The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer

The Long Shoe is the third novel by Bob Mortimer. Published in hardback in 2025, it was published recently in paperback and I picked up a copy nice and cheaply in Sainsbury’s. Having enjoyed his first two novels – The Satsuma Complex and The Hotel Avocado – I was looking forward to reading it. Although I read it straight after the brilliant Atmosphere and it was initially too big a switch in style and pace!

The Long Shoe is the story of Matt. He’s just lost his job as a bathroom salesman and is looking for somewhere new to live. But he is quite enjoying life doing nothing with his beloved cat, Goodmonson, and his neighbour, Carol.

Then his girlfriend, Harriet, leaves him unexpectedly. She puts a note through the door telling him not to contact her.

Carol says she’s probably met someone else and to let her go. But Matt isn’t sure. Could Harriet be in danger or has she really met someone new?

Then, out of the blue, Matt is offered a job that comes with a cheap luxury flat at Satsuma Heights, where Harriet had dreamed of living. Would the new flat make her happy enough to come back?

Strangely, Matt doesn’t question why someone would just give him a flat and a job. It’s not long before the new job starts to feel dangerous…

The Long Shoe is a fun mystery which could only have come from the mind of Bob Mortimer. There are definite similarities with his previous novels, which both featured Gary. Both leading characters are men punching above their weight with their girlfriends and both have a female neighbour they rely on.

If you enjoy Bob Mortimer’s humour and you’re looking for a fun and easy read, I would definitely recommend The Long Shoe and his previous two novels.