It’s a real pleasure today to join the blog tour for Broken Branches by M Jonathan Lee, published on 27th July by exciting new independent publishing house Hideaway Fall. Advertised as “a mysterious tale of grief, love and loss”, this book has been gathering the most wonderful reviews, and you’ll find many by following the other stops on the tour.
For fans of Grief is a Thing with Feathers and Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected comes a story about a family haunted by an ancient curse.
Following the tragic death of Stuart Perkins, his younger brother Ian moves into the family home with his wife and young son.
Grief and loss hang heavy over the house and Stuart’s death has prompted Ian to delve into the rumours of a mysterious family curse which has allegedly been the cause of several tragedies in the Perkins family history. Ian becomes consumed with his research and is determined to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
M Jonathan Lee deals sensitively with issues of grief and depression in this intriguing, intelligently written novel which ends with a heart-stopping twist!
I’m so sorry that I haven’t been able to find the time and space to read this one yet and add my own review, but I was really keen to support a Yorkshire publisher and a Yorkshire-based author. And my question to M Jonathan Lee was an obvious one really – who are his favourite Yorkshire-based writers?
Great question. We are fortunate that in the north of England, we have a keen sense of observation and also a nature where we are not afraid to voice that opinion. Although you will find many different opinions on what a stereotypical Yorkshire man/woman is like I believe the very fact that we care yet tell things as they are is one of our most endearing qualities. This translates neatly into the books that we write and the stories that we tell. There are numerous talented authors from Yorkshire but as I answer this question my own very personal favourites jump out.
Firstly, my friend and inspiration Sunday Times bestseller, Milly Johnson. Milly has now sold over a million copies and her character driven style sucks you into her books immediately. She has characters that you care about and who themselves care. Just like a true Yorkshire man, eh? There is a warmth about her books and you very much get the sense that she is proud of where she is from.
I love Gervase Phinn, and have learned a lot about absurdity from him! His memoirs of his years as a school inspector are fantastic and I would highly recommend them.
Another favourite of mine is Susan Hill, perhaps best known for The Woman in Black which was made famous by the film starring Daniel Radcliffe. Susan comes from Scarborough on the coast and her gothic writing style was a big inspiration for small parts of Broken Branches. Although The Woman in Black is her most famous novel, The Mist in the Mirror is the one for me.
A final mention for Jeremy Dyson, one of the most talented writers to come out of Yorkshire in my lifetime. You’ll perhaps know him as a writer of The League of Gentlemen, but check out his books as well.
Many thanks Jonathan – and wishing you every success with Broken Branches! My thanks too to Eve at Midas PR and publishers Hideaway Fall for sending a lovely package including my copy of the book, and for their support for everyone on the tour.
About the author
M Jonathan Lee is based in Yorkshire and is the author of several award-nominated novels. He began writing seriously in 2006 shortly after the suicide of his brother, Simon, who had been struggling with depression. Jonathan is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness. He has written for Mind and Rethink charities and has a regular blog on the Huffington Post. He is divorced and now remarried, between them they have five children, two cats and a dog.
About the publisher
Hideaway Fall are a new independent publishing house based in Yorkshire. They aim to support local and Northern based authors who write kooky, unique and astonishing fiction.
I love those Gervaise Phinn books, just hilarious!