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How To Break Bad News
How To Break Bad News
Nov 14, 2025 7:29 PM

Author:Tim Molloy

How To Break Bad News

Dumped by his activist girlfriend when he won’t commit to her brand of idealism, reporter Scott Thomas sets out to prove his own dedication to do-gooding. He goes undercover at a fast-food Mexican restaurant where he hopes to lay blame for workplace abuses on the chain’s owner, the next secretary of labor.

But instead of revealing corporate wrongdoing, Scott’s hidden camera captures his own ineptitude – and his confused flirtation with Maria, a single mom who works the counter. Not sure if he’s out to do good or just impress, Scott vows to save Maria from their boss’s sexual harassment. But Maria may not be the one who needs saving.

Darkly funny and deeply entertaining, How to Break Bad News looks at a man trying to change the world without changing himself.

Reviews

This novel is for fans of mind games, rebels, heartache and intrigue.

—— USAToday.com

A gripping Romeo-and-Juliet exploration of deception, espionage, revolution, the greater good and love conquering all—with the aid of magical green lights and a peculiar little locket.

—— Kirkus reviews

The story flames up into cinematic and fiery battles that promise sequels. Class issues and an important election are primary themes, giving this dystopian adventure debut immediate ties to the present.

—— Booklist Online

This gripping novel is a powerful, sensual story of forbidden love fighting to survive in the face of corruption, cruelty, deception and political intrigue.

—— Booktrust

Taut and beautiful poems.

—— Edna O'Brien , Guardian

Brave, generous and very moving.

—— Mark Sanderson , Sunday Telegraph

[It] amazed me...great, heartfelt, monumental book.

—— Toby Litt , New Statesman

Each image of Sharon Olds' searing Stag's Leap brands itself on retina and heart - how will I ever forget the "Tiny Siren" found by accident in the washing machine?

—— Gerda Stevenson , Morning Star

The most powerful piece of writing I've encountered in decades... The raw emotion of break up transcends every known cliché thanks to her generosity of spirit and the awe-inspiring choreography of her language.

—— Laura George , Image Magazine

I read this poetry collection with my heart in my mouth.

—— Jamie Quatro , Guardian

I treasure this collection of poems: so beautiful, so personal, so revolutionary. Every time I return to this book I find a line, a stanza that I understand better, differently, appreciate just a little more.

—— Cherie Jones , Guardian

A devastating tale of subterfuge, poverty and privilege set in the cobbled streets of Victorian London.

—— Daily Record

Magnificent, bringing the Dickensian streets to grubby, teeming life

—— Eithne Farry , Daily Mail

Cements his reputation as an accomplished and challenging novelist… Though it takes place 130 years ago, the questions that The Streets poses about how, as a society and individuals, we tackle deprivation arguably remain just as pertinent

—— Peter Stanford , Independent

Quinn blends his history, his political concerns, his ideals, his plot and his characters elegantly, with a light hand and the pace of a thriller

—— Louisa Young , Daily Telegraph

Quinn’s most mature novel yet… His picture of poverty’s shaming, dehumanizing effect is powerful, and the recurrent call for pity heartfelt. Ms Eliot and Mr Dickens would surely approve

—— Holly Kyte , Sunday Telegraph

Anthony Quinn is a terrific storyteller. He has a thrilling knack for turning familiar periods of history into something surprising and often shocking, and for making the fortunes and misfortunes of his characters matter

—— Juliet Nicholson , Evening Standard

Displays the unsentimental yet powerful flair for romance that characterized his previous novel, Half of the Human Race. Perhaps most exciting of all, there is a sense that he is still writing within himself

—— Tom Cox , Sunday Times

Quinn brings the period in question vividly to life: his research is exemplary, and his subject absorbing

—— Lucy Scholes , Observer

All the ingredients of an upmarket page-turner

—— Max Davidson , Mail on Sunday

Ambitious, gripping and disturbingly well done

—— Kate Saunders , The Times

Beyond its splendid feel for the era’s chat and patter, the novel pits philanthropy and opportunism, ideals and selfishness, bracingly at odds

—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent

This novel is refreshingly different and contains a cornucopia of wonderful material and evocative descriptions

—— Good Book Guide

The best book I’ve read in ages… You have to read it.

—— Hilary Rose , The Times
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