BLOG TOUR: A Backstage Betrayal - Michael Ball

THE THEATRE MAY SEEM GLAMOROUS, BUT SECRETS WAIT BEHIND THE CURTAIN

1926. Running a theatre may appear to be all about the showbiz, but times are hard at The Empire. Following a turbulent period Jack Treadwell, erstwhile proprietor, his mother Lillian, and his playwright wife Grace, know they need to get things back on track - and how better than with the annual pantomime, a new venture, and an all-singing all-dancing talent contest, showcasing the best performers around.

But could Lillian's new admirer, Grand Duke Nikolai Kuznetsov, be bringing disaster in his wake? Will The Empire be caught up in the scandal surrounding West End star, Stella Stanmore? And what are their enemies in Highbridge planning?

While Jack and Grace fight to ensure the show does go on, a royal visitor raises the stakes and a young widow, Sally Blow, dares to dream that the talent contest might be her big break.

As the talent contest draws closer, tragedy strikes. Amid the glitz and glamour there are strange goings on and a plot afoot. Is everything Jack and Grace have worked so hard for about to come crashing down? And could this be curtains for The Empire?

Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to this sparkling new novel.

 

What did I think?

We all know that Michael Ball can sing, but it may come as a surprise that he can write too.  With so many celebrity authors around at the moment, Michael Ball is the one that I would recommend reading as he writes about what he knows: the theatre.

I absolutely adored The Empire and I do think you need to have read it (if you somehow missed it) before reading A Backstage Betrayal to fully understand the history and relationships of the characters.  It was so good to virtually tread the boards again and see how Jack and Grace were getting on, although they certainly seem to have a lot of challenges to overcome in this novel.

It's wonderful to step back in time to the 1920s and see behind the curtain of a busy theatre and the era is depicted beautifully.  There's an awful lot going on both inside and outside of The Empire Theatre to keep the reader entertained and completely immersed in the story, although there is so much going on that I felt a little overwhelmed at times.  I think I devoured each page so quickly that I will need to read it again at a slower pace to fully appreciate the multi-layered and dramatic storylines.

Entertaining and atmospheric, A Backstage Betrayal is a fabulous sequel to The Empire and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Michael Ball OBE is a singer, actor, presenter and now author. He's been a star of musical theatre for over three decades, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical twice, he's also won two BRIT awards and been nominated for a Grammy. Michael regularly sells out both his solo tours and his Ball & Boe shows with Alfie Boe and has multiple platinum albums. The Empire is his first novel.

Social Media Links

X: @mrmichaelball   //  @ZaffreBooks

Instagram: @mrmichaelball // @zaffrebooks 

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BLOG TOUR: The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case (Conrad the Cat Detective Book 3) - L T Shearer

A crime gone unsolved for five years . . .

The life of Lulu Lewis, a retired police detective, took an unforgettable turn when Conrad first introduced himself to her. Unforgettable because:

a) Conrad is a special cat.

b) Special because he told her so.

Yes, that’s right, he can talk.

(For obvious reasons, this ability remains a closely guarded secret while they live together on her canal boat, The Lark.)

Visiting an old friend in Manchester, the pair stumble across a chilling news report about a trail of bodies found across the city that echo a string of cold case murders from Lulu’s past in London.

Joining forces with the local police, the pair must use every ounce of their intuition in order to find a connection between the seemingly random killings – and track down a ruthless murderer . . .

What did I think?

I didn't realise that this was the third book in a series when I picked it up but it can totally be read as a standalone because I loved it.  I am so pleased that I have found this fabulous cosy mystery series and I plan to read the first two books as I'm missing Conrad and Lulu already.

Lulu might have retired from the police force but she still has a copper's nose and Conrad has a cat's nose for sniffing out criminals too.  I absolutely loved the special relationship between Lulu and Conrad and how Conrad travels around on Lulu's shoulders.  Conrad is definitely more of a companion than a cat and it feels completely natural for Lulu to have two-way conversations with him.

