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Kevin Ansbro

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Luís
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Kevin Ansbro

Goodreads Author


Born
in Kamunting, Malaysia
Website

Twitter

Genre

Influences
Salman Rushdie; Charles Dickens; Gabriel García Márquez; Louis de Bern ...more

Member Since
June 2015


I was born to Irish parents, and have also lived in Malaysia and Germany.
My formal education was at Hamond's Grammar School in Swaffham, and at the Norfolk College of Arts and Technology (Stephen Fry being a much more famous former student).
I write in the magical realism genre, meshing otherworldliness into the harshness of our real world. I also like to handcuff humour and tragedy to the same radiator.
Perhaps incongruously for an author, I have a background in karate and kickboxing and travel extensively - particularly in the Far East.
I'm married (to Julie) and currently live in Norwich, England.
Stuff about me: I'm a foodie and an avid reader who values good manners, love and friendship. I am constantly putting my foot in it, am reputed t
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Kevin Ansbro .
"That was far easier than I thought it would be," chirped Millie Brady on the morning of her tenth birthday as she held her step-father's hand and wa…more
.
"That was far easier than I thought it would be," chirped Millie Brady on the morning of her tenth birthday as she held her step-father's hand and waited for Mother to return home from the supermarket.
The scream that escaped Agnes Brady's throat didn't come immediately: the first thing she noticed was the rare smile on her daughter's face; then she saw the axe, a bloodied party dress and, lastly, the wedding ring on her husband's severed hand.

.(less)
Kevin Ansbro I'm a frequent visitor to Thailand. I adore the country and love its wonderful people.
Whenever I'm ferried into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in a ta…more
I'm a frequent visitor to Thailand. I adore the country and love its wonderful people.
Whenever I'm ferried into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in a taxi, I always marvel at the bronze statues of mythical creatures that line the route into the terminal. These statues depict the half-bird, half-human Kinnaree, much-loved in Thai folklore.
And it was there that the nucleus of an idea began. By the time I'd paid the cab fare, I was already planning a storyline that could involve these celestial beings.
The male of the Kinnaree are known as the Kinnara, hence the title of my groovy novel, which is essentially a teeth-rattling thriller wrapped in a burrito of magical realism.(less)
Average rating: 4.4 · 691 ratings · 500 reviews · 5 distinct worksSimilar authors
Kinnara

4.35 avg rating — 193 ratings — published 2015 — 2 editions
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The Fish That Climbed a Tree

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In the Shadow of Time

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The Minotaur's Son & Other ...

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The Angel in my Well

4.44 avg rating — 80 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions
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More books by Kevin Ansbro…

KINNARA

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.


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"Sawat, I want to go into the water..."

Phuket, Thailand, seemed to be the perfect getaway choice for twenty-two-year-old Calum Armstrong.

What he saw and did on that holiday proved to have far-reaching consequences, not only for himself but also for those closest to him.

Neither Calum nor a brutal serial killer yet realise that their destiny lies in the hands of a mythical creature who resides be Read more of this blog post »
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Published on February 24, 2026 02:15 Tags: ai-art, beach-read, frankfurt, magicalrealism, myth, mythology, norwich, phuket, thailand
The Moor's Last Sigh
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Kevin’s Recent Updates

". . . "Sawat, I want to go into the water..." Phuket, Thailand, seemed to be the perfect getaway choice for twenty-two-year-old Calum Armstrong. What he saw and did on that holiday proved to have far-reaching consequences, not only for himself..." Read more of this blog post »
How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy
Kim
Kim is on page 196 of 293 of Behind Closed Doors
Andyaudiobooker F
Andyaudiobooker F is on page 423 of 453 of Catch-22: I know this is essentially an exaggerated parody, but nonetheless this entire work would have read better if the subject and setting had "officially" been the Red Air Force (with some topical re-working), or perhaps even the early-war days of the Luftwaffe. I will be glad to have this insanity wrapped up soon.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
" You've perfectly captured the essence of this poetic, sometimes wretched, story, Vilma! ...more "
Kevin Ansbro made a comment on his review of The Absolutist
The Absolutist by John Boyne
" Jennifer wrote: "It’s fun to see this review pop up in my feed now, Kevin, as I’m on a bit of a Boyne jag. He’s the opposite of tedious, isn’t he? Dan ...more "
A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne
" Great characterisation by Boyne. Maurice Swift is a sinister narcissist, and yet the reader feels compelled to see what he'll do next.
Fab review, Jen
...more "
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
" A very interesting talking point about Miss Kenton's physical appearance and an extremely good review, Wisteria. ...more "
The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
" I've also found myself walking Barcelona's shadowed streets with Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and he's great company!

