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120 ratings | 37 reviews | avg rating:4.55

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John Bowie

Goodreads Author

Born

in Northumberland, The United Kingdom

Website

https://author.johnbowie.co.uk/

Twitter

johnbowie

Genre

Fiction, Poetry, Contemporary

Influences

Charles Bukowski, Paul Auster, Graham Greene, J G Ballard, James Salli ...more

Member Since

June 2014

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/johnbowie

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John Bowie was born in Northumberland, Northern England.

He has published poems, novels and short stories. He studied in Salford, Greater Manchester in the 1990s. He lives in Bristol, U.K.

John is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bristol Noir.

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John Bowie’s books

Average rating: 3.94 · 233 ratings · 90 reviews · 14 distinct works • Similar authors

	Walking Towards the Noise 3.37 avg rating — 63 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Transference: Love + Hate in Rain City (Black Viking #2) 4.32 avg rating — 25 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Untethered (Black Viking #1) 4.50 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2017 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Weston-super-Nightmare 4.39 avg rating — 18 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dead Birds & Sinking Ships 4.53 avg rating — 15 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Untethered (Black Viking, #1) 3.88 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2018	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	TAINTED HEARTS & DIRTY HELLHOUNDS: Bristol Noir Anthology 1 (Bristol Noir: Anthologies) by John Bowie (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Alpheus Williams, Andrew Davie (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2021 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tears of Love, Smiles of Indifference 3.06 avg rating — 17 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	SAVAGE MINDS & RAGING BULLS: Bristol Noir Anthology 2 (Bristol Noir: Anthologies) by John Bowie (Goodreads Author) (Editor), M.E. Proctor (Goodreads Author), Mark Atley 3.67 avg rating — 12 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Viking: [ The Jungle Turned Black ] 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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John Bowie's Blog

Cattle by Frank Jones

"Anyone biting?” I went to Joe Jackson between bench-presses. He’d just got off the horn. “Everyone and his sister’s dry. There’s nought gear in this whole fucking town.” I slung my hood over my head. I’d taken to wearing the hoodie to the gym so that I didn’t have to watch the meat being carved off my bones in every reflection. “You try Derek?” I went. I was buggering about with some piss-ant du Read more of this blog post »

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Published on August 14, 2026 03:38

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Series by John Bowie

Black Viking (2 books)
by

John Bowie (Goodreads Author)

4.40 avg rating — 47 ratings

John is Currently Reading

John Bowie is currently reading

Scorched (The Juniper Series)

by Ross Jeffery (Goodreads Author)

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Jan 12, 2023 08:31AM

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A Kestrel for a Knave

by Barry Hines

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Oct 07, 2022 09:13AM

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Owls of the Eastern Ice: The Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl

by Jonathan C. Slaght (Goodreads Author)

