It is time for Do Not Harm to be published in paperback. So join me in saying Happy paperback publication to Jack Jordan, author of medical thriller – Do No Harm.
Blurb
MY CHILD HAS BEEN TAKEN. AND I’VE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE . . . KILL A PATIENT ON THE OPERATING TABLE OR LOSE MY SON FOREVER.
The man lies on the table in front of me. As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him. As a mother, I know I must kill him. You might think that I’m a monster. But there really is only one choice. I must get away with murder. Or I will never see my son again.
I’VE SAVED MANY LIVES. WOULD YOU TRUST ME WITH YOURS?
Review
An involuntary sharp intake of breath may occur whilst reading Do No Harm! Anna is a cardiothoracic surgeon. She knows the mantra and code of do no harm. She knows she has life and death literally in her hands. She has an unusual decision to make -who to save? Her son or her patient. The patient could become the next Prime Minister, but her son has been abducted and those who have him demand the patient is killed or she won’t see him again. That’s the threat she is faced with.
Jack Jordan has created such a tense atmosphere that you embody the emotions and intensity of the writing that twists so much in its head as Anna’s career, along with her promise made with it hanging by a thread.
It is essentially a story about morals and how things can become muddied as life isn’t always so simple. It’s quite multilayered with it asking what you would do in Anna’s situation, when things aren’t as clear cut as say, a scalpel making its first incision.
It’s quite a psychological drama that unfolds with Anna being emotionally and morally torn in different directions. In top of this, her scrub nurse is also having a hard time in her life.
It is pacy and has grip throughout and is very involving. It’s a book I recommend.
Thanks to Compulsive Readers and Simon and Schuster UK for a copy of the book and for inviting me to review.
I am pleased to be on the blog tour with a review for highly modern story – The Ugly Truth. Discover the blurb and review below.
Blurb
Melanie Lange has disappeared.
Her father, Sir Peter Lange, says she is a danger to herself and has been admitted to a private mental health clinic.
Her ex-husband, Finn, and best friend, Nell, say she has been kidnapped.
The media will say whichever gets them the most views.
But whose side are you on? #SaveMelanie #HelpPeter
Told via interviews, transcripts and diary entries, The Ugly Truth is a shocking and addictive thriller about fame, power and the truth behind the headlines.
Review
The Ugly Truth is like a story of our times. It’s a work of fiction but it has a feel of a mix of watching a true crime documentary as it has an interview format to it and then looking at Twitter and following other people’s accounts of the story and going back to the interview style. Once your eye is in the format, which, for me happened fairly quickly, it becomes a compulsive read as all is interwoven impressively well to create the story of the disappearance of Melanie Lange.
It is a cautionary tale of our times about social media and the impact when certain stories implode all within a thriller that is a compelling read in all its formats of telling this story of Melanie Lange and everyone who feeds into it, from her controlling dad, her envious sister, her husband who betrayed her. Is fame also all it is cut out to be?
Discover the truth about what happened, is everyone telling you the true story, is everyone reliable and work out what camp you are in – #SaveMelanie or #HelpPeter in this compulsive, slick, highly modern thriller that has a lot to uncover.
Thanks to Random T. Tours and Transworld Books for inviting me to review and a proof copy to review from.
About the Author
L.C. North is the pen name of Lauren North. She studied psychology at university before pursuing a career in Public Relations. Her first book club thriller – The Ugly Truth – combines her love of psychology and her fascination with the celebrities in the public eye. She is currently working on her second novel, and when she’s not writing, she co-hosts the crime thriller podcast, In Suspense.
L.C. North lives on the Suffolk borders with her family.
Today I’ve decided to reveal my review on Picture You Dead by Peter James. It is in the DS Roy Grace series, which incidentally can be read in any order. There is also Grace on ITV at the moment with a different case. Discovering the books is also great, so you can now read and watch the works of Peter James. Discover the blurb and the review below.
Blurb
Discover the darkness that lurks around every corner in the latest instalment of Peter James’s award-winning detective series, which is now a major ITV programme starring John Simm as Roy Grace.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into an unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand.
Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.
It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . . They buy the drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back at home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.
One collector is certain that the painting is genuine. Someone who will use any method he can to get what he wants and will stop at nothing.
And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .
Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Picture You Dead is the eighteenth title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Find You Dead and Left You Dead.
Review
In Picture You Dead, readers, and Roy Grace are plunged into the dark, murky side of the art world, in-particular that of fine art, a world that makes for a great backdrop to crime fiction and Peter James mixes the two with aplomb.
Harry and Freya are just ordinary people leading ordinary lives and one painting could alter it all in unexpected ways and far from how they would want it to change. This is what leads D.S. Roy Grace and his team into territory that is unfamiliar to them, which leads them needing expert help in this area and come across the perfect match in the tv world, quite a stalwart. From there, it becomes more intriguing.
Picture You Dead is a highly engaging and enjoyable read! It can be read as a standalone and the books can be read in any order.
Grace is a major tv drama series on ITV, currently at time of writing this review is in its 3rd series with John Simm playing Roy Grace and is currently touring in the UK with Wish You Were Dead, with George Rainsford as Roy Grace.
Grace is back!!! ITV/ITVX/STV – Sunday 19 Mar 2023 8pm – 10pm.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Thanks to ITV and Riot Communications, I have a no spoiler, honest review of the first episode of series 3 of Grace, based on the books by Peter James. They kindly gave me the privilege of watching episode 1 of the new series ahead of time. There are 3 episodes – Dead Like You, Dead Man’s Grip, Not Dead Yet. Each case is standalone, although there is a thread running throughout each series in the development of relationships of the characters, the cases are each completed within one episode, so even if you have not seen this before, you can start with this new series.
John Simm is back as DS Roy Grace in Brighton, this time solving a chilling event at the Royal Edward Hotel on the night of Assistant Chief Constable, Alison Vosper’s do. It is thrilling from the start from the start. DS Roy Grace’s team have some tough questions to ask and need all the courage they can get due to who they have to ask them to. This is far from an ordinary case. It reminds DS Grace of crimes of the past. Is it the same or is it a copycat crime? It adds to the air of mystery in what proves to be a chilling case.
The context of the case is well built and the crime is a sensitive subject, sensitively handled. Cleverly, a lot that is being talked about certain behaviours and attitudes both socially and politically are woven into the story.
The mysteriousness of the crime has an ever increasing tension and is also very sinister, sometimes enough to make your skin crawl. The incidental music, actually works well in this drama and truly does heighten the senses as tension rises.
It’s compelling and my attention was all on the screen as the story unfolded. The flashbacks are easy to follow and heightens context to the case.
It’ll have you at the edge of your seat!
John Simm plays DS Roy Grace with aplomb. His acting is highly convincing and it is interesting watching him act opposite Laura Elphinstone, who plays DS Bella Moy, Richie Campbell who plays DS Glenn Branson and Zoe Tapper who plays Cleo Morey, Craig Parkinson as DS Norman Potting. It is, between the main actors and supporting actors, an excellent cast who deliver a twisty, compelling script.
I highly recommend watching this series and I will definitely be tuning in to watch this again on Sunday 19th March on ITV at 8pm and then continue watching the rest of what looks like an exceptionally good series, going by this first episode of 3.
Thanks to Riot Communications and ITV for inviting me and for the box of goodies – gourmet salted caramel popcorn that is melt in your mouth, Paloma mocktail that is fruity and refreshing, a stick of Brighton Rock that made me smile and set me up for a seaside crime, 2 books by Peter James – Wish You Were Dead (Quick Reads) (also now a play currently on a UK Theatre Tour) and Dead Tomorrow.
Today I have a guest post , thanks to Richard Cobourne and Random T. Tours, you now have a chance to find out a little about Red Light and Bell, the second in the showbiz thriller trilogy. A trilogy that sounds so intriguing, even the blurb is mysterious as the cover and title. Discover the blurb and then read what he has to say as well as to how to order his books. It’s certainly fascinating and enlightening guest post. So, please join me, whilst I welcome Richard Cobourne to my blog. Thank you!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Real people, real events, real organisations, and real places are frequently mentioned in this trilogy – there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, they are there solely to add authenticity and context, nothing more. You may like to think that this is entirely a work of fiction – but that’s up to you…
Richard Cobourne says:
Not many careers begin by taking the advice from a Christmas Cracker: “Write from what you know.”
