What do you think?
Rate this book
Cleaners Wanted : A rip roaring gangster comedy
In Alex Franklyns second novel she moves into a comedy, gangster crime caper, where we meet John and Billy (Biben), who are quite the disaster area when asked to perform most duties let alone taking on board the role of cleaners for a rouge hitman Daniel.
Both dissatisfied with only being warehouse workers for the London Docklands lady mobster Ruby Girthwaite (who wouldn’t trust them to handle a door knob let alone a deal) they look for additional work to pay the bills. The local hood pub landlord puts them in contact with his old mate Daniel who is desperate for a couple of people to ‘work after hours�.
Things start to go awry when they realise that their rouge hitman turns out to have his vendetta against their main boss Ruby due to some unfinished business, definitely resulting in a conflict of interest for them.
With the long suffering police detective chasing after Ruby for years they hope to catch her via the pub landlord, John and Billy. With the hits going wrong and information being leaked, the confusion leads to some ridiculous and unexpected turns of events.
Trigger profanity, some inappropriate comments, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake.
Both dissatisfied with only being warehouse workers for the London Docklands lady mobster Ruby Girthwaite (who wouldn’t trust them to handle a door knob let alone a deal) they look for additional work to pay the bills. The local hood pub landlord puts them in contact with his old mate Daniel who is desperate for a couple of people to ‘work after hours�.
Things start to go awry when they realise that their rouge hitman turns out to have his vendetta against their main boss Ruby due to some unfinished business, definitely resulting in a conflict of interest for them.
With the long suffering police detective chasing after Ruby for years they hope to catch her via the pub landlord, John and Billy. With the hits going wrong and information being leaked, the confusion leads to some ridiculous and unexpected turns of events.
Trigger profanity, some inappropriate comments, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake.
- GenresFiction
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2024
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 27, 2025
This is a fun gangster crime caper. Poor detective Caulter never seems to have much look on the job, but he is convinced that this time he will get his man... or woman at the top of the criminal food chain!
Jack, who has woken up in a hospital bed full of bullet holes, knows he has to come up with a deal to guarantee his safety and his plans to be reunited with his wife. Jack and Caulter enter into a battle of wills, but who will come out on top?
The story is full of entertaining characters and shenanigans, which had me laughing along! It is amazing that John and Billy survived into adulthood they are disastrous! I loved the twists and turns along the way, some of which were unexpected. I also thought the ending was really satisfying as everything was tied up.
The pacing was good, and the author really built up the background of the characters and set the scene perfectly. It was a really enjoyable fun read.
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review. This is my honest opinion.
Jack, who has woken up in a hospital bed full of bullet holes, knows he has to come up with a deal to guarantee his safety and his plans to be reunited with his wife. Jack and Caulter enter into a battle of wills, but who will come out on top?
The story is full of entertaining characters and shenanigans, which had me laughing along! It is amazing that John and Billy survived into adulthood they are disastrous! I loved the twists and turns along the way, some of which were unexpected. I also thought the ending was really satisfying as everything was tied up.
The pacing was good, and the author really built up the background of the characters and set the scene perfectly. It was a really enjoyable fun read.
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review. This is my honest opinion.
January 29, 2025
Tropes:
murder
comedy
crime
Female Mob Boss
I was immediately drawn to Cleaners Wanted after reading the book's blurb. The trigger warnings were: profanity, some inappropriate comments, total lack of respect for some pc values, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake. HAHA
The book starts off with Jack- who's in the hospital after getting shot. The police are there and Caulter (the cop) will do anything, including giving Jack immunity, to finally be given something to arrest Ruby Girthwaite- local mob boss! The story Jack gives is wild, full of 2 idiots that you can't help but love and laugh at, and murder.
First, I loved Billy and John. They're so... special. LOL. Okay, they're just idiots but you can't help but root for them in some way. They've been hired by a guy named Daniel to be cleaners.... like mob cleaners. Ya know... clean the crime scene, get rid of the bodies, etc. And they're so incredibly bad t their jobs but yet... they're getting the job done. I was laughing at their first job out loud- the body kept farting and them trying to burn it in a pottery kiln... Epic.
Daniel, shesh, the guy has a vendetta against Ruby Girthwaite and while he's determined to hurt the people close to her- he's too drunk. He keeps screwing up and some how John and Billy pick up the pieces-- totally by accident! It's just a trip!
Then.. That twist in the end! I did NOT see that coming!
murder
comedy
crime
Female Mob Boss
I was immediately drawn to Cleaners Wanted after reading the book's blurb. The trigger warnings were: profanity, some inappropriate comments, total lack of respect for some pc values, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake. HAHA
The book starts off with Jack- who's in the hospital after getting shot. The police are there and Caulter (the cop) will do anything, including giving Jack immunity, to finally be given something to arrest Ruby Girthwaite- local mob boss! The story Jack gives is wild, full of 2 idiots that you can't help but love and laugh at, and murder.
First, I loved Billy and John. They're so... special. LOL. Okay, they're just idiots but you can't help but root for them in some way. They've been hired by a guy named Daniel to be cleaners.... like mob cleaners. Ya know... clean the crime scene, get rid of the bodies, etc. And they're so incredibly bad t their jobs but yet... they're getting the job done. I was laughing at their first job out loud- the body kept farting and them trying to burn it in a pottery kiln... Epic.
