Betrayal of the Soul

What people are saying...

“Another well-woven masterpiece from the author of ‘The Asylum Soul’ and ‘In the Shadow of Marc Bolan’. If you read only one book this year, make sure it’s this. A superb must-read for anyone with a heart and conscience who may still be seeking to understand their inner self.” – Brenda Jackson

“Intense, powerful, such is the psychological battle within.”- Camila Thomas

“It’s very weird for me to read about Preston Station and Fulwood, the local pubs and the No.23 bus in a novel. I absolutely loved this book. Thank you!” – Samantha Eccles

“Re: Betrayal of the Soul: incredible writing.” – Tanya Huff

“Mal Foster has a knack for delivering the unexpected. His brilliant new novel, ‘Betrayal of the Soul’, does exactly that!” – Fiona Browne (Literary Editor)

"Beautiful story! I really enjoyed reading this.” - Sophie St Germain

“He (Mal Foster) is always a good read. 'Betrayal of the Soul' is one to pack in the holiday luggage.” - Miles Harvey

“Worth a read. Yet another great book from Mal Foster.” – Jeannette Sale Smith

“I just finished reading your new book, Betrayal of the Soul. I really enjoyed it. Am I right in thinking this is your life? I have the book on Kindle and in paperback.” – Maggie Crate  (* See Kathy Kelso interview below)

“Congratulations on ‘Betrayal of the Soul’. What incredible writing!” – Jola Yemi

“Another great read from this author!” – Helen Naughton

“This book is one I've had to pick up and read again. At times, I actually feel like I'm in there somewhere amongst the characters. In Johnny Tinder, Mal Foster has created the perfect protagonist. What an explosive and fast-paced piece of writing! Absolutely loved it!” – Radar, on Amazon 

“Wow, Betrayal of the Soul is absolutely amazing.”  - Jordan Halay

“I don’t usually read fiction, but I so much enjoyed your book. The short chapters, the excitement of the journey, the adventures, and the variety of characters were most enjoyable. It’s just wonderful how you have connected the secrets of the past, present, and future together, as Johnny Tinder, the private investigator, and the outcome is a transition into a new dimension of time. I didn’t want to put it down until I finished it. I personally found it quite inspiring. What a great book!”   – David M. Smith

“Couldn't put it down, a compulsive read. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.” - Jane Johnson

Is 'Betrayal of the Soul' an autobiography in disguise?

asks Kathy Kelso

Well, here we are again. I’m with Mal Foster, talking to him about his latest novel, ‘Betrayal of the Soul.’ Having read an early draft of the manuscript, I can confirm that Mal really does know how to deliver the WOW factor.

Mal, who has been revelling in the success of his previous book, ‘In the Shadow of Marc Bolan’, for the past two years, has somehow found the time to write something that is more than just profound. Something that is thought-provoking and definitely something people will talk about. 

So, Mal, what inspired you to write something that seems very personal?

“Firstly, I must emphasise that this is purely a work of fiction. It is a novel, after all. What made me want to write the story? I don’t know. Maybe there was something lurking in my subconscious, waiting to get out.”

I get the feeling ‘Betrayal of the Soul’ is your autobiography in disguise?

Ha, ha. You know me too well. I’ve said many times that I’ve always believed in the notion that I should write what I know. It’s always worked well for me, and it is the same advice I would pass on to any aspiring writers, still pondering the pros and cons of storytelling and seeing their work in print.

The book hits on some very sensitive subject matter. What on earth…?

Mal interrupts. “It does. Having reached the age I’m at, I now feel comfortable looking back and sharing some of my life’s experiences. Yes, some of them I have encountered myself. Other storylines are slightly exaggerated, and others are simply based on wishful thinking. All that said, the book is NOT about me. Well, not the current me. My protagonist, Johnny Tinder, is perhaps a younger version of myself, although when I was in my late forties, I think my own life had settled down a bit by then.”

How do you create your characters?

“I think of people I know, or used to know. I match their personalities. Sometimes I may merge two people into one. Zac Merrick, the hippie-type, in 'Betrayal of the Soul', is a perfect example. Back in the seventies and eighties, I used to know a Dave and a Paul. Zac has elements of both of them in his character.”

And how do you come up with character names?

“Sometimes I ask my readers for suggestions. Zac Merrick is one such example. Some people even ask to have a character named after themselves. Often, I think back to the street where I grew up in Camberley. I used to know the names of everyone who lived in every house. In many of my novels, I’ve mixed their first and last names to come up with a new character.”

Given the subject matter in the book. I get the feeling you needed to open up your heart and get something out?

“Most definitely. Men my age clam up. Too proud perhaps to share how they feel. Many of us have led lives of regret and keep those misdemeanours to ourselves. We tend to stew on our frailties. What I’ve done here is to expose my inner self through the protagonist. The book is mostly about honesty and opening up. Accepting all that has gone wrong before and apologising to those affected.”

Is there such a thing as a midlife awakening?

“Yes. More commonly known as a midlife crisis, I believe all men go through one at some stage. Mine came late. It’s when you look back on the past and think about what you could have done differently. You also think about what you should have done and what you should not have done. It’s also about the realisation that age is taking its grip, that it’s now too late to do certain things. Time is like a wrecking ball, and it's difficult to accept that certain elements of your life will, by default, change forever.”

Do you think the book will sell well?

“Put it this way. I hope people will enjoy the book and understand its sentiment. I’m not in novel writing for the money. It’s simply a hobby. With regards to sales, if I break even, that’s great. Anything else is a bonus.”

Whom do you write for?

“Originally, I would have said just myself. Some of my regular readers tell me that they don’t read that many books, so I try to keep my writing simple and relatable. I always write in the first person, something I learnt to do when I played the part of Lt Joe Cable in an amateur stage version of South Pacific as far back as 1983. I like to get into the character of my protagonists. That way, I feel I’m speaking directly to my readers through them.”