Who would have thought my next-door neighbour, when I was aged just sixteen, would provide the knowledge to write this showbiz trilogy? Dick Bennet was Head of Sound at HTV — Wales’s independent TV channel. In 1973 he knocked on our door at the start of the school summer holidays where we lived in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. ‘We’re a bit short of people on the studio floor. Do you reckon you can push the Fisher Boom around?’
‘Err, what’s a Fisher Boom?’
‘It’s like a tricycle with a long arm and a microphone on the end.’
‘Okay,’ Said I.
‘We leave in fifteen minutes,’ said Dick.
And so, it began — many years working behind and in front of the cameras and microphones all over the world. I thought I was going to join the army — but those thoughts soon disappeared as I was dazzled by the lure of showbusiness.
That first day was captivating on the studio floor — as I learned to call it. HTV were producing a mini-series entitled, ‘The Inheritors’ starring among others Peter Egan, Robert Urquhart, Charles Dance, Bill Maynard, and Philip Madoc. Great actors, then young, all who went on to carve out illustrious careers.
To see and work with true professionals close-up was a thrill. To be able to speak with them was more than I could have imagined. Before long the smell of the grease paint had well and truly entered my blood.
For the next few years, I continued to freelance at HTV every moment I could — school holidays and weekends were filled with exhilarating experiences. But soon, too soon, I had completed my A-levels in Music, Maths and Physics and had to consider my future. I asked if there was a full-time job at HTV. I was told I would be better off at the BBC because, in those days, they offered proper training.
Naively one Friday afternoon I bounded up the steps of BBC Broadcasting House in Cardiff and asked for a job. Ten minutes later I was in front of Graham Walters, Head of Personnel. An hour later I had completed the application form to be told I had an interview the following Monday for the post of Trainee Audio Assistant. The interview went well for two reasons — firstly I go the job. Secondly, I met my future father-in-law. A month later I was on my way to the BBC’s Training Centre at Wood Norton, near Evesham, for what most considered to be the best broadcast training in the world.
News, current affairs, drama, thrillers, comedy, documentaries, sport, big music shows, huge orchestras, live events on radio and TV all over the UK and abroad followed — Terry and June; Charles’s and Diana’s wedding (Philip Schofield then worked in OB stores!); The Pope’s Visit; Elaine Paige; Val Doonican; more live major sporting events that I could possibly remember; The Old Grey Whistle Test; many years of Radio One Roadshows with Noel Edmonds, DLT, Tony Blackburn, Peter Powell, Simon Bates (who passed out on me upside down on a fairground ride), Mike Reid, Bruno Brooks, Simon Mayo, Steve Wright; the jungles of central Africa (close up with the silver back gorillas); drug cartels in Colombia; and three BAFTA nominations (but never won!).
Life was amazing making many good friends whom I still see today. But by the end of the nineteen eighties the BBC was changing, and I saw the metaphorical writing on the wall. I resigned.
After a short hiatus I formed my own production company. Somehow, we became successful working with some wonderful clients and with some well-known names — many pictures adorn the walls of my sh’office. Including Joanna Lumley; Toyah; Leslie Ash; Nigel Havers; Little and Large; Simon Bates; Tim Spall; Jeremy Northam (now a Hollywood star).
I continued to travel the world, one year racking up 91 flights — not sure that is something of which I should be proud? Some ridiculous travel such as a day trip to Cape Town, a day in Rio de Janeiro, with several to New York. I worked in virtually every European city. I have eaten in top restaurants, been in the swankiest of clubs, stayed at magnificent hotels and suffered in some very dubious locations. Along the way we won dozens and dozens of awards.
So, what you might say?
All the travel, stress and long hours took their toll. I have spent most of my career writing, producing, and directing; enthusing, educating, informing, and motivating various audiences but with a client and a defined purpose. I attempted to start writing a novel several times — but paying work interfered and they were soon shelved. I wanted — needed — to unlock the personal creative juices to do my own thing. So, I sold the business to enable me to write, to fulfil my ambition. Writing a novel is not a part-time job as many have found out.
