Memoir of a secret obsession.
A darkly comic true story about obsessive infatuation, revealing the depths to which people can sink, before they realise they’re in too deep…
For years, all Charlie Mellor wanted was to meet the alluring Pennie Fenton. Unfortunately for him, this wish came true. Captivation with the corrupting Miss Fenton soon developed into an overpowering obsession which sent his life spiralling out of control and jeopardised everything he held dear.
It was because of Miss Fenton that he lost touch with his family and friends, got involved with the occult, upset members of the Greek Underworld and even volunteered one of his own fingers to be crushed by a sadistic stranger. Before he could free himself from her curious charms, he would need to acknowledge her real identity and expose the deep, dark secret she had kept hidden from him. Only then, would he find the courage to rebuild himself through a bizarre appearance on national television, where in front of millions of viewers, he would abandon all dignity and reveal the full extent of his downfall.
** Appeared in both the Amazon top 5 memoir listings and top 25 humour listings.
** London Book Fair Litfactor Finalist.
‘Mellor writes with a deft hand, his comedy has a light, wry touch, combined with a self-depreciating sense of irony that is utterly endearing’ - Alan Strong, US book blogger.
‘Slow burning, quirky and surprisingly touching’.
Charlie Mellor was born in Lancashire in the UK, loves spicy fajitas, stand-up comedy and vinyl. He now lives in Lincolnshire with his wife and four children. Prior to his current job in training and development, he worked in the publishing industry for a while, designing headlines for regional newspapers.
He would like it known that he no longer sees Pennie Fenton. She is not welcome at his house or in the general proximity of anyone he cares about. Because of her legacy, he has reluctantly been forced to change the names of many people in this book – in order to place them outside Pennie Fenton’s circle of influence. While it has taken Charlie until now to build up sufficient courage to admit to others that he knew her well; he can appreciate that many of his friends remain incredibly uncomfortable with such a declaration. He understands that for some, the cost of such a disclosure, would, even in these enlightened times, be far too great.
Website: www.comicmemoir.com
Apparently misery loves company, yet here Charlie was spending most of his time on his own. Friendships invariably took second place to Pennie by this stage and many of the more fragile relationships with old mates had already been broken.
Book Excerpt
Drowning in the Shallow End
Wilting on the shabby futon night after night, I’d
plummet into gormless stagnation, waiting for some kind of
intervention which might change the situation I was in. Dependent
on something I despised, I failed to appreciate that the change I
desired, was the one I had to make.
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