'Shop Horror' differs and succeeds by offering so much more than a collection of the country's funniest shop names. On many pages there is an image of a shop with a genuinly inventive name. Sherlock Homes estate agents, Criminal Records record shop, The Bitter End off-licence, Sherwood Florist flower shop; there's nearly 200 of them and every one is a gem. However, the book's strength lies in the extra features that add so much more value and keep you reading. The author takes you inside selected shops to introduce the owners, the customers and to paint a picture of work and life there. More importantly, he tries to discover how these establishments came by their names. Even more fun is offered by the entertaining themed groupings of shops. Film-based store names such as Austin Flowers florists, Dye Hard hair salon and Brief Encounter lingerie shop are great fun, as are the shops based on TV shows (A Pine Romance, Open All Flowers) and pop groups (Bananarama etc). There's even more value added by the features on Britain's punniest town (Brighton), shops that have recently closed (including the fantastic Napoleon Boiler Parts) and name suggestions for people about to open a new shop (Bike To The Future anyone?).

This is more than photos of Britain's funniest shops, this is a feature-packed tour of the world of amusing shops with so much to read, you'll enjoy it again and again.

Very, very funny.