Using the contacts made over the years, ‘celebrities’ and friends augmented my own knowledge — I have been back-stage with Access All Areas passes to many events including major sporting competitions, massive gigs, festivals, and intimate invitation-only special occasions — all helped me with deep background to ensure the tittle-tattle of real-life show-business, the law, parliament, and other aspects are accurately portrayed. The list of helpers is long, it includes: Spice Girl, Melanie Chisholm; broadcaster and voice-artist, Alan Dedicoat; Professor Kevin Doolan (Harvard); former BBC political correspondent Robert Orchard; a senior judge who specialises in trafficking, smuggling and slavery; former Sky News producer and war reporter Nick Purnell; The Rt Hon David TC Davies, MP for Monmouth, and Secretary of State for Wales; plus others who cannot or do not wish to be named, without whom etc…!
Going back to that Christmas Cracker: “Write from what you know.”
That’s what I have done.
‘Bandwagon’, the first in the trilogy, and now ‘Red Light and Bell’, the second, reflect some of my experiences (the finale of the trilogy, ‘End Turn’ is underway).
Yes, they are works of fiction — but the foundations are firmly entrenched in the real world, or as real as showbiz is or can be? Please enjoy for what they are…
*The title ‘Red Light and Bell’ is a filming term. A red light is illuminated, and a long bell sounded once before ‘going for a take.’ When the scene is completed, the red light is switched off and two short bells sounded. But in this novel it has another meaning…
Richard Cobourne writes with a production background in the broadcast, corporate, music and global eventsand communications industries. He has worked in the business-of–show all over the world for many years – and as a result has a deep understanding of the shenanigans of the industry.
He began his career working for the BBC, initially in the sound department of radio,
TV,and outside broadcasts. After fifteen years he left to co-foundOn Screen Productions Ltd,
which he sold in 2015 to pursue a career as a freelance consultant creative producer, occasional voice artist, and to enable him to write full–time. He is a member of The Ivy Club, BAFTA and the National Liberal Club.
This is the second novel in the showbiz thriller trilogy.The third, maybe final (who knows?),
is in progress.
Richard Cobourne lives with his wife on the Welsh side of the Wye Valley and in Fuerteventura.
PREVIOUS FICTION
•Bandwagon(the first Danny and Daisy showbiz thriller)
Published by Hobeck Books, I have a review as part of their blog tour for Blood Ties, thanks to them for also gifting the book in-exchange of an honest review. A book full of mysterious family dynamics and a murder. This is an engaging Steph Grant Murder Mystery. Find out the blurb and my full review below.
Blurb
Hector Percy appears to have it all. He shares his magnificent home, Glebe Hall, with his beloved wife Esme and son Jack, alongside their two closest friends and their daughter. But beneath the veneer of entitlement, Hector lives in fear of those who might snatch away his inheritance. Esme suspects he’s right; they’d created the perfect existence but now the arrangement is crumbling. If that happens their blissful life at Glebe Hall would be over.
Then tragedy strikes, forcing Hector and Esme to confront their future far sooner than they expected. One moment tearing the two families apart. Is this the end of their dreams?
Former detective Steph Grant finds herself embroiled in the family dynamics as she, along with partner and former boss, DI Hale, are pulled into the investigation. Delving into the history of the two families and the Hall, Steph and Hale unearth buried secrets – secrets that shake the very foundations of Glebe Hall, secrets that will change the future forever.
Review
Let’s start off with the home – Glebe Hall. It is absolutely magnificent in all its splendour. What I’d give for even 1 day and night in such a place! Hector Percy, Esme and their son have it all. They do, however, also share with friends – Jon and Madeline and their daughter. It should be a nice arrangement that’s set up, but in a way it’s like a warning about sharing your home, especially one as grand as Glebe Hall. What may seem a good idea at the time, doesn’t necessarily mean that any agreement and arrangement lasts. Before long, what should be an exceedingly comfortable life becomes uncomfortable.
The family dynamics and how everything changes and crumbles and how lives can be changed forever is an engaging read and is written in a way that is compelling. The atmosphere changes in an instant and becomes toxic, meaning that not everyone even wants to stay under the same roof, no matter the grandeur of it all.
Steph Grant and Hale are on the case of a murder and what she finds in her investigation is the darkest secrets, making the case even more twisted than first suspected as the families have things they’d rather not have surface into any domain outside the walls of Glebe Hall…
The future is uncertain, but what is certain is that this is a book not be missed!
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 