BLOG TOUR: The Half King - Melissa Landers

A king by day. Shadow by night…

Long ago, the kingdom’s noble houses rebelled against the goddess... and for their treachery, the firstborn of each noble family was cursed.

One with perilous beauty.

One with destructive knowledge.

One with insatiable bloodlust.

But the royal house Mortara received the worst affliction of all. For while the king exists during the day, he fades into nothingness at night...until his twenty-first birthday, when he will be lost to the shadows forever.

Now an acolyte has arrived at court. Like all the second-born children, she’s destined to serve the goddess and become a Seer...only Cerise Solon has no gift of foretelling. In fact, she has no magical gift at all.

Instead, she’s surrounded by courtiers and priests – smiling sycophants whose hearts are filled with secrets and lies. And at the centre sits His Majesty Kian Hannibal Mortara, with his haunting eyes, sharp tongue, and an unerring ability to send her pulse skittering.

As the spectre of his twenty-first birthday – and the full force of his curse – approaches, the kingdom holds its breath.

There’s only one way to save a dying king... and it lies with the one person who’s hiding the biggest secret of all. Cerise.

 

What did I think?

Now that's what I call pure escapism!  I am so pleased that I have started to read books in the fantasy genre as The Half King is a a real jewel in fantasy's crown and I absolutely loved it.

It's like a fairy tale for adults with a curse, a handsome king and a big helping of baddies who want to steal the throne for themselves.  Cerise isn't a firstborn so she has not been cursed and she is training to be a Seer, however, her gift of sight does not appear so she becomes an emissary to the king.  The king is cursed and disappears into shadow form each night, which is why he is referred to as the half king...but perhaps Cerise is his other half?

This is an incredibly entertaining tale that is action-packed and filled with danger and romance.  I loved Cerise and her caring nature that is a gift in its own right.  Cerise puts herself in danger to save her king and it costs her dearly.  I gasped out loud so many times as Melissa Lander's descriptive writing painted vivid scenes in my head.

Entertaining, vividly written and compelling, The Half King is a wonderful story that delighted me from start to finish.  I am hoping that this isn't the last we have heard of Cerise and Kian and I would love to read more if this does become a series.  Very highly recommended and if you don't usually read books in the fantasy genre then I think The Half King would definitely be a good place to start.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn't afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public — just ask her embarrassed kids.

She lives in Cincinnati Ohio, where she writes romantic fantasy and science fiction adventures for the young at heart.

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BLOG TOUR: Fatal Image (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 5) - Brian Price

RUTHLESS AMBITION

Hugh Ventham MP, tipped for high office, can’t shake off the mental image of a sordid party he attended many years ago. Any one of the people there could derail his career if they talk about it. So he must eliminate them all.

A COMPROMISING PHOTO

But someone took a photo. And one of the attendees will stop at nothing to ensure it is never discovered. If they fail, they will face ruin.

A BAFFLED POLICE FORCE

As the murders mount up, Mexton CID struggle to see the connection between them. Are they random killings or is there a link? If so, who would want to kill such a disparate group of people? And who is the mysterious figure in the background with their own lethal agenda?

With police resources stretched to breaking point, DC Mel Cotton and her team face deadly challenges as they hunt for the killer. And when the mysterious figure strikes, will she get out alive?

 

What did I think?

As with all books in the DC Mel Cotton crime series, you can read Fatal Image as a standalone as the particular case that is being investigated is absolutely brilliant.  I have read the series in order and they're all fantastic but I think this is the best one yet.

It's quite unusual for a book to let the reader know who the killer is from the start but Fatal Image still had me completely gripped and I couldn't put it down.  Set in the fictional town of Mexton, DC Mel Cotton and the team are as busy as ever with a spate of seemingly unrelated murders.  Mel needs to look outside of Mexton to find the link so she joins forces with a creepy copper in the Met.  Eeeew, I think I need a shower just thinking about DC Plover.

I loved catching up with some of my favourite characters in crime fiction and it's wonderful to see how the characters have developed over the series.  That's why I almost dropped the book in shock at the end with THAT cliffhanger - OMG!!!  I simply can't wait for the next book now!

Incredibly fast paced and a real page-turner, Fatal Image is so meticulously researched that I often forgot I was reading fiction, especially with the character epilogue at the end.  It's an outstanding book in an outstanding series and an easy five star rating from me.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

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Dohva - The Land Within - Sophie Haeder

Embark on a journey to the enigmatic realm of Dohva, where elemental magic reigns supreme and ancient secrets lie buried beneath the mountains.

