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The Tunnels
The Tunnels is the debut novel by English arts journalist Ian Watson.
Described as a “suburban science fantasy ghost story”, The Tunnels features robots, magicians, avenging clowns, spectral staircases, occult boot fairs, ancient scrolls, chilling incantations and tables that defy the laws of reality, alongside lashings of banoffee pie, seditionary cupcakes, cider brewed by an anarchist collective, mind-blowing curry and discount egg slicers. It is both a doomed love story and a hymn to community, with just a tiny bit of revolution stirred in for good measure
Described as a “suburban science fantasy ghost story”, The Tunnels features robots, magicians, avenging clowns, spectral staircases, occult boot fairs, ancient scrolls, chilling incantations and tables that defy the laws of reality, alongside lashings of banoffee pie, seditionary cupcakes, cider brewed by an anarchist collective, mind-blowing curry and discount egg slicers. It is both a doomed love story and a hymn to community, with just a tiny bit of revolution stirred in for good measure
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2026
About the author
Ian Watson
127 books3 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 26, 2026
The Tunnels is set in an English town. On the surface it appears to be a modern reflection of many towns with high streets where uniform chain stores have taken over from traditional independent shops. However, as Sam Samuel is about to discover, there is much more going on.
The story opens with an evening trip to the supermarket. Sam’s drawn to the bakery section with its delightful sweet scents; he steps behind the display area towards the ovens. It’s here that he meets an odd baker who ushers Sam towards a ladder that descends to the bowels of the earth. Immediately he’s welcomed and assigned to one of three quirky groups of people who are receiving their final instructions for a treasure hunt through the surrounding tunnels.
What follows is a fast paced, often mind-boggling tale that sweeps through the tunnels, magic places, dimensional spaces and surfaces back on the high street before delving through buildings and parks in a chaotic twisting narrative. It’s like a computer game on paper but with more depth or an Alice In Wonderland for adults.
The pace of the narrative is quite relentless, sometimes exhausting and this quote from the story summed up many of my feelings about the book:
“ The waterfall of words…a cascade of ideas and images, an all-enveloping, all-encompassing, seemingly never-ending torrent of thoughts and notions and stories and side-stories that went beyond mere conversation and reached the realms of the metaphysical.”
The story grew on me, at first I struggled with the chaos and lack of obvious story thread, but by the last third of the book my interest was rekindled. Much of the story details reflect the author’s love of the arts and at the back of the book there is a fun quiz, not that I could answer any of the questions, similar to a mini treasure hunt for readers.
The story opens with an evening trip to the supermarket. Sam’s drawn to the bakery section with its delightful sweet scents; he steps behind the display area towards the ovens. It’s here that he meets an odd baker who ushers Sam towards a ladder that descends to the bowels of the earth. Immediately he’s welcomed and assigned to one of three quirky groups of people who are receiving their final instructions for a treasure hunt through the surrounding tunnels.
What follows is a fast paced, often mind-boggling tale that sweeps through the tunnels, magic places, dimensional spaces and surfaces back on the high street before delving through buildings and parks in a chaotic twisting narrative. It’s like a computer game on paper but with more depth or an Alice In Wonderland for adults.
The pace of the narrative is quite relentless, sometimes exhausting and this quote from the story summed up many of my feelings about the book:
“ The waterfall of words…a cascade of ideas and images, an all-enveloping, all-encompassing, seemingly never-ending torrent of thoughts and notions and stories and side-stories that went beyond mere conversation and reached the realms of the metaphysical.”
The story grew on me, at first I struggled with the chaos and lack of obvious story thread, but by the last third of the book my interest was rekindled. Much of the story details reflect the author’s love of the arts and at the back of the book there is a fun quiz, not that I could answer any of the questions, similar to a mini treasure hunt for readers.
May 9, 2026
Filled with odd, loveable and chaotic characters, Ian Watson takes you on a journey where the bizarre lurks just beneath the everyday, and the mundane is never quite what it seems. The world unfolds around you and you're simply dropped in and swept along, with strange things happening in perfectly ordinary places, and ordinary things happening in places that are anything but.
