In contemporary politics, with such ideological divisiveness, it’s hard to write a satire that is effective but doesn’t take sides. In “Good for the Soul,” British novelist Philip Rennett pulls it off. Andy Blackwell, the former Prime Minister of Great Britain who recently resigned due to burnout, is lured out of self-imposed reclusiveness when he receives a cryptic invitation to attend a meeting of the Global Conclave at Peace Castle in Ireland. Initially, he dismisses the overture, which he characterizes as “billionaires meeting secretly to discuss big questions.” Being unemployed, though, he can’t turn down their honorarium of one million dollars. He asks Mindy, his former chief of staff and current fiancé, “what’s the topic this time?” to which she replies, “the world.” Meanwhile, Simon Pope, a warehouse worker, travels undercover to the quaint Irish village of Clonbrinny on a mission for the clandestine paramilitary organization, the Garden Club. Under the pretext of joining a friend’s retirement fishing expedition, Pope’s task is to reconnoiter the activities and potential dangers of a local crime boss, Declan Kelly. Hardly a master spy, though, Pope “…didn’t know what he was doing apart from ‘reporting on the situation,’ as the Garden Club requested.” He doesn't even like fishing. These two plot threads converge when Blackwell flees from the Conclave, which he fears is seeking to hijack his cherished “Path Finder” philosophy of enlightened governance for its own nefarious purposes. Ultimately, he hides in Clonbrinny. Unfortunately, this sleepy little town is about to be rocked when, following the death of the Kelly clan’s matriarch, a gang war is on the verge of erupting. This situation that triggers a local emergency response system called “Fortress.” While “Good for the Soul” could stand on its own, it certainly facilitates comprehension to have read Rennett’s previous book, “Paths Not Taken.” The structure of both books is similar, with many short, typically around 1000-1500 word chapters, which create a rapid, albeit sometimes fragmented pace. Rennett’s droll, ironic tone permeates both works with an understated humor. However, with the increased action and intrigue in this new book, he demonstrates more stylistic flexibility in building tension. Throughout, as the plots unfold, merge, and resolve, and even as dangers lurk, Rennett sustains a prevalent sense of optimism. The citizens of Clonbrinny have each other’s backs and are infinitely resourceful. Blackwell’s "Path Finder" principles are models for humanistic institutions, as well as individual self-help; he exhorts— “Look honestly and openly at your world. How is it being affected right now by actions and movements outside of your control? What could happen to it tomorrow? … Now think about the lack of control globally. How could society work for the benefit of all and what needs to be done worldwide to effect that change? Find the answers and you're on your way to working out how you can contribute, both for the good of humanity and to promote and protect your own legacy.” Naïve, perhaps. This hopefulness leads “Good for the Soul” to a bit too tidy of a conclusion, but one that will satisfy readers. Perhaps even inspire them.

Gregg Sapp

Goodreads, Amazon 11/7/25

Good For The Soul was certainly an interesting read full of secrecy, loyalty and friendship. The writing technique allowed for lots of little storylines to cleverly intertwine. There didn't seem to be any one main storyline, they were each given attention and came together well by the end. Each storyline was dramatic with things happening all the time. It was a very fast paced read. There was an interesting flow to the story. I enjoyed that there was a mix of genres; Romance, Thriller, Mystery with a bit of history thrown in. The characters were interesting. There was a lot of secrecy so you were never quite sure who to trust. What was apparent though, was the loyalty and friendship between characters, which was lovely to read about. There were also some emotional bits so you got to see another side to the characters. Overall an interesting, fast-paced story.

Emily Pankhurst

Blog, Goodreads, Instagram, Threads 1/7/25

This book definitely lives up to its title. I have not laughed so much whilst reading a book for a long time. In fact I spent almost the same amount of time apologising to my husband for my laugh out loud moments, and on a couple of occasions spraying coffee everywhere, as I was reading it. Good For The Soul is the second in The Pathfinder series from Philip Rennett and, although I haven’t read the first one, Paths Not Yet Taken, this reads equally well as a standalone in its own right. However, now that I have read Good For The Soul I will be going back and reading the first one and I am definitely looking forward to the third book in the series which will be published later this year. The characters are very well thought out and the sharpness and wit of their depiction and escapades is second to none. Simon Pope’s character is brilliant and he will have you in stitches as he embarks on his “secret” mission. As to Andrew Blackwell and Mindy, well they are another couple of brilliant characters that are very well thought through with a superb satirical eye. Philip Rennett is an author I had not come across before who has now found himself on my hit list to read everything he has written, past , present and future. I was a huge Tom Sharpe fan, back in the day, and Good For The Soul gave me the same reading experience I used to get from Tom’s books. It has that brilliant mix of comedy and satire together that I absolutely love and have missed for so long. My soul is in a far better place after this absolutely brilliant 5 🌟 read. Thank you so much Phil - you are an absolute breath of fresh air in the world of comedy and satire.

Jill G

From The Book Elf 29/6/25

I found this story to be thoroughly intriguing and entertaining. It hooked me right from the start of the book. I loved the plot and enjoyed the storyline as it took the mickey out of politicians which I can’t stand anyway. It made me laugh out loud at times throughout. The story is very cleverly thought out and brilliantly written, it drew me in really well. The characters were brilliantly thought out and well planned.

