Sophie Hannah has built a career by writing seemingly preposterous plots that somehow make completely logical sense when filtered through her wickedly creative mind. Now with the release of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done, she may have taken this hallmark of her work to its pinnacle, but in a way that allows the novel to never take itself too seriously. But be warned, this self-deprecating aura is only a smoke screen designed to allow the reader to fully invest in the ridiculousness on the page—free of judgement—only to have the rug pulled out from under them when least expected.
At the barest minimum, No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is the story of Sally Lambert, a wife and mother who is so devoted to the family pet—Champ, the dog—that when Champ is accused of biting a vindictive neighbor, Sally becomes wholeheartedly convinced of the animal’s innocence, so much so that she is willing to risk everything to go on the run—harboring a fugitive dog.
To say more would ruin the unbelievable journey of discovery within the pages of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done. This novel is wildly crazy and all-consuming in a way that is difficult to express—without sounding like a lunatic. It’s the perfect book for anyone looking for something totally unique, completely unexpected, and wholly satisfying. It is also the perfect gift for those readers who treat their pets like part of the family, who hold conversations with them, and who would probably rather spend time with them rather than waste the effort on any other humans. And let’s face it, the book may be called No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done, but each of us knows at least one person who totally would! (Names redacted for security purposes.)
Sophie Hannah structures the novel with ultimate care. Despite being both bonkers and over-the-top to insane levels, it’s also a well-crafted crime novel that never talks down to the reader. The addictive prose should come with a warning label: Do not start reading until you have the time to finish, because the rest of your required duties will be ignored. Just when you think it’s going to turn serious, another batshit crazy development occurs leaving you laughing out loud while shaking your head in both disbelief and shock.
Look, in all honesty, No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done will not work for every reader. Some treat the pastime as a religious experience that should be revered, but in the screwed-up world we are living in, sometimes the only counterpoint is outlandishness. This book provides just that for those willing to set aside rationality (and maybe self-respect) for a few hours of enjoyment. But it also must be acknowledged that like the best satires, No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done packs an emotional punch by revealing some universal truths about the human (and non-human) condition. The next time you hear someone say that “everything’s been done before,” march them into an indie bookstore and buy them a copy of Sophie Hannah’s No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done. They will quickly realize that they were mistaken.
BUY LINKS: No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah
Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to BOLO Books by the publisher. No promotion was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.