Daniel, shesh, the guy has a vendetta against Ruby Girthwaite and while he's determined to hurt the people close to her- he's too drunk. He keeps screwing up and some how John and Billy pick up the pieces-- totally by accident! It's just a trip!
Then.. That twist in the end! I did NOT see that coming!
January 25, 2025
Enjoyed reading this and it made me laugh out loud a few times. Billy and John are bumbling idiots but impressively get the job done. I had an idea that things weren't quite as they seemed from Jack's hospital stay but wasn't sure how it'd unfold. It does add a few twists and turns along the way and makes for a very entertaining read. I can imagine this as a comedy gangster movie as you have the mob and it's dodgy dealings but there's a lot of comedy thrown in. Aunty Sedgal/Sue also seems fab although we don't get as much of her as I'd like. I reckon the sequel could be a spin off for one of her adventures
March 10, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Cleaners Wanted' by Alex Franklyn
I just have to include the content warnings that Alex mentions. I normally include warnings for any topics readers may find difficult to read but this one is different. THIS warning made me want to read the book even more especially with its eye catching cover and brilliant synopsis. Anyway, in the words of Alex "Trigger warnings: profanity, some inappropriate comments, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake." I mean, seriously, this has got to be the best warning I have ever seen in a book and it made me chuckle before I had even started reading the main book!!
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, LAUGH OUT LOUD AND PAGE TURNING MUST READ!! ONE OF MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2025
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Alex Franklyn!! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to get stuck into the previous and next books by this very talented author and hope she is typing up more as I write this up! You seriously have to grab your copy of this absolutely fantastic page turner today!! The descriptions, the characters and the absolutely brilliant and hilarious storyline!!! I mean seriously I cannot describe just how funny and addictive this book is (just like chocolate cake!!)!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you love crime, action, humour, action, some serious cockerel ups, gangsters� Do you know what...whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed this addictive and funny page turner!!! I mean I have read loads of books this year but THIS book has just shot to one of my favourite books of 2025!! In this unique page turner Alex transports the reader into a hospital in London where we meet Jack who is a bartender. We are introduced to him immediately when the first thing we read is "Oh Shiv! I'm still alive! This means I'm actually gonna have to deal with all this crud now". Replacing shiv and crud with 2 words which i am sure does not take too much imagination to do!! That alone sums up what you have to look forward to in this hilarious page turner! Anyway, as you can tell, Jack is not too impressed to have survived being turned into a sieve with bullets! He is even less impressed when DI Caulter and PC Giles pay him a visit wanting to know what went on in the warehouse where he was found. Jack realises he needs to save his butt and comes to an agreement to give the DI info to get himself off the hook. Jack then leads us into the story of how he met Daniel and how he got him to hire Billy and John (think Dumb and Dumber) as cleaners. Along the way we meet mob boss Ruby Gaithwaite, her husband 'The Butcher, get to see how badly Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb mess up and more. Will Jack be able to dig himself out of his troubles? What did Billy and John get up to on their jobs? Well, if you want to more then you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely fabulous page turner today and I can absolutely GUARANTEE you will not regret it! With a storyline ram packed with humour, gangsters, cleaners, crime, accidents and so much more what on Earth are you waiting for??? I must admit I am not typically a fan of gangster books but I absolutely LOVED this one which most definitely is NOT your typical gangster book!! This book is just brilliant and will definitely turn any frown upside down and have you laughing in no time!! It captured my attention from the very first page and kept me glued to the pages until the very last word and definitely left me wanting more!! Alex's fantastic writing skills and vivid descriptions will transport the reader into dodgy gangster life in London where you will hear the cursing, laugh until you have tears streaming down your face and love the surprise at the end that I never seen coming!! This is one of those fantastic books that is perfect to read anywhere and everywhere from curled up next to a roaring fire to sunning yourself on a beach as regardless of where you are Alex will whisk you away with the storyline!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting as there was no way I could put it down!! Each and every time I even thought about it to get some actual house work done the characters called me back to demand their attention!! The chapters are quite short which is ideal to pick up and read a few here and there whether on a break or on a bus, the problem is trying to put it down!! Be warned to stay away from hot drinks while reading this as there are so many laugh out loud moments that, if you are anything like me, you will actually end up with a coffee fountain after making the mistake of drinking it while reading and coming across an absolutely hilarious moment!! One of the things I really enjoyed about this storyline is that it is unique to me as I had never read a storyline like it which always makes a lovely change after reading so many books as it is getting harder and harder to find something new. An absolutely brilliant read that will have you hooked and laughing away!
Clear your schedules and get lost in this laugh out loud, addictive page turner!!
I absolutely loved the larger than life, unique and just fantastic characters that Alex has created for this book!! Thanks to her fantastic descriptions it truly feels like you are right next to Jack, John ad Billy throughout. I absolutely loved meeting them and just thought John and Billy were just absolutely hilarious!! I also love the fact that the mob boss in this book is Ruby who is a kick butt female antagonist!! I love seeing strong female leads in books being female myself and Ruby shows that women can rule too! All of the characters are unique with their own personalities, weaknesses, flaws and strengths and I loved meeting and getting to know them all. I was completely invested in them all throughout and just had to know what was going to happen to each in the end! Alex truly does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills and I enjoyed getting to meet them all!! It really goes to show how talented she is creating such a wonderful storyline and all these brilliant characters in her book and cannot wait for the next book
Clear your schedules as this is one hilarious and unputdownable page turner! Alex welcome to my favourite author list and here is to your next guaranteed success!
