This is a clever, carefully constructed novel with Jonathan Coe's distinctive sense of period and context. Set in the short reign of Liz Truss as Prime Minister, the novel moves back and forth through the student days of the central character to the present day, weaving a mystery of personal and political intrigue around a sudden death. Both settings are credible and evocative of the time, giving an air of veracity to the events. However, some of the changes of viewpoint are confusing or less successful than others and can be rather long-winded at times. Overall an engaging and gripping plot with a clear contemporary feel.

What a mash up! For a few years now, I've been enjoying Jonathan Coe's softer, more wide-ranging explorations of Englishness, culture and mortality, often female-led and political with a small p. I'd found myself wondering how I'd feel if he returned to his nineties/early noughties style of explicitly political, blokier satire, heavily meta-textual and playing with genre to the point of bending the reader's mind backwards. Well, turns out I'm here for it!

This book, featuring a sinister cabal of far-right Tory nightmares, set during the 50-day premiership of Liz 'Lettuce' Truss, is a bit of a sequel to What A Carve Up! which is referenced at least once and has some themes in common with this new novel (basically, if someone's struggling to get a medical appointment, START WORRYING).

Shortly before the Queen's death (a scene which presumably didn't make it into earlier novel Bournville because of timing) Phyl Maidstone returns from university in Newcastle and, stultified at her parents' countryside home, starts trying to write a book. She's torn between three popular 'very now,' genres - cosy crime, 'dark academia' and autofiction, so what transpires is told in all three genres, with dizzying overlays of folk songs, episodes of Friends, Gormenghast, Women in Love, Don't Look Now - again, a bit of Jonathan Coe as film geek there. He can't resist it!

The thread tying the three narratives together is a murder mystery featuring semi-retired, very hungry DI Pru Freeborne, a mysterious professor and a rare proof copy of a book by Peter Cockerill, a frustrated and misanthropic author whose panic about literary recognition and combination of modernism and conservatism may owe something to Coe's extensive studies of B.S Johnson (the author, not Boris).

Literary legacy is an odd business (Rushdie, Barnes, Ishiguro and Amis are referenced a lot) and Coe occupies a strange position, being someone whose output and quality of writing has, I think, improved, but who isn't as ubiquitous in bookshops as he used to be? Some authors would turn bitter about this and start delivering worrying comments about 'diversity' and 'identity politics,' but apart from a few benign jokes, this approach is not for Coe (his take-down of a conservative conference speech about wokeness is one of the funniest things I've read all year).

Instead, he seems philosophical and the most political he gets about it is to defend writing fiction as a form of self-mastery more Stoical than it gets credit for. By writing, skint twenty-something Phyl takes control of the one thing she can - 'the empire between her ears.'

I wouldn't have made the choices Coe makes with the ending, and rather ended on the dizzying high of the murder mystery, but this is as robust a defence of writing and culture as you're likely to read, as well as being far more entertaining than most of the male, irony-loving 'canon' that was so lauded in the nineties. In short, so entertaining was this book that I'm not quite sure it should be legal.

A highly compelling read. I had to really concentrate to keep the threads and timelines straight in my mind as it’s not an easy read, but I very much enjoyed the writing style and originality of this book. It also made me view certain events in politics over the last few years slightly differently. Would make a great film or tv show.

Phil has finished her degree and is back living at home and doing a mindless job at the airport - making such day in day out. Life looks up when a friend of Joanna, her mother, arrives to stay with them - Christopher Swann, a political blogger who is particularly interested in all things ultra-conservative. He is on his way to cover a conference by the name of TrueCon, that promises to be a strange gathering of odd people. Prior to his departure for the conference he is joined at Phil’s home bu his adopted daughter, Rahsida who soon strikes us an interesting friendship with Phil.

At the conference Christopher Swan dies and much speculation ensure as to whether it was natural causes or murder, He leaves a brief message, scrawled just before his life ebbs away. When this is conveyed to Rashida she tells Phil that her father always used to enjoy writing in code. This disclosure and some careful thought leads them to a suspect who may be a criminal in other ways. The lady detective on the case is also on the hunt. ho will be proved right?