@kaz_loves_books9

Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon 27/6/25

So all in all, this was such a great, hilarious masterclass in satire. It's shows absolutely no mercy in going after politicians and oligarchs, and it's intelligently written, clever and shrewd. Just a great, fresh, lighthearted read.

David Brockway (Fat Guy Reading)

Amazon / Goodreads 26/6/25

Satire at its best, very witty and a real page turner. Apart from the humour there was real emotion too, seamlessly blended together throughout the book. Full of great characters and the descriptive setting felt very real. A great book to chill and have fun reading.

Lisa_reads_alot

Instagram 26/6/25

The storyline is ram-packed with dodgy dreams, gangsters, crime, humour, confessions, one-of-a-kind characters, laughter, drama, action, adventure and so, so much more! Philip really has grabbed a wide collection of genres from crime to comedy and more, stuck them in a blender along with his masterful mind and come up with this absolutely fantastic creation! Overall, a thought-provoking, dark, funny, gripping and unique read. The book really is ‘Good For The Soul’ by name and good for the soul by nature!

Kirsty Whitlock

Instagram 25/6/25

A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to 'Paths Not Yet Taken'. Very witty and cleverly written and a real page turner. Some of the Irish characters were hilarious and it had me wishing that I could visit a village like Clonbrinny! I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series and wondering if Simmo and Andy will enjoy being neighbours and maybe get on the golf course again,

Russell J

Goodreads 22/6/25

Rennett’s prose crackles with dry wit and unsettling insights, tearing into politicians, oligarchs, and hypocrites with gleeful precision. The novel’s satire is razor-sharp, ripping chunks out of corrupt systems before grinding them into mush and moving on for a cup of tea. Yet, beneath the acerbic humor lies a heartrending portrait of flawed, deeply human characters—weary politicians, damaged priests, and ill-equipped civilians—caught in the chaos of a world teetering on the edge. From Clonbrinny’s unexpected funerals to the glossy absurdity of global power struggles, Good For The Soul balances farce and heartbreak with rare finesse. What sets Rennett apart is his ability to satirise without cruelty and to find resonance in chaos. The novel’s layered plot, rich with Irish atmosphere and populated by characters who wobble between ridiculousness and relatability, feels both unhinged and profoundly grounded. It’s fiction for readers who crave comedy with an edge—thinkful, fast-paced, and unafraid to ask what matters when the path forward leads straight into the abyss. Good For The Soul is a triumph of smart, subversive storytelling. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, quietly devastating truths, and a cast that lingers long after the final page, it confirms Philip Rennett as a writer to watch. Fans of Paths Not Yet Taken and newcomers alike will find plenty to love in this darkly funny, fiercely human sequel. If you’re drawn to Irish settings, intricate plots, and fiction that makes you feel something, this is your next read. Pick it up, pour a pint, and dive in.

The Table Read

www.thetablereadmagazine.co.uk 17/6/25

A really enjoyable read, looking forward to the next book.

T.H.

Amazon 14/5/25

Philip Rennett’s Good For The Soul is an ambitious, genre-blending novel that tosses political satire, spiritual conflict, and small-town Irish charm into a single, messy but compelling stew. At its core, the book follows Andrew Blackwell, a former UK prime minister, now a reluctant recluse, as he’s dragged back into the world of global influence through a secretive “Global Conclave.” Meanwhile, in the quiet Irish town of Clonbrinny, a troubled priest is caught in the moral chokehold of a criminal syndicate. It’s a story about power, guilt, reinvention, and the weird, awkward humanity that binds it all together. What grabbed me first was how effortlessly Rennett shifts tone. One moment, you’re in a confessional booth listening to Margaret Doyle deliver an outrageously inappropriate dream confession about cassocks and spanking. Next, you’re in the thick of Blackwell’s emotional unraveling or sitting in a church watching Declan Kelly, a violent gangster, toy with religion like it’s a game of poker. These tonal shifts shouldn’t work. But they do, mainly because Rennett has a wicked sense of humor and a sharp ear for dialogue. Margaret’s appearances, especially in the “Confession” chapter, had me laughing out loud, while Father Aidan’s slow disintegration genuinely broke my heart. What surprised me most was how Good For The Soul uses the setting almost like a character. Clonbrinny feels lived in, grimy, rain-soaked, and steeped in secrets. Peace Castle, where the elite gather to decide the world’s fate, is jaw-dropping in its opulence, but it feels hollow, too. There’s a beautiful contrast between those two worlds, and Rennett plays them against each other masterfully. When Blackwell stands before the Conclave in “The Opening Statement,” what he says feels honest, even raw, not just because of what he reveals, but because we’ve seen him wrestle with it. I didn’t expect to feel sympathy for a politician on the brink of a second act, but here I am. The writing itself is tight and conversational, but it’s never dumbed down. I loved how Rennett injects intelligence without arrogance. He keeps the language accessible, even when the stakes are philosophical. There’s also a lot of heart under all the satire. One of my favorite moments was in “Help Me,” when Father Aidan, drunk and broken, finally whispers, “Help me.” That wrecked me. Good For The Soul feels like a modern-day parable, soaked in Guinness, lit by lightning over crumbling churches, and filtered through the lens of people just trying to figure out what the hell matters anymore. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes their fiction smart, funny, and a little unhinged. Especially if you’re into layered plots, Irish settings, and characters that make you feel something, even when they’re being completely ridiculous.

Literary Titan

Goodreads / Amazon 11/5/25