Overall an absolutely fantastic read that will have you laughing out loud!
@AlexFranklyn @Alex._.Franklyn @Spellboundbooks @Spellboundbks @lovebookstours @lbtcrew @kellyalacey
#CleanersWanted #AlexFranklyn #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #ReadAlong
/user/show/3...
Review for 'Cleaners Wanted' by Alex Franklyn
I just have to include the content warnings that Alex mentions. I normally include warnings for any topics readers may find difficult to read but this one is different. THIS warning made me want to read the book even more especially with its eye catching cover and brilliant synopsis. Anyway, in the words of Alex "Trigger warnings: profanity, some inappropriate comments, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever� like chocolate cake." I mean, seriously, this has got to be the best warning I have ever seen in a book and it made me chuckle before I had even started reading the main book!!
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, LAUGH OUT LOUD AND PAGE TURNING MUST READ!! ONE OF MY FAVOURITE READS OF 2025
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Alex Franklyn!! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to get stuck into the previous and next books by this very talented author and hope she is typing up more as I write this up! You seriously have to grab your copy of this absolutely fantastic page turner today!! The descriptions, the characters and the absolutely brilliant and hilarious storyline!!! I mean seriously I cannot describe just how funny and addictive this book is (just like chocolate cake!!)!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you love crime, action, humour, action, some serious cockerel ups, gangsters� Do you know what...whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed this addictive and funny page turner!!! I mean I have read loads of books this year but THIS book has just shot to one of my favourite books of 2025!! In this unique page turner Alex transports the reader into a hospital in London where we meet Jack who is a bartender. We are introduced to him immediately when the first thing we read is "Oh Shiv! I'm still alive! This means I'm actually gonna have to deal with all this crud now". Replacing shiv and crud with 2 words which i am sure does not take too much imagination to do!! That alone sums up what you have to look forward to in this hilarious page turner! Anyway, as you can tell, Jack is not too impressed to have survived being turned into a sieve with bullets! He is even less impressed when DI Caulter and PC Giles pay him a visit wanting to know what went on in the warehouse where he was found. Jack realises he needs to save his butt and comes to an agreement to give the DI info to get himself off the hook. Jack then leads us into the story of how he met Daniel and how he got him to hire Billy and John (think Dumb and Dumber) as cleaners. Along the way we meet mob boss Ruby Gaithwaite, her husband 'The Butcher, get to see how badly Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb mess up and more. Will Jack be able to dig himself out of his troubles? What did Billy and John get up to on their jobs? Well, if you want to more then you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely fabulous page turner today and I can absolutely GUARANTEE you will not regret it! With a storyline ram packed with humour, gangsters, cleaners, crime, accidents and so much more what on Earth are you waiting for??? I must admit I am not typically a fan of gangster books but I absolutely LOVED this one which most definitely is NOT your typical gangster book!! This book is just brilliant and will definitely turn any frown upside down and have you laughing in no time!! It captured my attention from the very first page and kept me glued to the pages until the very last word and definitely left me wanting more!! Alex's fantastic writing skills and vivid descriptions will transport the reader into dodgy gangster life in London where you will hear the cursing, laugh until you have tears streaming down your face and love the surprise at the end that I never seen coming!! This is one of those fantastic books that is perfect to read anywhere and everywhere from curled up next to a roaring fire to sunning yourself on a beach as regardless of where you are Alex will whisk you away with the storyline!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting as there was no way I could put it down!! Each and every time I even thought about it to get some actual house work done the characters called me back to demand their attention!! The chapters are quite short which is ideal to pick up and read a few here and there whether on a break or on a bus, the problem is trying to put it down!! Be warned to stay away from hot drinks while reading this as there are so many laugh out loud moments that, if you are anything like me, you will actually end up with a coffee fountain after making the mistake of drinking it while reading and coming across an absolutely hilarious moment!! One of the things I really enjoyed about this storyline is that it is unique to me as I had never read a storyline like it which always makes a lovely change after reading so many books as it is getting harder and harder to find something new. An absolutely brilliant read that will have you hooked and laughing away!
Clear your schedules and get lost in this laugh out loud, addictive page turner!!
I absolutely loved the larger than life, unique and just fantastic characters that Alex has created for this book!! Thanks to her fantastic descriptions it truly feels like you are right next to Jack, John ad Billy throughout. I absolutely loved meeting them and just thought John and Billy were just absolutely hilarious!! I also love the fact that the mob boss in this book is Ruby who is a kick butt female antagonist!! I love seeing strong female leads in books being female myself and Ruby shows that women can rule too! All of the characters are unique with their own personalities, weaknesses, flaws and strengths and I loved meeting and getting to know them all. I was completely invested in them all throughout and just had to know what was going to happen to each in the end! Alex truly does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills and I enjoyed getting to meet them all!! It really goes to show how talented she is creating such a wonderful storyline and all these brilliant characters in her book and cannot wait for the next book
Clear your schedules as this is one hilarious and unputdownable page turner! Alex welcome to my favourite author list and here is to your next guaranteed success!
Overall an absolutely fantastic read that will have you laughing out loud!
@AlexFranklyn @Alex._.Franklyn @Spellboundbooks @Spellboundbks @lovebookstours @lbtcrew @kellyalacey
#CleanersWanted #AlexFranklyn #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #ReadAlong
/user/show/3...
