J.P. Delaney Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Terry Williams Books

J.P. Delaney is a pseudonym of Ugandan born British author, Tony Strong who has also written highly popular novels under the pseudonym Anthony Capella. The author was born in 1962 though he went on to school at St Peter’s College, Oxford, from which he attained a First Class Honors Degree in English Literature. Publishing as Anthony Capella, his first novel, The Food of Love was named a Judy and Richard Summer Read in the United Kingdom. That the novel was translated into more than 19 languages all over the globe, speaks to its widespread popularity. His second novel, The Wedding Officer was also highly successful, going on to become an international bestseller. Both novels have been optioned for the big screen with The Wedding Officer set to be produced by New Line, while Warner has optioned The Food of Love. Between 2008 and 2012, he went on to write two more novels that made the Target Breakout Selection in America list and the WH Smith Read of the Week in the United Kingdom.

J.P. Delaney parents immigrated back to the United Kingdom when he was about a month old. At Oxford, he learned under Francis Warner the English poet and playwright who became his mentor and friend. After finishing his education, he proceeded to work for Ogilvy and Mather as an advertising copywriter. Ogilvy is the same company that had produced accomplished writers such as Fay Weldon and Salman Rushdie in the recent past. As such, and it was no surprise when Delaney joined the firm. Over the years working as an advertising copywriter, he has produced over thirty TV advertisements, which meant working with some of the top film producers in the UK and in the US. Some of his most recognizable campaigns include the American Express campaign, We Want You To Stay That Way campaign, and the critically acclaimed BUPA You’re Amazing campaign. He has also been the recipient of a BAFTA award for his campaign that was targeted at enhancing awareness about solvent abuse. His campaign has been deemed one of the very few campaigns that have had a measurable impact on the target population. As Tony Strong, he has published four highly popular novels that he published between 1999 and 2003. The 2003 published Tell Me Lies is soon to be adapted into a TV series by Granada Television under the name, Lie to Me. His 2001 published novel, Decoy has been acquired by Twentieth Century Fox and will soon be adapted into a movie by the same name.

For J.P. Delaney, writing under a pseudonym was a no brainer given the many advantages that this provides. For one thing, the pseudonym if chosen well makes it almost impossible to determine if the author is a man and woman thus making the novels appeal to a bigger audience. In a recent interview, Delaney asserted that many writers have assumed that he is a woman given his female perspectives. Similar to celebrated Emily Bronte who used to write under the masculine name Ellie Bell, it seems J.P. Delaney has taken it full circle. Delaney also believes that writing under a pseudonym ensures that you are writing under no expectations from fans who read earlier blockbusters. It is also easier to gauge fan response, as readers will be responding to the story rather than to a name.

In his first novel as J.P Delaney, he explores the deeply obsessive and weird psychology of minimalism that informs the KonMari and Kondo systems of organizing. An analysis of the novel shows a baffling trend as people increasingly tend towards possessions rather than humanism. For Delaney, the novel and its chief protagonist Edward Monkford speak to what is inside most of us. Most people are just driven by the desire to live a more beautiful or perfect life and believe that a place, a method, or even a diet could be how they do it. It is all human nature, but in The Girl Before, J.P is all about reminding us of what happens when one takes it too far as the chief protagonist does. As one of the characters in the book succinctly puts it while you can make it all tidy, it is impossible to get away from the mess that resides in your mind.

J.P Delaney’s novel opens with the line “Please make a list of everything you deem absolutely necessary to your life.” Monkford Edward, the landlord is a minimalist control freak that owns a high-tech townhouse that he leases to alluring young women, most of whom end up dead. While the house is a masterpiece of architectural brilliance, having a minimalist design of soaring ceilings, plate-glass, and pale stone, the owner retains full control. He has banned throw pillows, books, photos, personal effects or clutter in any form. In his rental application form, he insists that the applicant answers a set of morality related questions that are extremely odd and even downright intrusive. The house is not only intended to control, but also transform its occupants. For Emma and Jane, the latest applicants to pass the rigorous tenant interviews, they find themselves experiencing the same terrors, crossing paths with the same people, making the same choices, and following the same patterns that doomed the previous occupant. Cameras and sensors, regular inspections, and a cleaning service monitor compliance with the rules. Automation is the name of the game with the entire compound controlled by Housekeeper, an application that monitors and controls everything from internet access to shower pressure. Emma and Jane who have both suffered traumatic events in their lives believe that this is just the place to get back on their feet. Jane has had the tragedy of delivering a stillborn child, while Emma is recovering from a violent break in. The two narrate what it is to live in the house in alternating chapters, which seem to get weirder with each page.

2 Responses to “J.P. Delaney”

1. Michael J. Cloke: 5 years ago

   He lost me when he dismissed the Parthenon as dull. One Folgate Street is the epitome of repression and dullness. How curious. And how lacking in awareness.

   Reply
2. Norrine Thompson: 7 years ago

   The book starts out slowly and gets better at about page 50. Well done, Sir.

   Reply