Take some highly topical issues in modern day Britain: school bullying; internet chat rooms and web sites designed to re-unite old acquaintances. Add standard ingredients of serial killing and unrequited love. What you have is a recipe for a fascinating and captivating crime novel executed with Ben Elton's usual masterly verve. This is a who-dun-it that stands apart from so many. It combines some exploration of the topical issues with candid insights into the insecure thoughts of the central character: Inspector Ed Newson.
Elton has changed style somewhat in this latest novel: you don't get the belly laughs although the pace is swift and the intriguing plot comes ringing through. The humour is much darker, exploiting Ed Newson's love for his unavailable assistant, inspector Natasha Wilkie and constructing an unlikely set of consequences to re-union with old school mates.
The final revelation of who-dun-it seems a little unconvincing. This does not detract from the overall good fun and thought provoking experience.
Trevor Smith Aug 2005
Plot summary (courtesy of the Guardian)