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The Fox of Kensal Green
by Richard Tyrrell
Pub Date
7 Jan 2026
| Archive Date
8 Dec 2025
Description
A quiet neighbourhood of London is about to be shattered.
Normally little happens in these mixed streets of families, retirees, podcasters and gossips. A little group create a community garden. An ageing journalist writes nature columns. A left-wing Scotsman longs for the glory days when he interviewed Castro. A disabled professor plans a book clearance. Supine Mario takes far too many drugs. And Wilf Kelly decides to get a fox as a pet.
Can a fox be tamed? Wilf sets out to do it. We follow his journey of self-discovery as he patiently befriends the animal.
When Wilf is accused of an awful crime, he becomes the target of a police and media firestorm. It’s a drama that galvanises not just the community but people from all around London to pour to Kensal Green’s streets. But can anyone prove Wilf’s innocence?
A superbly written debut novel with a big heart, that will make you laugh, cry and remind you of the joy of community spirit.
A quiet neighbourhood of London is about to be shattered.
Normally little happens in these mixed streets of families, retirees, podcasters and gossips. A little group create a community garden. An...
Description
A quiet neighbourhood of London is about to be shattered.
Normally little happens in these mixed streets of families, retirees, podcasters and gossips. A little group create a community garden. An ageing journalist writes nature columns. A left-wing Scotsman longs for the glory days when he interviewed Castro. A disabled professor plans a book clearance. Supine Mario takes far too many drugs. And Wilf Kelly decides to get a fox as a pet.
Can a fox be tamed? Wilf sets out to do it. We follow his journey of self-discovery as he patiently befriends the animal.
When Wilf is accused of an awful crime, he becomes the target of a police and media firestorm. It’s a drama that galvanises not just the community but people from all around London to pour to Kensal Green’s streets. But can anyone prove Wilf’s innocence?
A superbly written debut novel with a big heart, that will make you laugh, cry and remind you of the joy of community spirit.
A Note From the Publisher
Richard Tyrrell says, ‘One day in Kensal Green Cemetery a big dog fox came out from among gravestones, and stopped to stare at me as if in judgement. It was a striking moment that reminded me that wildlife like foxes are as much a part of London neighbourhoods as a human neighbour is. I wanted to write a story that started with a London fox, so imagined a man, Wilf Kelly, who sets out to tame one.’
Richard Tyrrell says, ‘One day in Kensal Green Cemetery a big dog fox came out from among gravestones, and stopped to stare at me as if in judgement. It was a striking moment that reminded me that...
A Note From the Publisher
Richard Tyrrell says, ‘One day in Kensal Green Cemetery a big dog fox came out from among gravestones, and stopped to stare at me as if in judgement. It was a striking moment that reminded me that wildlife like foxes are as much a part of London neighbourhoods as a human neighbour is. I wanted to write a story that started with a London fox, so imagined a man, Wilf Kelly, who sets out to tame one.’
Marketing Plan
Review coverage: The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Times, The Daily Mail, TLS, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, Big Issue, Literary Review, London Magazine, The Scotsman • Events include: Launch at Queens Park Books and London Literature Festival • Broadcast opportunities: Talk Radio, Front Row.
Review coverage: The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Times, The Daily Mail, TLS, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, Big Issue, Literary Review, London Magazine...
Marketing Plan
Review coverage: The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Times, The Daily Mail, TLS, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, Big Issue, Literary Review, London Magazine, The Scotsman • Events include: Launch at Queens Park Books and London Literature Festival • Broadcast opportunities: Talk Radio, Front Row.
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781784633660 |
| PRICE |
£10.99 (GBP)
|
| PAGES |
240
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9781784633660 |
| PRICE |
£10.99 (GBP)
|
| PAGES |
240
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Average rating from 4 members
Featured Reviews
Kirsty M, Reviewer
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
The Fox of Kensal Green is a charming and sharply observed novel that delights with its offbeat humour and rich character study. I particularly enjoyed the quirky character of Wilf—his oddball charm and unique perspective bring a different energy to the story. The book’s strength lies in its keen exploration of each character, offering an engaging tapestry of personalities that feel real.
A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable read.
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Vanessa R, Reviewer
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Kensal Green. A quiet neighbourhood in London. A mixed group of residents.
A professor. A journalist. A left-wing Scotsman. A group creating a community garden. Mario taking too many drugs.
And Wilf Kelly decides that a fox is an excellent pet...
But Wilf is accused of a terrible crime. He's the target of the police and the media.
Can anyone prove that he's innocent?
Excellent
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Rosie H, Reviewer
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
The Fox of Kensal Green is a delightful, heart-filled story about platonic love and community.
The storyline mainly follows Wilf, a man who finds life confusing, as he tries to branch out his daily routines. His neighbours and friends support him throughout (even if he isn’t always grateful or doesn’t understand what they’re doing).
I found the book so emotional yet heartwarming, Richard Tyrrell highlights the failings of modern society and governments over the last 15 years throughout but the strong community who pull together no matter what is the real heart of the story. We can all only hope to be loved and cared for in the way Felicia loves and cares for Wilf.
Thank you to NetGalley and Salt for a copy of this ARC.
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Featured Reviews
Kirsty M, Reviewer
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
The Fox of Kensal Green is a charming and sharply observed novel that delights with its offbeat humour and rich character study. I particularly enjoyed the quirky character of Wilf—his oddball charm and unique perspective bring a different energy to the story. The book’s strength lies in its keen exploration of each character, offering an engaging tapestry of personalities that feel real.
A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable read.
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Vanessa R, Reviewer
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Kensal Green. A quiet neighbourhood in London. A mixed group of residents.
A professor. A journalist. A left-wing Scotsman. A group creating a community garden. Mario taking too many drugs.
And Wilf Kelly decides that a fox is an excellent pet...
But Wilf is accused of a terrible crime. He's the target of the police and the media.
Can anyone prove that he's innocent?
Excellent
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Rosie H, Reviewer
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
The Fox of Kensal Green is a delightful, heart-filled story about platonic love and community.
The storyline mainly follows Wilf, a man who finds life confusing, as he tries to branch out his daily routines. His neighbours and friends support him throughout (even if he isn’t always grateful or doesn’t understand what they’re doing).
I found the book so emotional yet heartwarming, Richard Tyrrell highlights the failings of modern society and governments over the last 15 years throughout but the strong community who pull together no matter what is the real heart of the story. We can all only hope to be loved and cared for in the way Felicia loves and cares for Wilf.
Thank you to NetGalley and Salt for a copy of this ARC.
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
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