MoMoBookDiary

My review

If you think you’ve read every twist on detective fiction, think again. The Awful Truth About The Sushing Prize is an absolutely bonkers, laugh-out-loud parody that gleefully tosses the rulebook out the window while somehow still delivering a cleverly written, entertaining story.

The book follows Marco Ocram, both the author and the protagonist, who possesses a ridiculous but brilliant superpower: whatever he writes instantly becomes reality. The problem? Marco is an idiot. A well-meaning, egotistical, totally clueless idiot who stumbles through his own plot with hilarious results. His sidekick, Como, tries (and often fails) to keep things on track as the two unravel a bizarre murder mystery and chase the prestigious Sushing Prize.

This is not a book to skim. The humour is fast, sharp, and packed with clever details that deserve attention. Marco Ocram playfully pokes fun at detective fiction tropes without being condescending, making this a joy for both fans and critics of the genre. The storytelling style is unconventional—at first, it feels chaotic, even irritating, but then you settle into the rhythm, start laughing, and by the end, you realise you’ve had a fantastic time.

It’s been a while since a book had me laughing out loud, but this one did—multiple times! The absurdity, the meta-fictional madness, and the self-aware ridiculousness make it a truly unique read. I immediately bought the other two books in the series because I need more of this madness in my life.

If you love humour, originality, and books that don’t take themselves too seriously, this one’s for you. Marco Ocram is the dumbest genius you’ll ever meet, and his world is a wild ride worth taking.