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The Fairfax Redemption: A Jonathon Fairfax Novel
Ever feel like the whole world is conspiring against you?
Jonathon Fairfax can’t even get on the London Underground without bumping into someone he’s desperate to avoid – like Rachel, his first love, who demolished his heart eleven years ago. She tells him that her terrifying uncle (a man Jonathon knows only as ‘the murderer’) is about to be released from prison.
Does the murderer blame Jonathon for his time inside? Will he seek revenge?
To find out, Jonathon follows him – until the trail ends at a mysterious north London chicken shop, shrouded in sinister rumours. As Jonathon tries to untangle the truth, he gets drawn ever deeper into a web of conspiracy theorists, organised criminals and evil Etonians.
But who should Jonathon really be afraid of? The murderer on the loose or bumbling celebrity politician Teddy Robinson? The Russian mafia or the owner of a chain of chicken shops whose fries – if the dark rumours are true – may not be made of potato?
After all, they can’t all be out to get him … um, can they?
The Fairfax Redemption is the fourth book in the massively popular Jonathon Fairfax series, sure to be loved by fans of Douglas Adams, PG Wodehouse and Caimh McDonnell.
Pick up the latest Jonathon Fairfax novel – sequel to three Amazon The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax (‘A comic gem’ Stylist, shortlisted for the Bath Novel Award); Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed (‘A funny, daft-yet-relatable, nerve-jangly thriller’ Emerald Street); and The Spy Who Came in from the Bin (‘Like The Bourne Identity reworked by Douglas Adams’ Scott Pack, Waterstones Head Buyer 2000-6).
The Jonathon Fairfax novels don’t have to be read in order.
Jonathon Fairfax can’t even get on the London Underground without bumping into someone he’s desperate to avoid – like Rachel, his first love, who demolished his heart eleven years ago. She tells him that her terrifying uncle (a man Jonathon knows only as ‘the murderer’) is about to be released from prison.
Does the murderer blame Jonathon for his time inside? Will he seek revenge?
To find out, Jonathon follows him – until the trail ends at a mysterious north London chicken shop, shrouded in sinister rumours. As Jonathon tries to untangle the truth, he gets drawn ever deeper into a web of conspiracy theorists, organised criminals and evil Etonians.
But who should Jonathon really be afraid of? The murderer on the loose or bumbling celebrity politician Teddy Robinson? The Russian mafia or the owner of a chain of chicken shops whose fries – if the dark rumours are true – may not be made of potato?
After all, they can’t all be out to get him … um, can they?
The Fairfax Redemption is the fourth book in the massively popular Jonathon Fairfax series, sure to be loved by fans of Douglas Adams, PG Wodehouse and Caimh McDonnell.
Pick up the latest Jonathon Fairfax novel – sequel to three Amazon The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax (‘A comic gem’ Stylist, shortlisted for the Bath Novel Award); Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed (‘A funny, daft-yet-relatable, nerve-jangly thriller’ Emerald Street); and The Spy Who Came in from the Bin (‘Like The Bourne Identity reworked by Douglas Adams’ Scott Pack, Waterstones Head Buyer 2000-6).
The Jonathon Fairfax novels don’t have to be read in order.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2024
175 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Shevlin
8 books126 followersChristopher Shevlin is, essentially, an older, bearded and slightly shorter version of Jonathon Fairfax. He grew up in Yorkshire and spent his whole adult life in London, before going to Berlin to write his second novel, Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed. The book is set in London.
When life is hard, he has always turned to books for comfort. His favourites include his battered old Jeeves Omnibus, Douglas Adams’s Dirk Gently books, 1066 And All That, the Molesworth books, and Augustus Carp By Himself. His ambition is to write books that are even a tenth as comfortingly odd.