I really liked the waterway setting that might suggest a gentle pacing but the cosy mystery plotline is so multi-stranded and compelling that I couldn't put the book down, reading it in half the time I expected.  It is even bringing a smile to my face now, especially thinking about part of the story when Lulu and Conrad are hot on the tail of a thief.

Completely original and incredibly compelling, The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case is the cosiest of cosy mysteries.  It entertained and delighted me, in addition to warming my heart and leaving a smile on my face.  L T Shearer has gained a new fan; I can't wait to read more about Lulu and Conrad.  A highly recommended read.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

L T Shearer has had a lifelong love of canal boats and calico cats, and both are combined in The Cat Who Caught a Killer, a one-of-a-kind debut crime novel. The story continues with The Cat Who Solved Three Murders and The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case. 

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BLOG TOUR: Disturbing the Bones - Andrew Davis and Jeff Biggers

Chicago detective Randall Jenkins has not been back home to the historic Civil Rights hotspot of Cairo, Illinois since the disappearance of his mother, a well-known journalist, several decades ago.

That all changes the day Dr. Molly Moore, an ambitious young archaeologist in the national spotlight for her groundbreaking high-tech discoveries, uncovers a set of strange bones at a huge 12,000-year-old site at a highway construction project.  With retired military general and contractor William Alexander breathing down her neck to cover up the dig, Molly and Randall soon find themselves in the middle of a wild military conspiracy.

The detective and archaeologist’s entwined family mysteries suddenly thrust them into the central position as the only people who can ensure the safety of the ongoing Chicago global peace summit. They must take on the rogue general who views any disarmament agreement as a clear and present danger to the United States. The fate of global peace and the lives of Molly and Randall hang in the balance.

Disturbing the Bones is a rip-roaring techno-thriller in the grand tradition of Michael Crichton, Scott Turow and Frederick Forsyth - a perfect Autumn blockbuster for those cosy nights in.

 

What did I think?

I was drawn to Disturbing the Bones because I have a keen interest in archaeology so I loved the setting; it's not Cairo, Egypt but Cairo, Illinois.  Finding bones at such a site is to be expected, but these bones are not ancient...

I loved Molly and her passion for archaeology, along with her protectiveness about the site, even when it places herself and her team in danger.  Veteran Chicago detective has a vested interest in Molly's find as he thinks the bones are those of his mother.  While all this is going on, America has a new president and she has plans to amend the constitution to which lots of people are opposed.

The plot is more political than I expected but it adds some extra spice to a gripping thriller.  I was incensed when certain things happened at the dig and I couldn't read fast enough to see how it would all play out.  The pacing certainly ramps up in the final third of the book and I couldn't put it down.

Fast-paced and action-packed, Disturbing the Bones is an entertaining and thought-provoking thriller.  I wouldn't be surprised to see it on the big screen at some point, especially as Andrew Davis is a renowned film director.  I enjoyed the book and would definitely be interested in seeing it on the big screen.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Dark as Night (An Áróra Investigation Book 4) - Lilja Sigurðardóttir

When Áróra receives a call telling her that a child she’s never met is claiming to be her missing sister reincarnated, she is devastated … as ridiculous as the allegations might seem. For three years she has been searching for her sister without finding a single clue, and now this strange child seems to have new information.

On the same day, Icelandic detective Daníel returns home to find a note from his tenant, drag queen Lady Gúgúlú, giving notice on her flat and explaining that she has to leave the country. Daníel is immediately suspicious, and when three threatening men appear, looking for Lady, it’s clear to him that something is very wrong…

And as Iceland’s long dark nights continue into springtime, that is just the very beginning…

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness I couldn't read this brilliant book fast enough!  I was completely hooked from  the start, even though I've jumped straight into this already established series at book four.  I definitely want to read the earlier books now that I have read this one as I loved the characters of Áróra and Daníel.

