BOOK REVIEWS
THE HAPPINESS PUNCH
To be published by Hachette Livre Australia in July 2004
The sequel to THE VODKA DIALOGUE
Praise for The Happiness Punch
The Happiness Punch is a comic masterpiece. Like all great comedians, Kirsty Brooks exposes a heart-rending sadness at the core of her narrative. Cassidy Blair, an Adelaide gumshoe, is just trying to get by and shouldn't have to deal with a world where the only man who is both perceptive and not afraid to be involved turns out to be a porn mogul with a hit squad. There's an upbeat ending but you sense that soon it will all start to go pear-shaped and if this means another Cassidy Blair thriller — yes please. PS Why isn't Kirsty Brooks writing a comedy series for television?
Country Style
If only crime's modern era could be half as esoteric as Brooks makes this bizarre mix of sexual misunderstandings and fast-paced adventure.
The Courier Mail
The fun is right on in a book that is really a skilful comedy of sexy I'm-not-ashamed-mum manners.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Brooks is very funny...What Brooks has that Evanovich doesn’t is a much more playful and knowing take on the liminal world of designer drugs and fetish porn. There’s also a distinctive Australian comedic voice at work here...Sections made me laugh out loud.
The Age