Where to Start with Christopher Shevlin
For the best reading experience, you should start with Shevlin's debut novel, The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax. This book introduces Jonathon, a painfully polite and socially awkward Englishman who accidentally stumbles into a murder investigation and a massive conspiracy. Beginning here allows you to fully experience the character's growth and understand his relationships with recurring characters like Rachel, Lance, and Piper.
The Jonathon Fairfax Series in Publication Order
The core of Christopher Shevlin's fictional universe is the Jonathon Fairfax series. The books follow a chronological timeline and are best read in the order they were published:
- The Perpetual Astonishment of Jonathon Fairfax (2012): The novel that started it all. Jonathon tries to help a stranger and accidentally assists a murderer, sparking a chaotic chain of events.
- Jonathon Fairfax Must Be Destroyed (2017): The sequel sees Jonathon trying to live a quiet life, only to get dragged into a massive corporate conspiracy involving a mysterious energy drink.
- The Spy Who Came in from the Bin (2020): This third installment takes place in Berlin. Jonathon wakes up inside a garbage bin with amnesia, running from CIA operatives and assassins while his friends search for him.
- The Fairfax Redemption (2024): In this fourth adventure, Jonathon discovers that the murderer from the first book is being released from prison. Fearing revenge, his investigation leads him from local North London politics to a mysterious chicken shop.
Standalone Satirical Fiction
In addition to his main series, Shevlin has written a standalone novella that showcases a slightly different side of his comedic talent:
- The Pursuit of Coconuts (2022): This satirical fable follows Peter, who wakes up on a tropical island with no memory of his identity, alongside a group of others in the same situation. Equipped with identical clothing and tools, they are left to solve the island's mystery and answer the central question: "How many coconuts does a person actually need?"
Christopher Shevlin's Non-Fiction Works
Before achieving success as a novelist, Shevlin wrote professional guides focused on communication and corporate writing:
- A Simple Guide to Email (2002): An early guide written to help professionals handle digital correspondence.
- Writing for Business (2005): Published by Penguin, this book distills Shevlin's professional experience as a writing trainer into actionable advice for business environments.
What to Know Before You Start
Shevlin's comedic fiction is heavily influenced by legendary humorists like P.G. Wodehouse, Douglas Adams, and Tom Sharpe. Readers who enjoy dry, absurd British humor and heartwarming character interactions will find themselves right at home. While the author has stated that the Jonathon Fairfax books can technically be read out of order or as standalones, following the publication order ensures you do not miss references to past plots and the evolving relationship dynamics between Jonathon and his circle of friends.