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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 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


Philip Rennett / Pea Arr Books

Unit 136097, PO Box 7169, Poole, BH15 9EL United Kingdom