Brightonomicon

A hapless teenager is rescued from drowning, but loses his memory. His rescuer is Hugo Rune the self-styled Perfect Master, Guru's Guru, etc, etc. Together they solve 12 mysteries and thwart rune's dark nemesis Count Otto Black.

I like the idea of using 12 ‘zodiac' signs inspired by shapes made by Brighton's street map. When Rankin does use clichés, there's often a comment by Rizla, the teenage narrator, acknowledging it. For example there's a running gag with suggestive beer names - though real ales often have dodgy names in reality too. Early on Rune relates the ‘Chevalier Effect' - that the decay of time passing means that recollections can vary but all be true. This enables any lack of continuity to be cheerfully explained away by Rizla, and turns what would be extra plot problems for other authors into another joke for Rankin.

At times it seemed that Rizla role was merely as an acolyte even a stooge. He's not needed to solve the mysteries, but as a character I found him more sympathetic than his master. Rune never pays his bills and resorts to his stout stick if taxi-drivers insist on payment.

As with other Rankin stories its often the asides and tangents which are particularly amusing (at least for me). I enjoyed the way Fangio's pub/bar kept changing. I wondered if this was a comment on what had happened to the authors locals in recent years.