Via Paradise by John Blake Ebook

Out on 21st April, 2025. Pre-order now!

“An original, modern, very funny story.” “A lovely sense of the ridiculous.” “Fast, clever, incisive. I laughed until my sides ached.” 

George Croft has decided to have a lie-in. So, apparently, has almost everyone else as Britain has come to a complete standstill. Millions of people, particularly the lowest paid, have simply not turned up for work. With parliament in summer recess, the beleaguered cabinet secretary can only find the Prime Minister – somewhat the worse for wear after a clandestine liaison at a country spa – and an assortment of hastily-chosen assistants to tackle this national emergency.

Plans to take back control go awry as the Prime Minister is unable to find his clothes, his wife is besieged in their house, corrupt financier Josh Ford loses both himself and his money, the over-zealous security guard proves a bit too keen for everyone’s liking, and there are only cartoons on the news channels.

Lost in the countryside, they encounter the vigilante vicar of Eden village and some strange goings on in Paradise Woods. Will they ever find the way back to civilisation or do all roads lead to Paradise?

As Clyde explores these mysteries, he also investigates questions about his own life and future and those of his friends, about the forgotten recent past and their relationship to it, and about what is real.

Emily Tellwright’s contemporary fantasy Ghost Train could fit in many categories. Is it a thriller, a romance or a comedy? A story of self-discovery or a comment on modern British society? A time-travel mystery or an historical murder case? You can only decide by reading it.

Many of the characters in this book use racist, sexist, homophobic and other offensive language. If you are likely to be uncomfortable with this, then this book is not for you.

“A world in chaos that no one can make sense of … witty and feels relevant for our times.”