December 21, 2024
⚫️Cleaners Wanted by Alex Franklyn is a hilarious and fast - step romp through the world of falter criminals, mistaken identity, and chaotic misadventures. In this delicious offence caper, Franklyn like an expert combines the gritrock of gangster fiction with the sharp learning ability of funniness, creating a news report that ’s every bit queer as it is thrilling.
⚫️The plot succeed John and Billy ( dear make love as Biben ), two inept warehouse workers who are desperately seeking spare cash to make death take on. When they ’re preface to a rogue hitman cite Daniel, the duo is thrust into a humanity of deplorable activity they are woefully unprepared for.
⚫️Unluckily, it does n’t demand long for things to go hilariously ill-timed as they essay and fail to do their duties as cleaners for a serious criminal cognitive operation. What pass water Cleaners Wanted such an entertaining read is Franklyn 's giving for creating endear yet utterly bungling characters. John and Billy are a comedy duo in the truest sense, their every effort to navigate the condemnable underworld result in slapstick chaos and comic disasters.
⚫️Add to that a vengeful hitman with a personal vendetta against their foreman Ruby, and a bumbling police tec raging on their dog, and you 've vex a formula for a thrilling, laugh - out - loud story. The fatuousness of the secret plan is what unfeignedly induce Cleaners Wanted shine.
⚫️As John and Billy falter their agency through one mishap after another, the stakes get higher, and the plait to a greater extent ridiculous, but Franklyn never loses vision of the wittiness at the heart of the history.
⚫️The unexpected turns of events keep the reader hooked, while the light - hearted flavour insure it ne'er find too non-white or heavy. Finally, Cleaners Wanted is a sport, refreshing read that mix criminal offense, comedy, and colourful characters into an unforgettable adventure.
⚫️If you 're bet for a book that ’s equal parting thrilling and uproarious, this is a must - read. Alex Franklyn has turn out erstwhile again that he jazz how to deliver a rip - ululate storey that will leave you laugh from start to finish.
Happy reading ❤️�
⚫️The plot succeed John and Billy ( dear make love as Biben ), two inept warehouse workers who are desperately seeking spare cash to make death take on. When they ’re preface to a rogue hitman cite Daniel, the duo is thrust into a humanity of deplorable activity they are woefully unprepared for.
⚫️Unluckily, it does n’t demand long for things to go hilariously ill-timed as they essay and fail to do their duties as cleaners for a serious criminal cognitive operation. What pass water Cleaners Wanted such an entertaining read is Franklyn 's giving for creating endear yet utterly bungling characters. John and Billy are a comedy duo in the truest sense, their every effort to navigate the condemnable underworld result in slapstick chaos and comic disasters.
⚫️Add to that a vengeful hitman with a personal vendetta against their foreman Ruby, and a bumbling police tec raging on their dog, and you 've vex a formula for a thrilling, laugh - out - loud story. The fatuousness of the secret plan is what unfeignedly induce Cleaners Wanted shine.
⚫️As John and Billy falter their agency through one mishap after another, the stakes get higher, and the plait to a greater extent ridiculous, but Franklyn never loses vision of the wittiness at the heart of the history.
⚫️The unexpected turns of events keep the reader hooked, while the light - hearted flavour insure it ne'er find too non-white or heavy. Finally, Cleaners Wanted is a sport, refreshing read that mix criminal offense, comedy, and colourful characters into an unforgettable adventure.
⚫️If you 're bet for a book that ’s equal parting thrilling and uproarious, this is a must - read. Alex Franklyn has turn out erstwhile again that he jazz how to deliver a rip - ululate storey that will leave you laugh from start to finish.
Happy reading ❤️�
March 2, 2025
Well, this was a totally unexpected read and I had such a laugh throughout.
As you know, I don't read blurbs beforehand, so didn't know what to expect, but the cover and tag line suggested that it was going to have a good amount of murder and mystery - which I love!
It actually took me a little while to get into this though.
We spend a few chapters setting the scene with our police duo turning up at the hospital ready to question Jack, who was involved in a gangland shootout.
DI Caulter had been desperate for something concrete on the gang boss and saw his opportunity - but would Jack squeal?....
The story unfolds gradually as Jack tells his side of things and we flip back and forth between the past and the present.
I loved the scenes in the hospital which gave us a great insight into these personalities and I was totally sucked into the craziness that ensued.
When we meet our cleaners, John and Billy, I think I cringed more and more through each messy job.
They reminded me a little of Laurel and Hardy or (if you're not that old) maybe Dick Dastardly and Mutley?🤷🏻♀�
Total chaos follows them around creating some brilliantly funny moments and their banter was just the best!
The storyline was cleverly plotted and I loved it when all the pieces started coming together towards the end.
I definitely hadn't quite seen how things would play out - but there were a couple of points where I spotted the twist, literally 10 seconds before it happened....
A really entertaining read that will have you chuckling throughout and racing through the pages to work out how things will end.....
As you know, I don't read blurbs beforehand, so didn't know what to expect, but the cover and tag line suggested that it was going to have a good amount of murder and mystery - which I love!
It actually took me a little while to get into this though.
We spend a few chapters setting the scene with our police duo turning up at the hospital ready to question Jack, who was involved in a gangland shootout.
DI Caulter had been desperate for something concrete on the gang boss and saw his opportunity - but would Jack squeal?....
The story unfolds gradually as Jack tells his side of things and we flip back and forth between the past and the present.