A superb, complicated, read

Wow! Jonathon Coe not only pushes the boundaries, he gallops through them. Seriously underrated, in my view, he’s original, funny and his observations on and about our society are prescient and quite unique. I’ve enjoyed his earlier book, but this is without doubt my favourite. Murder mystery, political intrigue, friendship and bonds that tie…there’s something here for almost all readers.

I love the simplicity of his writing. There’s nothing fancy but he gets straight to the point with characters and setting. They’re all contemporary; people you can recognise, but the genius is in the plotting, which if I tried to explain, would sound almost preposterous. But it works and I was swept from chapter to chapter with numerous laugh out loud moments and left thinking of a few chilling observations on the state of the nation. Absolutely loved this.

Goodness me - where to start? Quite a complex mix of styles - from cosy university reunions, political satire, murder mystery and a dual narrative. At one point I was baffled as to whose universe I was inhabiting - was it Chris the journalist, Phyl the sushi worker, Pru the detective, or even more alarming, Liz Truss?

Very much a book in which you can enjoy in your own style. Want a scathing review of the Conservative party and associated PopCon fringes? Want a crime story? Want a gal friendship tale? It's all there to be read and savoured.

Only a writer with the skill of Jonathan Coe could pull off a novel as daring as this, mixing crime fiction and political satire but he does so with great flair and, indeed, compassion. It's also genuinely laugh out loud funny in parts. A superb read

I've only ever read Bourneville by Jonathan Coe, and I really enjoyed the way changes in Britain were portrayed by major historical events, so I was keen to read this new novel, The Proof of My Innocence. Overall, I did enjoy the story, which is ultimately a book within a book. However, I felt some of the politics were rammed down the readers throat a bit too much, and I also didn't find all of the characters POV's as absorbing as others, which meant it was frustrating when the POV kept changing.

The Proof of My Innocence follows Phyl who has finished university and is living back at home with her parents. She works at Heathrow’s terminal 5 serving Japanese food but has aspirations of writing a novel. A family friend called Chris comes to stay but he’s been uncovering a sinister think tank that involves pushing the British Government into an extreme direction. A new Prime Minister is leading Britain and Chris pursues the story into the Cotswolds where a murder enquiry will soon be in progress.

The writing of this was good but generally this just wasn’t for me. I didn’t realise this was going to be so contemporary and I didn’t enjoy following the British Government that was actually in control a few years ago. It was just real for me. It got a bit confusing with all the different POV sections.

For my money Coe’s most consistently funny - and therefore most penetrating - book since What A Carve Up!

I love the Rotter's Club trilogy but to be honest I admired but liked this "State of the Nation" type book less. Phyl has moved home from uni and is living in a boring suburb near Heathrow. The local high street is littered with shuttered shops, Phyl has to rely on dodgy local bus services to get to her soulness sushi making job for an outlet at the airport. Her mother is a vicar and her dad is retired and a biliophile. Her mum's friend, Christopher a journalist ,arrives to stay before he heads off to a right wing think tank type conference where some of their other acquaintances, now Tory bigwigs, from their Uni days at Cambridge are due to talk and sinister happenings may await. Phyl fancies becoming a novelist and is intrigued by the earning possibilities of writing "Cozy murder mysteries." This leads to a book within a book structure and satirising of tropes. In some ways the book remined me in tone and narrative style of Coe's first novel "The Accidental Woman." I found the pacing at the start of the book off, it took a long time to really get going, there was too much of Phyl and her parents mooching around and discussions about the ghastly "Friends" and for me, Phyl felt like a forced middle aged man's imagining of a 21 year old woman's likes and worries.

