime. Nevertheless, there is some fine writing here, enough to make me keen to see what Jahn will do next.