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Mar 04, 2022 02:59PM

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John’s Recent Updates

John Bowie wrote a new blog post Graham’s Boy by Frank Jones Graham’s boy, Cain, had blonde curtains and blue eyes and never seemed to get older than about ten years old. It was like he was stuck at that age, an Read more of this blog post »
Aug 14, 2026 05:01AM · like
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing The Jellybean Detective Club by Ian Slatter (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Max and Maisie Morse might look like ordinary eleven-year-olds, but around the small town of Chadmouth they’re known as the Jellybean Detective Club. Across ten short cases — from missing test papers to stolen snowboards and mysterious gifts — the tw ...more
Mar 04, 2026 11:38AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Jellybean Detective Club by Ian Slatter. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Jellybean Detective Club by Ian Slatter <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing She Can Only Marry a Dragon: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Kristina Kamaeva (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Fairy tales with a modern bite and a touch of mischief, She Can Only Marry a Dragon feels like a much-needed cosy escape and a touch of warmth on these chilly rainy nights. Kamaeva threads Russian cultural flavour through these stories, giving the co ...more
Feb 16, 2026 08:50AM · 1 like · like · see review
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing Belly of Salt: A Sci-Fi Space Opera of Military Mechs, Survival, and Rebellion by T.S. Chalk (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Fast-paced, explosive start, totally immersive, and an escapist sci-fi tech thriller blast to the core.
Jan 30, 2026 05:00AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Belly of Salt by T.S. Chalk. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Belly of Salt by T.S. Chalk <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing Love in Rosewood Hollow: Book 1 of the Rosewood Hollow Series. A spicy small-town romance with heart, heat, and healing. by Angie Nel (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
If you like your romances cosy, atmospheric and a bit steamy, this delivers. Rosewood Hollow feels like the sort of tucked-away Irish haven you stumble on once and never want to leave again. Warming crackling fires, cinnamon in the air, and a bakery ...more
Jan 23, 2026 03:37AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Love in Rosewood Hollow by Angie Nel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Love in Rosewood Hollow by Angie Nel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing Bring Hell: A Western Revenge Thriller (Hellfire Plains Book 1) by John Bowie	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2026 02:22AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Bring Hell by John Bowie. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Bring Hell by John Bowie <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
John Bowie liked D.H. Schleicher's review of Bring Hell: A Western Revenge Thriller (Hellfire Plains Book 1): "Bring Hell by John Bowie continues my reading kick where I am specifically looking for fast-paced indie books outside of my normal wheelhouse. When I saw the cover and read the description of this novella, I was eager to pick it up as it’s been a lon" Read more of this review »
Jan 21, 2026 02:22AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Bring Hell by John Bowie. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Bring Hell by John Bowie <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing Nine Steps From The Tree by Amanda Tams (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nine Steps From The Tree is a tense, woodland-soaked mystery that begins with a spoiled only child named Amy, an explosive argument, and a disappearance that freezes a family in unfinished grief. Years later, her father vanishes on the anniversary of ...more
Jan 18, 2026 01:58AM · 2 likes · like · see review
John Bowie liked We Love Books's review of Transference: A brutal and lyrical Manchester crime thriller (John Black 2): "Transference by John Bowie is a raw and compelling crime thriller that leans heavily into atmosphere, psychology, and emotional weight. Set against the gritty backdrop of Manchester, the story feels grounded and lived-in, with a tone that is both bru" Read more of this review »
Jan 12, 2026 04:05AM · see review
John Bowie rated a book it was amazing The Hermit: A tale of survival and love in the Irish wild by Martina O'Leary (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This novel drew me straight in from the opening page. It’s concisely written yet rich with emotion, springboarding from a heartfelt and touching place into the wilds of Ireland, where it charts a deeply affecting personal journey. The first-person in ...more
Jan 12, 2026 02:26AM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Hermit by Martina O'Leary. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Hermit by Martina O'Leary <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of John's books…

Quotes by John Bowie (?)

“I open the toilet door and step out, my internal fire re-stoked, ready to face my demons, fight if need be and win. I’m raging, focused like a jungle warrior after his second bowl of tiger-cock soup.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, bristol-noir, crime-fiction, crime-noir, dirty-realism, john-bowie, manchester, noir, untethered

3 likes

“The bed lets out a slight gasp of air from the mattress like an old cat fart, but it looks like she’s too caught up in herself to notice.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, bristol-noir, crime-fiction, crime-noir, dirty-realism, manchester, noir, thrller

3 likes

“Like a piss-soaked butterfly emerging from a cocoon, I push on over the bridge feeling like I’m establishing my transformation into my true self.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, bristolnoir, clubbing, john-bowie, manchester, untethered-quote

2 likes

See all John Bowie's quotes »

John’s Quotes

“We were all puppets of someone in a self-perpetuating circle of pollutants, violence and hedonistic escapism.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, bristol-noir, clubbing, crime-fiction, john-bowie, manchester, noir, untethered

1 likes

“And like a fool, here I am again, lapping at the beast’s teats like a true fool, laying my head in the lion’s mouth as I hit it on the arse with a big stick.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, crime-fiction, crime-noir, john-bowie, manchester, untethered

0 likes

“Like a piss-soaked butterfly emerging from a cocoon, I push on over the bridge feeling like I’m establishing my transformation into my true self.”
― John Bowie, Untethered

tags: bristol, bristolnoir, clubbing, john-bowie, manchester, untethered-quote

2 likes

tags: bristol, bristol-noir, crime-fiction, crime-noir, dirty-realism, john-bowie, manchester, noir, untethered

3 likes

“The room buzzes around us but we’re fixed on each other, engaged in a battle of who can deprecate me more. She obviously doesn’t believe such a man can exist and keeps at it, prodding and goading me like a fisherman harpooning an already beached whale.”
― John Bowie, Untethered