Baxter’s Requiem by Matthew Crow @matthewcrow @CorsairBooks @annecater #BaxtersRequiem #blogtour #bookreview #contemporaryfiction #romcom #RandomThingsTours

 

Baxter’s Requiem written by Matthew Crow, publisher Corsair (an imprint of Little, Brown Books) is available NOW in ebook, hardcover and paperback format.

The paperback is available from all good book retailers including Waterstones, WHSmith, Foyles and amazon.

To buy link: https://amzn.to/2ZrKu3O

Book Blurb

Mr Baxter is ninety-four years old when he falls down his staircase and finds himself resident at Melrose Gardens Retirement Home.
Baxter is many things – raconteur, retired music teacher, rabble-rouser, bon viveur; but ‘good patient’ he is not. Indeed, Melrose Gardens is his worst nightmare. Then he meets Gregory.
Greg is just nineteen years old, but he has already suffered a loss so heavy that he is in danger of giving up on life before he even gets going. Seeing the boy’s pain, Baxter decides to take him under his wing.
Together they embark on a spirited journey to the war graves of Northern France, for Baxter to pay tribute to the love of his life; the man he waved off to fight in a senseless war; the man who never returned.
As Baxter shares his memories, Gregory starts to see that life need not be a matter of mere endurance; that the world is huge and beautiful; that kindness is strength; and that the only way to honour the dead, is to live every last second we have while we’re here.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of the paperback version of Baxter’s Requiem by Matthew Crow.

Baxter’s Requiem is a precious story, one that needed to be told and one that I won’t forget in a long time.  This is my first introduction to the work of Matthew Crow and I couldn’t get enough of the story and I wanted to continue with the characters journeys.

I fell in love with Baxter, a cantankerous old man who had so much spark and spirit within him.  Baxter had been given a stark warning by his Dr and Baxter knew that it was time to put his mission into action.  A mission that he’s planned for a long time.  For Baxter was harbouring a deep loss within him and he wanted to make a momentous journey to pay his respects and say his farewells.

Greg is a sullen teenager that hasn’t been working at the care home for long.  Greg doesn’t know what he’s doing with his life, he turns up for work and goes home and that’s all he feels capable of.  Baxter has taken a shine to Greg, he sees a kinship in him and wishes to pass on some of the wisdom he has accrued to this young lad.  The kinship they share is of a grief that has evoked many conflicting emotions of anger, despair, loss and sadness.

The author Matthew Crow has created a fabulous character in Baxter, he’s very relatable but there’s something unique and special about him.  There were so many sharp-witted and warm-witted scenes with Baxter that had me hooting with laughter and filled me with joy.  This is quite a talent for an author to talk about loss and sadness but evoke so much love and spirit within the storyline.

Baxter’s Requiem is a remarkable beautiful story that is so tragic and poignant but there is an overwhelming uplifting feel throughout.  I loved it!

About the Author

Matthew Crow was born and raised in Newcastle. Having worked as a freelance journalist since his teens he has contributed to a number of publications including the Independent on Sunday and the Observer. He has written for adults and YA. His book My Dearest Jonah, was nominated for the Dylan Thomas Prize.

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/mattthewcrow

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2Uzy8mR