Kenneth

Synopsis

A page-turning tale of fate, fortune, and far too much wine.

Freshly divorced and free from a loveless marriage, Kelly Coburn is finally enjoying life on her own terms: a quiet home, a ginger tomcat called Frank, and a daily dose of Pinot.

But when a chance discovery uncovers something strange in her late father’s affairs, Kelly’s peaceful existence is upended. As her past resurfaces in unexpected ways and her ex-husband reappears with a secret agenda, Kelly finds herself caught in a web of odd coincidences, low-level threats, and a mysterious stranger in a brown suit who knows far too much about her life.

The first time Kelly bumped into him, she brushed it off as coincidence. The second time was no accident. The third time, he dropped an impossible bombshell and left her with a head full of questions — Who is the mysterious man in the brown suit? What does he want from her? Is there any wine in the fridge?

As her life descends into chaos, Kelly’s questions lead her along a twisting path towards the truth — a truth she could never have imagined.

About This Book

Kenneth is a departure for Keith — a first-person novel written entirely from the perspective of a woman. Kelly Coburn is sharp, funny, and flawed, and her voice carries the book from the first page. It’s a story about fate, fresh starts, family secrets, and the strange forces that shape our lives — wrapped in a mystery that will keep you guessing until the final chapters.

The book blends women’s fiction with a thread of the unexplained. Kenneth himself — the enigmatic stranger in the brown suit — is in the same tradition as Keith’s other mysterious figures like Clement and Mungo Thunk: someone who appears in a person’s life at their lowest point and changes everything. But this is Kelly’s story, told in her voice, and it’s quite unlike anything else in Keith’s catalogue.

Who Is This Book For?

Kenneth appeals to readers who enjoy women’s fiction with a twist — stories with a strong, relatable female protagonist, a compelling mystery, and emotional depth. It’s a natural fit for book club readers and fans of authors like Marian Keyes, Jojo Moyes, and Dorothy Koomson.

If you enjoy novels about women navigating chaos with wit and resilience, where fate plays a hand and the ending makes you gasp, Kenneth is the book you didn’t know you were looking for. It’s also a perfect entry point for readers who don’t typically pick up books by male authors — Keith’s portrayal of Kelly is authentic, warm, and thoroughly convincing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kenneth part of a series?
No. Kenneth is a completely standalone novel with no connection to any of Keith’s other books or series.

Who is Kenneth?
That’s the question. Kenneth is a mysterious stranger who keeps appearing in Kelly’s life at pivotal moments. He knows things he shouldn’t know and makes claims that seem impossible. Working out who he is and what he wants is central to the story — and the answer isn’t what you’ll expect.

Is this similar to Keith’s other books?
It shares DNA with the Clement and Mungo Thunk books — all three feature enigmatic characters who enter someone’s life and change it. But Kenneth is told in first person from a woman’s perspective, which gives it a very different feel. It’s more intimate, more emotionally driven, and sits closer to women’s fiction than anything else Keith has written.

Is it funny?
Very. Kelly’s internal monologue is sharp, self-deprecating, and frequently hilarious. But the book also has genuine dramatic tension, family secrets, and emotional weight. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh on one page and well up on the next.

Who narrates the audiobook?
The audiobook is narrated by Rhonda Pownall and is available on Audible and other audiobook platforms.