Kelly gave a mixed review, questioning why Boyle wrote a fiction book when he could have been "far more piercing and precise" in non-fiction and whether the characters are just "ventriloquist's puppets" for Boyle's thoughts.

In this light his tanned, bloated head looked not unlike a haunted paper bag, his glazed eyes fixed on some bleak internal horizon.There is a large cast of characters, each one having their own idiosyncrasies and each one of them is memorable for some reason or other. Overall a very good quality service from this seller and I would not hesitate to recommend this seller. I do however think that the mystery thriller aspect of the book was kind of secondary to all of the other stuff. Boyle said on Twitter in September 2022 that he planned to begin writing a second novel over Christmas. Originally from Arbroath, he studied physics at University, and has a PhD in experimental nuclear physics.

It's one of those books you know you need to read again to notice all the things you missed the first time round. It's another of those books that I would also pop into one of my favourite genres - that being bonkers. The investigation stumbles along at times and doesn't seem to gain much traction and Boyle also takes time out describing Felix's state of mind, as he ponders the meaning of his and our existence on the planet.The narrator Felix is dependent on drugs and alcohol: Boyle thought this would fit with the digressive style that he had enjoyed reading, such as in White Noise (1985) by Don DeLillo. But Felix has an alibi, of sorts, and as much as the police might like to pin him down for the murder, or potentially any misdemeanour to be fair, it is clear to them, and us as readers, that Felix is as innocent as the day is long. I wanted to gulp the book down in great draughts but had to force myself to breathe and savour every moment, fearful I'd miss one of the gems of insight, wisdom or humour that glitter on every page.