I've been a fan of Mark Watson as a comedian for years but it's only relatively recently that I've discovered his great skill as an author. One trait I find in all his books is a near instant development of characters. Contacts is no exception and, as a consequence, the story is created and superbly paced throughout. It is of course a very serious subject, a reminder of how the things we do can impact severely on others, deliberately or otherwise, and how relationships can easily break down. Electronic communications can be a culprit in reducing and removing personal contact (especially in current circumstances) but can also be used positively to reconnect and rebuild. Highly recommended.

I am ashamed to say that Contacts is the first book I’ve read by Mark Watson. I would like to thanks the publishers for sending me a reading copy.Contacts is a story about a group of characters exploring different ways of contacting others to save someones life.James is on a sleeper train to Edinburgh and sends a message to all 158 contacts in his phone to say he’s had enough of life, goodbye. Then he turns his phone to airplane mode. The books flicks between different characters and their reaction and actions as they desperately try to find him, and James eating pies and drinking beer whilst he travels to his end.The reaction of other characters is interesting as they all get in touch with each other and contacts on James phone get in touch to help or offer him a job.James is in this position because he’s just a nice guy who always tries to help. A nice guy who was set up by his best friend and then fired. A sister with a grudge who doesn’t really seem to care, his frantic mum and his ex who dumped him for someone else. And then there is Steffi his flatmate who goes above and beyond to try and save him.Does James survive? Well you’ll have to read the book. It a great exploration about how we use technology to contact people and the sheer kindness of people.I loved the book.

A fascinating novel written and read by the author, Mark Watson. James Chiltern, heart of gold, rather overweight, estranged from his sister, jobless, lonely, feeling friendless, finally decides that enough is enough. He sets off on the overnight sleeper to Edinburgh, a city with both happy and sad memories, accompanied only by a picnic of two pork pies, a packet of chocolate digestives and some beer. He sends a group text to all his phone contacts telling them that he is going to end his life. What happens to him and all his contacts is a beautiful novel. It's laugh out loud funny in one breath and deeply poignant in the next. To be honest, when I read the blurb, I wasn't totally convinced that I would enjoy Contacts, but I am so very glad that I chose it, it is a real tale for our times. A real life affirming story and comes very highly recommended.

This is a beautiful book. Heartbreaking, painful, and somehow also funny, without the funny bits stepping all over the serious tone of the story. But please be aware that this book can also be very triggering. It's a brutally honest, accurate look into how it feels to have given up, and I'm not sure it's for everyone. For anyone who has ever been in James' frame of mind, it's achingly familiar to read how he got to the point he did. I had times where I thought I might have to put the book down, that I couldn't handle finishing it. But I've read several of Mark's books, so I trusted him to see me through it. I love this way Mark Watson has of tying together different people through just one event. How he just makes it all fit together, and how even the diversions become a natural part of the narrative. In many ways this book reminds me of "Eleven"; it weaves in and out of different lives in the same seamless way, making all the side quests make sense as part of the big picture. Where they differ, is that "Contacts" has a much more tangible purpose to it all, an important endgame the characters are working towards. This book is heartbreaking. But it's also heartwarming. If you comfortable with the subject, please read it. It is such an important reminder to see the people around you, and not take for granted that silence means everything is OK. It's also a powerful reminder that being available all the time on so many platforms, even if it's a thing many of us curse from time to time, really can be a good thing. In fact, sometimes it can turn out to be vital.

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Mark Watson's latest novel from the publisher and read it in a day. I could not put it down. The inner turnoil of James, the main character, cries out from every page and the actions of the people around him are so genuine and well-drawn it reads like a painful true story. I cried several times reading this, and chuckled out loud several times more, and really can't recommend it enough. It's a funny, moving, thought-provoking and very timely novel for this strange time of not being able to see friends and loved ones. Written before the tumultuous events of 2020, this really hammers home how important social media can be during moments of lonliness and uncertainty. It will stay with me for quite some time. What a book!