I have loved all of Jonathan Coe’s novels since I first read What a Carve Up many years ago so was really looking forward to this contemporary critique of Liz Truss and the right wing policies behind her short lived time as Prime Minister.
Set during the autumn of 2022 when Liz Truss became Prime Minister and the Queen died, 20 something Phyl is living back with her parents after university , whilst working a zero hours contract. Her parents university friend Chris, a journalist looking into a right wing think tank comes to stay before he attends a right wing conference in the Cotswolds.
Coe writes a contemporary political novel so well and I found some of the political satire so hilarious that I read it out loud to my husband. The Proof of My Innocence also combines a cosy murder mystery with political satire and this section of a novel within a novel works well. I wasn’t so keen on the section on novelist Peter Cockerell which I felt detracted from the more clever and engaging parts of the novel. An enjoyable novel that I’d recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

A political blogger is found dead in a locked room at a hotel where he has come to observe an ultra-right wing conference. His adopted daughter and the daughter of his old university friend link up to try and fathom out who could have wanted him dead. Their search takes them to Monaco and Venice under the amused eye of the DI who is on the case. Its an unusual book with a complex idea for a plot, well written and gripping to read

That annoying tannoy announcement "See it. Say it. Sorted,' that is a constant on trains makes a backdrop to the is story from Jonathan Coe. Briefly, Phyl has returned from university to live with her parents and is doing mundane job at a Japanese restaurant at the airport while she considers what she wants to do. An old university friend of her mother's comes to visit, Christopher Swann. Initially Phyl is annoyed that's he's intruded on her family, bringing up memories that she is sure her father would prefer not have dredged up. Then is seems that Christopher's adopted daughter Rashida is due to visit and Phyl must put up with yet another stranger in the house.
At this point in the book the plot begins, as they say, to thicken. Phyl is encouraged by Christopher to try her hand at writing a novel and we are switched to her version of events as a story unfolds within a story. This is a very clever device and it is easy to become so engrossed in the cosy crime that you forget the real story lurking on the edges.
The whole book is set against the rise of the conservative party initially at Cambridge with The Processus Group, which seems to have been running the background while Phyl's mother was at college. Fast forward to the present time setting of the book and Boris is kicked out and Liz Truss is elected leader of the conservative party and thus prime minister. Christopher has spent his live investigating this group and blogs about their activities.
The books is really well crafted and the setting against actually events gives it an air of authenticity. The characters are enjoyable - I especially like the detectives, DI Pru Freeborne (who can eat and drink an enormous amount at one sitting) and DS Jakes, and the relationship between Phyl and Rashida works well too. The perceptive look at Britain in the 80's and the past few years and the clash between Gen Z and previous generations all ring true. Written with wit and humour and very enjoyable.
With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

This is a very clever novel which satirises current trends in both popular and literary fiction set against the backdrop of the rise and fall of Liz Truss as British prime minister. Phyl, a recent graduate of English literature, sets about writing a novel, exploring three potential styles - cosy crimes, the dark side of academia and auto fiction - and the story that emerges follows the mysterious death of a left-wing blogger at a conference of right wing thinkers. I get the feeling that the author had as much fun writing this story as the reader gets in reading it as it is full of witty one-liners and bizarre references to episodes of Friends. Despite the changes in style, the story is compelling, funny and easy to read.

I think I need to start by saying this was a good read. I think it's a book lots of people should read. But I also think far too many people will recoil in horror from because, well, it's not the most accessible read. It is, and I make no apologies for the tautology because it creates an emphasis I think is needed, one of the most meta pieces of self-referential writing I think can be done before tipping over into blithering drivel. It works. I don't know how. But the books within books and stories within stories actually fit into a coherent and enjoyable narrative that makes sense and is shockingly easy to follow despite everything. That said, I do feel this structure may put off fairly casual readers. I may be wrong, and hope I am, but I know that if a friend who didn't read much asked for a recommendation I would probably try to think of something a bit more straightforward.

