Book review: Uproarious whodunnit for ‘Traitors’ fans

'The Faithfuls' is a hilarious whodunnit mystery that just gets more bizarre and far-fetched after each page

Bruno Vincent has authored several humorous bestsellers. File picture: Stuart C Wilson/Getty

• The Faithfuls 
• Huw Dunnit 
• Abacus, £12.99

There are very few television screens nationwide that haven’t played an episode of The Traitors. 

The tense reality show has completely taken over the world, and now it’s making its way to bookshelves — sort of.

The Faithfuls, written by “Huw Dunnit,” the pseudonym of British satirist Bruno Vincent, is a clever parody of the hit TV show, filled with wit and hilarity.

At times, it might even be more entertaining than its source material, which is hard to beat.

Nestled away in rural Scotland, miles from the nearest village, stands a medieval castle, perfect for a thrilling reality TV show. 

With no phones allowed, anyone who steps onto the property is instantly disconnected from civilisation and immersed in the cunning game at hand.

A group of 24 strangers has to remain in the old castle while they face the difficult challenge of deciding whom among them to trust, and with a massive prize pool up for grabs, the stakes are incredibly high. 

But nobody is who they seem, and some contestants might even be complete fabrications, telling the tallest of lies about their persona.

The host, celebrity Manny Clawdwinkle, keeps the whole thing moving and ensures the game stays entertaining for viewers at home by lurking behind the scenes. 

But even she might be hiding secrets beneath her pristine wig, poofy dresses, and charming personality.

However, just a couple of chapters in, The Faithfuls diverts from the TV show’s original concept and goes completely off track. 

After a nasty storm makes its presence known and the skeleton crew who run the show are forced to abandon the castle, the most unexpected thing happens: A real death.

The characters quickly realise that no one is safe, and soon cast members start dropping like flies, turning the story into a winner-takes-all murder mystery. 

Who will survive? And more importantly, who is doing the killing?

“The contestants were fighting for their lives. Fighting to stay in the game, and on TV screens around the world.”

Meanwhile, for a few short chapters scattered throughout the novel, the perspective shifts to Inspector Constable, who works to solve the chaos left behind in the faithfuls’ wake. 

With dead bodies aplenty in the castle and few witnesses remaining, it is proving to be a tough case to crack.

The colourful cast of The Faithfuls lies at the heart of the novel. From a contestant convinced he’s the reincarnation of Jesus Christ to a secret Reform UK member, there are plenty of laughs to be had.

Clawdwinkle is centre stage for most of the story, serving as a captivating and often clueless guide through the madness.

“I believe that I am reincarnated from someone you might have heard of: Jesus Christ Our Lord. Or Yeshua, as he was really known. Me, as I was really known. I mean, how much more faithful can you get?” 

Throughout the novel, short interview snippets from various characters — many already voted out — add to the fun.

 These are a delight to read, packed with hilariously outlandish comments that may make you stop and reread from sheer amusement.

The Faithfuls is the perfect, over-the-top read for any die-hard Traitors fans out there.

At its core, it is a hilarious whodunnit mystery that just gets more bizarre and far-fetched after each page, making it a great read for those looking for a more lighthearted, yet still murder-filled, thriller.

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