The Last Tour of Archie Forbes

Returning from active service in Afghanistan, Archie’s life has fallen apart. Suffering from severe PTSD, he’s lost his job and his family and now he’s on the streets – desperately trying to cope in a hostile, austerity-strapped world that doesn’t understand the horror of war and the devastating effect it has on the mind. Archie has a chance to rebuild his life with his new exercise class, ironically called ‘Slim for Jesus’, until a friend goes missing and Archie, being the ‘local nut job’, is the prime suspect. This unforgettable book offers an utterly convincing (and often frightening) take on contemporary life, from the dislocated viewpoint of someone whose life is unravelling. With a dazzling portrayal of a deeply troubled man, this novel gets to the true nub of a condition often talked about but rarely considered in any great depth.

Reviews of The Last Tour of Archie Forbes

"It's one of the most engaging, powerful, original, heart-breaking books I've ever read." – Manda Scott; "Victoria Hendry brings us a novel for our time in which a yawning austerity culture threatens to swallow up even the brave. From front line to food bank, Archie Forbes leads us on a journey through the reality of Bedroom-tax Britain." – Dr Robin Hill, former editor of Life and Work magazine