The protagonist Sam is a classic everyman — loyal, decent, the kind of person things happen to — which leaves room for the supporting cast to shine. And shine they do. Takara in particular is an absolute menace: narcissistic, infuriating, and strangely endearing - and hilarious. The Duke and the Inspector add layers of intrigue, while the Pound Tardis alone is worth the price of admission. Funny, strange, warm and endlessly inventive. The kind of book that ends and immediately makes you desperate for the sequel — not because it's unfinished, but because you simply don't want to leave these characters behind.
Whilst waiting for that sequel, you can always have a go at the impossible quiz at the end!
The protagonist Sam is a classic everyman — loyal, decent, the kind of person things happen to — which leaves room for the supporting cast to shine. And shine they do. Takara in particular is an absolute menace: narcissistic, infuriating, and strangely endearing - and hilarious. The Duke and the Inspector add layers of intrigue, while the Pound Tardis alone is worth the price of admission. Funny, strange, warm and endlessly inventive. The kind of book that ends and immediately makes you desperate for the sequel — not because it's unfinished, but because you simply don't want to leave these characters behind.
Whilst waiting for that sequel, you can always have a go at the impossible quiz at the end!
July 5, 2026
This book was wonderful.
The best way I can describe this book is as a Prachettian romp with the energy of Tennant era Dr Who. Set in a version of England that somehow evokes both Misdomer
Murders and Hott Fuzz.
I've never read anything like it and I'm not sure I ever will again!
I feel like I can't say too much because the beauty of this book comes from is insane nature and twisting narrative. Just trust me on this and go read it!
The best way I can describe this book is as a Prachettian romp with the energy of Tennant era Dr Who. Set in a version of England that somehow evokes both Misdomer
Murders and Hott Fuzz.
I've never read anything like it and I'm not sure I ever will again!
I feel like I can't say too much because the beauty of this book comes from is insane nature and twisting narrative. Just trust me on this and go read it!
April 27, 2026
A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy adventure set in and under South London, filled with colourful characters, wit, whimsy and both popular and obscure cultural references. The protagonist Sam is a classic everyman, allowing the largely chaotic action to develop around him as the storyline progresses.
As a big Hitchhiker's Guide fan I especially enjoyed the Minotaur, whose demeanour bears more than a passing resemblance to that of a certain depressed robot.
Now, I must get back to the fiendish quiz at the back...
As a big Hitchhiker's Guide fan I especially enjoyed the Minotaur, whose demeanour bears more than a passing resemblance to that of a certain depressed robot.
Now, I must get back to the fiendish quiz at the back...
April 15, 2026
A truly original and unusual piece of writing - would thoroughly recommend as I'm a big fan of quirky novels. The narrative is dense with details, digressions and absurdities in a style reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams that give a window into the author's hobbies and fascinations, adding an interesting personal angle to the novel. I'd also recommend trying the fiendishly difficult quiz at the end of the book - re-reading passages and researching references in the book was very entertaining and highlighted the passion the author put into this piece of work.
Read
February 9, 2026Well, the author had me at the lively debate over Boney M's 'Rasputin' -- "little more than pantomime stuff" or "clearly intended as a deconstructionist satire of the bourgeoisie"?
It's not often I laugh out loud at a book, and I knew from that point on it was best to simply take a deep breath, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride. And enjoy it I certainly did, although I was hard-pressed in some places to keep up with the frenetic pace of the delightfully surreal madness.
There was much to please throughout the entire book (and I'm not easily pleased). So many little gems. Some beautiful, magical imagery. Thought-provoking stuff in unexpected places. And an intelligent author who's not afraid to own a rich vocabulary, and employ it.
I know Sam was supposed to be the hero of the story, but I have to say the character who claimed my heart was the gloomy minotaur, born into a life of fable and destiny, with the promise of a match struck in darkness, but now reduced to stocktaking potted plants at B&Q --"So this is to be the final torment . . ." And I absolutely screamed with laughter at "I count them all out and then I count them all back in again" (shades of Brian Hanrahan!).
Nuggets of gold scattered throughout.
It's not often I laugh out loud at a book, and I knew from that point on it was best to simply take a deep breath, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride. And enjoy it I certainly did, although I was hard-pressed in some places to keep up with the frenetic pace of the delightfully surreal madness.
