Oakham-based author Laz Newton's debut novel 'Finch's Arms' is a dark and perverse comedy examining the dark underworld of fame and celebrity. 

Launched on 20 October, Laz Newton tells the story of Danny Finch, a middle-aged man stuck in a dead-end job whose life completely changes when he wakes up one morning having grown a second pair of arms. 

Despite the book being built around an absurd concept of growing extra arms, the book remains a critical and cutting commentary on fame, power and celebrity. 

Danny Finch fantasises about opening up a bar somewhere sunny and escaping from his monotonous life and when his second pair of arms are spotted by a talent agency, he finds his dream might be just in his reach. 

However, Danny's life quickly descends into chaos and uncertainty when he accidentally witnesses something he shouldn't have, leaving him fighting with his own dreams and forced to weigh up doing what's right, and what is right for him. 

With a similar pessimism and discontented nature as Winston from 1984, Danny is an interested protagonist – often unlikeable but essentially very human. 

Finch's Arms is a fascinating story that uses the lens of dark comedy to examine and criticise fame and celebrity while maintaining a feeling realism and relatability that made the second half of the book difficult to put down. 

'Finch's Arms' is being published by Burton Mayers Books and is available to order on Amazon.   

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Laz has already begun work on her second novel, this time a thriller. You can keep up to date with her work, read her short stories and find out more by visiting her website.