A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Christopher Brookmyre |
| Products | Suspense novel |
A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away (2001) marks the sixth novel by Christopher Brookmyre and initiates a suspense trilogy that stars police officer Angelique de Xavia. This character reappears in The Sacred Art of Stealing (2002) and A Snowball in Hell (2008), where she faces off against the villain Simon Darcourt, who is first introduced here. The story weaves together Brookmyre's passions for gaming, rock music, and childhood themes.
Plot summary
Anti-terrorism units receive intelligence about a forthcoming attack planned by the infamous global terrorist known as the Black Spirit, targeting an unspecified location within Britain. The Black Spirit is notorious for indirect tactics and leaves behind a distinctive "calling card"—an image depicting Rank Badjin, a Glasgow comic character created by Bud Neill.
Raymond Ash, once a video game store proprietor and now an English teacher in Glasgow, unexpectedly encounters his college friend Simon Darcourt at the airport, believing him to be dead. Unbeknownst to Raymond, Darcourt is actually the Black Spirit. Driven by an old vendetta, Darcourt draws Raymond into his terrorist scheme.
When Raymond and two 13-year-old students from his school are kidnapped—though the abductors are unaware of the boys’ presence—Raymond manages to escape. He then collaborates with Detective Inspector Angelique de Xavia to thwart the planned assault on Dubh Ardrain, a fictional hydroelectric facility located in the Highlands.
Characters
- Angelique de Xavia
- A Detective Inspector with Glasgow Police of Ugandan-Asian heritage, proficient in martial arts and known for her fiery disposition.
- Simon Darcourt
- Once an aspiring rock musician, now an international mercenary terrorist recognized for his cunning intellect and dark wit. His name alludes to a figure from Robertson Davies' The Rebel Angels.
- Raymond Ash
- Former video game shop owner turned English teacher and new father. His gaming expertise plays a crucial role in combating the terrorists.
- Lexy and Wee Murph
- Two schoolboys who clandestinely join the terrorists’ vehicle, discover their plan, and work to sabotage it. Their speech is phonetically transcribed, reminiscent of characters from Brookmyre’s earlier novel A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil.
Reception
Initially marketed with the slogan "Terrorism - It's The New Rock'n'Roll," the novel's reception was heavily influenced by the September 11, 2001 attacks due to its darkly comedic portrayal of terrorism set around Saturday, September 6. Although September 6, 2001 was actually a Thursday, subsequent sequels confirm that the assault on Dubh Ardrain took place in 2001.