The Bones of a Season

DESIRE, DANGER, CRIME, CHARLTON, BOATS, AND BAKING - a tale where nothing is as it seems on the surface.

Paul Breen's second work of fiction moves through a richly described tapestry of London's past and present, detailing the lives of three main characters as they find themselves embroiled in a crime drama that draws them to the English coast. Written in the era of BREXIT, this book captures a sense of modern Britain in powerful vignettes of emotion and experience. Immigration, migration, and the story of a smuggling network play key roles in the lives of the three leading characters - Fergus, an Irishman new to London; Katy, a fashion designer and writer who takes refuge at the Kentish seaside; and Lance, a veteran of the Afghan war ploughing his emotions into football, and to a lesser degree political opinions. With subtlety, events such as the very public murder of a British soldier are woven into the narrative, and the author moves with ease between scenes of sexual desire, danger, crime, Charlton Athletic, boats, and baking. This tale takes readers on an extensive journey from city to coast, and there's far more to it than the football tale added into the background as a follow up from Paul's debut novel The Charlton Men.

"Offers an insight into British society at an important point in recent history" - An Old International, November 2016

"The Bones of a Season is not really about football: it is about friendship and relationships, and people looking to make sense of their lives - so its appeal should be wider than football fans." - Steven Kay, 889 Books Blog.

"Went to places I couldn't guess and really appreciate the writing style" - Charlton Athletic supporter from Charlton Life forum.