Driving Big Davie

Driving Big Davie is the sixth installment in Colin Bateman's Dan Starkey series, set primarily in Florida. The novel follows Northern Irish journalist Dan Starkey as he accepts an invitation from his friend Big Davie to use a spare honeymoon ticket following Davie's broken engagement. The story centers on Starkey's attempts to move past the murder of his young son, with his wife Patricia encouraging him to take the American trip as a healing journey. During his time in Florida, Starkey encounters an unexpected opportunity for vengeance related to his son's death. The novel combines elements of crime fiction and dark comedy, balancing serious themes with humor throughout the narrative. Its exploration of grief, revenge, and redemption provides a backdrop for examining how people cope with profound loss and the moral complexities of seeking justice.

Readers found this sequel lighter and more comedic than the first Dan Starkey novel, with most saying it works as a standalone story. The rapid-fire jokes and absurd situations earned praise, with several reviews noting the Northern Irish humor translates well. Liked: - Quick pacing and snappy dialogue - Portrayal of Belfast and local culture - Character development of Dan Starkey - Balance of comedy with serious moments Disliked: - Some found the plot too far-fetched - Less crime focus than previous books - A few readers said jokes felt forced - Character motivations unclear at times Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (18 ratings) "The ridiculous situations somehow work because Bateman commits fully to the comedy" - Goodreads reviewer "Missing the edge of earlier Starkey novels but still entertaining" - Amazon UK review "Perfect blend of dark humor and mystery" - LibraryThing user

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🔸 The book's protagonist, Dan Starkey, appears in multiple novels by Bateman, making his first appearance in "Divorcing Jack" (1995), which was later adapted into a film starring David Thewlis. 🔸 The Florida setting marks a significant departure from Bateman's usual Northern Ireland locations, where most of his previous Dan Starkey adventures take place. 🔸 Colin Bateman originally dropped his first name professionally, publishing simply as 'Bateman', to avoid confusion with another writer named Colin Bateman who wrote about cars. 🔸 The novel's themes of using a spare honeymoon ticket reflects a real trend in "honeymoon recycling," where jilted partners sell or repurpose pre-booked honeymoon packages. 🔸 Despite being the sixth book in the series, "Driving Big Davie" can be read as a standalone novel, as Bateman carefully crafts each book to work independently while rewarding loyal readers with recurring character development.