In the isolated land of Dohva, where souls are trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth by an ancient elemental sphere, a malevolent force wields the forbidden dark magic of the demon prince Agthod. Avala, a rebellious air sorceress haunted by the loss of her closest friend, is driven to unravel the mysteries that have long plagued her world. She finds unlikely allies with three anti-heroes, a colourful and diverse cast who each struggle with their own demons and desires for redemption.

But as the shadows deepen and the threat grows, Avala and her newfound companions must set aside their differences and forge an uneasy bond. But can they confront this powerful enemy force that threatens to consume their world and change their destiny forever?

"Dohva - The Land Within" is the first book of an epic fantasy meets romantasy trilogy that will captivate readers from beginning to end and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in this spellbinding saga.

 

What did I think?

I'm just starting to read more fantasy books and I really enjoyed Dohva; I think it's a really good book to entice new readers into the fantasy genre.  I was completely immersed in the wonderful land of Dohva and read it much quicker than I expected.

The story is told from several different points of view with Avala being the main character.  Avala is an elf and a member of the Stormguard, along with her friend Garon who would like to be more than friends with Avala.  There's a wonderful theme of past lives running through the book and that's the reason why Garon and Avala will never be more than friends.  It's so very heartwarming to consider the idea of loved ones finding each other again in their new lives.

Of course you can't have a fantasy book without a dragon and wow, the dragon in this book is depicted so vividly it virtually leaps from the page and I had to check my fingers for scorch marks.  I loved all of the characters in the book; both the good and evil ones.

Filled with magic, romance and action, Dohva - The Land Within is a fantastic debut novel and a very enticing start to a new romantasy trilogy.  Sophie Haeder can consider me hooked and I can't wait to visit the wonderful land of Dohva again.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Taken - Danielle Ramsay

I am accused of the worst of crimes – murdering my baby – and I have hours before this passenger ferry docks in Spain to find him, alive.

Someone knows about my difficult past and darkest secrets, and now I think they’ve taken my baby. But who would do this to me and why? I know the answer. Or least I think I do…

The police want to know why I have fled my home and husband. How do I tell them that I had a breakdown after my first baby died? That today is the anniversary of his death? That my husband is planning on having me sectioned?

Despite what my husband says, I’m not ill. Am I? For I have discovered he has an agenda…

So how could I have been so wrong about him?

And how do I convince the police I’m innocent, when everyone believes I’m guilty, and get my baby back before he disappears forever?

 

What did I think?

Make sure you're sitting comfortably when you pick up Danielle Ramsay's new novel, Taken, as you won't be able to put it down.  I absolutely devoured it, reading way past my bedtime until I discovered all of the secrets buried in the book.

Alice is one of the most unreliable narrators I have come across and she is tortured by grief, guilt and what ifs following the cot death of her son.  Alice blames herself and falls into a spiral of depression.  Meanwhile, Alice's husband Tom seems to be getting on with life by planning a move back to America but then Alice falls pregnant again.

Oh Alice!  I really wanted to reach into the book to give her a hug.  She feels like everyone is conspiring against her and it's no wonder she is struggling to cope with the birth of her second son after losing her first baby so tragically.  I wasn't sure whether Tom was just good at hiding his emotions or simply uncaring but it really seemed like Alice was a lone passenger on a rollercoaster of emotions.

With secrets in both Alice's and Tom's pasts, the pacing is blistering as I raced through the pages to uncover everything and I was kept guessing right to the end.  Death of a child is a difficult and disturbing subject but it was handled very sensitively and I could almost feel the torment that Alice was going through.  I really enjoyed Taken and would highly recommend it. 

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/TakenSocial

About the author:

Danielle Ramsay is the author of the DI Jack Brady crime novels and other dark thrillers. She is a Scot living in the North-East of England and was previously published by Hodder & Stoughton and Avon.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: DanielleRamsayAuthor

Twitter: @DanielleRamsay2

Instagram: @danielle.ramsay.author

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DanielleRamsayNews

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BLOG TOUR: Alien Clay - Adrian Tchaikovsky

They travelled into the unknown and left themselves behind . . .

Professor Arton Daghdev has always wanted to study alien life in person. But when his political activism sees him exiled to the planet Kiln, condemned to work under an unfamiliar sky until he dies, his idealistic wish becomes a terrible reality.

Kiln boasts a ravenous, chaotic ecosystem. Its monstrous alien life means Arton will risk death on a daily basis – if the camp’s oppressive regime doesn’t kill him first. But, if he survives, Kiln’s lost civilization holds a wondrous, terrible secret. It will redefine life and intelligence as he knows it – and might just set him free.

 

What did I think?

Science fiction is not one of my preferred genres but I do like to push myself out of my comfort zone now and again so I was very intrigued by Alien Clay.  That stunning cover is enough to draw you into the world that has been created within the pages of the book.

Arton Daghdev has been exiled to Kiln, an extrasolar planet that is 30 years away from Earth.  I mean just the fact that it takes 30 years to get to the planet made me stop and consider how very insignificant we are in the universe.  Kiln could very well be Earth many years in the future when we have damaged the planet to the point of extinction of our species.

I was surprised how easy I found it to read and I quickly built up a mental image of the camp and planet in my mind.  The story is very imaginative but there are also little snippets of facts about weird and wonderful creatures that I had never heard of but found fascinating when I later researched them.

The vibrant and dangerous ecosystem of Kiln adds an almost horror element to the story that made my skin crawl at times as it is so vividly described.  I loved that there is a constant scent of revolution in the air, leading to questions about who can be trusted.

Mind-blowing, eye-opening and provocative, Alien Clay is an incredibly thought-provoking and entertaining novel that may be a frightening glimpse into the future for our own planet.  I'm not quite a sci-fi convert yet but this book has certainly made me more open to reading other books by Adrian Tchaikovsky and other authors in the sci-fi genre.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: What Lies Beneath - Maureen Myant

A family Christmas to remember

An idyllic, snow-covered landscape. A cottage in rural Northumberland. Full of love, laughter, food, wine and mince pies. The recipe for a joyous Noel, or is it?

They seem like the perfect family

With her seemingly perfect family, Lisa Truett is envied by all her friends. Husband David is solid and dependable, salt of the earth, adores his family. Enigmatic adult twins Emilia and Rosamund are on the path to successful careers in journalism and music. Her youngest, Oliver, is blessed with brains and beauty. He can expect a brilliant future. No wonder they’re known as the ‘too good to be Truetts.’

But they never thought it would end like this

Someone is stalking them but who? Whose footprints mingle with theirs in the snow around their cottage? It turns out the family is far from perfect, after all. Will Ros ever stop seeking male approval? Is Em’s eating disorder back again? What is Oliver hiding, or, rather, who is he hiding from? David has been distant and aloof recently. Is he having an affair? But it is Lisa who hides the biggest secret of all and it could tear the family apart.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware, What Lies Beneath is this year's winter must-read - some things, just cannot, remain hidden...

 

What did I think?

I chose to read What Lies Beneath without reading the synopsis, simply because I have loved all of Maureen Myant's books that I have read, so I was surprised and delighted with the snowy Northumberland setting.  

The Truett family have decided to spend Christmas in their holiday cottage in Northumberland but each one of them has something to hide and not even the snow is deep enough to keep these secrets buried.  Ooooh I absolutely love a book filled with secrets as they all have to come bursting out at some point and there are some corkers in this book.   

A Northumberland winter is almost a season of its own and whilst it's very picturesque when you're wrapped up warm in the house, it's very disruptive and dangerous when you need to go out in it.  The snow is almost a character in itself as it sneakily covers rogue footprints and dramatically blocks escape routes.  Maureen Myant's vivid writing paints a wonderful picture of the chilly wintery scene, but it's not just the snow that gives the reader chills. 

The cottage is very isolated but it feels like the Truetts are not alone.  With stalkers, blackmailers, thugs and scary local myths in the frame there are numerous suspects that could have followed the Truett trail to Northumberland.  It's masterfully plotted as any one, or all, of the family could be the target and I simply couldn't put it down.

Gripping, compelling and hugely atmospheric, What Lies Beneath is a fantastic thriller that had me on the edge of my seat with the book clutched tightly in my hands; I wasn't putting it down until every single juicy secret had been revealed.  Put this one on your Christmas list - it's a very 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:

Buy it from Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Catford Dogs - Andy Burn

Catford, South-east London, 2003. Miles Askew, charming but feckless, works for a small-time private investigation agency. Born to privilege, at 38 his career and relationships are a car crash.

One August weekend Miles’ easy existence is obliterated when a lover gives him an alarming ultimatum, and a seemingly straightforward investigation into local greyhound racing erupts with the suspicious death of a colleague.