There was much to please throughout the entire book (and I'm not easily pleased). So many little gems. Some beautiful, magical imagery. Thought-provoking stuff in unexpected places. And an intelligent author who's not afraid to own a rich vocabulary, and employ it.
I know Sam was supposed to be the hero of the story, but I have to say the character who claimed my heart was the gloomy minotaur, born into a life of fable and destiny, with the promise of a match struck in darkness, but now reduced to stocktaking potted plants at B&Q --"So this is to be the final torment . . ." And I absolutely screamed with laughter at "I count them all out and then I count them all back in again" (shades of Brian Hanrahan!).
Nuggets of gold scattered throughout.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Unbelievable fiction, but you don't really mind.
A fantastical tale of mystery, incongruous characters, supernatural events and magic, all hiding in plain sight in the subterranean networks below an otherwise unremarkable high street.
I laughed out loud at an early section discussing Boney M's Rasputin, and knew I was going to enjoy this. A splendid adventure!
A fantastical tale of mystery, incongruous characters, supernatural events and magic, all hiding in plain sight in the subterranean networks below an otherwise unremarkable high street.
I laughed out loud at an early section discussing Boney M's Rasputin, and knew I was going to enjoy this. A splendid adventure!
July 2, 2026
1.5⭐️ but I’m rounding it down.
This book was a mess and not even a good or fun one. I tend to struggle with things described as “funny” but that “funny” is just random events, and random characters saying nonsensical things. In that regard, this books humour reminded me a lot of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, which I also didn’t find funny or particularly enjoy. But if you liked that book I’m sure you’ll like this one.
Feels like the author didn’t really know what to write about so wrote about everything. Lacked any kind of plot, or at least one that made any narrative sense. If I stopped reading for a couple of hours then came back later in the day, with a gun to my head I wouldn’t be able to tell you what happened in the chapters I read earlier. Somehow everything was happening, but nothing was happening. Lacked distinct voice between characters. Lacked any form of character development from any character, main or side. The only really memorable characters were Takara (as irritating as she was) and The Grey Clown. Everyone else genuinely felt like background noise. Lacked any real conclusion.
Descriptions were ace though. Watson has a real knack for building an environment in great detail that makes it so vivid in my head. Which leads to, weirdly, the best part for me which was the chapter focused solely on the high street Costa closing down. In such an absurdist novel this one area of reality was highly welcome and also the single most memorable part.
This book might be for some people but it definitely wasn’t for me, and if you’re not sure if it’ll be for you, I’d personally say don’t waste your money on it. That’s £10.99 I’ll never get back.
This book was a mess and not even a good or fun one. I tend to struggle with things described as “funny” but that “funny” is just random events, and random characters saying nonsensical things. In that regard, this books humour reminded me a lot of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, which I also didn’t find funny or particularly enjoy. But if you liked that book I’m sure you’ll like this one.
Feels like the author didn’t really know what to write about so wrote about everything. Lacked any kind of plot, or at least one that made any narrative sense. If I stopped reading for a couple of hours then came back later in the day, with a gun to my head I wouldn’t be able to tell you what happened in the chapters I read earlier. Somehow everything was happening, but nothing was happening. Lacked distinct voice between characters. Lacked any form of character development from any character, main or side. The only really memorable characters were Takara (as irritating as she was) and The Grey Clown. Everyone else genuinely felt like background noise. Lacked any real conclusion.
Descriptions were ace though. Watson has a real knack for building an environment in great detail that makes it so vivid in my head. Which leads to, weirdly, the best part for me which was the chapter focused solely on the high street Costa closing down. In such an absurdist novel this one area of reality was highly welcome and also the single most memorable part.
This book might be for some people but it definitely wasn’t for me, and if you’re not sure if it’ll be for you, I’d personally say don’t waste your money on it. That’s £10.99 I’ll never get back.
Review of advance copy
Great fun! A whizz around and under West Norwood of old and new in the company of time travellers, shapeshifters, market traders, thugs, minotaurs, ghosts, anarchists, clowns, shopkeepers, cooks, circus acts, booksellers and more with lots of delicious baked goods along the way. It made me smile a lot!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a great book! Witty, loads of fun and unpredictable to the end. If you enjoy Pratchett, Douglas Adams, China Miéville and so on, there’s lots to enjoy here, with a distinctive South London twist and lots of heart.
