Imagine the excitement and anticipation of a book tour. With a suitcase filled with his published book "Without K", author G.H. Fretwell disembarks from a train at a European style city. "Usually someone comes to meet me but there's no mention of it in my itinerary". A gentleman appears, takes the suitcase, and states that he will pull around the front of the train station to pick up Fretwell. This presumption leads to the beginning of Fretwell's surreal, confusing and absurd journey...no vehicle will appear with his suitcase of books.
Off to the police station to report a theft. A disinterested policeman, absorbed in his newspaper, half listens to the reported claim. No valuables in your luggage, only books? "The books are valuable". The police station looks eerily deserted, however, the officer states, "we are very busy at the moment...we must prioritise ongoing investigations".
More bizarre happenings. Apparently "a startling new voice" in writing, author F.P. Guise, has each of his book signings scheduled the day before each of Fretwell's. No one arrives for Fretwell's signings. The downward spiral continues. A bookseller named Rebecca Harpin goes missing. Funny, Fretwell's wife is named Rebecca. The suitcase of books is missing. There is a predator on the loose nicknamed "The Suitcase Killer". The police question Fretwell.
"The Book Tour" by Andi Watson is an unsettling and puzzling graphic novel. It is unique, darkly humorous, and dreamlike. At first, the comics etched in black and white with scant dialogue didn't entice this reader. Slowly, the atmosphere created by author Watson became mesmerizing and quite addictive. As Fretwell was seemingly sucked into an abyss, he visited a homeless shelter that required a reservation...but alas...the city had no homelessness...all beds would remain unoccupied. "The Book Tour" was a captivating, curious read about a dispirited man searching...searching... Highly recommended.
Thank you Top Shelf Productions and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.