“How far would you go to fit in?”
Aristocracy is something that just feels quintessentially British. The sprawling manor estates, afternoon tea, and stiff upper-lipped butlers. The upper class is more than just an aesthetic; it’s an entire lifestyle deeply entrenched in the history and culture of the nation. With such finery on offer, becoming a part of the wealthy world has become an aspiration for many a figure, both real and fictional. And it is this desire to climb the social ladder that Johnny Sweet taps into in The Kellerby Code, a sharply witty and darkly comedic take on how far one man will go to fit into a world he doesn’t belong in. But, how did this debut novel about caste, obsession, and manipulation stack up? Join us at What We Reading as we present our The Kellerby Code book review to find out whether this British crime thriller is worth picking up!
Date Published: 2024
Author: Jonny Sweet
Genre: Crime, Mystery
Pages: 384
Goodreads Rating: 3.36/5
The Kellerby Code Summary
Edward Jevons is a tutor living in a world he cannot afford, and which he doesn’t belong in. To camouflage himself, he has taken to running all sorts of errands to keep his friends, Robert and Stanza, happy. They casually manipulate and degrade him, even calling him “Jeeves” behind his back. In return, he’s hoping that being close to them might wipe the shame of his birth and violent past away.
But the chink in Robert’s armour is his unrequited love for Stanza. When he discovers Stanza and Robert are an item, Edward is pushed too far. Meanwhile, Robert is being blackmailed over a murky episode from his own past. He once again manipulates Edward into helping him. Edward, eager for approval, complies. The Kellerby Code is a dark, satirical thriller, driven by class resentment, unrequited love, and a fractured psyche. Edward’s journey culminates in shocking violence at the stately, yet doomed, Kellerby House.
What Worked
From the off, The Kellerby Code is a delightfully British book that perfectly captures the decadence, tradition, and heritage of the traditional aristocracy. That sense of aspiration teetering with resentment from characters lower down the social ladder toward those higher up is explored well throughout and in noticeably different ways, i.e. Edward, Madge, and D’Angelo.
In The Kellerby Code, Jonny Sweet attempts to write characters who are all utterly deplorable, and he more than succeeds in that respect. All of the characters in the book are self-absorbed, manipulative, and lacking in anything resembling a moral compass. Not only is this an intentional decision, but it’s one that makes for a hugely enjoyable read as there’s just something so wonderfully enthralling about following awful people going about doing awful things, but still maintaining their polite and friendly mask.
One other part of The Kellerby Code that deserves recognition is in the depiction of Edward himself. From his biting commentary to his outlandish escapades, he is responsible for the bulk of the book’s humour, which helps sell him as an endearing, almost heroic (at least in his eyes) figure. However, he is also the embodiment of an unreliable narrator, and his increasingly fractured psyche is handled so well by Sweet in showcasing a man slowly unravelling.
What Didn’t
The Kellerby Code is a book that has a whole lot of charm; however, there are some noticeable pacing issues that some readers may find disconcerting. The first half or so of the story is a dark, introspective literary commentary on social class and manipulative friendships, whereas the second half spins into a fast-paced thrill ride. Whilst nothing feels out of place, the story would have benefited from having more detail spent on exploring Edward’s mental decline, particularly in the second half.
We should also talk about how unlikeable almost all of these characters are. These are all unsympathetic, one-dimensional characters who are all acting with only their own interests in mind. This is obviously intentional from Sweet; however, if you’re a reader who doesn’t enjoy following these sorts of figures, you’re not going to have much fun with The Kellerby Code’s cast.
Verdict
When it comes to The Kellerby Code, comparisons to books like The Talented Mr. Ripley or thrillers like Saltburn are inevitable. And, for the most part, Jonny Sweet’s novel stands as a dark and satirical take on social aspirations, class division, and personal obsessions.
The humour and quirks in the book can be somewhat hit-or-miss at times, and the cast of characters, ranging from soppy Edward to selfish Robert, are sure to turn a few readers off. The pacing of the novel, as well, feels like a slight weak point, switching from an introspective literary piece to an all-out thriller on a dime.
Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun with The Kellerby Code. The unreliable narration, depiction of the absurdities of class divides, and explorations into the consequences of manipulation and obsession are all themes we love, and there’s enough British charm running through the narrative to help keep things entertaining.
Our Rating: 4/5
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
