Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this.

After reading the synopsis I was really looking forward to it but I found it dragged and plodded along without any real sense of urgency.

I appreciate it was a sensitive subject to write about and more books should be written to make awareness for mental health and suicide. However this book didn't grip me as I was hoping it would.

I only knew of Mark Watson the stand up comedian, not the author, and couldn’t help picturing the main character as him.
In these strange times the book resonated as it is so easy to withdraw from your friends and family without them noticing, completely unaware of how you are feeling.
. This book shows how all of the “contacts” react when they receive a notification of the main character’s intention to commit suicide. Unable to reach him, because he has turned his mobile phone off after dropping the bombshell, we find how his friends react, as they realise their actions or lack of may have contributed to the position they find themselves in, trying to stop the event from happening.
Not my usual genre, but I found this to be a thought provoking read.

Well this was a little different to what I was expecting. And not at all bad! We start on a train journey where James decides he has had enough of the world and wants out. Instead of leaving a note, he decides to write a short text explaining his actions and "sends to all". We then follow his contacts as they receive and react to the news, as well as learning what happened to James to make him get to this point in his life...
It's quite hard hitting but in a subtle way. Often it's the small things that, when they all mount up, can be more devastating to a person than a short sharp big shock... It's also quite emotional - obviously given the main subject matter - but despite the suicidal overtones, the book doesn't ever get too dark. It's also quite moralistic in nature but again not over the top. Instead of being preachy, it just hints at ways that maybe you could see the other side of an interaction with someone. See it from their point of view, see how your actions affect others even though you may not feel responsible for how they take things, you can influence their present and indeed future.
Characterisation is tricky as we see people at the height of an emotional time but all the characters we meet along the way felt real to me, especially James who I managed to connect to very early on in the book.
It's kinda obvious from the start where we would end up, and I am a bit shocked that James' friends didn't also come to the same conclusion as I did, but there you go! It's an interesting tale, and a quite important one, especially given the state of the world as we know it at the moment, and does give a bit of food for thought regarding mental health. It's a book that I am glad I read and one whose themes will stay for me a while...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I adored this book- it was fantastic! It feels quite Matt Haig-y in premise but the style of writing was much more real. Heartwarming and heartbreaking in one.

Mark Watson is yet another British comedian I was surprised, yet overjoyed, to discover is a secret novelist on the side. His latest novel (seventh!) 'Contacts' has an intriguing and stirring premise. At some stages, I was worried it would get too angst ridden but Watson skilfully balances some lighter moments, and his trademark dry humour, with the serious central topics.

The protagonist, James, boards a train to Edinburgh at the beginning of the novel. Overwhelmed by recent events, a break-up, losing his best friend over a job, feeling unhappy in his body, James is on his way to take his own life. As a last act, he sends a text outlining his intentions to those who are in his phone address book before switching to flight mode. What follows is a tapestry of viewpoints, the former lover, the friend, the sister... alongside revealing the cumulative events which led to James' decision. It is a heavy topic which weighs on the heart, particularly with James being such a likeable character who has clearly had a string of horrible luck.

At first, the book was confusing with so many different viewpoints (I may have got James' sister and ex-girlfriend muddled a couple of times!) but it is rewarding to see how James has enriched so many lives, these people fighting to overcome their mistakes with regards to how they have treated him. Despite the ending coming out of nowhere, a twisted bait and switch which was not quite pulled off, the novel is ultimately heart-warming and highlights the value of speaking out when you are feeling alone.

If you are a fan of Mark Watson or enjoy cleverly structured novels about human relationships, you will definitely enjoy 'Contacts'. Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Contacts’ by Mark Watson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

James is on the London to Edinburgh train and sends a text message to the 158 people on his contact list telling them he’s decided to end his life. His mum Jean, sister Sally, ex-girlfriend Michaela, boss and friend Karl and flatmate Steffi attempt to locate him before he reaches Edinburgh.
Although the main subject matter of ‘Contacts’ is suicide, it’s actually an amusing and heart-warming account of a man who sees himself as being overweight, unloved and perspiring a lot. It’s been written in the style I’d expect from stand-up comedian Mark Watson and is a worthy addition to the collection of novels he’s written and that I’ve had the pleasure of reading over the years. The story is told through the eyes of James who sends the text message then sits back to devour pork pies, chocolate biscuits and beer, the reaction of those who receive the message, and what happens when he arrives at Waverley Station, Edinburgh, intent on carrying out the purpose of the train journey. It’s an emotionally-charged story, sad at times but with humour and a few laughs, ending with a touching conclusion. Some parts are a bit overlong at times but it’s a novel that’s worth reading.

James Chiltern decides he is going to take his own life, he gets on the sleeper train to Edinburgh sends a text to everyone in his contact list and puts his phone on aeroplane mode. Chapters are the reaction from some of the people that he's sent the text to and James reminiscing on parts of his life and how he has got to this point.

Although the premise of the book is about a serious and sombre topic there is humour and uplifting moments

I found the book hard to get into at first but after a couple of chapters I became invested in James and wanted to know the outcome.