Another excellent review, Kimber! : )
...more "
Kevin Ansbro answered Cheri's question: Kevin Ansbro
Dear Cheri,
I've only just seen this! I am so sorry! 😔

I'm doing well and have missed you too! 🤗💖
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Quotes by Kevin Ansbro  (?)
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“A book doesn't come alive until it is being read.”
Kevin Ansbro

“Though soulmates aren't looking for you, they will find you.”
Kevin Ansbro

“We are what we eat,
and we are what we read.”
Kevin Ansbro

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“Focus on an ocean of positives, not a puddle of negatives.”
Kevin Ansbro

“Books are the flung-open windows to a parallel universe.”
Kevin Ansbro

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Kevin Ansbro

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25x33 Buddy read for 'Bullets in the Briar' — 3 members — last activity Sep 26, 2024 07:18PM
"The discovery of a mutilated body on remote farmland is only the start of Sheriff Lincoln James' latest investigation..." The much-awaited sequel to ...more
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Thai bookworms, Thai readers, Thai writers, Thai stalkers(?), Thai "pass by"-ers, Thai lit nerds, Thai consumers, this is the place for you. Pretty mu ...more
Comments (showing 1-25)    post a comment »
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Thasanya Hi Kevin,

Thank you for accepting my friend request! I absolutely adore your reviews :)

I am glad to know there are other people on this planet who have experienced the magic of Gerry Durrell's 'My Family and Other Animals'-  I haven't had the pleasure of meeting many who have. Have you read the rest of The Corfu Trilogy?

Very best,
T


message 24: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Adrian wrote: "I see you are winning the poll to be September's book of the month in the "Evolution of Sci Fi Group" with "In the Shadow of Time". Ooh you are now ahead, cos I voted for you. 😊

Best of luck Kevin"


Thank you, Adrian!
My apologies for only just seeing your kind message. I only recently found out about In the Shadow of Time being voted 'Book of the Month' - a real honour, I must say!


message 23: by Adrian (last edited Jul 21, 2023 09:12AM)

Adrian I see you are winning the poll to be September's book of the month in the "Evolution of Sci Fi Group" with "In the Shadow of Time". Ooh you are now ahead, cos I voted for you. 😊

Best of luck Kevin


message 22: by Meghhnaa (last edited Sep 09, 2022 09:38AM)

Meghhnaa  (On a Review-Writing Break!) Kevin, this is not a question but a post on your adulation. I admire the way you draw parallels and similarities between books. You are extremely well-read. I learn a lot from your zeal and avidity for writing and passion for books. I went through one of your books, and must say the world, should get ready to welcome a majestically, magically realistic author, Kevin!


message 21: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Rosh wrote: "Hi Kevin, thank you so much for accepting my friend invite. It is such a privilege for me. I am not as active on Twitter (still trying to get my footing there) but I definitely hope to interact with you a lot more through GR. Have a wonderful day ahead!
💐
📚
😊..."


Hi, Rosh, it's a privilege for me too! : )
And if you would like any help regarding Twitter, please don't hesitate to ask.
Warm regards,
Kevin
: )


message 20: by Rosh

Rosh Hi Kevin, thank you so much for accepting my friend invite. It is such a privilege for me. I am not as active on Twitter (still trying to get my footing there) but I definitely hope to interact with you a lot more through GR. Have a wonderful day ahead! 💐📚😊


Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today Hey there Kevin, I hope you are having a feverish and productive burst of writing!


message 18: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Maliha Tabassum wrote: "Hey, Kevin! Thank you so much for accepting my friend request. :) Love your reviews so much!
Happy reading and reviewing! <3"


You are so very welcome, Maliha!
And thank you for your kind words! : )


Maliha Tabassum Tisha Hey, Kevin! Thank you so much for accepting my friend request. :) Love your reviews so much!
Happy reading and reviewing! <3


message 16: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Dollie wrote: "Wow! I just went through your read books & I believe you've read more Dickens than anyone I know! LOL. I've read them all. I love his stories. I read them in the order he wrote them..."

Thank you, Dollie!
I am a huge fan of Dickens: I read Oliver Twist aged eleven and went on to read at least twelve more of his through my pre-teens and teens. I adore his descriptive imagery (he and Gerald Durrell were my earliest writing influences - latterly, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Salman Rushdie).
I like the sound of your mother! I attended a school that threw a profusion of classic novels our way, and later studied English literature at college, where we were required to read at least one classic novel a week.

I'm pleased to have made friends with you, too, Dottie.
Hope you and yours are keeping safe!


message 15: by Dollie

Dollie Wow! I just went through your read books & I believe you've read more Dickens than anyone I know! LOL. I've read them all. I love his stories. I read them in the order he wrote them. The Pickwick Papers first. I laughed so much. And then Oliver Twist! One of the saddest story ever. I cried while reading that one. And you like Classics! My mother taught Literature and I inherited her love of great writers. I'm so glad to have made friends with you. Hope all is well with you and yours.


message 14: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Margitte wrote: "Hi Kevin, best wishes for the new year as well as your new novel! Your literary insight, expressed so eloquently, always lights up the day.

I aacidently deleted your comment on my 2018 book overv..."


Best wishes to you too, Margitte.
I shall see if I can remember what I put and reinstate it. : )


Margitte Hi Kevin, best wishes for the new year as well as your new novel! Your literary insight, expressed so eloquently, always lights up the day.

I aacidently deleted your comment on my 2018 book overview. Instead of replying to it, I made it disappear. Sorry about that. My iPad and I still nedd to understand each other better :-))


✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) I don't mind at all, Sarah, watch me all you want, but don't expect me to share my plankton - I'm a shellfish bastard! ; )

p.s. I've been reading your 'stuff' and your zero-tolerance style is right up my street!


Oh no, you don't! Get your filthy hands off my dinoflagellates this minute, young man! If you don't want to see what my zero-tolerance style looks like up close, that is.


message 11: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) wrote: "The crustaceans are watching you."

I don't mind at all, Sarah, watch me all you want, but don't expect me to share my plankton - I'm a shellfish bastard! ; )

p.s. I've been reading your 'stuff' and your zero-tolerance style is right up my street!


message 9: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Leila wrote: "Thank you for reading my review of 'Paw Tracks at Owl Cottage Kevin. Much appreciated."

Gosh, it's the very least I could do, Leila, after your kind review of Kinnara!


message 8: by Leila

Leila Thank you for reading my review of 'Paw Tracks at Owl Cottage Kevin. Much appreciated.


message 7: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Kimber wrote: "Thank you for adding me as a friend, Kevin!"

You are most welcome, Kimber. Thank you for reading Kinnara!


message 6: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Larry wrote: "Thanks for adding me as a friend, Kevin! I had wanted to add you but since it didn't appear I could, I settled for "following." I feel so much better now! :)"

Yes, this is something that I never previously realised.
I just assumed that people who followed me, but didn't friend me, didn't want to friend me!
I now feel terribly guilty that they might think me stuck-up!
Thank you, Larry. I feel so much better now too! : )


message 5: by Larry

Larry H Thanks for adding me as a friend, Kevin! I had wanted to add you but since it didn't appear I could, I settled for "following." I feel so much better now! :)


message 4: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Nancy wrote: "Hi Kevin, thanks for the friendship and for your very thoughtful answer to my question. My Family and Other Animals sounds simply delightful and I'm now eager to find a copy. When I ..."

That's great, Nancy!
It really is a delightful book, and I was surprised to discover that it didn't seem at all 'dated.' In fact, I enjoyed reading it more as an adult, than I did as a child. Would love to know your thoughts...
Pleasure to 'meet' you also.


message 3: by Kevin

Kevin Ansbro Stephanie wrote: "Thanks for the book recommendation! I think my daughter will like it. :)"

Good to hear Steph.
For some reason I don't always receive notifications when people message me! : ((


message 2: by Nancy

Nancy Hi Kevin, thanks for the friendship and for your very thoughtful answer to my question. My Family and Other Animals sounds simply delightful and I'm now eager to find a copy. When I was a child, I always enjoyed reading about wild animals and foreign countries.


Stephanie Thanks for the book recommendation! I think my daughter will like it. :)


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