To find out more about Christopher Shevlin, his books, and the disturbingly assertive squirrels of Helsinki, please visit www.christophershevlin.com
(Author photo by Matthias Gottwald: der-gottwald.de)
When life is hard, he has always turned to books for comfort. His favourites include his battered old Jeeves Omnibus, Douglas Adams’s Dirk Gently books, 1066 And All That, the Molesworth books, and Augustus Carp By Himself. His ambition is to write books that are even a tenth as comfortingly odd.
To find out more about Christopher Shevlin, his books, and the disturbingly assertive squirrels of Helsinki, please visit www.christophershevlin.com
(Author photo by Matthias Gottwald: der-gottwald.de)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 23, 2024
I had so much fun reading this! It's a great book to read if you're feeling down because it will get you giggling and raise your spirits. I was reading it while sitting outside and had to hope nobody was around because I kept snort laughing out loud! There are parts that will still make me laugh just thinking back about them.
The characters are so quirky, and at the same time feel like real people. The villains scared me, the heroes...well, the heroes worried me because I didn't know how they were going to get out of this!
And through all the humor, real issues of social justice are addressed. But don't worry, none of it is shoved down your throat. It's done naturally as part of the story.
I loved it!!!!! Please read!
The characters are so quirky, and at the same time feel like real people. The villains scared me, the heroes...well, the heroes worried me because I didn't know how they were going to get out of this!
And through all the humor, real issues of social justice are addressed. But don't worry, none of it is shoved down your throat. It's done naturally as part of the story.
I loved it!!!!! Please read!
June 18, 2024
I have a problem. [Just the one, dear? – Ed] When I discover a book and fall in love with it, and it turns out to be a series, I immediately binge all of it. This is the worst when the book I just discovered is the latest, or, worse, last part. The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax, book one in the Jonathon Fairfax series, came out in 2012. Christopher Shevlin is not an extremely prolific author, and so when I finished book three – The Spy Who Came in the Bin – a week later, I immediately got withdrawal symptoms. And Fortune smiled at me! The author’s website indicated the fourth book was coming out ‘soon’ so I contacted him to ask how soon was soon, and it turned out soon was actually June 12. I received a free ARC, which did not influence this review. It didn’t need to.
The Fairfax Redemption brings back a few characters I got to know and love/fear/hate/have a crush on in the previous three books. One of them comes back from prison, where he landed because of Jonathon, and another comes back from Jonathon’s complicated ex-love life, where… um. Well. Fortunately they’re relatives, so Jonathon is able to avoid awkward encounters with both at once by spending time with them on purpose. (Genius or what?) This is cut short when he lands in prison himself, for not having noticed that his hearing regarding a folder inside his pants has started (and ended), bunking (this is not a double entendre) with his new friend Jamali, whom I now have a crush on. Being in prison generally helps with not getting killed, especially when nobody including Jonathon’s significant other and the other significant other can figure out which prison it is. Unfortunately, prisons also contain people who would quite like to kill Jonathon. And all he’s doing is being himself.
The Fairfax Redemption delivers when it comes to biting satire of the highest calibre. Shevlin picks another topic too close for comfort (mine, not Jonathon’s, although that too) – conspiracy theories. People who create them, share, add to them, and use the worst advice left-wing Twitter (RIP) has ever uttered: “educate yourself.” Oh, they educate themselves thoroughly, with the help of social media and a company specialised in spreading conspiracy theories. Jonathon gets a job there to disprove a different conspiracy theory, accidentally gets arrested with the theory quite literally inside his pants in the form of a folder, which leads the company’s owner to the realisation that the police have arrived a bit too quickly. Almost as if they knew something. Almost as if Jonathon has actually agreed with them that this folder would disappear and land in the safest place, if you never want to find something:my studio police files.
Just because you’re creating and spreading conspiracy theories for living, that doesn’t mean they’re not out there to get you!
