Please note that this title is currently out of stock but is available for pre-order. While we don’t have an exact publishing date yet, it is expected to be available within approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
£9.50
A retired banker’s quiet life shatters when he’s dragged into infamy as a scandalous gigolo. In the historic city of Bath, reputations crumble under the ruthless power of AI, social media, and cyber deception.
Sharp, darkly comic, and full of unexpected twists, The Gentleman of Bath exposes the weaponization of technology and the chaos unleashed when private lives become public spectacles.
Dive into a biting satire where trust is hacked, secrets are currency, and nothing is as innocent as it seems.
Discover the inspiration behind the novel—read the exclusive Foreshore interview with the author now.
SIMON LAMOON is an English novelist and satirist who writes under the pseudonym H. H. BARD. In a long career in the IT and finance industries, he’s worked as a designer of fraud prevention and anti-money laundering systems, among other things.
| 5 star | 61% | |
| 4 star | 38% | |
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Shaun Raper –
A thoroughly enjoyable read, with a very believable plot and excellent authentic characterisation. The story reminded me of Tom Sharpe’s Blott on the Landscape in the way that the characters get drawn into an ever evolving story and how they are all entwined and have a great part to play. The satirical element is played very well without feeling the need for cheap laughs. I would highly recommend The Gentleman of Bath, and I look forward to future books from this author
Angélica Gómez Roig (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The plot is exceptionally well developed, and the author’s descriptions of the characters and situations paint a vivid and realistic picture of every scene. The story gives you a really interesting look into the world of cyber criminals, but it also talks about things like home security, retirement, and relationships. I liked how the author mixes all these topics with everyday problems, which makes the book easy to relate to and gets you thinking.
One of the things that I also enjoyed is the reviews from the characters at the end of the book—they genuinely made me smile. As a Spanish speaker, I found the language easy to follow, and reading it has certainly helped me to broaden my vocabulary. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and insightful read, and I am very much looking forward to future books from this author.
Eíbhlín Inglesby (verified owner) –
A fast paced and very funny read. The characters are very skilfully drawn in what appears to be an imaginative satire but which depicts, with considerable accuracy, the potential for ‘ reality ‘ to be manipulated by the machinations of unseen puppet masters. I loved the resolution which reorders ‘reality’ to a certain extent but leaves lots of possible openings. Can’t wait for a sequel!
Natalie Leons –
A really interesting and enjoyable read. Got my copy from the publisher’s book club list. Read it over a weekend. Loved the story and the writing. I won’t forget it. Some stuff close to home! Beware social media and narcissistic ex’s!
Francesca Pesioro –
A good novel. Well written and a unique plot. And realistic – this could happen to anyone, I guess. Really enjoyed it. Would recommend. Thanks to the publisher for the book club copy.
Alison Davenport –
Our book club found The Gentleman of Bath to be a gripping contemporary novel that cleverly explores the chaos unleashed in Richard Hoy’s life after retirement. The story’s sharp dive into the dark side of social media and artificial intelligence felt incredibly relevant, sparking deep conversation about technology’s impact on personal privacy and trust. The author’s skillful portrayal of Richard’s unraveling life made for plenty of reflection and lively debate.
Mavis Sharpe –
This book was a rollercoaster! Richard feels like such an unlucky character—you just wanted to shake him at times. The whole Bath Sharpe Quartet and AI subplot was surprisingly dark, and it made the story way more interesting than your usual drama. Our book club had lots to say about how tech messes with people’s lives, and this book nailed that perfectly.
Betty Shaw –
I really enjoyed The Gentleman of Bath! Richard Hoy’s life falling apart after retirement was both tragic and kinda funny in parts. The way his wife’s scheming sparks so much chaos made it a gripping read. The mix of AI and social media running under the story gave it a very modern feel that kept me thinking about how we interact with technology every day. I am a member of Foreshore’s book club.
Samantha Taylor –
The Gentleman of Bath was a solid read. I liked how it wasn’t just about one guy’s bad luck but also explored the scary side of social media and AI. It felt very real—like we could all be swept into Richard’s mess if we’re not careful. The story kept me hooked from start to finish, and it was fun to chat about all the twists with the book club.
Jane Norris –
What stood out most for me in The Gentleman of Bath was the unexpected mix of everyday life with big themes like AI and social media’s dark side. Richard getting caught up in his wife’s mess made for some tense moments, but it was easy to connect with him. The book sparked some interesting talks in our group about trust, privacy, and how technology can mess with everything.
Pauline Sidebotham –
I received a copy of this book from the publisher’s book club. I found it really engaging—Richard’s retirement turning into chaos was both sad and intense. The way the book ties in AI and social media felt very relevant today. Happy to recommend this novel. A good read.
Pauline Rogers-Smithfield –
This book was an enjoyable thought-provoking read. Richard’s story and the whole Bath Sharpe Quartet subplot kept me curious all the way through. Super fun and super page turning! Thanks to Foreshore’s book club list for the review copy.
Roberta Edwards –
I found The Gentleman of Bath really engaging—Richard’s retirement turning into chaos was both sad and intense. The way the book ties in AI and social media felt very relevant today. Great choice for the book club!