I loved the scenes in the hospital which gave us a great insight into these personalities and I was totally sucked into the craziness that ensued.
When we meet our cleaners, John and Billy, I think I cringed more and more through each messy job.
They reminded me a little of Laurel and Hardy or (if you're not that old) maybe Dick Dastardly and Mutley?🤷🏻♀�
Total chaos follows them around creating some brilliantly funny moments and their banter was just the best!
The storyline was cleverly plotted and I loved it when all the pieces started coming together towards the end.
I definitely hadn't quite seen how things would play out - but there were a couple of points where I spotted the twist, literally 10 seconds before it happened....
A really entertaining read that will have you chuckling throughout and racing through the pages to work out how things will end.....
January 6, 2025
As the book description highlights, a piece of intellectual importance, this is not, but a light hearted, black comedy about a group of unlikely criminals who in their madcap way evade the police and provide some laughs along the way, it sure is.
It took me a while to get into the story, and I did struggle a little to remember who was who with the characters as the story dots backwards and forwards in time throughout.
I thought the "incidents" that Billy and John kept finding themselves a part of were highly comedic. They provided some real warmth to the tale.
The author takes some quite dark topics and imbues them with humour so that this is a tale where you can both laugh and commiserate with characters.
I liked the wrapping up of the ending and would happily revisit the detectives in another adventure should the author choose to go there.
It's an enjoyable read that I'm sure will do well.
It took me a while to get into the story, and I did struggle a little to remember who was who with the characters as the story dots backwards and forwards in time throughout.
I thought the "incidents" that Billy and John kept finding themselves a part of were highly comedic. They provided some real warmth to the tale.
The author takes some quite dark topics and imbues them with humour so that this is a tale where you can both laugh and commiserate with characters.
I liked the wrapping up of the ending and would happily revisit the detectives in another adventure should the author choose to go there.
It's an enjoyable read that I'm sure will do well.
February 26, 2025
This book was really funny. It took a little while for me to get into it, as the first couple of chapters are setting the scene, but once we met the cleaners I thought it was brilliant.
The book opens with a man called Jack waking up in a hospital bed. He quickly realises that he is in trouble whatever he does next. So when the police come to question him, he decides to offer his story in exchange for immunity. This is when we begin to hear the story of John and Billy - the 'cleaners'.
John and Billy are hilarious, I couldn't help but laugh at the stupid situations they end up in. My favourite part was when they are cremating a body in a pottery kiln and the postman knocks on the door and keeps going on about how nice their roast dinner smells!
A fun book, and something a little different. Reminded me of the film Snatch, where the criminals end up in more and more of a ridiculous mess.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for sending me a copy.
The book opens with a man called Jack waking up in a hospital bed. He quickly realises that he is in trouble whatever he does next. So when the police come to question him, he decides to offer his story in exchange for immunity. This is when we begin to hear the story of John and Billy - the 'cleaners'.
John and Billy are hilarious, I couldn't help but laugh at the stupid situations they end up in. My favourite part was when they are cremating a body in a pottery kiln and the postman knocks on the door and keeps going on about how nice their roast dinner smells!
A fun book, and something a little different. Reminded me of the film Snatch, where the criminals end up in more and more of a ridiculous mess.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for sending me a copy.
March 10, 2025
This book was short, fun and hilarious!
To be honest, I loved all the characters! Especially John and Billy - they were just absolutely hilarious! They were like a comedy act and had me literally laughing out loud so many times! I loved Billy’s sheer stupidity and John’s flirting was just brilliant and at the most inappropriate times. The language and the banter used throughout was fantastic and so very well written.
I loved hearing Jacks take on the story of what happened to the police and the way it all played out nicely and came to such a thrilling ending which I did not see coming! I really enjoyed how it ended and would love to read more from these characters in the future!
I passed this one straight over to my husband to read as he kept asking me what I was laughing at! He then read it so that we could both chat about it� he found it absolutely hilarious too!
If you love a book that can make you laugh out loud then definitely pick up this one!
To be honest, I loved all the characters! Especially John and Billy - they were just absolutely hilarious! They were like a comedy act and had me literally laughing out loud so many times! I loved Billy’s sheer stupidity and John’s flirting was just brilliant and at the most inappropriate times. The language and the banter used throughout was fantastic and so very well written.
I loved hearing Jacks take on the story of what happened to the police and the way it all played out nicely and came to such a thrilling ending which I did not see coming! I really enjoyed how it ended and would love to read more from these characters in the future!
I passed this one straight over to my husband to read as he kept asking me what I was laughing at! He then read it so that we could both chat about it� he found it absolutely hilarious too!
If you love a book that can make you laugh out loud then definitely pick up this one!
March 10, 2025
A quirky mix of crime caper, heist and comedy. There are plenty of swears and if you are easily offended then this may not be the book for you. But if you have a dark sense of humour, love a good crime novel with some quirky characters, then you'll be hooked!
Jack starts off with more holes in him then Swiss cheese! He needs to get himself out from under the trouble he's in. Caulter, the local put upon cop needs to have a win, he's been chasing his own "Moby Dick" and he wants to ensure she ends up in the clanger where she belongs.
OML Billy and John are brilliantly goofy, completely inept and you just know they are somehow, somewhere going to c*ck things up! #fartgate had me in stitches - I bet Dexter never had that problem getting rid of bodies, lol.