Satire doesn’t necessarily have to be funny – it’s not comedy. The Fairfax Redemption is simultaneously hilarious and brutally real. Because this is the world that the humankind has deliberately created. Also, Great Britain gonna Great Britain, and I am writing this while living in a country that sent me a letter to inform me they were going to send me a letter, which then proceeded to never arrive. (The pair of cops who apply the nuclear weapon that is bureaucracy to the person who called them, then, being turncoats, do the same to the one that actually deserves it is both hilarious and terrifying.) The Fairfax Redemption is not as fantastic as my favourite book in the series (and of 2024) so far, Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed, but then, there can only be one favourite book of 2024, even in a four-book series.
It’s thrilling, bloody, awkward, sweet, realistic, painful, and something inside me whispers “this is actually a real story, and if you don’t believe it…educate yourself.” If it doesn’t make you laugh, please follow me to room 2A, where you will fill the form explaining why you require to fill the form listing all the jokes in the book, ticking the ones you did not get, and we’ll get back to you within 3-4 weeks, which you’re going to spend in medium-rare security prison for your own good.
(8.5/10 rounded down to 4/5 for Goodreads)
My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I probably DNFed it, so I don't give 2* ratings
1* = actively hostile towards the reader*
The Fairfax Redemption brings back a few characters I got to know and love/fear/hate/have a crush on in the previous three books. One of them comes back from prison, where he landed because of Jonathon, and another comes back from Jonathon’s complicated ex-love life, where… um. Well. Fortunately they’re relatives, so Jonathon is able to avoid awkward encounters with both at once by spending time with them on purpose. (Genius or what?) This is cut short when he lands in prison himself, for not having noticed that his hearing regarding a folder inside his pants has started (and ended), bunking (this is not a double entendre) with his new friend Jamali, whom I now have a crush on. Being in prison generally helps with not getting killed, especially when nobody including Jonathon’s significant other and the other significant other can figure out which prison it is. Unfortunately, prisons also contain people who would quite like to kill Jonathon. And all he’s doing is being himself.
The Fairfax Redemption delivers when it comes to biting satire of the highest calibre. Shevlin picks another topic too close for comfort (mine, not Jonathon’s, although that too) – conspiracy theories. People who create them, share, add to them, and use the worst advice left-wing Twitter (RIP) has ever uttered: “educate yourself.” Oh, they educate themselves thoroughly, with the help of social media and a company specialised in spreading conspiracy theories. Jonathon gets a job there to disprove a different conspiracy theory, accidentally gets arrested with the theory quite literally inside his pants in the form of a folder, which leads the company’s owner to the realisation that the police have arrived a bit too quickly. Almost as if they knew something. Almost as if Jonathon has actually agreed with them that this folder would disappear and land in the safest place, if you never want to find something:
Just because you’re creating and spreading conspiracy theories for living, that doesn’t mean they’re not out there to get you!
Satire doesn’t necessarily have to be funny – it’s not comedy. The Fairfax Redemption is simultaneously hilarious and brutally real. Because this is the world that the humankind has deliberately created. Also, Great Britain gonna Great Britain, and I am writing this while living in a country that sent me a letter to inform me they were going to send me a letter, which then proceeded to never arrive. (The pair of cops who apply the nuclear weapon that is bureaucracy to the person who called them, then, being turncoats, do the same to the one that actually deserves it is both hilarious and terrifying.) The Fairfax Redemption is not as fantastic as my favourite book in the series (and of 2024) so far, Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed, but then, there can only be one favourite book of 2024, even in a four-book series.
It’s thrilling, bloody, awkward, sweet, realistic, painful, and something inside me whispers “this is actually a real story, and if you don’t believe it…educate yourself.” If it doesn’t make you laugh, please follow me to room 2A, where you will fill the form explaining why you require to fill the form listing all the jokes in the book, ticking the ones you did not get, and we’ll get back to you within 3-4 weeks, which you’re going to spend in medium-rare security prison for your own good.
(8.5/10 rounded down to 4/5 for Goodreads)
My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I probably DNFed it, so I don't give 2* ratings
1* = actively hostile towards the reader*
July 12, 2024
I want to say it's hard to believe that one person can get themselves into so much trouble without even trying, but Shevlin makes this entirely believable for his bumbling Jonathon Fairfax character.
