Goodreads Synopsis:
It’s summer 1976 and hotter than Hades
Harry Spittle, nineteen, is home from university, aiming to earn some money to go on holiday and maybe get laid. He expects he will be bored rigid, but the appearance of old family friend, Charlie Jepson, his psychopathic son, Claude, and predatory wife Monica changes that. As his parents’ marriage implodes, Harry’s problems mount; before he knows it he’s in debt up to his ears and dealing in drugs. Things go from bad to worse when he is stabbed. He needs money fast, but now his job is at risk, his sister is in trouble and he has discovered a family secret that could destroy all he holds dear. The only way out appears to require that Harry joins forces with the local criminal mastermind. Can Harry survive to see out the summer? Can he save his family? Can he regain some credibility and self-respect? Most importantly will he finally get laid?
My review:
Thank you to Geoff LePard for providing me a signed copy of Dead Flies And Sherry Trifle in exchange for an honest review.
I am reviewing this as part of Make August An Amazon Review Month
This is a laugh… and that pleases me enormously. I love to laugh. It’s a little-hearted, coming of age story which will undoubtedly relate to you – if you’re a teenager – or will take you space hopping back to your teenage years if you’re a bit older….Boing Boing. C’est Moi!
I didn’t work in a hotel as a teenager but I did have a spell where I worked in my local hairdressers. Let’s just say that I met some colourful characters, who took great pleasure in taking me out for a drink at the local pub after work, ha ha!! Vodka, was their tipple. So Harry Spittle’s work colleagues and his University enemy Stephen McNoble, ( who has serious anger issues,) really don’t seem so far from reality for me! Neither does the drug taking… but that’s another story. The cardboard girlfriend Amanda… well I never! Can’t say I’ve ever come across that kind of companionship before. But, yes, I was quite a wild teenager… the quiet ones are always the ones to watch out for. Don’t show my mum this review!
If you’re female and reading Dead Flies And Sherry Trifle you’ll find yourself crawling into the deepest recesses of a teenage boy’s brain – his name is Harry Spittle – and the experience will enlighten, amuse, and engulf you with what it means to ‘want to get laid.’ The main character is somewhat obsessed with a certain part of his body! Which probably accounts for about 99% of the male population below the age of 21… and a huge proportion of those above 21 too!! But, like all well rounded characters he does have some redeeming features too. He does love his Grandmother! And he isn’t too bad a brother to his poor sister when she gets into a spot of bother.
Be prepared for cheeky sexual references… hopeless fails, madcap behaviour, family life, a mystery, and a few rough diamonds!
I discovered my teenage daughter sneaking a peak at Dead Flies And Sherry Trifle – ahem… Now, I’m worried. She just accepted a part-time waitressing job at Cambridge university… EEK, who will she meet? This book brings on serious anxiety, it should carry a health warning! It’s a fast, easy, entertaining read with a diverse range of characters to keep you interested. Flies do play a tiny part. Buzz buzz. Trifle is my favourite pudding. The title is just about as nutty as the contents.
My only slight bugbear had to be with the revelation about Harry Spittle’s sister. This part of the story seemed to get engulfed by all the other shenanigans and her mother and father didn’t quite respond in the way in which I thought they would.
My recommendation – read if you like to take life and all its weird foibles a trifling unseriously.
Authors Website: https://geofflepard.com/
My rating
4 stars.
DISCLAIMER: “As of 13th September 2017 we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
My opinions are my own and any reviews on this site have not been swayed or altered in any way by monetary compensation, or by the offer of a free book in exchange for a review.
Amazon UK kindle buying link: http://amzn.to/2h6btAf
Amazon UK Paperback buying link: http://amzn.to/2jtfDDg
Bye for now,
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 
It must be over a year ago since I read this, Marje. I remember 1976 well, though I was slightly younger at the time than Harry Spittle. Still, it conjured up memories of the era and the time of life (the latter of which is probably timeless). Loved the book – great review.
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Thank you Graeme. Yes I remember 1976.. I was younger than Harry Spittle too. .. nice to go on a nostalgia trip!
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I’ve just started reading my copy 🙂 (probably shouldn’t have admitted that – I can be a very slow reader!)
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Hey Marje I am so grateful for this review as it is so generous. Thank you
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You’re welcome Geoff. I enjoyed reading Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle so much. 🙂
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I enjoyed your review. The book sounds like a fun read. I also remember 1976, just like Graeme in your comments thread. I was only nine, though, so I was obsessed by insects, dinosaurs and Scooby Doo rather than girls. 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed! I loved Scooby Doo too, but I wasn’t a fan of insects and dinosaurs!
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I just wish Scrappy had been eaten by a dinosaur.
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