Published by the Big 5? I would find that suspicious, but if it was a smaller publisher, you might have some supportive reviewing going on.
So, I've decided to pick it up again (as 'research'). But this time I decided to do a little background check on it. The weird thing is that there is no supporting marketing (apart from some bookmarks donated to libraries???), no author's website. And the marketing quotes on the jacket, as far as I can tell they could be from his editor and marketing team. I'm more than a bit surprised at Transworld/Bantam. I did find out it was bought at auction for a 'substantial six-figure sum.' I think I smell a rat.
Still, I feel sorry for the guy, published three weeks before lockdown in the UK with that kind of advance hanging over him.