Where to Start with Bob Mortimer’s Books
If you are new to Bob Mortimer’s writing, the best place to start depends on whether you want to dive into his fictional universes or explore his real-life adventures. For fiction readers, the recommended starting point is The Satsuma Complex (published as The Clementine Complex in North America). This novel introduces his most famous fictional protagonist, Gary Thorn, and serves as the perfect introduction to his cozy, offbeat mystery style.
If you prefer non-fiction, you should begin with his celebrated memoir, And Away.... Written after his triple heart bypass, it provides the warm, surreal, and deeply personal context of his life and comedy career, which heavily informs the tone and quirky characters of his novels.
The Gary Thorn Series: Cozy Crime with a Whimsical Twist
Mortimer’s fiction is best categorized as "cozy crime" or comedic mystery. His first two novels form a direct duology following the life and strange misadventures of Gary Thorn, a quiet legal assistant who gets pulled into bizarre circumstances.
1. The Satsuma Complex / The Clementine Complex (2022)
In his debut novel, Gary Thorn meets a woman reading a book in a South London pub. When she disappears, leaving behind a satsuma on the table, Gary embarks on a quirky search across London to find her. Along the way, he interacts with eccentric neighbors, a talking squirrel, and local hardmen. In the United States and Canada, the book was retitled The Clementine Complex because the term "satsuma" is less common in North American supermarkets.
2. The Hotel Avocado (2024)
This direct sequel continues Gary Thorn's story. Gary is looking for a change of pace and contemplates leaving London, but he finds himself caught up in another mysterious plot involving the Hotel Avocado. Readers should definitely read The Satsuma Complex before starting this book, as the character relationships and subplots carry over directly.
The Satsuma Heights Universe: The Long Shoe
After finishing the Gary Thorn duology, readers can move on to Bob Mortimer's third novel, which expands the cozy mystery universe while shifting focus to a new set of characters.
The Long Shoe (2025)
While set in the same whimsical literary universe, The Long Shoe features a brand-new protagonist named Matt, a down-on-his-luck bathroom salesman. After his partner Harriet leaves him and he loses his job, Matt takes a position that comes with a luxury flat in a building named Satsuma Heights—a nod to Mortimer’s debut novel. However, Matt soon begins to suspect that Harriet's disappearance is connected to the strange residents of the complex. While it functions as a standalone novel, reading it after the Gary Thorn books helps readers fully appreciate the running jokes and shared world-building.
Bob Mortimer’s Non-Fiction and Memoirs
For readers who enjoy Mortimer's television projects, his non-fiction books offer a direct look into the experiences that shaped his comedy. These books can be read completely independently of his fiction.
- Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (2019): Co-authored with his close friend and fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse, this book serves as a companion to their hit BBC television show. It blends practical fishing tips with warm, funny reflections on friendship, aging, and recovery from heart surgery.
- And Away... (2021): This Sunday Times bestselling memoir covers Mortimer’s childhood in Middlesbrough, the tragic loss of his father, his early career as a solicitor, his anarchic comedy partnership with Vic Reeves, and the life-changing heart surgery that inspired him to say "yes" to new creative opportunities.
Bob Mortimer’s Books in Publication Order
Because Mortimer's books are written in a linear fashion, reading them in order of publication is the easiest and most logical path. The chronological sequence matches the order in which they were released:
- Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (2019) – Non-fiction co-authored with Paul Whitehouse.
- And Away... (2021) – Non-fiction memoir.
- The Satsuma Complex (2022) – Fiction (released in the US as The Clementine Complex in 2023).
- The Hotel Avocado (2024) – Fiction (sequel to The Satsuma Complex).
- The Long Shoe (2025) – Fiction (standalone set in the same world).
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Bob Mortimer's books, there are a few practical elements to keep in mind to enhance your reading experience:
- The Cozy Crime Genre: Mortimer’s novels do not feature graphic violence or hard-boiled detective work. Instead, they are whimsical, gentle mysteries filled with offbeat dialogue, talking animals, and cozy British humor.
- The US vs. UK Title Change: If you are purchasing books in North America, look for The Clementine Complex. It is identical in content to the UK's The Satsuma Complex.
- The Audiobook Experience: If you enjoy audiobooks, Mortimer's works are highly recommended in this format. Bob Mortimer narrates them himself, bringing his signature voice and comedy timing to the text, and he is joined by excellent voice casts, including comedy stars like Diane Morgan and Arabella Weir for The Long Shoe.