There are some brilliantly twisty parts to the plot and a heavy dose of humour. I love a good heist - Oceans 11 et all are some of my favourite movies. Sometimes you just got to root for the morally grey guys to win!
Jack starts off with more holes in him then Swiss cheese! He needs to get himself out from under the trouble he's in. Caulter, the local put upon cop needs to have a win, he's been chasing his own "Moby Dick" and he wants to ensure she ends up in the clanger where she belongs.
OML Billy and John are brilliantly goofy, completely inept and you just know they are somehow, somewhere going to c*ck things up! #fartgate had me in stitches - I bet Dexter never had that problem getting rid of bodies, lol.
There are some brilliantly twisty parts to the plot and a heavy dose of humour. I love a good heist - Oceans 11 et all are some of my favourite movies. Sometimes you just got to root for the morally grey guys to win!
March 14, 2025
This is a wild, entertaining ride from start to finish. I didn't know what to expect, and it kept me guessing and turning pages right up until the end!
The layers on this one pull back like an onion. I found myself getting to the end and being surprised, like - wait, what? The twists and turns at the end just kept on coming, with some big surprises that really pulled the rug out from under me.
I really liked the two bumbling heroes (anti-heroes) of our tale that led the action. Billy (Biben) was particularly loveable, as I don't have a soft spot for shameless womanizers. The story and the storytelling were fantastic! Definitely a great read and I highly recommend it!
There were some really funny laugh-out-loud parts, and there were some really gross cringe-worthy parts, so it was an absolutely wild ride. I literally did not know what to expect when any of the characters opened their mouth, especially John and Billy. They were absolutely those "wild card" guys that you can't quite figure out if they're just really dumb or fun. Maybe a little of both. The author is definitely a great character author writer!
I don't think I've read anything quite like this before, though it is a little reminiscent of the dark comedy of Guy Hale's Jimmy Wayne story, which I also enjoyed.
The layers on this one pull back like an onion. I found myself getting to the end and being surprised, like - wait, what? The twists and turns at the end just kept on coming, with some big surprises that really pulled the rug out from under me.
I really liked the two bumbling heroes (anti-heroes) of our tale that led the action. Billy (Biben) was particularly loveable, as I don't have a soft spot for shameless womanizers. The story and the storytelling were fantastic! Definitely a great read and I highly recommend it!
There were some really funny laugh-out-loud parts, and there were some really gross cringe-worthy parts, so it was an absolutely wild ride. I literally did not know what to expect when any of the characters opened their mouth, especially John and Billy. They were absolutely those "wild card" guys that you can't quite figure out if they're just really dumb or fun. Maybe a little of both. The author is definitely a great character author writer!
I don't think I've read anything quite like this before, though it is a little reminiscent of the dark comedy of Guy Hale's Jimmy Wayne story, which I also enjoyed.
March 10, 2025
Did this blurb tickly my fancy and the trigger warning make me want to read it ten fold? Absolutely!!!!! Am I every bit as glad that I did? Again, absolutellllllllllyyyyyy! It is bonkers hilarious, profanities galore and really reminds of The Cleaner comedy show, it is own unique way.
I loved the humour and the slap you with it feel of the story racing by without a care in the world. The author has unapologetically given us something to wee ourselves laughing with and definitely not share with the younger ones. I love it.
The characters have enough detail to really fit with this style of story and give you an great feel for who they are, but you are not given so much that you are bogged down with it all, in such a light read. Then you have a pace that tos and fros and really keeps you on your toes. Loved it.
I loved the humour and the slap you with it feel of the story racing by without a care in the world. The author has unapologetically given us something to wee ourselves laughing with and definitely not share with the younger ones. I love it.
The characters have enough detail to really fit with this style of story and give you an great feel for who they are, but you are not given so much that you are bogged down with it all, in such a light read. Then you have a pace that tos and fros and really keeps you on your toes. Loved it.
January 29, 2025
This is not your regular mob book. It's a crime comedy for entertainment purposes. This book is hilarious and had me laughing out loud from start to finish.
The mix of crime and comedy is perfect and the witty writing keeps you hooked with unexpected twists and a lot of humor.
John and Billy's journey through mistaken identities and slapstick chaos is both thrilling and hilarious, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
Alex masterfully weaves a tale full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, another twist throws you off, leaving you eagerly turning pages to see what happens next.
Full of entertaining characters, funny situations, and surprises that will keep you guessing, this is a great read
The mix of crime and comedy is perfect and the witty writing keeps you hooked with unexpected twists and a lot of humor.
John and Billy's journey through mistaken identities and slapstick chaos is both thrilling and hilarious, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
Alex masterfully weaves a tale full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, another twist throws you off, leaving you eagerly turning pages to see what happens next.
Full of entertaining characters, funny situations, and surprises that will keep you guessing, this is a great read
February 3, 2025
This is a comedy caper as an unlikely duo find themselves starting a new job and it turning out not to be what they thought. Could they be in over their heads. They aren't the brightest tools in the box, but they definitely are funny.
I found the authors writing easy to read and follow, and the fact it took me a little longer to read is definitely on me, I have a bit much going on in my head right now and sometime reading was really hard to do. But I admit that when I did pick up the book, even with its darker themes, it still did make me laugh.
I liked the banter between Jack and Caulter, as well as between John and Billy.
The author is great at causing confusion and sending us down the wrong path and does a fab job of tying it all up at the end.
