The Fox of Kensal Green

by Richard Tyrrell

A quiet neighbourhood of London is about to be shattered.

This is a story about people coming together and looking out for each other. No person is an island, including Wilf Kelly, its hero. Many neighbours help him out on the quiet. Also on the quiet, Wilf tames a wild fox and goes on a voyage of self-discovery.

Normally, little happens in these mixed streets of families, retirees, podcasters and gossips. A little group create a community garden. An ageing journalist writes nature columns. A left-wing Scotsman longs for the glory days when he interviewed Castro. A disabled professor plans a book clearance. Supine Mario takes far too many drugs. And Wilf Kelly decides to get a fox as a pet.

When Wilf is accused of an awful crime, he becomes the target of a police and media firestorm. It's a drama that galvanises not just the local community but people from all around London.

A superbly written debut novel with a big heart, that will make you laugh, cry and remind you of the power of community spirit.

Genres: Fiction

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2026

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm]

‘New for 2026

“To get love, you give love,’ chanted his mum.”

‘Never say sorry, Wilf,’ his mum often said. ‘You are who you are.’

Be prepared to enter the world of Wilf Kelly- a neighbourhood of eclectic characters all of whom are touched and united in some ways by the actions and consideration of Wilf- the “ eccentric loner”

Wilf is neurodivergent and the local residents feel protective of him as he independently makes his own way through life.

“ Protected” by his childhood friend Felicia, Wilf navigates daily routines and expresses kindness through delivering copies of The Metro newspaper through people’s letter boxes. Felicia ensures that Wilf has the dignity to live his own life. When Wilf discovers a fox at the local cemetery, his routines change as he feels a unique bond to the animal and the rhythm of his daily life changes… but tragedy strikes pulling the neighbourhood even close together.

Richard Tyrell’s debut novel may at first seem a light read about local residents and their intertwined lives but this book has so much heart and depth that all of us will reflect upon the need for connecting to others in our communities in a world where isolation and loneliness is increasing and how amongst us there are people like Wilf who deserve so much respect and love from the wider world not the instant online social media /click- bait judgements .

A moving and big hearted read to begin 2026 with.

Highly recommended to bring a bit of joy and compassion into your world .

Thank you to Salt publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy

[Ruben]

No, not convinced. This novel tries to be and do many things but falls short in almost all of them.

About a third into it, I realised I had already read a book this year about a very similar main character, and promptly that very book is mentioned: the Birds by Tarjej Vesaas - which is a a much better book and didn't need a plot to be convincing and impactful. This one is extremely tedious, but about half way there is a sudden twist and the uneventful narrative risks becoming interesting. Unfortunately, the already unlikely plot just becomes wholly unrealistic and the subtle messaging is pushed down your throat.

[Petra]

I was initially drawn to this book because it was published by Salt - a local publisher who have never put out a dud book that I’ve read from them yet. The blurb was promising. Not something that I would have thought was right up my street, but something that I’d be interested in.
But, by God this book was something really special! The writing style, the pacing, the setting, the characters - all just perfectly executed.
And Wilf! How could you not be rooting for Wilf? It’s only mentioned at the end, but it was clear early on that Wilf is an undiagnosed adult on the spectrum. Since the death of his mother, his eccentricities have obviously magnified and he’s become ‘a local character’. Mostly ridiculed, ignored, avoided. But there are some good people in his neighbourhood (especially old classmate, Felicia) who go out of their way to surreptitiously help Wilf with food, clothes, money and friendship.
Following Wilf as he negotiates the anxieties of life and his daily routines is both heart-breaking and heart-swelling. His attempt to lure an urban fox to become his pet, is super endearing, but also is very clever at showing how someone with ASD approaches a task and problem solves.

When Wilf is accidentally caught up in a serious crime on the Tree Streets, his neighbours, galvanised by Felicia, rush to his aid. The ‘seige’ of Yew Street goes viral both online and in the media. And all Wilf’s neighbours, these fantastic side characters, really show their worth, even those who, on the surface, appear not to have too much worth.

This is a beautiful story about the strength of community. But, it’s very much an idealised community. I can’t say that I’ve ever witnessed anywhere near this level of community (and I live in a small rural village). I’m a bit dubious that the multi-layered communities in somewhere like Kensal Green would never be that cohesive. Nevertheless, I’m happy to shrug off my scepticism and embrace this book for the strength of its joy and love. I really need that at the moment.
* Thanks to Salt and Netgalley for the ARC

[Rosie]

The Fox of Kensal Green is a delightful, heart-filled story about platonic love and community.

