As the Madras Courier publishes my feature on the manosphere, copies of my latest book Reptiles arrive! My novel opens with Toad Patrol, an annual rescue of amphibians as they cross the Old Abingdon Road. Many from my village take part including me wearing high viz . (new recruits are always welcome) In contrast the ‘reptiles’ in my novel are humans ! I had the ungodly task of researching JD Vance, Christian Nationalism and the manosphere. One character, Serena Shriver, is inspired by Phyllis Shaffley. In Reptiles, Serena is an influential Republican Christian Nationalist whose son, Gideon, is working on a DPhil in theology at Oxford who organises harassing demonstrations at Dr. Yasmin Bell’s clinic. She’s a supporter of JD Vance and helped him get elected. My crime thriller has quotes from him, which I included almost as they happened including his jibe at ‘childless cat ladies’. So when he arrived in Oxfordshire it felt PERSONAL and I headed to Charlbury to join in the protests!
My novels are rooted in reality rather than fantasy. Researching Reptiles, led me down a dark rabbit hole. I found myself trawling through the online ecosystem known as the manosphere: a web of forums, podcasts, YouTube channels, and self-styled gurus who peddle varying degrees of misogyny under different banners.
When I told Shrenik Rao, the editor of the Madras Courier, that I had this disturbing task , he asked me to write a feature on it. I don’t get the opportunity to write such an in depth pieces for UK publications, so I’m grateful to him and the challenges he gives me. The subject is important especially for parents and schools so I hope it can be spread. The link stays on the MS website indefinitely.
The first launches of Reptiles are on Wednesday 24 September @ Oxford Poetry Circle in Common Ground in Little Clarendon Street, Oxford. (One character writes poetry – nods to PD James who was my customer at the Jam Factory)
The launch of Reptiles in Kennington Village Centre on Saturday 27 September: 7.00- 9.30 pm.is fully booked but there is a second launch in Kennington on November 1, Fellow exhibitors include ,Korky Paul,Mario Cuelho, Diana Bell, Ray Foulk, Oxford Independent authors and more..
In Oxford, I’ll launch Reptiles at the Oxford Indie Book Fair in the University Examination Schools on Sunday November 23. (The iconic building is not usually open to the public and our event is free and everyone of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome (See pic of last year’s exhibitors)
In Reptiles and Current of Death, my village goes under the name of Thames Reach.The main local characters are the same as in Current of Death but Reptiles is darker. Locals will understand from the cover that up to the minute local issues are involved too. But no book of mine can be without light and humour. It ends on White Horse Hill which I always visit when I judge the writing at the Swire Art Prize, in Uffington, and hope to have a launch in the local pub The Fox and Hounds to coincide with the Swire exhibition next April. I’ll volunteer to lead a walk after the launch. My first book was a walk book Oxfordshire Rambles and it included one on White Horse Hill.
Endorsements for Reptiles
Well researched and insightful, this engrossing page-turner brings to life the front line of our culture wars across local, national and international contexts. Every page touches a nerve, every turn of the plot vibrates with contemporary angst and builds to a satisfying climax. The characters are intriguing: all are relatable and motivating – I loved sharing their struggles, and being inside the bonds that grew between them. Deeply sad, as an honest-to-God murder story is likely to be, Reptiles raises smiles along the way, and is ultimately up-lifting.
Steve Lunn, author of The Price of Dormice and We’re Not Getting Divorced.
Come for the many twists and turns of a murder mystery thriller – you’ll be swept along by the fast pace of the investigation. But expect much more from Reptiles than a cleverly constructed plot. Well-developed characters and webs of intrigue that are much of the moment will take you far beyond the confines of an apparently ordinary village on the edge of Oxford.
Paul Gamble, Oxfordshire-based writer and poet