I found the authors writing easy to read and follow, and the fact it took me a little longer to read is definitely on me, I have a bit much going on in my head right now and sometime reading was really hard to do. But I admit that when I did pick up the book, even with its darker themes, it still did make me laugh.
I liked the banter between Jack and Caulter, as well as between John and Billy.
The author is great at causing confusion and sending us down the wrong path and does a fab job of tying it all up at the end.
March 10, 2025
Cleaners Wanted by Alex Franklyn
Genre: Crime/Humour/Gangster
鲹پԲ:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Cleaners Wanted is not your usual gangster story, Alex Franklyn has created such a perfect blend of crime and comedy which will have you laughing out loud hysterically!
This is a quick easy read, with twists and turns along the way that keep the reader engaged. The characters are crafted superbly and this definitely adds to this captivating, unique and humorous read.
Franklyn definitely knows how to write comedy, Billy and John are just absurdly funny with all their haphazard going ons!
Once I started reading I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommended Cleaners Wanted to all! You will not be disappointed.
Genre: Crime/Humour/Gangster
鲹پԲ:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review
Cleaners Wanted is not your usual gangster story, Alex Franklyn has created such a perfect blend of crime and comedy which will have you laughing out loud hysterically!
This is a quick easy read, with twists and turns along the way that keep the reader engaged. The characters are crafted superbly and this definitely adds to this captivating, unique and humorous read.
Franklyn definitely knows how to write comedy, Billy and John are just absurdly funny with all their haphazard going ons!
Once I started reading I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommended Cleaners Wanted to all! You will not be disappointed.
March 11, 2025
What a read! I loved this! Such a different style of writing that is so engaging and makes you invested in the characters! The humour mixed in with the gangster crime vibes makes for a truly great read!
I love John and Billy. What a pair they are together! They really are a pair of idiots but still manage to get the job done and I loved the humour in seeing this pan out! And I really liked the back and forth between Caulter and Jack.
The pacing is perfect, the cast of characters is diverse but not too many that you get confused. Huge praise for the author for managing to create such a funny but twisty and engaging read!
If you want something crime related but with a huge dose of humour to lighten the mood - this is the book for you! One of my favourite reads so far this year!
I love John and Billy. What a pair they are together! They really are a pair of idiots but still manage to get the job done and I loved the humour in seeing this pan out! And I really liked the back and forth between Caulter and Jack.
The pacing is perfect, the cast of characters is diverse but not too many that you get confused. Huge praise for the author for managing to create such a funny but twisty and engaging read!
If you want something crime related but with a huge dose of humour to lighten the mood - this is the book for you! One of my favourite reads so far this year!
January 30, 2025
This isn't your typical mobster/gangster book. A mixture of crime and comedy rolled into one is a surprisingly perfect blend. The writing is spot on. The pacing and the characters' backgrounds were done well. It's extremely witty, jam-packed with dark humour and just simply hilarious, with a few twists along the way. I really can't remember a book that's made me laugh this hard in a long time! John and Billy are quite the pair. They reminded me of the Chuckle Brothers a little. Overall, this was a really quick, fun read, and it was really nice to experience something a little more out there and different.
January 27, 2025
This was a real change from my usual type of book! I had some real laugh out loud moments at the crazy situations the characters got themselves into - how did the author come up with those ideas?!
Some of the meandering stories and explanations were quite hard to follow, but I guess this would be exactly how those characters would talk. I really felt for the police officers in the story!
If you fancy a bit of a lighthearted take on gangland violence and murder (if such a thing exists), then this book could be what you are looking for!
Some of the meandering stories and explanations were quite hard to follow, but I guess this would be exactly how those characters would talk. I really felt for the police officers in the story!
If you fancy a bit of a lighthearted take on gangland violence and murder (if such a thing exists), then this book could be what you are looking for!
January 28, 2025
Oh my goodness this book really had me laughing, I had to explain quite a few times what I was giggling at, John and Billy are quite the pair.
Right from the start the story unfolds as you read, it starts with Jake waking up in hospital having been shot several times, detectives waiting to get details.
As the story evolves we get to find out about each character, full of dark humour and quite a few twists along the way.
A gangster fun filled read, hard to put down as the details are gripping I loved the flow and descriptive writing.
Right from the start the story unfolds as you read, it starts with Jake waking up in hospital having been shot several times, detectives waiting to get details.
As the story evolves we get to find out about each character, full of dark humour and quite a few twists along the way.
A gangster fun filled read, hard to put down as the details are gripping I loved the flow and descriptive writing.
January 29, 2025
This book was full of fun & frolics!! How can it not be with this in the blurb: “Trigger warnings: profanity, some inappropriate comments, total lack of respect for some pc values, stupid, brain candy and absolutely no intellectual nutritional value in this book whatsoever...like chocolate cake.�
The inept characters Billy & John had me laughing out loud with their antics as I visualised what they were doing! The other characters were believable & entertaining as well. The black humour was great! I am keeping this one on my kindle for a re-read for sure. A 5 ⭐️ for me!!
The inept characters Billy & John had me laughing out loud with their antics as I visualised what they were doing! The other characters were believable & entertaining as well. The black humour was great! I am keeping this one on my kindle for a re-read for sure. A 5 ⭐️ for me!!
