Three nephews and three eccentric uncles.
It's 2050 and Robbie Elders has all but forgotten about his oddball, religious fanatic uncle, tim tim. He's taken up the latest fad, genealogical research based solely on DNA. But Robbie's "inconclusive" DNA results are unsettling. He crashes back to his childhood, back to his world of comic books and tim tim.
"I opt for posh and London" declares Lady Florence Stour. It's 2019 and time for a Royal Wedding. Robbie's uncle, Stef, is engaged to Lady Florence, a distant member of the British royal family. Stef's Baltimore clan have been invited, but Robbie's mom and dad can't attend. They've entrusted Robbie and big brother, Doyle, to their mom's two eccentric brothers, uncles Roy and Roland. Roy, a weathered waterman with a severe Baltimore accent, lives for Maryland blue crabs. Roland, a mildly hypochondriacal actor, lives to survive the Karens he unavoidably encounters. And then there's Desales, Roy's smart aleck, teenage son. He lives to prank. They've descended upon London. What could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, tim tim has been coaching Robbie on "the mission." A silly religious fantasy according to Robbie's atheist parents and the therapists. Or perhaps not? Things are not always as they appear in The Big Comb Over.
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Advance Reviews
"A wonderfully comic novel packed full of eccentric, fun to get to know characters. Highly recommended!"
The Wishing Shelf - 5 Stars - Award Finalist
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"In The Big Comb Over, the author takes the reader on a hilariously absurd journey into the heart of a
Royal Wedding, where family dynamics and satirical wit collide in a riotous tale. This cleverly crafted
novel explores the lives of three nephews and their uncles as they navigate the chaos and eccentricities
surrounding this grand event."
The International Review of Books - Gold Badge rating
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"Spanning multiple timelines and incorporating multiple perspectives, the book takes readers on a hilarious journey through the lives of one extended family. ... If you are in the mood for a laugh-out-loud comedy that defies reason and revels in ridiculousness, this book is for you!"
Readers' Choice Book Awards - 5 Stars
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"The Big Comb Over is a lighthearted and thought-provoking exploration of family, identity, and the unexpected twists that come with discovering one's roots. ... I recommend this riveting tale of self-exploration and the surprises which come with it."
Pacific Book Review
J. Paul (J.P.) Rieger is a born and bred Baltimorean and mostly retired Maryland attorney. As such, he's well acquainted with the quirkiness and charm of Baltimore's unique citizens. He's author of Clonk!, a police farce set in Baltimore, as well as The Case Files of Roderick Misely, Consultant, a mystery novel featuring a wannabe lawyer anti-hero. Paul is married and lives in Towson, Maryland.