The Icelandic setting is fantastic and I really felt as if I was there as the writing is so vivid that I could easily visualise the volcanic landscape.  There's a double mystery to solve with Áróra continuing her search for her missing sister and Daníel's tenant suddenly leaving under suspicious circumstances.

I really felt for Áróra when a child claims to be the reincarnation of her sister Ísafold.  To accept the child really is Ísafold is to accept that Ísafold is dead but her body has never been found so Áróra still has a tiny bit of hope left.  Surely Áróra is being conned, but for what purpose?  The reincarnation subject is handled very sensitively and, whether or not you believe in reincarnation, it's certainly very thought-provoking. 

Perfectly plotted and beautifully written, Dark as Night is my first Lilja Sigurðardóttir novel and it definitely won't be my last as I already have my eye on the earlier books in the series.  Lorenza Garcia's translation is so flawless that it feels as if the book was originally written in English.  Very highly recommended, even if you're new to the series.

I received a digital ARC for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Bestselling crime-writer Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written ten crime novels, including Snare, Trap and Cage, making up the Reykjavík Noir trilogy, and her standalone thriller Betrayal, all of which have hit bestseller lists worldwide and been long- and shortlisted for multiple awards. The film rights for the Reykjavík Noir trilogy have been bought by Palomar Pictures in California, and the An Áróra Investigation series is now in production for a major TV series. Cold as Hell was published in the UK in 2021 and reprinted twice, followed by Red as Blood and White as Snow, both number-one digital bestsellers. Lilja lives outside of Reykjavík with her partner and a brood of chickens. 

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BLOG TOUR: The Burning Stones - Antti Tuomainen

Saunas, love and a ladleful of murder… 

A cold-blooded killer strikes at the hottest moment: the new head of a sauna-stove company is murdered … in the sauna. Who has turned up the temperature and burned him to death? 

The evidence points in the direction of Anni Korpinen – top salesperson and the victim’s successor at Steam Devil. 

And as if hitting middle-age, being in a marriage that has lost its purpose, and struggling with work weren’t enough, Anni realizes that she must be quicker than both the police and the murderer to uncover who is behind it all – before it’s too late… 

 

What did I think?

Antti Tuomainen has a very unique sense of humour and it completely shines through in his writing.  Mixing crime with humour in a Scandi setting, it's almost like a genre in its own right as there is nothing else quite like it.

The Burning Stones is set in a sauna-stove company where it would appear that one of the employees will kill to get promoted.  As she is the favourite to get promoted, and the evidence is pointing towards her, Anni is the prime suspect and the police have a grudge against her family so they don't want to listen to her side of the story.  Anni needs to catch the killer before she is arrested for the crime herself.

It's a very race against the clock sort of book as Anni attempts to identify the killer before the police gather enough evidence to arrest her.  Speaking of races...I actually snorted out loud at Anni's husband watching old Formula 1 races and discussing the result with his friends as if the race had just happened.  It's that sort of subtle humour that is sprinkled throughout the book and it made me laugh when I least expected it.

The Burning Stones is a fun crime caper that both gripped and amused me.  You definitely need a good sense of humour to read it and I can totally see this following in the footsteps of Antti Tuomainen's previous novels and being adapted for TV.  If you're looking for something a bit different to read then I would recommend The Burning Stones.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. In 2011, his third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award  for Best Finnish Crime Novel and shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. Tuomainen was one of  the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime-genre formula, and his poignant, dark and  hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards and now a Finnish TV series. Palm Beach, Finland (2018) and Little Siberia (2019) have both been adapted for the screen, airing shortly, and also shortlisted for the  Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Readers Awards, the Last Laugh Award and the CWA International Dagger, and winning the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel. The international bestselling Rabbit Factor trilogy is filming now for Amazon Studios, starring Steve  Carell. Antti lives in Helsinki with his wife. 

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BLOG TOUR: Home For Christmas - Heidi Swain

Bella is living her best life in Wynbridge, with her beloved Spaniel, Tink. She’s found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon!