January 29, 2025
This book was an absolute riot! I loved it. I absolutely raced through it because I was enjoying it so much. The characters, the comedy timing and the dialogue - all so unique and humorous. The plot is good too, and paced perfectly. I was invested from the get-go. Alex Franklyn’s writing style is captivating and for a relatively new author, she knows how to hold an audience. I could easily see this as a film or a one off TV special. If you like The Cleaner with Greg Davies, you’ll love this. Witty, gripping and hugely enjoyable.
February 17, 2025
I really enjoyed reading Cleaners Wanted. I felt it was written really well, the suspense and the way everything was plotted out had me engaged and I loved every minute. I loved the humour within this novel, Billy and John were fantastic characters and I loved how a little naive they were to start with. I felt all the characters were created equally well and had realistic traits, they really brought this story together. I really enjoyed the ending too, I wasn't expecting it... It was very satisfying though!
Recommended read!
Recommended read!
March 9, 2025
Cleaners Wanted is definitely not your average gangster crime read. It's something a little different to say the least.
It's fun, it's funny and hilarious amd full of great banter and laugh out loud moments.
John and Billy really are a gear pair of characters, quite inept, and they end up in some ridiculous situations, followed by brilliant mishapa and wonderful classic slap-stick comedy.
A relatively short read, at just over 220 pages, but just the right length for me. I felt the story fitted in well with a novel of this length.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me
It's fun, it's funny and hilarious amd full of great banter and laugh out loud moments.
John and Billy really are a gear pair of characters, quite inept, and they end up in some ridiculous situations, followed by brilliant mishapa and wonderful classic slap-stick comedy.
A relatively short read, at just over 220 pages, but just the right length for me. I felt the story fitted in well with a novel of this length.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me
March 10, 2025
Set in the docks area of London John and Billy become cleaners for Daniel but not the hoovering and polishing kind. The duo also work in a warehouse for the mighty Ruby Girthwaite but it is no ordinary warehouse. Nothing is quite as it seems! All set in and around Ye Olde Wreck Inn run by one armed Jack Jones who is currently in hospital being interviewed by DI Caulter and PC Giles. Chaos, capers, calamity!
This is the first book I have read by Alex Franklyn. I laughed, I lingered, I loved it.
This is the first book I have read by Alex Franklyn. I laughed, I lingered, I loved it.
March 10, 2025
Cleaners Wanted is a funny, gangster, crime novel where we witness some comedic goings on against a backdrop of murder. What more could you want in a book?
It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book but once I got to know John and Billy I was hooked. I loved reading about them - Alex Franklyn does a great job of bringing them to life. In parts you just wanted to bang their heads together!
Even if gangster/crime novels are not usually your think you will not be disappointed if you pick this book up!
It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book but once I got to know John and Billy I was hooked. I loved reading about them - Alex Franklyn does a great job of bringing them to life. In parts you just wanted to bang their heads together!
Even if gangster/crime novels are not usually your think you will not be disappointed if you pick this book up!
March 11, 2025
This book is a comedy gangster story based in London and follows Billy and John who are ‘cleaners� for a hitman, but also work for a local gangster, with whom our hitman, Daniel, has some unfinished business.
John and Billy are a disaster area of mega promotions and Daniel should have steered well clear of this pair. They certainly make for an entertaining pair! And oh my goodness the description of their first ‘cleaning job� had me in stitches!
I enjoyed Alex’s writing style and there were some great plot twists and red herrings along the way, with an unexpected ending!
John and Billy are a disaster area of mega promotions and Daniel should have steered well clear of this pair. They certainly make for an entertaining pair! And oh my goodness the description of their first ‘cleaning job� had me in stitches!
I enjoyed Alex’s writing style and there were some great plot twists and red herrings along the way, with an unexpected ending!
January 28, 2025
Not your average mobster book. This is a crime comedy that is purely for entertainment purposes.
This was hilarious. The way the Jack had the detectives running around in circles had me all confused in the best way. Like what is this man talking about and does he ever stop.
The twist threw me. I didn’t see that coming at all. People are NOT who they seem!
This was a nice pallet cleanser for me as it wasn’t my usual genre, but boy did i need it.
This was hilarious. The way the Jack had the detectives running around in circles had me all confused in the best way. Like what is this man talking about and does he ever stop.
The twist threw me. I didn’t see that coming at all. People are NOT who they seem!
This was a nice pallet cleanser for me as it wasn’t my usual genre, but boy did i need it.
March 10, 2025
This was a better read than I was expecting, it had some very funny, laugh out loud moments. The book was set at a good pace and I didn't find it slow or boring. The characters were written well and John and Billy were hilarious together, I've never read two more incapable people than those two, they had me giggling more than a few times. The story line was great and I didn't see that twist at all. Overall this was a fun read and will have you laughing out loud at their antics.
February 17, 2025
I really enjoyed Cleaners Wanted. It's not your typical gangster story. It's definitely a comedy and it made me laugh out loud.
I absolutely loved Billy and John, those two idiots are the highlight of the story.
I loved the writing style and the story telling, we are taken along the adventure and I was left going noo! At some of it.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend
I absolutely loved Billy and John, those two idiots are the highlight of the story.
I loved the writing style and the story telling, we are taken along the adventure and I was left going noo! At some of it.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend
March 11, 2025
This book is a wonderful mix of humor and seriousness in the forms of sass and crime. I’m reminded of when Joe Pesci played similar characters in movies so this was worth reading. There can be some crass moments in this, but then the humor eases you out of it. The characters I can’t help but love. A great read for those that like a little comedy mixed with their crime novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.