Last Tango In Aberystwyth (2015) - Plot & Excerpts
The second book in Malcolm Pryce's Aberystwyth series. Pryce has essentially created his own genre (Welsh noir) and has a great time playing with the conventions and expectations of the noir genre, with plenty of plot twists, gags, and girls in stovepipe hats... and not much else. I enjoyed Aberystwyth, Mon AmourAberystwyth Mon Amour more, but this one is still a fun read. I think I would have preferred it if Pryce hadn't brought back so many of the characters from the first novel (clearly he will have ongoing battles with the evil Mrs. Llantrisant and her cronies) and had instead created new foes. The "fallen woman" characters are probably the most interesting and compelling figures (Bianca in Mon Amour, Ionawr and Judy Juice in Last Tango) so here's hoping Pryce gives them more attention in future books.
My second visit to Aberystwyth, after Aberystwyth Mon Amour, and it was even better than the first. Finished the book today and have already begun the next one. It is just as fast-paced, the type of book that you pick up intending to read a few pages and end up reading a hundred before you realize it. Pryce's writing is darkly funny and endlessly inventive, yet also highly philosophical in parts,and spot on about it. The understated surreal element to the novels turns these noir gumshoe stories into something even greater. Louie Knight, the series' unlikely hero, is hilarious and effortlessly manly. It never seems like Pryce is trying too hard and Louie just exudes coolness. I was rooting for him from the start. Looking forward to reading more!
What do You think about Last Tango In Aberystwyth (2015)?
This was a fun read. Even if you're not familiar with Wales, the make-believe version of Aberystwyth here is so over the top it makes you wonder what could be next. It's like Monty Python meets a crime noir novel. The seedy underworld of Aberystwyth is run by druid gangsters, whose ladies of the night ply their trade along the Prom, dressed in 18th century Welsh national dress of black shawls and stovepipe hats. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. This is the second novel, but since it doesn't build on #1, I did not feel at a loss for reading it first.
—Ronald Schoedel
The second book in Malcolm Pryce's Aberystwyth series takes place three years on from "Mon Amour". This time Louie Knight has the task of tracking down a missing university Dean and, in the course of events, gets himself tangled up with a Druid assassin and his missing suitcase, toffee apple dens, ventriloquists and "What the Butler Saw" movies. Although it is not essential, I would recommend you read "Mon Amour" first to get a flavour of who the main characters are. There are also plenty of new people and the return of some old adversaries. A Chandleresque Noir novel mixed together with comic fantasy surrealism. This is well worth a read.Now onto book 3, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being in Aberystwyth".....
—Craigb