Narratively we have a fairly jolly crime caper. A cosy mystery in fact (that's one for after you've read the book, I said it was very meta). The mystery, or mysteries I guess - this is one where solutions often lead to more questions, is fulfilling and engaging. There are good clues you can solve as you go, but I doubt anyone will catch every twist or clue before the reveal. It's fun and rewarding.

Now, much of this book takes place with a backdrop of Liz Truss's somewhat brief stint as Prime Minister. If her time in power did anything it was unite the country in a sense of schadenfreude at a time when, frankly, the nation enjoyed the distraction of a rotting lettuce amid royal funeral plans. That said, Coe also offers a lot of commentary on the general conservative (small c) movement in the UK, and to a degree the USA. And, in yet another meta aspect, I'm pretty sure that look at how politics have grown more and more divisive since Thatcherism took hold, I'm pretty sure that people will have strong opinions on the book for even mentioning that politics exist. I can picture Jacob Rees-Mogg wailing on GB News about the wokerati leftist glee this book clearly represents because it forgot to include a chapter declaring his louche lounging on the front benches as the wittiest moment in Commons history since Churchill's bon mots (pardon the French). I can also see it being declared Tory propaganda because it doesn't go for the throat. It commits that awful sin of being reasonably reasonable.

I would love to say that means that the cliched "man in the streets" would find the actual political commentary fairly acceptable. But I am writing this at the end of a week where thugs hurls bricks at nurses and looted Greggs in riots that have been euphemistically called protests against... well, mostly skin colour it seems. The country isn't burning though. This is also the week where thousands took to the streets to stand between these thugs and the hotels and lawyer offices that they wanted to burn to the ground. Because this is where we are right now. I can't decide if this book is a few months too late to warn us, too early to look back and reflect on the wisdom, or maybe I read this at exactly the right time because of the madness going on. I look around and see a country hurting right now. I have seen it in the news, and I see it in the people around me. Some are hurt that the very press and politicians who were recently stoking up their anger have suddenly said that maybe things have gone too far in the hope that they can distance themselves slightly from their own divisive rhetoric.

And this is why I hope people can put aside their political outrage and read this. There is a commentary here that isn't so much targeted at the left or the right as it is highlighting the evolution of the political machine to foment distrust and anger between us. The politics in this story aren't heavy or domineering, there's a very good mystery here that you should be able to enjoy no matter your politics. The final irony here is that the people who will shun this in some pointed culture war stand are the very ones who would benefit most from seeing the folly of such outrage.

It's a good book, the story is enjoyable and the writing is technically superb. I hope you read it, even if it's outside your comfort zone.

This is quite a different novel from Jonathan Coe. The only thing that felt familiar from novels like The Rotters' Club and Bournville was his attention to vivid political and social detail of the period, something I always enjoy. In the case of The Proof of My Innocence, the political background to events is the brief premiership of Liz Truss and the rise of the alt-right.

The novel is a very clever series of stories-within-stories, parodying different fictional styles and ultimately centering around a murder mystery. It is difficult to say too much without giving away spoilers, but I will say that I very much enjoyed it. The writer seemed like he had a lot of fun with this novel, even when the subject matter is quite serious. There are very many clues and symbols in the first part of the novel which take on importance later on, so that the novel will be very rewarding as a re-read, something I plan to do soon.

An enjoyable read which is good at skewering elements of the British political scenario or the recent and less recent past. However, the political satire was the best element of this sprawling book. It fell flat in other areas through trying to do too many things, with its different layers, points of view, and changes of genre which occur throughout the novel. It made it difficult to keep track of the many characters at times. And the mystery about the lost proof, and the murder, both seemed inadequately justified. I didn’t care enough about those elements to make this a fully satisfying read.

See it. Say it. Sorted.