June 16, 2026
the writing quality is good but the plot feels untethered and a little scattershot. I came away feeling like I’d read a collection of one shots about Cool Stuff but hadn’t REALLY learnt anything about the characters. a shame bc there is potential!!
June 7, 2026
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is fast-paced to the point of chaotic but this feels like a deliberate choice. The characters are always moving, there is always something happening (whether it be mundane or bizarre). This quickness of storytelling is reflected in the chapter length which all tend to be quite short. The Tunnels is story that never slows down. It wasn’t to my particular taste but I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy this speed of storytelling.
Although The Tunnels is written in third person, the prose felt very much like stream of consciousness as the story jumps from one idea to the next. This mimics both Sam’s wonder as he tries to absorb every details of these new locations and his new friend Takara’s ADHD style thought process as her attention is constantly caught by different things.
Watson’s enthusiasm for his story is clear with a plethora of details that make it easy to visualise what Sam is seeing – from actions, events, characters and objects.
That said, while many of the descriptions were certainly imaginative, the sheer amount of information the novel presents its reader did often leave me feeling overwhelmed and struggling to remember so many new facts at once. In my opinion there were places where this over-description distracted from the plot, such as the pages devoted to listing every type of pie and where each pie would sit in the hierarchy if pies were a kingdom. While quirky these descriptions and extended metaphors pulled me out of the story as I had to stop and interpret what I had just read.
I’m sure its humour will appeal to many readers but sadly the narrative held too much chaos and frenetic energy for me to enjoy it. I wish the novel had taken a breath and given us more deeper character moments, such as Sam discovering Tanaka’s connection to the ghostly theatre-goers, rather than jumping from one event to another without a pause between them.
The book is fast-paced to the point of chaotic but this feels like a deliberate choice. The characters are always moving, there is always something happening (whether it be mundane or bizarre). This quickness of storytelling is reflected in the chapter length which all tend to be quite short. The Tunnels is story that never slows down. It wasn’t to my particular taste but I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy this speed of storytelling.
Although The Tunnels is written in third person, the prose felt very much like stream of consciousness as the story jumps from one idea to the next. This mimics both Sam’s wonder as he tries to absorb every details of these new locations and his new friend Takara’s ADHD style thought process as her attention is constantly caught by different things.
Watson’s enthusiasm for his story is clear with a plethora of details that make it easy to visualise what Sam is seeing – from actions, events, characters and objects.
That said, while many of the descriptions were certainly imaginative, the sheer amount of information the novel presents its reader did often leave me feeling overwhelmed and struggling to remember so many new facts at once. In my opinion there were places where this over-description distracted from the plot, such as the pages devoted to listing every type of pie and where each pie would sit in the hierarchy if pies were a kingdom. While quirky these descriptions and extended metaphors pulled me out of the story as I had to stop and interpret what I had just read.
I’m sure its humour will appeal to many readers but sadly the narrative held too much chaos and frenetic energy for me to enjoy it. I wish the novel had taken a breath and given us more deeper character moments, such as Sam discovering Tanaka’s connection to the ghostly theatre-goers, rather than jumping from one event to another without a pause between them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ghosts. Clowns. Ghost clowns. Death of the high street. A love that spans decades and death. Cake and pastries. Lots of cakes and pastries and an actual agent of chaos. Filled with odd, strange and oddly ordinary characters, the story takes you on a quirk filled journey where you never quite know where the tunnels will lead you, or what’s hiding behind the everyday. Where the mundane serves as a backdrop for a fantastical, mystical journey/quest.
The best thing about the book is that it introduces you to this world without tons of exposition dragging down the pace. Funny, adventurous with a bit of melancholy thrown in, I had a great time reading this.
Oh, and there’s a Minotaur.
The best thing about the book is that it introduces you to this world without tons of exposition dragging down the pace. Funny, adventurous with a bit of melancholy thrown in, I had a great time reading this.
Oh, and there’s a Minotaur.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews