I have a love/hate relationship with Malcolm Pryce’s Louie Knight/Aberystwyth series; I loved Aberystwyth Mon Amour and was frankly deeply let down by Last Tango In Aberystwyth. Could Pryce’s third outing with Louie Knight succeed where Last Tango failed?

As with previous books in the series the book revolves around Pryce’s send up of Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe in the form of private investigator Louie Knight. Transposing L.A. for Welsh seaside town Aberystwyth leaves for a comic formula that whilst very endearing once could easily become tiresome in a series. In The Unbearable Lightness of being in Aberystwyth we find knight down on his luck, forced to downscale his offices due to a dearth of cases, his girlfriend abducted and an ex-astronaut monkey who wants a murder investigated. Knight knows better than to investigate murders on behalf of overachieving primates but he’s too broke not to take on the case. The plot rotates through mad nuns, cloning, quasi-religious cults, poisoned ice creams, memory loss and a rich humour as black as night.

There’s lots to love in this book which is a return to form for Pryce with more of the fun of Mon Amour back in the mix and less emphasis on the more formulaic elements. The pacing of the story is nicely handled and the humour has broad appeal without losing its grotesque pier-side punch.

The book – like the series – is not without its problems. The story is still noticeably funnier if you’re Welsh and if you – like the reviewer – know Aberystwyth reasonably well. That’s not to say it won’t tickle those not blessed with being Welsh (sorry couldn’t resist), indeed Pryce’s mainstream success is built off the Knight series and so clearly many people get most of the jokes.

The prose style is gradually migrating further away from the writers Pryce is affectionately sending up and this is a good thing as the series needs its own voice if it is to succeed long term. Yet, it has to be noted that the use of metaphor and descriptive imagery is not as strong or as successful as other pastiches and the story is perhaps over reliant on the humour to elevate it.

So was it a success? Yes but…whilst The Unbearable Lightness of Being in Aberystwyth is a noticeable step up in writing and better than Last Tango in Aberystwyth it still isn’t as good as Aberystwyth Mon Amour. This reviewer is keen to see if Pryce can manage to hit his stride properly and what Pryce comes out with should he do that. For now start with Mon Amour, leave long gaps between each installment and enjoy.

I’m off to get some Ice Cream from Sospan. But not raspberry ripple.