The basic premise... oh man, where to begin with this one. Let's just say, Jonathon sees his old girlfriend on the Tube and this leads exposing a no-good politician and Jonathon breaking out of jail. Yes, it's one of those books where one thing leads to another in the funniest, most happenstance way possible, and Shevlin pulls it off without a hitch.
Although the Fairfax books are a series, I'd only read Book 1 prior to this (The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax). But that worked out perfectly since nearly all the main characters in that first book play major roles in this book.
And while this could simply be a very well done comedy of errors, it's the characters that really pull you in. That's not to say there's a ton of character development, but when I read about Jonathon getting arrested, it was one of those moments where I was almost shouting at Jonathon to stop digging the hole. Just put down the shovel and walk away (not a literal shovel, of course)!! There's very few books I've read lately that can do that.
Plus, it's downright brimming with wry humor combined with a bit of slapstick silliness, and who doesn't love that mix!?
Overall, highly recommended if you're looking for and easy-to-read bumbling misadventure with a load of quirky characters.
The basic premise... oh man, where to begin with this one. Let's just say, Jonathon sees his old girlfriend on the Tube and this leads exposing a no-good politician and Jonathon breaking out of jail. Yes, it's one of those books where one thing leads to another in the funniest, most happenstance way possible, and Shevlin pulls it off without a hitch.
Although the Fairfax books are a series, I'd only read Book 1 prior to this (The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax). But that worked out perfectly since nearly all the main characters in that first book play major roles in this book.
And while this could simply be a very well done comedy of errors, it's the characters that really pull you in. That's not to say there's a ton of character development, but when I read about Jonathon getting arrested, it was one of those moments where I was almost shouting at Jonathon to stop digging the hole. Just put down the shovel and walk away (not a literal shovel, of course)!! There's very few books I've read lately that can do that.
Plus, it's downright brimming with wry humor combined with a bit of slapstick silliness, and who doesn't love that mix!?
Overall, highly recommended if you're looking for and easy-to-read bumbling misadventure with a load of quirky characters.
July 26, 2025
The Fairfax Redemption: Now With 200% More Pants-Based Espionage
Jonathon Fairfax is back — along with ex-lovers, ex-prisoners, and ex-reasons-to-believe-he’s-functioning. One character’s fresh out of jail (cheers, Jonathon), another out of his tangled ex-life. They're related, so luckily the emotional chaos can be scheduled efficiently.
Then Jonathon himself ends up in prison, thanks to accidentally missing a court hearing… about a folder… in his trousers. He shares a cell (not a euphemism) with Jamali, who’s so charming I now need fictional relationship counselling.
Satire-wise, Shevlin sharpens the blade on conspiracy theorists this time — the kind who "educate themselves" via social media and vibes. Jonathon joins a company spreading said conspiracies, tries to disprove one, and ends up smuggling state secrets down his pants. Naturally.
The police arrive suspiciously fast, bureaucracy becomes a blunt-force weapon, and somewhere along the way, I got flashbacks to real British life (the kind where you receive a letter warning that another letter is on its way... that never arrives).
It’s biting, ridiculous, strangely moving, and painfully plausible.
Jonathon Fairfax is back — along with ex-lovers, ex-prisoners, and ex-reasons-to-believe-he’s-functioning. One character’s fresh out of jail (cheers, Jonathon), another out of his tangled ex-life. They're related, so luckily the emotional chaos can be scheduled efficiently.
Then Jonathon himself ends up in prison, thanks to accidentally missing a court hearing… about a folder… in his trousers. He shares a cell (not a euphemism) with Jamali, who’s so charming I now need fictional relationship counselling.
Satire-wise, Shevlin sharpens the blade on conspiracy theorists this time — the kind who "educate themselves" via social media and vibes. Jonathon joins a company spreading said conspiracies, tries to disprove one, and ends up smuggling state secrets down his pants. Naturally.
