Delighted to report that book reviewer and blogger Phoebe Matthews has selected Descanso as one of the books of 2025, topping the “Satire Fiction” category. Phoebe read over 300 books last year, so I’m rather chuffed to have made the cut. Thanks, Phoebe!
After two years of writing and three years of editing, we finally have something to place before the discerning and curious: Descanso, or The Last True Fascist. Intended as the sequel to Breakfast at Cannibal Joe’s, it follows the exploits and further adventures of Francoist spy, brothelkeeper, and drug-dealer Manuel Estimulo in his retirement. You won’t need to have read Cannibal Joe’s to derive enjoyment, pleasure, pain, or outrage from the new book, just a dark sense of humour and a couple of spare bucks/quid/euros. The release date is set for June 20, but I am posting daily excerpts over on Instagram for those who would like a taste of what is to come or to confirm their suspicions that this is the book for them. Or not. I considered trigger warnings given that the book features murder, incest, torture, drugs, bestiality, sodomy, gomorrahmy, physical and verbal abuse, and camels but felt that all this would be implied by the inclusion of the word “fascist” in the title and the depiction of a camel on the cover. Besides, all of the above have featured in my previous books (with the exception of camels), so the likelihood is that most of my readers are already fans of these topics.
Here are the links to pre-order your copy, or a copy for a friend/enemy, should you so wish. The print edition will also be available on June 20, once the proofs have been approved. Fill your boots!
Book reviewer and garden enthusiast. Updates from my Hampshire garden. Usually talking about books and plants. People do not forget books or flowers that touch them or excite them—they recommend them.