A Twin Room

by Jon Neal

Who hasn't dreamt of living by the sea? After a lifetime of work, Munro is determined to make the fantasy a reality.

However, whilst searching for a property at the quintessential British seaside resort of Somerton-on-Sea, a stay at a guesthouse run by his ageing cousins leads him to question everything he has ever known.

A Twin Room is an atmospheric story that lingers after the final page. It's a tale for anyone who has ever dared to dream...

111 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2022

About the author

Jon Neal is a British novelist.

He is the author of the 'Stanley Messina Investigates' series. His first book, A Twin Room, was published in 2022 and reached number 1 in its Amazon category, selling copies around the globe.

Jon completed a Master of Arts in Writing whilst living in Australia. He also has a Music & Media Studies degree from the University of Sussex.

He came runner up in the 2010 Sydney Mardi Gras short story competition and has been shortlisted for other prizes. His poems have been published in numerous anthologies.

Jon grew up in Kent, but now lives with his partner in Sussex.

To keep up-to-date with Jon's news, please visit http://www.twitter.com/jon_neal_author or http://www.facebook.com/JonNealAuthor

Reviews

[Dave Appleby]

This short novel grabbed me immediately. The narrator (it is written in first person using the past tense) is clearly on his own ... but he keeps talking about 'we'. He is preparing for a few nights away from home. He talks to someone else. But there is no-one there. This is a fantastic hook.

The major characters are solid and perfectly sculpted and the setting of a seaside town which has seen different, if not necessarily better, days (a little like the ageing narrator himself) is beautifully described. The omnipresent Viktor is an enigmatic motif, a fleshed-out version of a spirit guide, perhaps?

I loved this this debut novel. It was a miniature jewel, showing considerable talent. I look forward to the author's next.

[Hannah]

I bought this novel and read it twice, I was so keen to dive back into the story and spend more time with the characters. It is skillfully written, poignant and evocative. It does such a great job of bringing the characters to life in a gentle, subtle way and manages to throw in a little mystery and intrigue. The story is sad but also uplifting, making you think about change, grief and confronting life. I am easily frustrated by clumsy writing but this perfect short novel just swept me along so beautifully. I can't wait for more from this writer.

[J T]

A Twin Room' is a lovely sensitively written book. The central character and narrator Munro goes on a journey that encompasses his childhood, his entire working life, and his hopes for a happy retirement. For a short novel, Munro's story touches on a number of themes in thoughtful and evocative ways. The resort of Somerton-on-Sea springs from the pages. Both joyful and poignant, I would recommend this little gem.

[Joe Queen]

A heart warming story.

I never new what to expect when I purchased this book. It's about love and loss and family. I have recently lost my partner and it all became quite real. I am glad that I read it . The story might help me move on.

[Gaynor Mckinnie]

Fantastic short story ,really enjoyed this one