The police arrive suspiciously fast, bureaucracy becomes a blunt-force weapon, and somewhere along the way, I got flashbacks to real British life (the kind where you receive a letter warning that another letter is on its way... that never arrives).
It’s biting, ridiculous, strangely moving, and painfully plausible.
August 5, 2024
Another great installment for Jonathan Fairfax, with added politics
I have to be honest and say that I found Jonathan really annoying in this book at the start. Maybe I'd forgotten how messed up he is, but the totally abstract garbage that came out of his mouth was starting to wind me up.
There are some great other characters in here, the usual gang, plus the new ones needed for this story. And as the story progressed and they took over, my dislike of Jonathan dissipated. By the end, although I can't say I like his character, it melded together really well.
The incidents throughout the story are also not that far fetched when you throw in a few old Etonians - and who doesn't like seeing them get their comeuppance. The political angle was very well worked.
Another well written book that needs reading by more people.
I have to be honest and say that I found Jonathan really annoying in this book at the start. Maybe I'd forgotten how messed up he is, but the totally abstract garbage that came out of his mouth was starting to wind me up.
There are some great other characters in here, the usual gang, plus the new ones needed for this story. And as the story progressed and they took over, my dislike of Jonathan dissipated. By the end, although I can't say I like his character, it melded together really well.
The incidents throughout the story are also not that far fetched when you throw in a few old Etonians - and who doesn't like seeing them get their comeuppance. The political angle was very well worked.
Another well written book that needs reading by more people.
August 12, 2025
After the foray to Berlin in the last novel, it's great to have Jonathon and company back in London. Jonathon remains wonderfully hapless, with consequences sometimes good and sometimes quite dire. Lance and Piper are back (and well developed and employed here). The endless skewering of Etonians is particularly fun, but as usual it's the entire cultural order that's the target. This is probably my favorite of this excellent absurdist series.
August 20, 2025
Satisfied Customer am I.
...no regrets. 5 books and all gems. albeit the first 4
sparkled somewhat more blindingly.
marvellous characters I wouldn't want as friend...and
quite a few I'd definitely would hurt...but they're all
hilarious...brilliantly created...totally convincing.
an absolutely highly recommended series of
" sequences of highly traumatic events. " of a
world class level.
envy the first-time reader of Book 1.
...no regrets. 5 books and all gems. albeit the first 4
sparkled somewhat more blindingly.
marvellous characters I wouldn't want as friend...and
quite a few I'd definitely would hurt...but they're all
hilarious...brilliantly created...totally convincing.
an absolutely highly recommended series of
" sequences of highly traumatic events. " of a
world class level.
envy the first-time reader of Book 1.
September 6, 2024
Just what I wanted from a Jonathon Fairfax sequel - a return of some of my favourite characters, a fresh batch of charismatic villains, and a lacing of great gags (including some of my faves from the series). Does exactly what it says on the tin, making it as much of a joy to read as the three books that can before it.
September 9, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Like its predecessors it's one of chaos, misunderstanding, insecurity, lack of confidence and coincidence, and despite this, the values and love of the main characters for each other sees them through and good overcomes evil. It also ties up and resolves some of the themes from the previous novels. I always thought the murderer was basically decent!
June 19, 2024
An Adventure
Poor Jonathan caught up again in an anxiety filled series of mayhem and mishaps. Conspiracy theories abound. The murderer is quite nice actually, Lance is still a handsome idiot.
Thoroughly enjoyable and exciting.
Poor Jonathan caught up again in an anxiety filled series of mayhem and mishaps. Conspiracy theories abound. The murderer is quite nice actually, Lance is still a handsome idiot.
Thoroughly enjoyable and exciting.
June 28, 2024
Delightful
I forgot how much I enjoy reading about Jonathan Fairfax. It's been ages since I read the first three and I knew I liked them...but actually forgot why. Now I remember! I'm hoping there's another one to read before too long.
