Review ~ The Last of the Bowmans by J Paul Henderson

No Exit Press
January 2016

When Greg Bowman returns to England for his father's funeral, after an absence of seven years, he knows that he has more than a few bridges to build in order to restore his standing in the family. Owing to a mix up at the airport Greg arrives late to the funeral which doesn't endear him to his estranged brother Billy and his acerbic sister- in -law, Jean.

What then follows is an unusual, and it must be said rather odd little story, which looks at family dynamics and the all too easy rifts which keep people apart. As with all families, the Bowman's have hidden secrets and when his father's spirit, appears to Greg and charges him with the responsibility to 'fix the family' you know that things are going to get even weirder before the whole story is completed.

This is now the second book by this author that I have read, the first being the quirkily titled Last Bus to Coffeeville, and as before, I am intrigued by the originality of his style of storytelling. I’m not altogether sure that some of the elements in this book sits easily with me, but, there is no doubt that all of human nature is contained within and none more so than the Bowmans who, collectively, are an odd bunch of characters

So overall, this is a quirky read and just that little bit different...

Best Read with ... Greg's favourite, Cotoletta alla Milanese and a bottle of Chianti....

About the author

J Paul Henderson was born and grew up in the west of Yorkshire. The Last of the Bowmans is his second novel..

My thanks to Real Readers and No Exit Press for my review copy of this book.

The Last of the Bowmans is published on the 21st January 2016.

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