Local author and CAS Trust member Paul Breen is launching his latest Charlton related work of fiction in The White Swan Pub on Saturday evening 8th October from 6pm onwards.
Paul’s first book The Charlton Men was published in 2014 and this latest work serves as a sequel to that. The title this time around is The Bones of a Season and much of the action takes place at the end of 2012/13, in the period around the Championship play-offs of that year, when Crystal Palace reached the final against Watford. This gives Paul’s characters the chance to reminisce on Charlton’s great play-off success of 1998, and also to explore the sometimes unrequited rivalry felt for Crystal Palace.
However, as with The Charlton Men, this latest work of fiction is more than just a football novel. This is primarily a psychological thriller with an element of crime fiction that uses football as a backdrop, so there is plenty to entertain football fans and non-fans alike. Many of the characters from the previous book also return for this one and find themselves caught up in a range of dramas and recollections that hold together a narrative that’s as much of a page turner as last time around. Indeed this work is about fifty pages longer than the original book in the series, and Paul believes that “as an all-round package I hope that readers will find this even better than the first.”
Paul also says that the writing of this book has been influenced to a large extent by the vast amount of feedback that he received from readers and Charlton fans after the publication of his first book. Added to that he reserves special thanks for CAS Trust members Chris Dunn and Ken Sinyard for their production of the artwork in the cover image seen in the picture below. Last time around, some fans and readers felt that they’d have preferred a cover image that captured more of a sense of being a Charlton fan and for Paul “this view defines what I often see from my usual seat in the Upper West stand. It even captures a sense of the moody weather that we’ve come to expect on match days!”
The launch then takes place on Saturday evening 8th October from 6pm onwards in The White Swan pub in Charlton village, which has become a regular gathering spot for CAFC fans in recent times. Though Paul says that he tries to support all local pubs and businesses, The White Swan has been chosen because of its growing reputation as a pub that supports local community ventures. These have included a Writers’ Group in which Paul has been involved, and there are various other regular musical and social events at the Swan, which give it such a reputation as a cultural hot spot in Charlton.
On Saturday evening 8th October from 6pm onwards this cultural hot spot will provide an opportunity for locals and readers to come along to Paul’s book launch, where he will have copies for sale, and will be happy to read or discuss his work and influences. There’s plenty of food and drink available in the pub, especially a great selection of craft beer, and people are also welcome to hang around for the music afterwards. The White Swan always has a band on Saturday nights, and since music has been such a major influence on Paul’s work he says “this sounds like a perfect way to end an evening of literature, culture, and people coming together to celebrate Charlton life.”
The event starts at 6pm, and everyone is welcome to attend. There’s no expectation of buying books on the evening, but Paul will be signing copies and has ordered some specially from the publisher. For those who cannot attend on the evening there is also the opportunity to purchase the book in either Kindle or paperback form on Amazon at the following link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bones-Season-Paul-Breen/dp/0997806230/