Still reeling from a break-up with the love of his life, insurance firm cold-caller Ray English has become a bit of a screw up. Cynical and withdrawn, Ray is aimlessly drifting through life in London. However, once he is asked to reform his college band for a friend’s wedding, Ray is soon forced to face up to his old life, and the hometown he had tried so hard to turn his back on.

Anya Belmont is a woman with a secret and a history that continues to shape her life. A coffee shop owner in Salisbury, Anya is successful, yet bored; married, yet lonely; she is also trying to avert a looming mid-life crisis.

Through fate, coincidence or just bad timing, Ray and Anya’s lives begin to change when Ray cold-calls Anya and the two strike up a seemingly innocuous phone conversation. Against their better judgement, their conversation is soon the start of a phone relationship of sorts. As the weeks and months pass, it grows in frequency and intimacy, and a curious, almost dependent friendship is born. But can there be anything real in just a phone call? As circumstances bring these two lonely souls to the same town at the same time, both are forced to question the truth of what they have started, and the realisation that if they are to move on in their lives, they will have to start by facing the ghosts of their past...

This sharp-witted, saccharine-free love story will appeal to those looking for a modern take on traditional romance, including fans of Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer.
‘A refreshingly modern take on romance and friendship, Cold Calling spikes with warmth and wisdom. Genuinely funny, shrewdly observed and really rather brilliant.’ – Caroline Smailes, author of The Drowning of Arthur Braxton.

Russell Mardell originally trained in film production, producing numerous short films and a forthcoming music documentary. He also writes for the stage and is a member of Salisbury Fringe in his hometown, which promotes new writing. His former books published by Matador include Darkshines Seven, Bleeker Hill and Stone Bleeding.