Phyl returns to her parents home from university with little idea of next steps beyond that she’d like to write. She’s interested in the Dark Acadia genre but her mother’s old friend, Christopher Swann, interests her in the cosy mystery world and also that of auto-fiction. Christopher is very concerned about a shadowy right wing think tank, The Processus Group which has links back to his days at Cambridge and in his blog he puts forward his conspiracy theories. He fears this group will have influence over the incoming and ultimately ill fated government of Liz Truss. Christopher will attend TrueCon, a right wing conference in order to pursue his story and hopefully reveal the groups real intentions. This is part state of the nation satire, part cosy mystery, part autofiction, all wrapped up in Coe’s bang on point humour whilst casting an incisive eye over the absurdity and havoc caused by the few weeks of the Truss regime.

Well, you’d think think this latest novel from Jonathan Coe would be a right old mess given the ambitious premise. It’s absolutely not but I think few writers could handle the concept with the aplomb of this author. He entertains me from start to finish, making me laugh out loud at some of the clever humour but also leaves you in no doubt of the sinister undertones. There’s quite a cast of characters yet I have no trouble distinguishing them at all. I love DI Prue Freeborn (so clever!) whose staying power is admirable and Phyl and Rashida, Christopher’s adopted daughter, who hang the whole thing together. There’s lively dialogue throughout with multiple colourful and highly entertaining scenes.

The book is very well crafted in several layers and I like how the author weaves actual events seamlessly into the narrative creating an air of authenticity. Conversely there’s a lot of mind bending so you aren’t sure what’s real and what’s not. There are twists and turns right to the very end. Is it sorted? Who knows.

I enjoy the spotlight on the influence of conservative elements especially that which emanates from elite universities and the impact they may or may not have on governments. The thrill when they think they have one in their own image in La Truss. Look how well that went. 🥬

I do find the constant repetition of See it, say it, sorted as tedious as the rail announcements which is probably the authors intention but it does get too much. It falls a bit flat in a couple of occasions but soon picks up again and then it dawns on the relevance of those sections.

Overall, it’s very engaging, quirky, satirical and funny novel which makes me think. Can’t be bad then!!


With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

After setting a previous novel, Middle England, against the turbulence of the EU Brexit referendum, Jonathan Coe’s latest novel is located during the short lived political regime of Liz Truss. It’s a strange read, flirting with notions of truth and reality, and contemplating life as fiction and, probably, fiction as life.

Looked at from one angle, it contains a number of different stories. There’s a cosy crime story, all little villages, aristocrats and Cotswolds. Then, there’s a rather unlikely memoir and, finally, an exercise in auto fiction or a conclusion to the novel – take your pick.

As well as featuring Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, the other element of stability in the novel is the University of Cambridge, where most of the central characters first crossed paths. It is a snobby privileged world and maybe the young Jonathan Coe struggled to fit in as well. It is also seen as a stronghold of right-wing opinion with clear links to government. Christopher Swann, a Cambridge graduate and one of the main characters in the novel, is an observer of right-wing tendencies in British society and comments on them in his blog. He comes to stay with Phyl’s parents on his way to a conference on Conservative thought, and she is worth a mention as her auto fiction contribution wraps up the story. Confusing isn’t it? Add in a case of stolen identity, murder and some odd coincidences and it’s hard to keep track of what is happening.

It’s a very clever novel playing with reality and genre along the way and funny as well as satirical. Jonathan Coe switches from cosy crime to Cambridge memoir without taking a breath while keeping the whole thing realistic and rooted.

So, what’s it about? There’s something here about the workings of the deep state and the innate conservatism of British society, driven by the most prestigious universities, elements of the media and the political class and then all wrapped together in self-perpetuating power. There’s also a commentary on fiction and the novel and how fiction now blurs with social media and assumed reality. Weirdly, you can say what you like on social media but novelists are quickly condemned for being inauthentic or giving offence to any group perceived as minority or disadvantaged.

Finally, if you want to really muddy the waters, there’s a book within the book entitled My Innocence, and a crucial mix-up between the proof and final copy of that work. Make of that what you will in terms of the title although it is unlikely that Jonathan Coe has ever murdered anyone!

In the end this is an excellent, absorbing and amusing novel. It’s a great read!