Many of your readers say that they always like to “fight the corner” of your protagonists. How do you feel about that?

“Mission accomplished. If you write something, you want it to create a reaction. Any reaction proves that someone has taken the time to read my book. If they actually come to you with some positive feedback afterwards, that really is the proverbial icing on the cake.”

'Betrayal of the Soul’ is published by Publish Nation and available in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon. 

Mal Foster was talking to the literary columnist Kathy Kelso at the BFI, South Bank, London – 12 June 2026 

Author Mal celebrates release of latest novel - Woking News & Mail

Local author Mal Foster has just published his eighth novel, Betrayal of the Soul, a psychological tale of one person’s self-analysis. Much of the book is set in and around Woking, with scenes at The Loft Bar at the Hilton, Wetherspoons, the town’s coffee shops, and the Garibaldi in Knaphill. It was fitting, therefore, that Mal should hold his well-attended book signing event at the Knaphill pub last week.

Explaining his inspiration for the book, Mal said, “Many men in middle age clam up. Too proud, perhaps, to share how they feel. Many of us look back and realise we may not have led the life we wished for. We think about things we should have done and those we should not have done. We tend to stew over our frailties. It’s also about the realisation that age is taking its grip and that it’s now too late to do certain things. Time is like a wrecking ball, and it's difficult to accept that certain elements of your life will, by default, change forever.”

Betrayal of the Soul tells the story of Johnny Tinder, a former local journalist and would-be private investigator waging a personal battle against himself. Now in his late forties, Johnny finally realises it is time to change his ways. He has never forgotten Catherine, whom he dumped some twenty years earlier and wants to put things right, but fears rejection if he attempts to re-enter her life. However, he will face a situation far worse than that.

Mal has lived in Knaphill since 1988. However, it wasn’t until 2015, shortly after retiring early from a 30-year railway career, that his first novel, The Asylum Soul, set at Brookwood Hospital in 1929, was published. The book’s success ensured that Mal would continue his writing journey.

Betrayal of the Soul is published by Publish Nation and is available in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon. You can also find out more about Mal’s books at www.malfoster.co.uk

Reproduced courtesy: Woking News & Mail 30 07 26

Independent Appraisals

“What immediately stands out in ' Betrayal of the Soul ’ is the emotional honesty at the core of the novel. Johnny Tinder is portrayed with a depth of vulnerability that makes his internal struggle both compelling and relatable. His sense of regret, self-awareness, and desire for redemption give the narrative a strong psychological foundation that sustains reader engagement throughout. I was particularly impressed by the way you explore the long-term impact of childhood experiences on adult identity. Johnny’s reflections on his past are not simply expositional; they actively shape his present behaviour and decisions, creating a continuous thread between memory and consequence that strengthens the novel’s emotional realism. The relationship between Johnny and Catherine also adds meaningful weight to the story. Rather than functioning purely as a romantic subplot, it becomes a lens through which the protagonist evaluates his past choices and the possibility of personal transformation. This lends the narrative a reflective, almost confessional quality that feels authentic to the character’s psychological state. I also appreciated the novel's tone, which balances introspection with tension. Johnny’s internal conflict is consistently foregrounded, yet the external narrative momentum remains strong enough to carry the reader forward. This balance is not easy to achieve and speaks to a clear command of pacing and emotional structure. The supporting endorsements and framing around the novel further reinforce its positioning as a character-driven psychological drama, and the prose itself supports that ambition through its focus on introspection, consequence, and moral reckoning. Congratulations on creating such a reflective and emotionally resonant work.”- Katherine Jenkins (Almost certainly not the famous singer).

“We recently had the opportunity to engage with ‘Betrayal of the Soul’, and what stayed with us most was the honesty and emotional depth with which it explores the complexities of the human condition. What makes the novel especially immersive is the way it explores regret, identity, memory, and redemption through the protagonist's deeply personal journey. Instead of presenting life's struggles as simple obstacles to overcome, the story invites readers to reflect on how past experiences, emotional wounds, and personal choices continue to shape who we become. It is a narrative that speaks not only to loss and consequence, but also to the enduring possibility of self-understanding and change. Your work strongly resonates within that space because of its emotional honesty, psychological insight, and willingness to explore difficult aspects of the human experience with compassion and authenticity.” – Independent Review (No name given).

“I recently came across Betrayal of the Soul and was immediately drawn to its deeply introspective exploration of regret, redemption, and the lifelong struggle to confront the person we have become. What particularly captured my attention was Johnny Tinder’s battle not against an external villain but against the consequences of his own choices, unresolved trauma, and the emotional burdens he has carried for decades. That inward conflict forms a powerful and compelling foundation for the novel. I was particularly intrigued by how Johnny’s journey appears to examine how childhood experiences, personal failures, and missed opportunities can quietly shape an entire life. His desire to reconnect with Catherine and make peace with his past introduces an emotional vulnerability that feels profoundly human. Rather than offering an easy path to redemption, the story seems willing to wrestle with difficult questions about guilt, forgiveness, self-worth, and whether it is ever truly possible to rewrite the mistakes that define us. What also stood out to me was the narrative's psychological depth. The novel seems to move beyond traditional drama, inviting readers to reflect on identity, emotional healing, and the internal battles that so often remain hidden beneath everyday life. Combined with the story's unexpected twists, this depth promises a reading experience that is both emotionally affecting and thought-provoking.” - Joel Mattheson

Note: The above appraisals are unsolicited and were sent to me via email by people peddling their book marketing and agency businesses. I suspect that these have all been AI generated. So read into them what you will. I have, but decided to post then here anyway  :-)   

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