Don't Go To Work The World Is Ending

by Paul Dalton

In 1666, a dragon attacked London, only to vanish, leaving a baker to take the blame. Now, Jack-a routine-loving physics teacher-is thrust into adventure after unwittingly pocketing a dragon scale at dinner. Soon, he's chased across London by criminals and dives into a hidden world of restless ghosts, judgmental gods, and creatures craving corporate jargon. Rescued by Muriel, a witch with a lot on her plate, Jack is introduced to her shed-dwelling bosses, The Laurels, who task them with finding the dragon and stopping someone doing something serious with it. Joined by Muriel's artist girlfriend, Nisha, they must stop a ruthless gangster's plot to seize the dragon's power for herself...if the dragon doesn't wake up first, that is.

Paperback

About the author

After completing an art degree, Paul Dalton got a job in a bookshop and then a library. His storytimes were legendary. Through his writing, he explores climate change and the questions that go with it. He set his novel in the present day, as climate change is a story for now, not the future. He puts jokes in his writing, as sometimes all you can do is laugh. He grew up in Kent but now lives in Yorkshire.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some fun and clever ideas in here, and some decent jokes, but it didn't quite come together for me.

This is a comic urban fantasy in a similar vein to Jasper Fforde or CK McDonnell or Pratchett. Spells, elves and goblins are real and a dead dragon beneath London is being harvested for its reality warping magic. Our misfit heroes have to save the day.

There are individual scenes that work fairly well, with jokes that are set up and paid off and some wry observations. And the running theme of conservatism as toxic nostalgia is fairly well done.

But then there are scenes that don't land. In particular every action sequence left me feeling like a chunk had been missed out. I couldn't really follow what had happened or how our characters had ended up where they did.

There are some jokes that feel like they're missing a setup and there's the overall sense that things are a bit disjointed.

In some ways I wish it lent harder into the reality horror side of things. There are some great eldritch concepts in here based around reality warping but they end up feeling like a cutaway in an animated show or a bonus level in a computer game you can just jump out of.

I'd try another book by the author, they clearly have imagination and a sense of humour, but this book didn't work for me.

[Motherbooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up during a UK heatwave, which matched the sweltering tension in the book—though not quite as bad as London in 1666, when a dragon set the city on fire. History blamed a baker, but now the truth is out, and mild-mannered physics teacher Jack is pulled into a whirlwind chase involving magic, goblins, and a hidden world beneath the city.

Fast-paced and packed with British humour, this is a chaotic blend of fantasy and spy thriller. Jack, along with the quirky Muriel and her girlfriend Nisha, makes for a fun and unlikely team. The book shines in its message: that ordinary people can make a big difference. With solid world-building and a timely climate change metaphor, it’s a wild and entertaining ride—if a little frenzied at times.

[Word Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! Made London seem more magical - wish it was real!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly unique take on the genre with an intriguing premise alongside in depth and believable characters.