A Return Ticket

by Tom Duke

We live in a world where information is only a few clicks away, where almost any problem can be resolved by reading out the digits on a piece of plastic. Now imagine yourself in a different world. One in which all those things we take for granted – from credit cards to hot water – have been snatched away. To make things worse, you are on the other side of the world, with no easy way home. Would you sink? Or swim?

Jack Stevens is forced to confront those questions when, during a business trip to Sydney, a plague sweeps through the city and he finds himself trapped in a zombie movie, without the zombies. All he wants is to get back to his family, but this proves easier said than done. It's a long way home and not everyone he meets is keen to help...

Tom Duke lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife and two children. He frequently travels for business and, so far, he has always made it home.

Genres: Dystopia

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1212

Reviews

[Andy Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a great work of literature, but the writing is decent and I really enjoyed it.

The story centres around a British IT consultant who is on a work trip to Australia when he becomes seriously ill. After a few days in his hotel room he emerges to find everyone else is dead. He then begins his journey to try and reach home to see if his family are alive. So far, this reminded me a lot of Two Journeys, but the stories diverge quite significantly after the initial phase.

Some reviewers say that the story is a bit ridiculous, and I guess elements are a bit far fetched, but apart from a couple of odd actions by the characters it's a decent book. For what appears to be a self published book, it has very few mistakes in it.

I personally didn't like the last few pages, but to some extent that's personal opinion.

[Michael John Paul McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Return Ticket

I really enjoyed this book as it was different to the usual apocalyptic novels I've read in the past. All characters were believable and while reading each chapter you got the sense of dread, hope, frustration and happiness in that the survivors led by Jack Stevens were able to leave Australia on a large cruise ship that they had commandeered to try and make it to England. An excellent book.

[Karina Halt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best post-apoc books I read in a while. It was different and I really would LOVE to know what happens next! PLEASE Tom Duke write a sequel!!

[Sarah Ambler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time I’ve read this book, really enjoy the story, recommend you check out authors other books.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't finish it, it's just awful. Really weak prose, completely lacking subtlety and dialogue that sets my teeth on edge. At one point early in the book the protagonist meets a lone woman. He speeds up to her, she inexplicably pulls over, then after pulling a shotgun on him says that it's cos like you know, you might rape me or something. Everything I've read so far has been like this, characters explaining the situation in case the reader doesn't get it, and is as dumb and naive as jack, the hero of the story.

Worse still is the creepy misogyny running through it, where the women are described by sexual attractiveness and the men not at all. He even describes the curves of a corpse at one point and muses on how everyone wondered what she would look like naked.

It's written like really poor apocalyptic fan fiction from someone still school and if I could I would get a refund. It reminds me of flashforward, remember that show? A good concept poorly executed.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this after it appeared as one of the recommendations on Amazon and I am glad that I did. An intelligent look at what would happen if virtually the whole of mankind was wiped out by a mystery virus.

In his story, the main character is on a business trip to Australia and he survives the illness. You try to imagine how you would cope, especially when your home is on the other side of the world. Tom Duke tells the story well and it all rings true.

Well worth checking out if you are into post apocalyptic novels.

[Archiegitdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable book certainly needs a sequel. Main character was a bit unbelievable at times (wet!) but I must admit finished the whole book in two days. If a second book came out I would certainly get it - a good story but not a lot of "oomph". Easy to read like watching a movie without needing to follow it as it unfolds

[Neil Blumfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story set just before and after humanity is almost wiped out by a mysterious plague.
I sincerely hope there is sequel coming along, as there are so many backstory questions to be answered, plus the ending is begging to be resolved in another book!

[Linda Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading works by new authors and have to say I thoroughly recommend this. The story involves you immediately and although the initial scenario is bleak, the gradual glimmers of hope make this a hard to put down tale. Good luck to Tom Duke.

[katie naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unpublished author, Who has fantastic potential for big things.
I recommend that you read this book for a refreshing schange to the norm!

[jacqueline tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed this read sad about all the Australian's :-( will they make it to England??? Hope William does not get see sick

[Neil Moulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5, shades of Walking Dead without the zombies but as the book built towards its end, it lacked a finale or answers, which is a tad frustrating. I was sure there would be a recommended further book in the series that the Kindle would throw up, but no.....