 

In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author, Jude who is researching the history of the Connelly Clan and Wynthorpe Hall ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall, but he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him.

 

Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. That is, until he announces he has no time for Christmas!

 

With her favourite time of the year suddenly in jeopardy, will Bella ever feel like she’s home for Christmas?

 

What did I think?

It's not Christmas without a Heidi Swain novel to read and Home For Christmas is fabulously festive and hugely entertaining.  The joy of Heidi Swain novels is that new fans can pick up any of her books and enjoy them but for anyone who has read Heidi's books before you will recognise some characters and welcome them like old friends.

The quaint fictional village of Wynbridge is the setting for this book, as it has been for several other standalone novels, and I've virtually visited so often I feel like I almost know my way around this picturesque little village.  This is Bella's story and it's a bit of an understatement to say that Bella loves Christmas.

Bella's plans for Christmas this year are thwarted when she agrees to take in a temporary lodger, Jude, who is writing a book on Wynthorpe Hall.  Not only does Bella have to move all her stuff to the upstairs flat, but Jude doesn't even seem grateful and then he says he doesn't like Christmas.  You can just imagine Bella's horror!

People can have very valid reasons for disliking the most wonderful time of the year so I think it's always important to be sensitive around such matters and it's good to see that Bella doesn't force the issue with Jude.  I adored Bella's enthusiasm for Christmas and pretty much any festivity where she has the excuse to dress up both herself and her dog Tink.

As time goes on, Jude starts to defrost and Bella realises she has feelings for him but she's so intent on not getting her heart broken that she doesn't grab on to the wonderful chance of love that is right in front of her.  Can Jude change Bella's mind about love and can Bella change Jude's mind about Christmas?  You'll just have to read the book to find out!

Home For Christmas is an absolutely lovely book that is fabulously festive and incredibly romantic.  I simply adored it and I plan to read it again when the lights on my Christmas tree are twinkling.  Heidi Swain puts the 'Happy' in 'Happy Christmas' and can melt even the frostiest heart with this wonderfully heartwarming book.  Very highly recommended - make sure you put this one on your Christmas list!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Here One Moment - Liane Moriarty

We’re all so busy, caught up in life's moments, big and small . . .

The flight attendant working on her birthday.

The mother struggling with two young children.

The newlyweds off to their tropical honeymoon .

The overworked father missing his kid’s big show.

The young man returning from his best friend’s funeral.

The ER nurse wondering what retirement will bring.

All strangers. All unsuspecting. All on their own journey – or so they imagine.

Because they are each about to encounter an elderly woman. In just a few words, she will make a prediction, tying herself to them all. And, in being bound to her, these disparate strangers will be drawn together . . .

Who is this woman? Is she a clairvoyant? A charlatan? The answer to prayers, or a harbinger of nightmares?

They are about to find out – here one moment . . .

 

What did I think?

Do you believe in psychics?  What if a fellow passenger on your plane told you your age of death and cause of death?  Would you take it seriously or just continue living your life?  That's what the passengers on an internal Australian flight must decide when 'The Death Lady' moves from passenger to passenger predicting their deaths.  They might think it's all nonsense until the predictions start coming true...

Eeeeeek Liane Moriarty has written an absolute belter in Here One Moment.  It's a book that not only keeps you on the edge of your seat but also makes you question your own life choices.  Always wanted to swim with dolphins?  Go do it!  Always wanted to travel the world? Pack your bag and get on that plane!  Nobody knows how much time we all have left...although maybe 'The Death Lady' does!

It seems almost trivial to say that a fiction book could change your life, but I really think that this book might just do that.  It's an absolutely cracking story but it is so much more than that as it really makes you think about how fragile life is.  A huge reminder to seize the day!

Incredibly thought-provoking and completely gripping from start to finish, Here One Moment is one of Liane Moriarty's best books yet.  Unmissable and unforgettable.  HIghly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback for the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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