Boo

Instantly charming, never predictable, quietly profound—Boo is both literarily and literally haunting and, in the end, devastating.

Bryan Lee O'Malley, author of Seconds and the Scott Pilgrim series

Part murder mystery, part existential adventure, Boo is an utter charm-bomb of a novel. Neil Smith’s version of the sweet hereafter shows not only that heaven can be hell, but answers the eternal question of whether it’s better to be dumber with friends or smarter without.

Zsuzsi Gartner, author of Better Living Through Plastic Explosives

Neil Smith has created a heaven where the sadness and triumph of life aren’t flattened or diminished but heightened and intensified. Just like you always suspected it would be. Boo is sad, beautiful, heartbreaking and impossible to put down.

Andrew Kaufman, author of All My Friends Are Superheros and Born Weird

Boo is an astoundingly original novel and Neil Smith's take on the afterlife is convincing, moving, and often funny as hell. A vision equal parts Murakami and South Park.

Emily Schultz, author of The Blondes

Who knew heaven could be so funny, so perilous, so exquisitely alive? Boo is a work of singular genius: an adventure story, a mystery and a profound meditation on childhood, lost innocence and the power of friendship to save our lives—and afterlives. I believe in Neil Smith’s heaven, with all my heart.

Jessica Grant, author of Come, Thou Tortoise

The novel is alive from the outset. Town is a captivating landscape, far away from Hollywood notions of heaven…Magical in its setting and plot, there is also a strong element of fable to the book.

Irish Times

The literary sleeper hit of the summer…Part-mystery, part-coming-of-age story with elements of Lord Of The Flies and The Lovely Bones, it’s becoming one of those word-of-mouth titles that will suddenly be everywhere…It’s brave and unusual and warm and funny and heartening and heartbreaking.

Stylist

[A] funny, dark, disarming novel.

Sunday Express

[Boo] brims with vitality…Original, wickedly funny and avoiding overt sentimentality, Smith’s writing is consistently assured.

Financial Times

Affecting and thought provoking…Boo is an unusual and surprising novel that should spark plenty of debate.

The Herald

[A] darkly whimsical debut.

Shortlist

[A] touching, whimsical novel.

Grazia

I have not experienced the kind of satisfaction that I felt on finishing Boo in a long, long time. Here, thought I, is a perfectly constructed tale that is expertly paced, filled with authentic characters.

The Bookshelf Gargoyle

A heartwarming story about reconciliation and acceptance…Boo is a charming novel that takes a devastating event and turns it into a memorable and thought-provoking journey towards forgiveness, understanding and friendship.

Culture Fly

[I have] fallen in love with its charm, fun and subtle eloquence.

The Book Bag

It’s devastating but heartwarming at the same time…I would highly recommend Boo to anyone who is looking for a story about teens told in an adult fashion… The characters are very genuine and relatable and the plot is perfect for anyone who wants a story that is simultaneously tragic and uplifting.

ShowMeSomethingDifferent.com

A very sweet, touching novel about growing up, owning up to your actions, and learning to forgive, told in an extremely original setting. .. Boo's unique voice and views on life had me laughing at some points, and deeply moved at others. Half Lord of the Flies, half old-fashioned mystery thriller, one could easily imagine this book becoming ingrained in American culture in the future. Definitely worth a read.

David Turbay Blog

compellingly original…it’s a dark premise but there’s also plenty of wit and humour

Big Issue in the North

Boldly imaginative … Smith has a sure touch and in Boo he has succeeded in creating a memorably offbeat and drily witty protagonist.

Mail on Sunday

An imaginative and engaging novel.

The Herald

A great idea for a mystery story, superbly done

Evening Standard