Tom Burne Has Left The Chat

A stunning new voice in YA, exploring grief and loneliness. Perfect for fans of Kathleen Glasgow and John Green.

This wasn't my phone. This was real. Tom had died today, literally died, and here I was, picking through the digital carrion like some sort of virtual vulture.

What happens to your phone when you die and who has access to your online legacy? When micro-influencer Tom Burne takes his own life, he leaves behind his phone, its password and a cryptic message that needs decoding.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie doesn't intend to take the phone, but once he does, he knows it was meant for him. Fuelled by his own sense of isolation and the recent passing of his father, Jamie loses himself in uncovering the truth. The more he investigates the digital fragments contained within the phone, the deeper into Tom's dark world he falls.

As his own grief resurfaces and with his mother pushing for them to move to a different country for a fresh start, Jamie has very little time to find out the harsh reality that led to Tom's tragic end.

Can he clear Tom's name before it is too late?

'Touching, beautiful and wholly unique.' - Margaret McDonald, Carnegie Award winning author of Glasgow Boys

'Clever, moving - this is a terrific novel.' Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize winning author of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

'A gorgeous YA debut from a stunning new talent.' Simon James Green, author of Boy Like Me.

'Achingly tender.. It had me hooked from the first page.' Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, author of Sisters of the Moon

About the Author

Sean Farrelly has had four plays produced and two short stories published in the Irish Times as part of a young writers' supplement. He has worked as a writing mentor and workshop facilitator for young people since 2018. He lives in Dublin.