The storyline mainly follows Wilf, a man who finds life confusing, as he tries to branch out his daily routines. His neighbours and friends support him throughout (even if he isn’t always grateful or doesn’t understand what they’re doing).

I found the book so emotional yet heartwarming, Richard Tyrrell highlights the failings of modern society and governments over the last 15 years throughout but the strong community who pull together no matter what is the real heart of the story. We can all only hope to be loved and cared for in the way Felicia loves and cares for Wilf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Salt for a copy of this ARC.

[Cleopatra Pullen]

Richard Tyrrell’s The Fox of Kensal Green introduces readers to Wilf Kelly, a neurodivergent man living in a quiet London neighbourhood where little usually happens. The synopsis highlights Wilf’s routines—delivering newspapers, befriending a fox in the local cemetery, and being quietly supported by neighbours—until he is accused of a terrible crime that sparks a police and media firestorm. The novel positions itself as a story of community spirit, eccentric characters, and the power of connection in the face of scandal.

There is much to admire in Tyrrell’s ambition. The setting of Kensal Green, with its mix of retirees, podcasters, gossips, and activists, feels vividly drawn, and the idea of a community galvanising around one vulnerable individual has real heart. Wilf’s bond with the fox is a striking metaphor for resilience and belonging, and the novel’s big‑hearted intent is clear.

While the eccentric‑person trope can be endearing for me this one didn't quite land. Wilf’s oddities, rather than deepening into something unsettling or profound, remained surface quirks. The narrative, though interesting, lacked the emotional spark that makes similar novels linger long after reading. I found myself intrigued by the premise but not entirely invested in the unfolding drama.

The book is certainly interesting its mix of community vignettes, scandal, and eccentricity makes for an unusual read, but it didn’t set me on fire. Perhaps it’s because I’ve read many novels that lean on the “eccentric outsider” figure, and this one didn’t push the trope into new territory. Instead, it felt like a familiar pattern, albeit with a fresh London backdrop and a fox as companion.

In the end, The Fox of Kensal Green is a debut with charm and originality in concept, but one that left me more curious than compelled. Readers who enjoy eccentric character studies and community‑driven narratives may find it rewarding, but for me, the resonance was muted.

[Reader]

Outstanding debut novel celebrating the strength of local community spirit and defending one of their own in Kensal Green. More remarkable is that the one they’re looking out for is a neurodivergent man who maintains a bizarre daily routine, not too bothered about his personal appearance and hygiene and avoids social contact except for the few he feels close to. Above all he trusts his old school friend and protector, Felicia, who coaxes him in to have a hot shower and meal. She takes on a surrogate mum’s role even more after Wilf Kelly’s mum, Hanna, dies suddenly of illness.

Her absence forces Wilf to change and become braver in venturing out further to the National Gallery and trying to befriend a wild fox. Things take a turn for the worse when he’s wrongly accused of killing Luca, a French oddball neighbour. Felicia rallies the neighbours while there’s a standoff with the police. When armed police finally try to barge in, the fox bites them and they back off. Felicia persuades DI Solomon to wait till the morning when Wilf will come out for his Metro round. When he fails to appear even after she shouts at him, she tells the police to break in because something is very wrong. Sadly she’s proven right and they find Wilf dead, slumped on the stairs, still guarded by his beloved fox.

The themes of the novel are about belonging, identity, looking out for your neighbours and being authentic despite being different. Eccentric characters are present in every community and the depiction of Wilf is particularly realistic and touching. It’s above all a feel good novel in these turbulent times when loneliness has become a phenomenon.

[Jaffareadstoo]

What a great start to my reading year this turned out to be with the thought provoking and heart-warming story of Wilf Kelly and his attempts to befriend one of the foxes he has seen on one of his regular visits to a local cemetery. Wilf is a quiet man, living in isolation, content within his own boundaries and yet his neighbours hold him in great esteem so much so they rally to his defence when he is suspected of a violent crime.