I forgot how much I enjoy reading about Jonathan Fairfax. It's been ages since I read the first three and I knew I liked them...but actually forgot why. Now I remember! I'm hoping there's another one to read before too long.
June 29, 2024
Clever plot, fun reading
This series is a very enjoyable read with great characters and whacky adventures. The author boldly tells the real truths, that the world is indeed run by octopuses.
This series is a very enjoyable read with great characters and whacky adventures. The author boldly tells the real truths, that the world is indeed run by octopuses.
July 13, 2024
Top 5 in series I read
Thoroughly enjoy the comedy in this (& the first 3) books. I love improbable coincidences and Jonathan's bumbling about. Thanks for writing another brilliant Fairfax!
Thoroughly enjoy the comedy in this (& the first 3) books. I love improbable coincidences and Jonathan's bumbling about. Thanks for writing another brilliant Fairfax!
September 12, 2024
Another fine entry in the saga of the bumblingly charming (or charmingly bumbling) Jonathon Fairfax. Some laugh out loud moments and many quiet amusement moments. Author, you have achieved your purpose as stated in the afterword. Thank you!
November 2, 2024
The series continues, unfortunately, while this is better than Book 3 (which I couldnt finish) its still nowhere near as good as Book 2 and Book 1. Book 2 is the high and recommend to read it instead - that one is laugh out loud whereas this one is a bit of a struggle to get through.
October 3, 2025
The books in this series just keep getting better. Hapless Jonathon finds himself in yet another “adventure,” along with his friends and an old foe.
This one is especially farcical and had me chuckling out loud throughout. I hope there will be a fifth book to follow.
This one is especially farcical and had me chuckling out loud throughout. I hope there will be a fifth book to follow.
June 29, 2024
Good story but the set-up was exhausting to follow initially. Boys' Brit-Lit, a whiff or an echo--or I guess just influenced by absorbing the greats like Gaiman and Pratchett.
July 6, 2024
I love this series of books. Recommend reading them in order. They are a hoot!
July 8, 2024
Conform and life is . . .
What to do when the world wants you where it does and you don't even realise? Good story, sound morality from a different perspective. Brilliant!
What to do when the world wants you where it does and you don't even realise? Good story, sound morality from a different perspective. Brilliant!
July 21, 2024
I love this whole series. So clever and fun to read. All the characters are great.
January 2, 2025
I feel quite melancholic having reached the end of this quadrilogy, not sure what to do with myself now
March 14, 2025
Great book
Chaotic world with conspiracies explained -ish. Easy read and relatable. Will seek out more from this author. Will definitely recommend.
Chaotic world with conspiracies explained -ish. Easy read and relatable. Will seek out more from this author. Will definitely recommend.
April 6, 2025
Another brilliant book in the series, it had me giggling out loud constantly. I'm feeling a bit of a loss now that it's over and I don't have another JF story. Please write another one!
July 6, 2024
As always, I loved the book, especially since I’ve been waiting for a new Fairfax for quite some time.
What I enjoy most in the book, and this applies to the entire series, are the characters, humour, and the absurdity of all things, especially when things turn out quite right after (and due to) a series of mistakes and/ or awkardness / ineptness. Slapsticks turining into acrobatics.
And this time.. everyone has a share in it.
I also appreciate the hidden pieces of unexpected wisdom and new perspectives on life, the universe, and everything, tucked within the humor
What I enjoy most in the book, and this applies to the entire series, are the characters, humour, and the absurdity of all things, especially when things turn out quite right after (and due to) a series of mistakes and/ or awkardness / ineptness. Slapsticks turining into acrobatics.
And this time.. everyone has a share in it.
I also appreciate the hidden pieces of unexpected wisdom and new perspectives on life, the universe, and everything, tucked within the humor
June 21, 2025
Delightful! Such a fun and sweet little romp. Love these books.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews