BLOG TOUR: Festival Days (The Clapham Trilogy book 3) - Julie Anderson

May 1951

Celebration is in the air with the Festival of Britain and for the first time in years the mood is one of hope rather than hurt.

For Detective Constable Faye Smith, London is not as safe as it seems. The criminal underworld is gaining strength, enjoying a lively existence below the surface. Then two bodies are found in the war-time shelters, a man and a woman. Who are they?

What’s their story? Why were they murdered and how did they end up in the shelters?

Meanwhile, Ellie Peveril is busy with a celebration of a different kind. Ellie does all she can to support her friend but has her own worries, with ex-fiancé Patrick Havistock looming in the shadows. Faye, keen to unravel the mystery of the double murder, finds herself tangled up in crimes that stretch far beyond a simple killing.

Faye and Ellie must face their toughest case yet as their lives change, irrevocably, for the future.

What did I think?

Festival Days is the third and final book in The Clapham Trilogy and it's a real firecracker.  I only joined the series at book two so I enjoyed catching up with DC Faye Smith again but you can definitely read it as a standalone and still enjoy it.

Set in 1951, Faye is a woman in a man's world and it's unheard of to have a woman on the force in the 1950s but her colleagues are more accepting of her now.  Faye's latest case that this book centres around is quite tricky as it looks like a gangland execution so she needs all the help she can get.  

Faye's friend Ellie should be looking forward to her wedding day but she is convinced her ex-fiancé will turn up to ruin her day.  Even with all her own worries, she finds a way to help Faye but it puts her in grave danger.  What a wonderful friendship they have!  It makes me quite sad that this is a trilogy and not a long-running series as I could read more about these amazing characters.

Incredibly atmospheric, gripping and tense, Festival Days is a fantastic conclusion to an outstanding trilogy.  Whilst I'm sad it has come to an end, it does give me the opportunity to read book one for the first time and experience the trilogy in its entirety.  This is a highly recommended read that is sure to pick up new fans to the series.

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

My rating:

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Hobeck Books

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BLOG TOUR: Hamilton's Deepcatch (The Catch Series Book 3) - Douglas Roberts

A raging Atlantic storm batters a deep-sea oil rig – the perfect place to murder enemies, smuggle contraband, and bribe officials without leaving a trace. Beneath the surface lies a network of corruption as vast and dark as the ocean itself.

At the heart of this nefarious conglomerate are two piratical masterminds, operating with near impunity. Their ambitions know no limits: sinking ships, destroying oil rigs, and eliminating anyone who threatens their pursuit of unimaginable wealth. But this time, their greed and violence have triggered a deadly investigation.

As Detective Inspector Patricia Eyethorne OBE and her partner Justin hunt for the truth, their investigation explodes into a life-or-death chase across violent seas. With corrupt politicians like Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP entwined in the conspiracy, the question remains – will justice finally catch up with them, or will these masterminds escape into the shadows once more?

 

What did I think?

Hamilton's Deepcatch is book three in The Catch Series and, whilst you could read it as a standalone as the main story is self-contained, it is much better when you've read the earlier two books, simply because you know more of the background of the characters. 

If there's anything dodgy going on, you can bet your bottom dollar that Maurice ‘Bloody’ Hamilton MP will be up to his neck in it.  The plot is very clever and intriguing so the security services have called on DI Patricia Eyethorne OBE to help them uncover the conspiracy.  It's a very dangerous mission as people have already been killed in their search for the truth.

I love the character of Patricia; it's so good to have a strong female protagonist who is more than a match for any man.  Maurice Hamilton knows that only too well and he is as obnoxious as ever in this instalment but his past deeds are about to catch up with him.  It was great to see some familiar faces, to the reader at least, and I couldn't read fast enough to see if Hamilton would finally get his comeuppance.

Hamilton's Deepcatch is a fast-paced, gripping and intriguing novel that is filled with adventure and danger.  The whole series is well worth a read and I think it would be brilliant if it was made into a TV series.

I received a gifted paperback for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: In the Name of the Reich - Ian M. WIlliamson

London, 1969. Great Britain has flourished under National Socialist rule since its integration into the Third Reich after the Second Great War – a war Great Britain lost – and the nation is at peace.

Or so it seems.

A psychedelic drug named Yonder has taken the working class population by storm, and has become a figurehead for a “silent protest” against the Nationalist Socialist regime. It is now the single greatest threat to social order, and must be stopped.

British-born Detective Sergeant John Highsmith – an officer in the Metropolitan Police’s Drug Enforcement Squad – is a member of the Task Force dedicated to achieving just this. But the job is not so straightforward, and when John is confronted with violence, torture, and death, only his stead-fast loyalty to National Socialism will protect him as he puts his life on the line – in the name of the Reich.

A harrowing tale of what might have been, In the Name of the Reich examines how Nazi rule would have warped British society and a young man raised under it. It is uncompromising in its depiction, and aims to revolutionise this genre of fiction.

 

What did I think?

I didn't write a single note in my reading journal when I was reading In the Name of the Reich because I couldn't put it down!  I had to double check that it's a debut novel as the writing is so accomplished and it's absolutely fantastic from start to finish, with a breathtaking conclusion that deserves a chef's kiss.  

The alternative history feels so realistic; it doesn't read like a 'what might have been' it's more of a 'this is what is actually happening in an alternate reality'.  To cope with the National Socialists ruling the country, the British people are turning to a drug called Yonder to escape from their grim reality.  As with all drugs though, Yonder has a darker side and the police need to find the source to prevent the flow of it into Britain.

DS John Highsmith is about to become a father for the first time but his investigation into Yonder puts him in increasing danger.  John is a bit like a cat with nine lives as he has so many near misses that had me on the edge of my seat.  Just how long will his luck last?

Highly original and scarily realistic, In the Name of the Reich is a magnificent debut novel from Ian M. Williamson.  With a razor-sharp, compelling plot and blistering pacing, it is unmissable, unforgettable and unputdownable.  I will be raving about this book for a very long time and I can't recommend it highly enough.  A well-deserved five stars.  Wunderbar!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours virtual book tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Troubador Publishing

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Ian M. Williamson graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 after studying History and Hispanic Studies, where his historical interests were based largely in 20th century world politics. These studies fostered a lifelong intrigue in what might have been, and provided an insightful basis for his work on an alternate history narrative.

Website: www.ianmwilliamson.co.uk

Instagram: @ianmwilliamson

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BLOG TOUR: The Catch Series - Douglas Roberts

A minor crime deserves a minor punishment and a serious crime a more serious punishment. But you have to get caught first and it certainly helps if you get someone else to do your dirty work for you. Then there’s the question of who is going to catch you, and if caught, one has to be particularly devious to be able to get away with it. Even if one is as powerful a Member of Parliament and cabinet minister as Maurice Hamilton.

Abhorrence is a way of life for those with such a black heart which feeds off the goodwill of others but vengeance is a two-edged sword which can cut you down in the blink of an eye.

What did I think?

Catch of the Day is the first book in The Catch Series and it certainly got me well hooked as I couldn't put it down.  I absolutely loved it and I don't even like politics but MP Maurice Hamilton is one of those detestable characters that you love to hate.

The first couple of chapters set the scene and it soon becomes clear that there are a lot of people who would want to kill Maurice 'bloody' Hamilton.  Getting close enough to do so when he's a Member of Parliament needs an ingenious plot and this one is sublime.  

DI Patricia Eyethorne is a talented young detective who teams up with Justin Crawford from Hamilton's security team to try to foil the plot.  I loved seeing the romantic relationship between Patricia and Justin blossom despite being put under so much stress in their jobs.  It definitely made me want to read the next book in the series to see where life would take them next.

Catch of the Day is tense, suspenseful and action-packed; it's a cracking political espionage thriller and I couldn't put it down.  I almost forgot to breathe near the end as Patricia and Justin race against time.  Brilliant!  Well worth a read.

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

My rating:

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Amazon

Waterstones

Is the assassin manipulating the world price of platinum and how many has he murdered? Many such questions challenge Inspector Eyethorne OBE and her Fiancée who haven’t yet decided upon a name for their detective agency and neither have they had the time to fix a wedding date. Their pan-European investigations reveal that the answers are connected and despite Special Branch directing operations, they find themselves being pursued by ruthless gangs across London. Their only options are high-level escapes. Cabinet minister Maurice ‘bloody’ Hamilton enters this toxic mix and he’s out to make a killing; in both senses of the word.

 

What did I think?

Having read Catch of the Day, I raced straight on to Slipscatch to continue The Catch Series.  It's difficult not to compare the sequel to the first book as I absolutely loved Catch of the Day but Slipscatch didn't grip me as much.  It's still a good thriller though.

I loved catching up with Patricia Eyethorne and Justin Crawford as they investigate a platinum mining conspiracy.  Of course if there's something dodgy going on, you just know that Maurice 'bloody' Hamilton is in thick of it (spoiler alert: he didn't get killed in the first book).

The plotting is very sharp and the action is fast-paced as danger increases with every turn of the page.  I didn't quite find my reading rhythm for various reasons so I didn't race through it as quickly as the plot perhaps warranted.   

Slipscatch is like a cross between Spooks and 24 so it would be great to see it made into a series.  It is very tense and suspenseful and I can't wait to read the next book, Hamilton's Deep Catch.

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

My rating:

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BLOGATHON: Anything For Her - Jack Jordan

For my stop on the Compulsive Readers blog tour, I am reposting my review of Anything For Her from July 2015, updated with the stunning new cover.  

The unputdownable debut from bestselling author Jack Jordan.

Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you.

Louise Leighton's life has fallen apart, all because of one fateful night. Her husband is an adulterer, her sister is his mistress, and soon, Louise will lose everything she owns. But she never imagined she would lose her daughter.

Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It's up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away? Or has she been taken against her will? And can Louise aid the investigation without mentioning the night where all of her troubles began?

If she mentions that night, she will incriminate her daughter for heinous crimes. But if she doesn't, she may never find Brooke; and if she has been abducted, the person who took her may come for Louise, too.

Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.

What did I think?

Louise Leighton is happily married to Michael with two happy carefree children, Brooke and Dominic, when an unfortunate event shatters her world.

Wow!  This book fell through my letterbox and didn't even hit the bookshelf - once I picked it up, it refused to be put down!  It gripped me from the very first page when Michael revealed that he had been having an affair with his sister-in-law.  He blames his actions on Louise, as she has changed after “that night”.  “That night” is the hook that had me turning page after page, long after I should have been asleep and dreaming of books, beer and cheese.

Jack Jordan has very cleverly chosen a mindless act for “that night” that sets in motion a series of events with cataclysmic consequences, resulting in a shared secret between Louise and her daughter, Brooke.  The tension was palpable as more details of “that night” emerge and the past doesn’t just come back to haunt them, it comes back to get even.

This is an exceptional debut novel; the writing is sublime with an abundance of magnificent metaphors that had me mentally applauding on every page.  This is definitely a contender for my book of the year.

I received a copy of the book from the author; this is my honest and unbiased opinion. 

My rating:

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PUBLICATION DAY PUSH: Poor Girls - Clare Whitfield

 

Don't get angry.

Get rich.

1922. Twenty-four-year-old Eleanor Mackridge is horrified by the future mapped out for her - to serve the upper classes or find a husband. During the war, she found freedom in joining the workforce at home, but now women are being put back in their place.

Until Eleanor crosses paths with a member of the notorious female-led gang the Forty Elephants: bold women who wear diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin, who take what they want without asking. Now, she sees a new future for herself: she can serve, marry - or steal.

After all, men will only let you down. Diamonds are forever.

In Poor Girls, Clare Whitfield exposes the criminal underbelly of 1920s London - but this isn't a morality tale, it's an adventure for the willingly wicked.

What did I think?

Having absolutely loved Clare Whitfield's stunning debut novel, People of Abandoned Character, I was very excited to read Poor Girls and I was not disappointed.  It's a book that hooked me from the start and refused to let go even after turning the final page...I am still thinking of Nell (Eleanor Mackridge) and her escapades.

Inspired by a true story and real women, Clare Whitfield weaves a wonderful tale of crime, family, friendship and adventure that entertains the reader from start to finish.  I had previously read about Alice Diamond and the Forty Elephants so I knew a little about these remarkable female criminals.  Of course, you don't need to have any prior knowledge to read Poor Girls as Clare Whitfield lays out the history in such a vivid way.

The class divide is very noticeable in the 1920s; you either have money or you don't.  Eleanor Mackridge falls into the latter category and finds herself waiting on the rich, snooty and downright rude.  After one snide comment too many, Eleanor quits her job in a moment of fury but all is not lost as she has been noticed by the Forty Elephants.  Eleanor's life is about to change...some say for the better, some say for the worse but it's certainly a life filled with danger and adventure.

I absolutely adored Nell (previously Eleanor) and her quest for adventure and fun; she may be a fictional character but she was brought to life just as much as the real historical figures who feature in the novel.  I loved the camaraderie between the girls in the cell but with that old saying rattling around in my head: "there's no honour among thieves", I worried for Nell but whether or not I was right to worry you will just have to read the book to find out.

Hugely atmospheric and wildly adventurous, Poor Girls is a stunning novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It's a cross-genre novel that's part historical fiction brought wonderfully to life and crime fiction that has you rooting for the criminal.  A very highly recommended read.

I received an ARC to read and review for the publication day push and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy link: https://geni.us/poorgirlspb

About the author:

Clare Whitfield was born in 1978 in Morden (at the bottom of the Northern line) in Greater London. After university she worked at a publishing company before going on to hold various positions in buying and marketing. She now lives in Hampshire with her family. Her debut novel, People of Abandoned Character, won the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award and is also published by Head of Zeus.

Social Media Links – 

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https://www.instagram.com/clarewhitfieldauthor/

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BLOG TOUR: A Death in the Afternoon (The Clapham Trilogy Book 2) - Julie Anderson

Summer 1948

London swelters amid post-war reconstruction, while continued rationing and the black-market fuel the rising crime wave. The empires of gangland bosses grow and thrive, protected by corruption and bribery.

During a party in Clapham a student nurse from the South London Hospital for Women and Children dies in a fall from a balcony. Is it an unfortunate accident as the local police believe? Or something more sinister?

The nurse’s friends ask a newly qualified female detective constable to investigate, a woman who is facing difficulties of her own. Before long all are drawn into the criminals’ deadly games, as gangsters jostle for territory and power. With the solution almost within grasp, their lives are threatened and one of them faces a dreadful fate.

Can the others find her before it’s too late?

And what is the truth about...

A Death in the Afternoon?

 

What did I think?

A Death in the Afternoon is the second book in The Clapham Trilogy but it is the first one I have read and I loved it so I can confidently say that it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Constable Faye Smith has just been promoted to detective and in a 1940s police station she epitomises a woman in a man's world.  Faye can take care of herself though, despite any obstacles that are thrown in her way.  Faye used to work in the hospital so she is determined to get to the bottom of a nurse's death - did she fall or was she pushed?

I absolutely loved Faye and when the plot takes a dangerous turn I simply couldn't read fast enough.  My heart was in my mouth as my eyes raced down the page and the clock kept ticking down.  It just shows the immense talent of the writer when a reader cares so much about an already established character that they have only just met.

Gripping, blisteringly fast-paced and incredibly atmospheric, A Death in the Afternoon is unpredictable and unputdownable.  I will definitely be picking up a copy of The Midnight Man to read more of Faye's backstory and I can't wait for book three.  Julie Anderson has certainly picked up a new fan right here!

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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Death, Adjourned (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 9) - Simon Michael

A gritty urban legal thriller you don’t want to miss! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

Has Charles picked the wrong side…?

London, 1969

The Kray twins, the nemeses of Charles Holborne, barrister, are finally convicted of multiple murders and sent away for the longest prison terms ever imposed by a British court.

But with London in the grip of a housing crisis and unscrupulous landlords hiking rents, there are new ruthless enforcers terrorising destitute East Enders.

When a tenant dies during a violent altercation with bailiffs, Charles is instructed to represent the businessmen charged with conspiracy to murder. There is motive, an eyewitness and a confession – seemingly an open and shut case.

But Charles suspects his clients are pawns in a much more dangerous game being played by shadowy Establishment figures.

But are his instincts wrong this time? Is he being manipulated into defending a guilty man?

And as dark secrets are revealed, will he have to choose between moral integrity and professional success?

DEATH, ADJOURNED is the ninth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

 

What did I think?

I am delighted that Simon Michael has decided to continue his fantastic Charles Holborne series after Charlie's final showdown with the Kray twins in book 8, Nothing But The Truth.  The Krays may be behind bars but crime is continuing in London and Charles has a new defendant to represent and it's one who might be guilty this time.

As with all of the Charles Holborne books we are whisked away to court as the trial plays out and I did actually feel as if I was sitting in the public gallery, especially when one particularly jawdropping, gasp-out-loud scene plays out.  I almost dropped my Kindle!

The writing as always is flawless, vivid and immersive and the plotting is perfect.  I couldn't have put money on the outcome of the trial as I flipped between guilty and not guilty so often.  The subject matter of council built housing is actually very thought-provoking and I've always worried about companies tendering for jobs at a price that is too good to be true as they will inevitably cut corners in order to cut costs.  The historical note at the end is very sobering (and scary) to read.

As riveting as Charles' legal cases always are, I also enjoy reading about what's going on in his personal life as it really brings the character to life and I feel like I am catching up with an old friend.  My heart always goes out to Charles when he visits his parents in the residential home as his mother's vicious tongue may be silent now but Charles still loves her unconditionally, despite her never having done the same for him.

Gripping, immersive and thought-provoking, Death, Adjourned is another riveting instalment in the fabulous Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers series and long may it continue.  Keep ‘em coming, Simon!

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Meantime in Greenwich - Hannah Keens

Can an orphaned astrologer and a widowed astronomer put aside their differences to find love?

After Stella’s parents died, she spent her childhood in an orphanage so she fears loving anyone in case she loses them. Her only solace in life is astrology.

Benedict’s wife died in childbirth, so he raised his son alone. When he meets Stella, he is overwhelmed by guilt. And as a respected professor of astronomy, can he really allow himself to fall in love with an astrologer?

Find out whether love is written in the stars for Stella and Benedict in this English romantic comedy.

What did I think?

I absolutely adored Meantime in Greenwich from its clever play on words title to its charming and heartwarming storyline.  It's no secret that Hannah Keens is a pseudonym of Helen Steadman and as Helen is one of my favourite authors it's no surprise that this gorgeous book is going straight on to my favourites shelf.

I used to go to Greenwich a lot when I visited family in London so it was lovely to virtually revisit this part of London in the book as it was brought to life through the wonderfully vivid and descriptive writing.  If I thought the location was vivid, it pales in comparison to the characters who virtually pop from the page.  I loved Stella but it was her love interest Benedict's son Daniel who stole my heart.

So I mentioned the clever play on words in the title earlier and obviously the location is Greenwich (with Durham playing a small cameo) but the Meantime comes from the spat between astrology and astronomy.  Stella is an astrologer and, as her mother taught her, it keeps her mother's memory alive.  Stella meets astronomer Benedict when she attends his lecture about Saturn and they have an instant connection.  Benedict's snooty astronomy colleagues couldn't bear it if he dated an astrologer!

There is just so much to love about this book and it's perfect escapism to put a smile on your face at the end of the day.  It's fabulous feel-good fiction without being sugar-coated as the characters have their own past heartaches and challenges to overcome.  I warmed to the characters so much that I had a lump in my throat at the end and I'm missing them already.

Romantic, charming and uplifting, Meantime in Greenwich is a fabulous romantic comedy that warmed my heart and cheered my soul.  I will definitely be reading it again to brighten my day; it's like my own personal prescription from Dr Steadman.  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:

Hannah Keens is a contemporary English novelist. She writes sweet romantic comedies that will leave you with a smile in your heart. Welcome to a world of love, laughter and happily ever after.

Website: https://hannahkeens.com/ 

Author note from book: https://hannahkeens.com/visit-mysteries-in-covent-garden

Twitter: https://x.com/HannahKeens 

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

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BLOG TOUR: Nocturne with Gaslamps - Matthew Francis

A historical crime fiction novel set in Victorian London’s gaslit theatre scene, where ghosts lurk in the shadows and murder takes centre stage.

Gaslight. Ghosts. Murder.

Hastings Wimbury has always dreamt of playing Hamlet, but for now he works as a theatre gas-boy. Here, he tends to a gas chandelier so powerful it creates its own weather, and limelight machines that can throw a shadow onto a wall ten miles away.

When Hastings suddenly disappears, his fiancée Flora sets out to find him with the help of Cassie, her rival in love who is more preoccupied with the ghosts terrorising the streets of London. Soon total darkness is imposed upon the city, and they realise that something far more sinister is at hand…

Ladies aren’t supposed to solve mysteries, but this is a matter of life and death.

 

What did I think?

Nocturne with Gaslamps is a very atmospheric mystery set in Victorian London.  It's a step back in time to a dark and dangerous time when ghosts, thieves and murderers roamed the streets of London beneath the shadows of the gaslamps.

I really enjoyed the theatre setting, especially the behind the scenes special effects created by gas.  Being a gas-boy was clearly a very dangerous job but it's a job that aspiring actor Hastings Wimbury finds himself accepting in order to work in the theatre.  It is in the theatre where Hastings meets a mysterious count who promises him the lead in his production of Hamlet...but at what cost?

Cassie is intrigued by the new resident at Halcyon House where she is lodging as there's something Hastings Wimbury is hiding.  I loved Cassie's inquisitive nature and it stands her in good stead when Hastings goes missing and she investigates his disappearance along with his fiancée.

The author paints amazingly atmospheric scenes with his vivid words and the gripping mystery keeps the pages turning with a few shocks and surprises in store for the reader along the way.

Gripping, intriguing and incredibly atmospheric, Nocturne with Gaslamps is an excellent historical crime novel and the perfect read for a dark and chilly night.

I received a digital 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:

Matthew Francis is Professor Emeritus in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. He read English at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. He writes novels, short stories, and poetry collections. He has won the TLS / Blackwell's Prize for Poetry and the Southern Arts Literature Prize, and been shortlisted twice for the Forward Prize, twice for the Welsh Book of the Year Award and once for the Ted Hughes Award. In 2004, he was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets. He is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy. Matthew lives with this wife in Aberystwyth, Wales where he enjoys playing chess, cooking and playing the ukulele.

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BLOG TOUR: Scandalous Women - Gill Paul

1966:In London, Jackie Collins's racy The World is Full of Married Men hits bookshops and launches her career. In New York, Jacqueline Susann's debut novel Valley of the Dolls is published, and she's desperate for it to be a bestseller. But both are about to discover the price they will pay for being women who dare to write about sex.

Meanwhile, college graduate Nancy White is excited to take up her dream job at a Manhattan publishing house. But Nancy could never be prepared for the rampant sexism she is about to encounter.

When Nancy introduces the two Jackies, she fears they will become rivals in their race to top the charts. As she strives to achieve her ambition of becoming an editor, can all three women succeed despite the men determined to hold them back?

 

What did I think?

Gill Paul has done it again!  Gill Paul's beautiful writing creates a vivid multidimensional picture of Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins, bringing them to life on the page.  I was completely blown away by Scandalous Women and I loved every single perfectly written word.  

The story is told from three different points of view; that of Jacqueline Susann, Jackie Collins and Nancy White.  Nancy could be a talented editor in a publishing house if she was a man but this is the 1960s so she is passed over for promotion, despite being the best person for the job.  Author Jacqueline Susann is known for being difficult and demanding, so Nancy is given the job of looking after her and the pair become friends.

I love the way that Nancy is the link that connects the two Jackies as they are all women who are struggling to make their name in a man's world.  I am completely in awe of Gill Paul's ability to create character voices that are so individual and unique that I felt as if they were actually talking to me and telling me their story.

Of course I am aware of Jackie Collins but I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of Jacqueline Susann before reading Scandalous Women, but she deserves full credit for paving the way for female authors to take the publishing world by storm.  I really want to read Valley of the Dolls and some Jackie Collins novels now.

This magnificent novel is absolutely breathtaking and completely unmissable.  Scandalous Women is an imaginative and entertaining glimpse into the lives of three talented women in the 1960s whose lights refuse to be hidden under a bushel.  A very highly recommended read and I can't wait to see whose life Gill Paul decides to recreate next.

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

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