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Sovereign Territory
Brexit is unravelling. Amid the turmoil of plots, government defeats, resignations and riots, the United Kingdom's choice to leave the European Union and make its own way in the world has left the country more fractured than ever. At the heart of the chaos is Alan, a special adviser to a government minister; Mitra, a Labour MP; Jenny, a TV news producer; and Davey, a UKIP activist. Each will struggle to keep control of their own lives as they navigate a political environment that becomes more aggressive and unpredictable by the day.
This sweeping novel takes its characters from the streets of Westminster to decaying towns, from the dingiest of pool halls to the heart of No. 10, and finally brings them all together for a debate in front of a live audience during the 2019 election. That night, there is more at stake than just politics; at least one of them is in real danger. Will they all survive – and if they do, will they be able to start draining some of the poison from the political world they now inhabit?
This sweeping novel takes its characters from the streets of Westminster to decaying towns, from the dingiest of pool halls to the heart of No. 10, and finally brings them all together for a debate in front of a live audience during the 2019 election. That night, there is more at stake than just politics; at least one of them is in real danger. Will they all survive – and if they do, will they be able to start draining some of the poison from the political world they now inhabit?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 5, 2024
This is a fast-paced political thriller set over the course of the Brexit years from 2016 to 2019, when the settling of the conditions for the UK to leave the European Union led to endless frustration for the whole political estate, the media and, of course, the voters. Bell, a well-known political journalist for ITN, brings his insider knowledge to bear on this absorbing, page-turning story. It’s easy now, given the Covid interlude and the Johnsonian shenanigans, to forget just how febrile the atmosphere was while the whole country waited to see what Brexit would actually mean.
The novel takes the perspectives of various players in this seething political world: a broadcast news producer, a ministerial special adviser, a female labour MP and a young Brexiteer, and weaves them together as the political tides wash in and out. Tension is built by the ongoing threat of a potential violent attack on the MP, herself (satisfyingly) no saint, but a talented political operator nonetheless. All the characters are well-rounded and all, certainly, have their demons – unsurprising in a competitive world that can see you feted one moment and booted out the door the next.
This is Bell’s debut novel and he writes with assurance and pace, skilfully interweaving the strands of his story into a compelling narrative. The extra behind-the-scenes glimpses granted by an author who knows this political and journalistic world from the inside out are especially effective at creating a wholly believable and gripping read. Highly recommended.
The novel takes the perspectives of various players in this seething political world: a broadcast news producer, a ministerial special adviser, a female labour MP and a young Brexiteer, and weaves them together as the political tides wash in and out. Tension is built by the ongoing threat of a potential violent attack on the MP, herself (satisfyingly) no saint, but a talented political operator nonetheless. All the characters are well-rounded and all, certainly, have their demons – unsurprising in a competitive world that can see you feted one moment and booted out the door the next.
This is Bell’s debut novel and he writes with assurance and pace, skilfully interweaving the strands of his story into a compelling narrative. The extra behind-the-scenes glimpses granted by an author who knows this political and journalistic world from the inside out are especially effective at creating a wholly believable and gripping read. Highly recommended.
June 28, 2024
Thank you to Biteback Publishing for an advanced copy of Sovereign Territory, in exchange for an honest review.
This story unfolds through the viewpoints of four individuals: Mitra, a Labour MP; Davey, a UKIP campaigner; Alan, a political adviser to a Cabinet member and Jenny, a TV producer.
All of the characters were diverse and well-represented, and all of them had their flaws. Their stories weaved together throughout, until it crescendoed at the end.
The novel blended together fact and fiction seamlessly, which must have been quite hard to balance. I would say that this is less political thriller, and more political intrigue though - but still enjoyable.
This story unfolds through the viewpoints of four individuals: Mitra, a Labour MP; Davey, a UKIP campaigner; Alan, a political adviser to a Cabinet member and Jenny, a TV producer.
All of the characters were diverse and well-represented, and all of them had their flaws. Their stories weaved together throughout, until it crescendoed at the end.
The novel blended together fact and fiction seamlessly, which must have been quite hard to balance. I would say that this is less political thriller, and more political intrigue though - but still enjoyable.
July 22, 2024
Really enjoyed this first novel by Andy Bell. You feel all the way through that you are in safe hands and that what you are reading reflects honestly and grippingly the way Brexit acted as litmus to the varying components of the nation. Loved it and enjoyed the characters too and the way modern journalism is portrayed. The places, offices, London pubs and so on too were brought to life. Great read.
September 22, 2024
I am sorry to say I found this very boring and slow paced
April 23, 2025
A bit dry at first as it seemed focused on a readership familiar with the world of political journalism; but the pace picked up and I much enjoyed the story by the end.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews