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Guy A Johnson
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doG Backwards: 2020 Edition Kindle Edition

by Guy A Johnson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 out of 5 stars 178 ratings
doG Backwards is Guy A Johnson's debut novel.

'Really liked! V interesting, gripping and unusual!' - Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of 'Little Face' and 'Kind of Cruel.'

doG Backwards is the story of six lives that come together through an unimaginable opportunity: to meet with the dead for just one hour.
Michael works in an office and is mourning the loss of his five-year-old daughter, Milly.
Barbara has her own cleaning company and the death of her stepfather, Eric, hangs heavy on her conscience.
Connor is ten and, despite having the love of his aunt and uncle, still misses his mother, who has been dead for over a year.
Liam lives in his big family home all by himself, where he hides from his past and yearns for the return of his mother, father and sister, all of whom are gone for good.
Shelley, friend and lover to Liam, also has her losses, but keeps these a secret from him.
Their reactions are very different. Michael’s is very positive: he simply cannot believe his luck. The others, however, do not react in the same way: Shelley is disgusted, Barbara cannot face making a decision and ten-year-old Connor simply doesn’t understand.
There are further complications. Michael has to consider his estranged wife, Susan: she has not been chosen for the program. Barbara discovers the experience is likely to leave her penniless. Connor has not only lost his mother, but also his father. So he is faced with a dilemma that no ten-year-old boy should ever have to face: which one to choose?
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  1. Print length
    330 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    26 Dec. 2013
  5. File size
    957 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007V3CZEI
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 26 Dec. 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 957 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 178 ratings

About the author

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Guy A Johnson

Guy A Johnson

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Guy A Johnson is the author of eight novels and lives in London, England.

'Back to the Old House', 'White Goods' and its sequel 'Mother Stands for Comfort' are best described as dark, domestic crime fiction.

'doG Backwards' is a standalone novel that deals with loss in a unique way - six characters get the chance to meet with the dead for one hour. The psychological crime fiction writer Sophie Hannah described it as 'unusual, gripping.'

'Submersion' and 'Enclosure', Part I and II, are part of a series - a dystopian thriller set in a devastated, drowned city.

'Down in the Park' - the sequel to 'Back to the Old House' - is available from 25 September 2020.

Find him on Twitter: @guyajohnson

Follow him on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guyjohnsontheUKauthor

Read his blog at: http://bookbloke.net/

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
178 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written with a fascinating premise and clever plot. The characters are developed brilliantly throughout the novel, and customers appreciate its emotional depth, particularly its great exploration of grief. Customers describe the book as thought-provoking, with one review noting its interesting take on delicate subjects.

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36 customers mention ‘Story quality’30 positive6 negative

Customers find the book's premise fascinating and appreciate its clever plot, with one customer noting how it kept them engaged until the end.

"...premise of this excellent novel mixed in with some good old fashioned suspense story telling...." Read more

"...There are mysteries to be solved and more than one surprise in the truths that are gradually revealed...." Read more

"...As I said, the story is a terrific idea and I really liked the premise a great deal but at some point it went from enjoyment to a chore for me and..." Read more

"...I have to admit I read this through to 99% thinking what an original idea, even though I was deeply suspicious that there was some deep bible..." Read more

33 customers mention ‘Readability’29 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging, describing it as a great first novel.

"...This is the premise of this excellent novel mixed in with some good old fashioned suspense story telling...." Read more

"A highly impressive debut novel that explores the impact of grief and the way it affects our relationships with others...." Read more

"Loved this debut novel by a truly gifted author. The premise was one that immediately appealed to me and I wondered how he'd deal with it...." Read more

"...it you like a read that plays with your noodle then this is a good book for you and I have downloaded this authors other books as I am intrigued..." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Character development’16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book, noting how the characters are built up brilliantly throughout the novel, with one customer highlighting the seamless connections between them.

"...The characters are built up throughout the novel brilliantly with each of their stories developing in twists and turns...." Read more

"...The well individualised characters, their sad pasts, varied aspirations and complex inner lives are gradually revealed to us through interactions,..." Read more

"...The characters were engaging and the writing beautifully conveyed their lives, losses and the situations they found themselves in...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the compelling drawing in of the characters and how their lives entwined, the premise of meeting up with dead connections gave it a..." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer particularly appreciating its interesting take on a delicate subject and another noting how the lives of characters became intertwined.

"...The story is quietly gripping and at times deeply moving...." Read more

"...did, the individual tales of loss ad grief were in some ways quite uplifting, for me though all the different ideas just became a mess with too much..." Read more

"...of meeting up with someone who has passed away made for some very interesting debates after reading the book...." Read more

"...I thought this was highly original, and thought provoking, and I thought the characters were well fleshed out, I did care what happened to them...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Emotional depth’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, particularly its great exploration of grief.

"...A great exploration of grief and the effects of loss. I loved this book and look forward to more from this author." Read more

"...The well individualised characters, their sad pasts, varied aspirations and complex inner lives are gradually revealed to us through interactions,..." Read more

"A well crafted, emotional story. My interest was held from the first page to the last...." Read more

"...a captivating story which is sad at times but thought provoking." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Richard Larkin
    5.0 out of 5 stars What would you do?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you had the chance to see a loved one who had passed away would you take it? This is the premise of this excellent novel mixed in with some good old fashioned suspense story telling. The characters are built up throughout the novel brilliantly with each of their stories developing in twists and turns.
    A great exploration of grief and the effects of loss. I loved this book and look forward to more from this author.
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  • N. Price
    4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and unusual exploration of grief
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A highly impressive debut novel that explores the impact of grief and the way it affects our relationships with others.

    The story is quietly gripping and at times deeply moving. A small cast of characters are offered the opportunity of meeting a lost loved one, a dead friend or relative, briefly and for one last time. The organisation making the offer is shadowy, the impact of this unforeseen and miraculous opportunity different in every case.

    The well individualised characters, their sad pasts, varied aspirations and complex inner lives are gradually revealed to us through interactions, conversations and memories that ring emotionally and often painfully true. There are mysteries to be solved and more than one surprise in the truths that are gradually revealed.

    I came to care very much about the people in this novel, and soon felt that I had met them somewhere, rather than just read about them in a book.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Lynda Kelly
    3.0 out of 5 stars Drop The Next One Into Me, First, Before Publication !!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I made it all the way through this book, unlike White Goods by this author, but, by god, it WAS a struggle !! I am staggered that it could be published with so many mistakes. He's done the hard part in creating the story, which is a fascinating one, but it's ruined by my needing to make notes all the time when I happen across another bloody error. I did have another by him downloaded but since these first 2 are in such a mess I've deleted it. I just can't face another like this. Such a shame as his ideas clearly appeal to me or I'd not bother in the first place. The idea behind this one in particular would make an intriguing series as well, both written and on TV.
    If he needs a proofreader I'd happily do it as opposed to publishing books like this and being damned. Seems such a waste.....and so much is basic schoolboy stuff, I think.
    There are missed out commas, speechmarks, apostrophes, fullstops for starters along with words missed out of sentences more than a couple of times like "Connor appeared take in each step." That in itself is sloppy enough but parka is not spelt Parker, its should be it's (more than once and also the other way around), In the least and not At the least was written, compliments is not spelt complements (more than once, too), larger should be lager, he used disbelieve and not disbelief, draw and not drawer, gravely and not gravelly, too and not to (which he did in White Goods as well), Maltesa and not Malteser, brought and not bought, connexion and not connection (!!), discomforting and not discomfiting and lead and not led !! That's a LOT of mistakes and I can't believe he doesn't have anybody to hand that would pick this lot out for him.
    He had this odd habit in this book of writing unfinished sentences as well. I only noticed as there were SO many and I didn't "get" this analogy at all, "....reminders of their lovely baby that danced around the house like a chain" and this sentence speaks for itself, "The security cameras, she notices, are her trained on her"......really ??
    As I said, the story is a terrific idea and I really liked the premise a great deal but at some point it went from enjoyment to a chore for me and only because of the awful presentation. Such a great shame.
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  • Sophie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this debut novel by a truly gifted author. The premise was one that immediately appealed to me and I wondered how he'd deal with it. He dealt with it brilliantly and I couldn't put the book down!

    The novel was moving, haunting, bitter-sweet and really well-written. The characters were engaging and the writing beautifully conveyed their lives, losses and the situations they found themselves in.

    The connections between the characters was seamless and did not feel at all contrived. This book deals with so many topics ....grief, loss, regrets, hope, and of course the huge questions...who would you want to see for one more hour, what will take place during that hour and is an hour really enough?

    I'm not going to carry on and give away too much but I highly recommend this book! Now off to read his next novel...am hooked!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Thomas Hardy
    2.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2012
    Verified Purchase
    doG Backwards
    I have to admit I read this through to 99% thinking what an original idea, even though I was deeply suspicious that there was some deep bible thumping message coming, it never did, the individual tales of loss ad grief were in some ways quite uplifting, for me though all the different ideas just became a mess with too much left unfinished, I wasn't expecting any great words of wisdom, but when I came to the extremely weak ending, leading abruptly into a sample of a story coming soon, I finally gave up, this is the first and only kindle book that I've only given two stars for so I really only can say
    Very Disappointing read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Peri
    4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, twisted and weird....in a good way.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have had this book for a while and had forgotten the synopsis but just picked it out of my books for the title. From the first page I was hooked. It is the kind of book I really wanted to finish but also didn't as it compelled and repulsed me a the same time - I see that as a positive thing.
    I enjoyed the compelling drawing in of the characters and how their lives entwined, the premise of meeting up with dead connections gave it a macabre level that kept you guessing and left you that way. I love a book that makes you think long after you finish it, this book didn't disappoint on that level at all. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars is that I would have liked a little more on the whys and hows of the organistion behind the letters.
    I think it you like a read that plays with your noodle then this is a good book for you and I have downloaded this authors other books as I am intrigued enough that I want to see what else he has dreamed up.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Elle Draper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely superb!
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book.. well... where do I start?

    I honestly can't say anything less than glowing about this super story. There are so many twists and turns, and it kept me guessing. I'd have been on the edge of my seat had this been a movie (hey - filmmakers... this would be a corker!).

    The characters all have depth... you're not having "heaven and hell" rammed down your throat - and it really makes you question yourself. It's not a horror... but it does have a level of creepiness.

    Absolutely superb, and I will be looking out for more by this obviously very talented writer.
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  • HomeDogBliss
    4.0 out of 5 stars Attracted by the title - stayed for the story
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 May 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was caught by the title, so read the summary, and then read the whole story. The characters, events and writing style held my attention. I cared about the characters and their individual stories. I was surprised when the individual stories connected. It left me wondering if there would be even more to the story.
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  • Connie Windon
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good read. Enjoyed the concept but sometimes found it ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Good read. Enjoyed the concept but sometimes found it hard to follow. However, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.
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  • Joe's Auntie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real story
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    An enthralling story, I found it hard to put down. Characters are interesting, and I found them true to life and I cared what happened to them. Guy Johnson does not patronise the reader - instead we are credited with being able to work out what is going on. The way the story unfolds is masterly, I loved realising what was happening....and I do not want to give too much away. This book is well written, and deserves a wider audience. It also left me thinking about the questions raised in the book, interesting!
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars easy to read in one day
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Definitely different, easy to read in one day. Enjoyed it.
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