This book certainly has all the elements for a contemporary comic novel: an old merchant bank, a rogue trader, the internet, cable TV and blindfold sex. Oh, and dead bodies of course. The question is whether Cohen can pull them all together in to a satisfying whole.

The answer is a pleasing yes. This isn't just a meandering slice of life, it's a strongly plotted story well told. It's interesting. There's also a "whodunnit" element, though I don't think you're expected to get the answer other than via guesswork. However the mystery does provide that interesting hook which any novel needs.

The story begins with one of the traders at Butchers Bank committing suicide. Following his death, the tape of a final telephone call is discovered, in which he confesses to having lost millions. A feeding frenzy begins as others in the City and abroad manoeuvre to take control of what must now be a sick bank. The dead trader's boss takes over his ex-employee's accounts and gets slowly drawn in to the world of Internet sex. The novel then revolves around the contorted machinations of the various factions trying to win control of Butchers. Along the way are dead bodies, infidelities and people prepared to do anything for their careers. As usual in the City there are very few good guys.

The humour in the book is present but perhaps a little too restrained. This is definitely a novel to generate a wry smile rather than guffaws. Most of the humour for me came from recognition, both of institutions and of the characters. The latter are perhaps rather stereotypical, but none the less real for that. I found myself frequently nodding my head and thinking "that's such-and-such to a tee".

This isn't "literary" novel and it wont win any prizes. It's not a great book, but it is a good one. If you want some light reading that will keep you interested and offer the odd chuckle then you could do a lot worse. One to take on holiday, read, enjoy and forget.