It's a thought provoking read and one that will stay with me, a reminder to reach out and just check in with your friends and family, even if you haven't been in touch for a while.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC

Really interesting idea for a story - the characters’ stories, working backwards and forwards from the moment the text was sent, were fascinating to see unfold, and it was a useful look into depression and people’s lives.
I was totally drawn in to this (reading well beyond bedtime to get it finished!)

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book however I will say it may contain triggers for some people.

A truly honest look at suicide, mental health and the what ifs. I loved how this story unfurled not only from James point of view but from all the characters.

Without giving too much away the side stories with two specific characters very vitally important in showing James’ downward spiral.

I thought this was a fantastic read, and touched on very strong issues also given the author there was of course a smattering of humour but it was done in a very tasteful way.

Although the topic of this book is the impending suicide of James Chiltern I did enjoy it. It was an interesting and original take on an emotive subject. I liked James a lot and could easily see how he ended up feeling lost and lonely. The other main characters are stronger, but also relatable and likeable. Being written from multiple POV and different time zones added to the urgency and built up well to the suspenseful outcome.
There are some amazingly poignant passages in the book, especially relating to James and his Dad's relationship, but the story also has smatterings of laugh out loud funnies. I rattled through this book totally invested in James who was unaware of his friends and family desperate quest to find him.
I will recommend this well written book to friends. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for an advance e-reading copy of Contacts.

I was really excited to read this book and I thought it was one I would really enjoy but unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me.

The story begins with James who is sending a text message to all his contacts to let them know he has made the decision to end his life. Once the message has been sent, he turns off his phone. The story is then told by his contacts, the reaction to his message and memories they have of James.

I really wanted to love this book! It is such a delicate and important subject but I just didn't click with the characters and I felt it dragged in sections.

I have heard good things about Mark Watson so I will definitely look out for more of his work, unfortunately this one wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy and allowing me to review this book.

Contacts is a brave, original, storyline with a quirky cast of characters and one that will surprise you with its humour. James Chiltern is embarking on his final journey, uncomfortably holed up in a cell like cabin on the London to Edinburgh sleeper train. All that remains to be done is to send a last message to all his 158 contacts in his phone informing them of his intentions to take his own life. With the deed done, his message flying off into the ether, James switches his phone to flight mode to avoid any unwanted replies and begins to mentally prepare himself for his last hours on this planet. Beer and biscuits form his last meal, the calories no longer of any consequence. Yes, ok, I know it sounds grim, not the kind of scenario that lends itself to being funny BUT if you approach this novel with positivity then you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. The main character James is easy to engage with as our the rest of the cast comprising estranged sister Sal, ex girlfriend Michaela, former best friend Karl, flat mate Steffi, his mum Jean and train stewardess Gina.

Edinburgh holds a special place in James’s heart, a place he visited regularly with his father Alan, prior to his death. Recently sacked from his job in the ticket office at Euston station, this former coder is meticulously planning his death. His friendship with fellow techie turned taxi entrepreneur Karl has ended, his girlfriend Michaela has dumped him in favour of Berlin gallery owner Phillip and his once close relationship with sister Sally has long since expired. Over the course of the night James matter of factly replays significant events in his life as his message reaches his nearest and dearest. How they respond to this most dramatic of announcements is up to the reader to discover but I can guarantee it will restore your faith in humanity and friendships and the kindness of strangers.

I applaud the author for tackling a traumatic emotive subject, one that people naturally shy away from, without allowing the storyline to become maudlin or mawkish in any way. It will not turn you into a blubbering mess; instead you’ll find yourself chuckling along with these characters as they account for the significant roles they’ve played in this man’s life. As James takes his own trip down memory lane, he materialises into a character shaped by his kindness and his love for his father rather than as an overweight unemployed unlucky in love man with a propensity to sweat! It is a thought provoking narrative sugar coated in humour that dare I say I found enjoyable and highly readable. In my opinion there’s no way of avoiding a moment or two of self reflection as you turn the pages contemplating your own amount of human contact and the value these interactions hold. But what happens when loneliness and isolation become the norm? It’s worth noting that it doesn’t require any one momentous event to bring an individual to the same decision our protagonist James has made. In his own words..”You didn’t need a big grand reason to do it. You just had to have run out of ideas, as a human, and be brave enough to admit it.” This poignant statement, for whatever reason really struck a chord with me, a weary acceptance that he’s come to the end of a long travelled road, all avenues apparently exhausted.

Without becoming too deep or analytical this is a storyline about communication on all levels, meaningful or otherwise. It reflects a society where human contact is severely lacking for many, lives instead lived online in a virtual reality, loneliness a common problem. By nature we are social creatures who require human contact for the sake of our mental wellbeing yet we are now living in a climate where we have little control over our ability/desire to nurture our friendships or embark on new relationships. It’s impossible to ignore the paradoxical nature of mobile phones and modern technology that can both increase self inflicted isolation or else provide our only means of communicating with a world that to all intents and purposes has temporarily shut down. The irony is that in this storyline mobile phone technology can be instrumental and invaluable in connecting both loved ones and strangers, across continents, uniting them in a common cause, whilst James himself feels disconnected from his fellow human beings. That they all read James’s last message with concern and alarm, galvanising them into action is the most heartwarming aspect of this novel.

