The unnamed character at the centre of this story works in a rundown prole bookies in south central Manchester. After an unnerving armed hold-up our hero (let's call him X) discovers he has handed over his own bag to the gunman, containing the halal corned beef sandwich, lip balm etc. and in return has been landed with a bag stuffed full of money. Needless to say certain parties are very eager to trace the missing money and are on the heels of the bookies clerk. House mates ex- Californian surf god Axel, exuberant Geordie Sheena and flash, entrepreneur Theo (who also happens to be X's brother) are inevitably drawn into the ensuing frantic chaos. While X tries to figure out a way of staying alive, he takes comfort from his precious fishes: Judas, Satan, Lorraine, Little Kurt and Tankgirl. A bright and funny crime caper with plenty of chuckles and strong on the seesawing relationships of the characters. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what sex the hero was - and what they were called - which got in the way of the story a bit, and I'm not sure whether Sullivan intended to create that degree of uncertainty. Nevertheless an enjoyable first novel from a very promising writer.