As Miles desperately grapples for atonement and justice, he is forced to confront both ruthless criminal conspirators and his own conflicted loyalties. Bribery, blackmail and violent death play out against a shifting social backdrop of Blair’s England and Catford’s criminal past, and Miles finds the odds of escaping unscathed increasingly stacked against him.

 

What did I think?

I just had to read Catford Dogs as soon as I heard about it as I remember finding its name very amusing when I saw it listed in the racing pages as a youngster.  With corruption both on and off the track, the book delivered so much more than I expected and I absolutely loved it.

There are some great characters in the book and I loved the main character of private investigator Miles Askew.  He's never really had to work hard for anything in his life but he certainly needs to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in when he's put on the case of strange goings on at the dog track.  Dogs that should be winning are losing but the owners and trainers can't work out what's going on so one owner turns to Fox Forensics to solve the case.

As Miles digs deeper into events at the track, he uncovers a fraud that goes deeper than he could ever have imagined and it's a little too close to home for his liking.  As the various threads of the story weave through the prose they all come together beautifully at the end to reveal a stunning tapestry that shocked, surprised and entertained me.

I loved everything about this book: the gritty, descriptive writing, the well-developed, colourful characters, the unusual setting and the riveting, fast-paced plot.  I am delighted to see 'Miles Askew Book One' printed on the cover as I have a very good feeling about this series and I can't wait to read more.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

About the author:

Andy Burn spent years making stuff up for business presentations before pivoting to the novel as a medium for writing fiction. A glittering portfolio career of board level experience in finance, property and media, or an inebriated stagger from one shaky rock to another while trying to dodge the bullet? Opinions vary but either way Andy’s working life has brought him into close contact with the best and worst of the business world. The bullies, the corrupt, the greedy, the charlatans, and the bullshit pedlars, but some pretty decent people too. He’s also slept in a refugee camp and blown stuff up in North Africa, studied Matisse, and walked hundreds of miles of coastline for good causes. Life experience peppers his writing. In his spare time he takes divots off golf courses or oils his gun collection. He lives in West Somerset with a very tolerant family and some intolerant dogs. 

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BLOG TOUR: The Folly - Gemma Amor

Morgan always knew her father, Owen, never murdered her mother. She has spent the last six years campaigning for his release from prison. Finally, mid-pandemic, Owen is set free, but the debt-riddled pair can no longer afford (or bear) to live in the family home – a house last decorated by a dead woman’s blood. 

Salvation and the chance for a new start in life comes in the form of a tall, dark and notorious decorative granite tower on the Cornish coastline known only as ‘The Folly’. The structure is empty, prone to break-ins, and the owner needs a caretaker – food and bills included. It’s an offer too good to refuse. Morgan and Owen relocate, leaving everything of their former lives behind and hoping that a change of scene and the remote location will be good for them both. 

At first, the Folly is indeed idyllic, but soon enough that peace is shattered when a bald-headed stranger arrives. A stranger who acts like Morgan’s mother, talks like her mother, and wears her dead mother’s clothes. 

What does he want? Why won’t he leave them alone? Why does he keep mentioning the year 1976?

And what secrets does the Folly tower hold?

 

What did I think?

This book totally creeped me out!  The Folly is a short book at 156 pages but it is filled with secrets and creepy events so it can easily be read in one sitting...with the lights on!

Morgan has stood by her father, despite him going to prison for her mother's murder, as she believed he was innocent.  There's just no way he could have done it, is there?  All of this and more will be revealed in this fast-paced mystery.

When Morgan and her dad move into The Folly, their secrets add to the building's secrets and it's only a matter of time before it all comes tumbling out.  Revelations are forced out into the open by a strange man who appears to be possessed by Morgan's mother's spirit...a spirit that won't rest until the truth is revealed.

I get goosebumps just thinking about the story in The Folly and I was really creeped out by the man who is acting like Morgan's mother.  The building itself was also really creepy and I would have been packing my bags after the first night.

Hauntingly atmospheric and incredibly creepy, The Folly is a chilling gothic horror filled with secrets and surprising revelations.  It's a quick read and one I would recommend to both horror and mystery fans.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

About the author:

Gemma Amor is a Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award nominated author, voice actor/podcaster and illustrator based in Bristol, UK. A hugely successful self-published author, Gemma has written the award-nominated Full Immersion with Angry Robot Books and multiple titles with Cemetary Gates Media. The co-creator of horror-comedy podcast Calling Darkness, Gemma’s stories have featured many times on popular horror anthology shows including The NoSleep Podcast, and in a number of print anthologies including Ellen Datlow’s The Best Horror of the Year.

