The News Where You Are by Catherine O’Flynn is a bittersweet, sharply observed novel that blends humour, poignancy, and a thoughtful meditation on loss. From the prize-winning author of What Was Lost, this captivating story follows Frank, a well-meaning but awkward local TV news presenter in England, who finds himself increasingly preoccupied by the absences in his life.
As Frank navigates the routine absurdities of regional news stories, he’s haunted by unresolved mysteries: the unexplained hit-and-run that claimed his predecessor Phil Smethway, the neglected deaths of lonely strangers in the city, and the slow erasure of his father’s post-war architecture. At home, he contends with a persistently gloomy mother, whose emotional distance casts a long shadow over his own sense of belonging.
Darkly comic and deeply moving, The News Where You Are is a tender, uplifting novel that finds warmth and humour in unexpected places. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with heart, wit, and sharp social observation.
