One Dead Hen (The Mangel Series) [Kindle Edition]

By the time I was a few chapters into this book, I was already debating who to lend it to first and imagining how my friends would laugh at certain sections, and I can't really offer more praise than that for a book. Not your usual kind of hero, the main character is dumb, rude, treats women like trash and murders people by accident, but for some reason he's lovable and I not only wanted to find out what would happen to him, but I wanted him to come out all right in the end. If I met Blakey in real life, I wouldn't want to get within three feet of him, but reading about him is different as he's just so funny. If you like Withnail And I [1986] [DVD] then you will like this book too. It could develop quite a following because it's such an unusual book. Here's a small quote or two so you get the idea:
While digging up a shallow grave - 'I sang a song as I worked. The song were 'Whistle While You Work' by Snow White and the Midgets, or whatever. It were a good and happy tune and it kept us going, and the moon sang along too.'
Later, with his girlfriend, Blakey muses - 'I found it amazing how she could talk and have her tit felt at the same time. Me, I couldn't even do two things at once. That's the difference between birds and fellers.'
Now maybe those bits don't sound funny to you, but, as with Withnail and I, the more you get into the spirit of the thing, the funnier it becomes. I didn't award five stars because although the ending is funny and quite tidy in its way, it didn't entirely work for me, but really I think I would give this four and a half stars if I could.

OK, clearly Charlie Williams Mangel novels aren't for everybody. Several of the reviews here are from people who just don't get it: a novel narrated by someone who hasn't got the least idea what's going on most of the time. It takes a clever author to pull off this trick and, unlike Henry James (who does the same thing in 'What Maisie Knew') also make it brilliantly entertaining. Not just entertaining, laugh out loud funny.

One correction to the positive reviews here - it really doesn't matter what order you read the novels in. As the rave review in the Guardian pointed out, even the narrator can't remember what happens in the previous books! Blakey is a brilliant series character and this is the best plotted of the Mangel books, a satisfying read on every level. I hope there are many more.

What is there to say about Royston Blake? You certainly wouldn't want to bump into him for fear that you'd find yourself on the floor holding your face. However you would cross the road, without making eye contact of course, and just keep watching.

One Dead Hen is the fourth `Mangel' novel by Charlie Williams and continues the story of Royston Blake, aka "Blakey". This time Blakey's taking his hand to becoming a man of the people, a community pillar if you like, with the goal of tidying up crime and anti-social behaviour in Mangel once and for all. He's obviously not the man for the job, but Blakey's on a mission with hilarious consequences that'll have you shaking your head in disbelief.

Full of dark, dark humour, plot twists and casual violence, Charlie Williams delivers once again following the brilliant Dead Folk, Booze & Burn and King of the Road.

Be prepared to be shocked, appalled and yet still laughing; Royston Blake is the ultimate anti-hero... here's looking forward to next one.