Gentle and reflective, there is much to love about The Fox of Kensal Green as not only does Wilf Kelly become so much more than a local hero, he becomes one of those characters who you take into your heart and who stays with you long after his story is told. With an array of characters who each bring their own dynamic to the story I read about Wilf’s connection to the fox, to the nature on his doorstep, to the challenging life he had followed since his mother’s death and to the way his gentle soul had endeared him to a community and to the people who call Kensal Green home.

It’s rare that I start the year with a book that I am eager to place on my favourites list but such is the case with this one. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Wilf, his friend Felicia and all those who flitted into and out of his life. I especially loved the rapport which developed between Wilf and the community but more especially with the eponymous fox and I must admit to shedding a little tear during parts of the story. Beautifully written and utterly memorable, The Fox of Kensal Green will stay with me for a long time.

[Jamie]

I received an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley! This book was just incredibly charming, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially someone seeking a spot of brightness in what can be a difficult world. At the center of our story is Wilf, the neighborhood oddball who lives alone, intent on befriending an urban fox, after the untimely death of his beloved mother. Though Wilf struggles at relating to or communicating with others, he is a good man at heart which is evident to those around him, which is why they rally behind him when he is wrongfully accused of a violent crime. Throughout the story, we see the interesting characters in Wilf's life looking out for him, and then learn all the ways he has enriched their lives as well. It was all very sweet, though not in a treacly or maudlin way! Just a very enjoyable and compulsively readable novel.

[Kerry]

What makes this novel so heart-warming is the narrative style: it comes across as simply written, but it's tackling some complex issues concerning community, friendships, love and the effect of political decisions on ordinary, everyday people. Protagonist, Wilf, is someone who has a regular daily routine but, despite finding life confusing, tries to break out from what he knows. This might very well have fallen into the 'sugar sweet' category, but it doesn't, and that's a testament to Tyrrell's writing. We, as readers, inhabit the interiority of Wilf and his confusion and misunderstanding, and yes, we end up feeling hopeful. A great debut novel. Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

[K]

I loved this book!
Kensal Green a small neighbourhood in London filled with characters, there is the disabled professor, the Frenchman who collects his shopping in a wheelbarrow the three Toms, the Scottish journalist who once interviewed Castro, to name but a few. Then there is Wilf Kelly, a loner who decides he needs a pet, so sets out to befriend the fox he saw in the graveyard. Wilf is different, shuns people and the children make fun of him, but his neighbours, in their own ways look out for him.
Then Wilf is accused of murder.
An excellent read, telling Wilf’s story and how his neighbours interact with him. I wish I could give more than 5 🌟
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

[Melissa Hill]

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! This book is an emotional rollercoaster. It is full of heart, it is endearing, and at the end, it felt like a sad yet contented sigh. Wilf is a unique character you grow to love, and his fascination with a fox adds to his charm. How an entire town rallies around him to make his life better without him knowing made me really love this book. These people truly cared for him, and they tried to show they cared in the best way possible for Wilf. You see Wilf's growth as he tries to open himself up to others, and you see how much the town was affected by him for doing even the smallest of things. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt read.

[Sheena]

3.5 I much preferred the first half of this book to the second half. Once Wilf died it seemed to lose it's way and it's head with situations and characters too over the top for my taste. I liked the action taking place in the cemetery and that the character of Wilf was endearing but also not overly patronised by the author and the other characters. I also liked that the fox became his protector Wilf would have loved that.

[Meraki Komorebi]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Perennial for providing me with an ARC.
I loved the community, the relationships especially the willingness of the people to be kind.
Wilf's strict routine but his efforts to stick to it and yet adding new experiences to it was also heart touching.
All in all, a very good book.

[Matt]

Honest advance review provided for NetGalley

An idealization of a sense of a strong community… fiction… but idealization indeed. Regardless, this was another true 5-star read for me. The blurb is accurate in calling this a superbly written story, from the setting, to the Frenchman, Scot’s, the fox, and Wilf. This just seemed to hit home for me.

[MB]

I did like reading the parts describing those in the community that oversaw Wilf’s life; however I would have liked a different twist of how the police really should have thoroughly investigated the tragic event in Wilf’s neighborhood.
This is my personal opinion of this ARC I won through Goodreads.

[Luella]

This is a beautifully written story about a man unlike most. When he's accused of a crime his community comes together to protect and help him. It's hearfelt, makes you laugh and makes you cry. A book that makes you feel. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Harper Perennial for this ARC.

[Heather Dhondt]

Loved it