Letters to the Editor

I found the description for ‘Letters To the Editor’ by Mo McDonald to the intriguing – during the glory days of the television presenter in 1980s, Jack Kelly was a celebrity broadcaster and novelist. It was commonplace for Jack to receive fanmail but a letter from fan Marian Davis, caught his attention and so begins a relationship conducted via mail and television where Jack cruelly attempts to manipulate Marian through this editing of his tv show. His behaviour comes back to haunt Jack several decades later when Marian’s granddaughter discovers their letters and the story goes viral on social media.
There is a strong focus on the psychological aspect to the story and while understandable as this forms a central component of the story, I found that the author dwelt of this topic for too long and neglected the actual movement of the storyline.
I did enjoy the ending though (no spoilers!)
Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Plenty to like here. Though something holds it back from being great, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. One for your TBR pile.

In mo McDonald's Letter to the Editor Jack Kelly is a famous TV Broadcaster and author in the late 70's who finds an instant and mutual attraction to a married woman fan Marian Davies, who he's arranged a studio visit for after receiving a few fan letters. . Married himself Jack embarks on a psychological and philosophical experiment with the ,at first, unsuspecting Marian. A rather unpleasant and narcissistic character Jack learns the truth behind "be careful what you wish for" as his plotting and scheming has drastic results for both of them. 30 years later he is due to leave for a America and a prestigious TV show when he receives a letter from Marian..
It took me a while to get into this book but it was worth persevering with. It's told from the perspectives of both main characters and at first I was a bit bemused that they appeared to be almost the same person,but if I've got it right that was the whole point. The sense of period is well presented with contemporary events such as the election of Margaret Thatcher used to show the exact timing of the protagonist's correspondence and Marian's frustration with being a housewife but wanting more while not wanting to affect her marriage. drives her on. Jack is not a very pleasant character who likes to be in control but finds the whole experiment backfires badly as he discovers things about himself and his life he'd rather not have. Quite a cerebral read i'd guess it's not for the general reader as getting your head around some of the philosophical elements is a struggle for us non-intellectuals but they're an integral part of the story. A good read,if not an easy one, a bit "wordy" in places but ultimately satisfying.

Thanks to Mo McDonald, Troubador Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Letters To The Editor is a very old-fashioned book - both in the good and in the bad sense of that. Very slow, very character-driven, very... last century romantic. I strongly believe that many people would really enjoy the story, especially with its charming epistolary style, but it definitely is not everybody's cup of tea. This book was graciously provided to me for a review by Troubador Publishings.

Jake Kelly is a famous TV broadcaster in the 1980s who one day finds a letter from a woman named Marian Davies in his pile of fan mail.

Their attraction is mutual, and Jake arranges for a studio visit to meet her, and maybe more. Of course both Jake and Marian are married to other people but that doesn’t stop Jake from wanting to embark on a “social experiment” which has terrible consequences for both of them.

Fast forward 30 years, and just as he is preparing for a new show in America, Marian reappears and shares their story on social media. By why?

Letters to the editor is a clever novel that juxtaposes the various realities of people in Britain throughout the various decades of recent history. Those feeling nostalgic of the 1980s or who are perhaps curious about them are in luck, as the book contains an excellent description of the various political and socioeconomic events of the decade.

The story is told from two different points of view: Jake’s and Marian’s, who ponder philosophically about the different realities they are living.

An excellent, cerebral read that will wrap your senses and which you will not want to put down!

Disclosure: I would like to thank NetGalley and Matador for a copy of Letters to the Editor by Mo McDonald. This is my honest review.

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With thanks to Troubador Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jack Kelly is a major celebrity, best selling novellist and major TV star. He has a great love of Psychology.
Back in his 1980's heyday he is contacted by a a fan, Marian Davies. all she is looking for is a word from someone she greatly admires.
Using tecniques learned from his Psycology heroes, Jack then carries out a major Psychological experiment at a distance. Using his TV show and novels he sends subliminal messages to Marian and manipulates her to change her life and head in new directions. This is carried out over 3 or 4 years.
Along the way Jack gets caught up and not everything goes according to his elaborately laid plan.


An entirely unique book, to my knowledge anyway.

I was close to giving up part way through due to my lack of knowledge in the field, there was times I was confused and found some of the psycology a bit over my head but I'm glad I persevered for the pay off. I really did end up enjoying the book immensley.