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BLOG TOUR: Arden - GD Harper

Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, the former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century?

William Shakespeare, England’s greatest playwright, born thirteen years after Alice’s execution. Why does his first-ever play, written about this murder, not bear his name?

This is a story of two people – one reviled, one revered – whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time, a remarkable new theory about Shakespeare’s early years.

 

What did I think?

Oh my word, what a cracking novel and one that historical fiction fans should not miss!  I am absolutely speechless and I loved every single page of this book that is based on a true story.

I don't know much about Shakespeare's life so I learned so many new things whilst reading Arden, although it's worth noting that it is a work of fiction but the characters and historical events are real.  The story is told from two perspectives: Will (Shakespeare) between 1586 and 1605 and Alice (Arden) between 1536 to 1551.  The very poignant and chilling prologue dated 1551 haunted me throughout the novel as that fateful year approached.

As well as being a fictional recreation of Shakespeare's early life, it's also the true story of Alice Arden who was executed for the murder of her husband.  The author includes a photographic section in the book showing real historical documents, places and portraits to accompany the story.  There is also a dramatis personae and not just one but two maps at the start of the book to delight historical fiction fans.

The writing is exquisite and effortlessly breathes life into these long-dead characters so that they almost pop out from the page.  I half expected to lift my eyes from the book and find Shakespeare sitting on my sofa with me!  It has also made me more interested in Shakespeare's early life and I also felt compelled to find out more about Alice Arden.

Riveting, intriguing and fascinating, Arden is an unmissable historical fiction novel that I will be recommending for many years to come.  GD Harper is an author who is new to me but I definitely want to read more of his books.  Make sure you grab a copy of Arden, whether you're a historical fiction fan or not; it's a very highly recommended read from me and an easy five stars.  

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

I have written four novels in the last eight years under the penname GD Harper. 

My last novel, The Maids of Biddenden, the imagined biography of real-life conjoined twins born in 12th-century Kent, was featured on BBC TV News and was the winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the historical fiction category, shortlisted for the 2022 Selfie Award at the London Book Fair, and shortlisted or longlisted for five other awards. 

It has over a thousand ratings on Amazon UK and Goodreads, with an average score of 4.3. Across the major Amazon markets, it reached number sixteen in overall paid-for e-book sales, number two in historical fiction and number one in medieval historical fiction. 

Social Media Links – Instagram @gdharperauthor

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BLOG TOUR: The Poison Pen Letters (The Village Detectives Book 2) - Fiona Walker

We regret to announce the tragic death of Phoebe Fredericks… 

When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she’s horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow. 

Deciding it’s nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind. 

But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her no.1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face. 

Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead. 

Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered! 

A totally hilarious, modern cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling author Fiona  Walker, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and Janice Hallett. 

What did I think?

I didn't realise that The Poison Pen Letters is the second book in a series when I first started reading it, so you can totally read it as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.  It's a cosy mystery but it also has a bit of a comedy crime caper about it so be prepared to laugh a lot along the way.

I loved my virtual visit to the picturesque village of Inkbury and Fiona Walker's vivid writing drew a beautiful picture in my mind.  Of course the village may look lovely on the outside but something evil is lurking beneath the surface and one of the villagers ends up dead...but was that person the intended victim?

Author Phoebe Fredericks has been targeted with disturbing poison pen letters that would have had me running for the hills but her friends, the Village Detectives, are determined to find out who is writing them.  Phoebe has quite a list of people she has fallen out with in the past so the detectives, led by Juno, have their work cut out for them and a road trip is on the cards.

Juno is a fabulous character; it's so refreshing to have a middle-aged protagonist and she reminded me of an older Bridget Jones, especially when her mother tries to set her up with an eligible bachelor.  Juno did provide a lot of the laughs for me and I want to read the first book now just to see what she gets up to before this book.

As funny as it is cosy, The Poison Pen Letters is a witty and compelling mystery that entertained and surprised me.  I will definitely be picking up the first book in the series and I will be keeping an eye out for more visits to Inkbury.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/poisonpensocial

About the author:

Fiona Walker is the million copy bestselling author of joyously funny romantic comedies. Most  recently published by Head of Zeus, she will be turning to cozy crime for Boldwood. The first in her new Village Detectives series, The Art of Murder, will be published in May 2024. 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionawalkeruk 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionawalkeruk 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionawalkeruk/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/FionaWalkerNews 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fiona-walker 

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PUBLICATION DAY: 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:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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