I have to say I loved some of these characters with their ability to make me smile and laugh and feel sadness all at the same time. Steffi and her interactions with fellow restaurant colleague Emil are hilarious and Jean is the classic older generation figure struggling to understand how to even text or send an email which very much reminded me of my own mother! Michaela is as quirky a character as her ex but their relationship, until it ends is quite touching, her presence in James’s life a life raft in a sea of uncertainty.

Setting aside the serious nature of this novel I think it’s a witty well constructed storyline with a lead character that’s hard to forget. Ending with an unexpected sting in the tail, there was at least one other character I’d have liked to get to know better but that much is still left unresolved is an apt way to conclude this honest journey through one man’s darkest hours. For all the reasons stated above this was a 5 star read and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

I've read and enjoyed all Mark Watson's previous books, but I'm finding this one quite difficult to review. The author writes sensitively about the subject of suicide and the importance of connecting with each other (Certainly even more important during these periods of lockdown) but I felt quite cross with James sending a text about ending his life then turning his phone off. I'm not sure I felt I understood him or the other characters much better by the end, and the narrative felt a bit long winded at times. My advice to new readers would be to start with one of his other books!
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book

A thought provoking read. I felt so sorry for James the whole way through this book. I kept expecting there to be more to the story. I feel that the synopsis sounded so much better than the story I have just read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

James boards a sleeper train to Edinburgh, sends a message to everyone in his address book telling them he will end his life the next day, and then puts his phone into flight mode. So starts Mark Watson’s new novel.

James thinks he has nothing to live for. He has lost his job, his girlfriend has left him, his much loved father has died and he is estranged from his only sister. His contacts don’t agree, however, and soon start a desperate attempt to reach out to him by phone and use the power of the internet to find him. This novel deals with a sensitive subject, and you feel Mark Watson having to rein in his natural comic writing skills at times. It reminds you of the power of connection between people, and that we all need to check in on each other from time to time. A poignant message in these times.

It is a thoughtful and well written novel and it made me think about how easy it could be to move from happy to suicidal if life takes a cruel turn.

This book tells the story of James, who has decided to take his own life. We follow him on his train journey from London to Edinburgh. As we do, we also gain an insight into what has led him to this point. Before he boarded the train, James sent a text to all of his contacts, telling them what he intended to do, and reassuring them that he was making the right decision. While James is largely oblivious to their response, the reader shares in their shocked responses as they form a community around James and attempt to prevent him from making an irreversible decision. The book was really moving. The author gives us a real sense of how s life can come off the tracks so easily, and how an accumulation of events that may not on their own be catastrophic can push someone into a place where they feel alone and that they only have one way out. As I read, it made me reflect on my own community of family and friends and the importance of making sure you know they are there for them.

I adored this. I think it's so important to read books on this topic. I would highly recommend it and would love to discuss it more.

A very unusual start to the story. It supports the statement "that no one is an island". A text sent in the middle of the night and then switched to flight mode has varying reactions from the recipients of the text. Reflecting on their own previous reactions and how they respond and feel.
Gripping and a very tense conclusion.

I read this book in two sittings as I couldn’t put it down! The premise is so interesting and so relevant to today, where so much communication is done virtually and can just be switched off mid-conversation. I think the author captured the emotion, anguish, practicality and thought process of how different relationships would react to such a scenario and it definitely made me think about getting in touch with people more. I thorough recommend this book, as it brings to the front of your mind the power of relationships-ones in touch and broken away. Loved it!

“James Chiltern boards the 23:50 sleeper train from London to Edinburgh with two pork pies, six beers and a packet of chocolate digestives. At 23:55 he sends a message to all 158 people in his contacts, telling them that he plans to end his life in the morning. He then switches his phone to flight mode. He’s said goodbye. To him, it’s the end of his story – and time to crack open the biscuits.

But across the world, 158 phones are lighting up with a notification. Phones belonging to his mum. His sister. His ex-best friend. The woman who broke his heart. People he’s lost touch with. People he barely knows. And for them, the message is only the beginning of the journey.

Funny and wise, tender and deeply moving, Contacts is a beautiful story about the weight of loneliness, the importance of kindness – and how it’s never too late to reach out.“

I’m not sure how I happened upon this book – potentially someone mentioned it on Twitter – but I was granted an advance review copy from NetGalley – and having never read anything by Mark Watson before, I thought I’d give it a go.

The blurb above gives the exact opening of the book – and it might be best to avoid if suicide topics would be a trigger for you. However, it’s beautifully written – with dark humour throughout – so don’t let me put you off before you’ve started.

The book intertwines James’s back story with current events in a clever way – so you start to learn how he’s got to this point. It definitely highlights reaching out to people all the time – not just when there is a big thing happening in their lives…

It’s told from James’s point of view on the sleeper train but also his flat mate, ex girlfriend, sister, ex best friend all in different places around the world – which adds to the drama.

I can’t say much more without giving the storyline away – and you really need to read it yourself, but I can say I really enjoyed it.

It’s out at the end of this month – so perfect half term read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.