The Clementine Complex

 The Clementine Complex is a quirky mystery novel written by Bob Mortimer, a British comedian.  

The novel is written in a comedic style and is the story of a young man who seems to be very awkward socially.  Gary Thorn works for a law firm as a legal assistant.  He wears the same cheap suit everyday to work and carries a plastic briefcase.  He lives in an apartment that he has never really furnished or decorated.  He tells his next door neighbor that he is not sure how long he will be staying, though he has been there for two years. 

One night a coworker, Brendan asks to meet for a drink at the local bar.  While they are talking Brendan gets a phone call and says he needs to leave.  Gary stays a while longer striking up a conversation with a woman at the end of the bar.

A few days later, two policemen meet up with Gary to say he was the last person to see Brendan alive.  Gary tries to find the woman he thinks of as Clementine from the bar to give him an alibi.  These two actions set in motion the circumstances that follow. Gary does not seem very smart as he gives away information and doesn't seem to understand what is happening around him as he gets further and further mixed up in the dealings of these unsavory characters.

In this bumbling plot, Gary also spends time asking advise from a squirrel he sees when he is walking.  He assumes it is always the same squirrel and he carries on a conversation with it.  I did not really find it added much to the plot.

A simple mystery and a quick read, but not a book I would reccomend.