The Beast | Alexander Starritt

The Beast

Accolades & Praise

• Razor-Sharp Satire: Hailed as a darkly funny and vivid anatomy of that most uncontrollable of large creatures, the British tabloid newspaper.
• Authentic Depiction: Delivers a pitch-perfect look at the blistering corporate culture and manic rivalries of modern media mechanics.

Extended Synopsis

Jeremy Underwood is a long-suffering subeditor on The Daily Beast, Britain's mightiest and most aggressive tabloid. Returning from holiday, he notices two burqa-clad figures lurking outside the paper's Kensington offices. With two male terrorism suspects having recently escaped from a mosque disguised as women, suspicion and fear have made everyone on edge. Jeremy's casual observation sets off a rapidly escalating chain of events that spins entirely out of control, as the great Beast feels that it is the next target of terrorism.

Alexander Starritt's novel offers a vivid anatomy of a newsroom operating in crisis mode. The ferocious professionalism and manic rivalries of the press have rarely been so well described. At the heart of the chaos is the brooding, dictatorial figure of its editor, Charles Brython—the booming voice of Middle England. As his world comes under threat, Brython will do whatever it takes to defend it in a blistering story where comedy teeters dangerously on the edge of horror.

About the Author

Alexander Starritt is a writer and author known for his razor-sharp wit and satirical storytelling. Drawing on the mechanics of modern media, he crafts unnervingly authentic narratives that explore the power and absurdity of the press.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of dark comedy and sharp, fast-paced political or corporate satire.
• Readers fascinated by the inner workings, paranoia, and manic rivalries of modern journalism.
• Anyone who enjoys witty, observational fiction where absurdity meets reality.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Beast about?
The novel follows Jeremy Underwood, a subeditor at a British tabloid, whose casual observation of two figures outside the office sparks a spiraling chain of events and paranoia within the chaotic newsroom.

Is the book a comedy or a thriller?
It is a darkly funny satirical novel that blends blistering corporate satire with situations where comedy teeters on the very edge of horror.

Who is Charles Brython?
He is the brooding, dictatorial editor of The Daily Beast, representing the booming voice of Middle England, who will do absolutely whatever it takes to defend his world.

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