The Last Toll Collector
Nominated for the 2025 Booker Prize
“What would you do if AI outcompeted you so completely that it negated your role in society?”
Welcome to Valerie Tobruk’s life. Her job as a toll collector on the Golden Gate Bridge was made redundant when toll collection was automated in 2013. Since then, she’s struggled to find a job which AI can’t do better than her. She feels useless and lost.
To escape from her life, Valerie travels to the Westfjords, a remote part of Iceland where people go to disappear and nature reigns supreme. Once there, she discovers an abandoned herring factory where she decides to reside as the founder of a new independent nation called Tobruk where people are valued for their humanness.
Valerie doesn’t remain alone for long. A cast of lost souls descend upon Tobruk, as do a series of perplexing challenges presented by the outside world. But there’s worse to come. When the darkness of winter descends, the citizens of Tobruk must face up to their deepest fears if they are to survive.
“A combination of Lord of the Flies meets Life of PI meets the Simpson’s episode where Lisa creates an entire civilization in a petri dish, this is a riveting, modern take on the classic hero’s journey, first described by Joseph Conrad.”
The Last Toll Collector is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the human spirit in an age of rapid technological advancement. It asks us to consider: In a world increasingly dictated by machines, what does it truly mean to be human?
Golden, a transformative novel
“SS Turner weaves a tale of adventure with twists and surprises, including Mia, a golden retriever with extraordinary communication skills. If youve ever wondered what your dog is thinking, then Golden is a must-read!”–Gregory Berns, New York Times bestselling author of How Dogs Love Us
The story of a man who finds himself in the middle of a mystery which only his dog can help solve…
For Will Watson, it was time for a change. Life in England had gone sour for him, so he and his Golden Retriever Mia headed to the other side of the world — to a small Australian mountain town called Maleny. There, Will tries to navigate through the surprising and sometimes sinister ways of his adopted community while trying to make a living. As he strives to feel at home in Australia, Will is faced with a long list of challenges that are at odds with the easy life hed been led to believe was the norm down under. But the biggest surprise is in Mias connection to this land, to its denizens, and to the environment around her, through which she forges a stunning new purpose. What happens with Mia will change all of those around her, but none more than the man — her dearest friend — who needed to change the most.A story of transformation, dedication, and secrets hidden just beyond our sight, GOLDEN is a profound, moving, funny, and consistently surprising tale.
” SS Turner weaves a Tale of adventure with twists and surprises. If you’ve ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Golden is a must read!”
Gregory Berns
New York Times bestselling author of How Dogs Love Us
Award winning book on sale now!
The Connection Game by SS Turner is a rare book. The complexities of humans, the intricacies of relationships, and the truth of this world are explored in a beautiful manner. Turner shows us that nothing is ever how it appears. It’s all about the mind. Once you read the story of the Basilworths, you will forever see the world through a different lens. I highly recommend this book to people who are interested in the human mind. People who like reading psychological thrillers would love this book.
Multi- award winning book this thrilling novel has been awarded The Brew Book Excellence Award, The Chrysalis Brew Project and Book World Front Award
“The Connection Game is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. With its unique premise, well-crafted characters, and blend of humor and intensity, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and compelling story.”
“I loved the author’s writing style and the unique storyline he brought to this novel. I found myself creating parallels to our current world–the limited/guided/controlled views brought to us via our little social media ‘windows’. Book Corner News & Reviews
Take a dive down the rabbit hole...
“This is a beautifully written, almost lyrical, account of one man and how the river saved his life – quite literally”
Freddy is tired of life – tired of modern living, tired of cell phones, tired of the rat race. He’s ready to give it all up and slips into a cold winter river – to let his life slip away.
And, in one sense, it does just that. It slips away and he is left with so much more at the end of the book than when he started. Between the beginning and the end, he learns about himself, about life, about death, and he makes friends along the way with a very wise fish who has wonderful comments and commentary on life.
“This book not only held my attention throughout, wondering what would happen to Freddy next, but it also gave me things to wonder about and things to ponder. It’s magical at times, tragic at times, laugh out loud funny at times. It not only entertained me, it uplifted me. It’s hard to believe this is the author’s first book.”
“S.S. Turner has written a profound story that is about all our lives. He has found the connection that makes us all the same, while remaining unique. His words will resonate with every reader as they see themselves, find themselves embedded in them. You will not escape, you will not want to escape from the depth of your own world he reminds you is yours to be lived, to survive and thrive. I am honoured to have read an advance copy of Secrets of a River Swimmer and cannot recommend it highly enough.”
Heather Morris, bestselling author of the Tattoist of Auschwitz
The story of
SS Turner
SS Turner has been an avid reader, writer and explorer of the natural world throughout his life which has been spent in England, Scotland and Australia. Just like Freddy in his first novel, ‘Secrets of a River Swimmer’, he worked in the global fund management sector for many years, but In recent years, he’s been focused on inspiring positive change through his writing, as well as trying not to laugh in unfortunate situations. He now lives in Australia with his wife, daughter, son, dog, two cats, and ten chickens.
"I just write the words, don’t ask me what they mean"
