#Review By Lou of One Of Us Is Dead By Peter James @peterjamesuk @panmacmillan #Grace #crimefictionseries @Brownlee_Donald

One Of Us Is Dead
By Peter James

Review By Louise (Lou)

One Of Us Is Dead is the latest Roy Grace book by Peter James and it’s another fabulous read, from the intriguing title to the masterful plotting inside…
I nicely received this some time after it being organised by one of the Bloody Scotland organisers after watching him give a talk, which you can read about at the end of my book review in a link from a previous publication my review of it.
Peter James also has a UK theatre tour of a play version of Picture You Dead, see more about this in my review from Bloody Scotland too.
First, onto the book in hand, One Of Us Is Dead.

Blurb

Roy Grace is about to find out just how dangerous a dead man can be . . .

When James Taylor arrives late for a funeral, he has to stand at the back of the small church. But, as the service progresses, Taylor notices a man six rows in front of him. At first he thinks he must be mistaken, but the more he looks at the man, the more convinced Taylor becomes that this is his old schoolfriend Rufus Rorke.

Except it couldn’t be him, could it? Because two years ago Taylor attended Rufus Rorke’s funeral. He even delivered Rufus’s eulogy.

On the other side of Brighton, at Police HQ, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has been alerted to a number of suspicious deaths that he can’t get out of his mind. But how are they linked? And could they possibly be connected to Rufus Rorke?

One Of Us Is Dead is the latest race-against-time instalment of the award-winning Grace series by Peter James, now a major ITV show starring John Simm.

Review

A dead man shouldn’t be dangerous, he’s dead, but this is different…

The mystery is a twisty one and is it a case of mistaken identity or a dopple-ganger or is there more to this than meets the eye when James Taylor, a pilot, attends a funeral and catches sight of someone bearing a rather similar look to his dead school-friend, Rufus Rourke?

These are the questions for DS Grace and his team to answer…

The killer is often a step-ahead, but it’s intriguing to see what the other characters do. We see this roll out from different perspectives, with deaths looking like a coincidence at first, but of course, we know differently, it being a crime fiction novel and all that.

The plot is slick and plays out rather more deviously than it first looks and reels and grips readers in bit by bit, as Peter James plays with the mastermind of the criminal and the reader adeptly and masterful, so those pages keep turning right to the end, with every word read.

This is a long running series I highly recommend, with every case being different from the last, with cleverly crafted plots and characters that make you want to discover more about the nefarious goings on in Brighton and Hove.

Review from Bloody Scotland Peter James with Elly Griffiths

About the Author

Peter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper.

Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger. In 2024, it was announced that he is the creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s favourite fictional detective.

To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 20 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 21 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. His books are also often adapted for the stage, with his six stage shows grossing over £17 million at the box office – the most recent being Wish You Were Dead.

#Spotlight on A Backstage Betrayal by Michael Ball Out 12th Nov 2024, Full Review to Come @MrMichaelBall @ZaffreBooks #CompulsiveReaders #BlogTour #TheatreCrime #Theatre #Books

Out on 12th November, A Backstage Betrayal would make a great pre-Christmas read or a gift for theatre and book lovers alike. For now, here is a sneak peek at what the second book by Michael Ball is all about. A proof copy has just arrived for me (19th November) to review from… I know, so exciting and I’m so lucky, so a full review will come soon. For now, check out the stunning cover and the blurb.

‘Full of glamour and intrigue. It slips down as easily as any cocktail.’ Fern Britton

ESCAPE TO THE EMPIRE THEATRE WITH THE NEW NOVEL FROM MUSICAL THEATRE LEGEND, MICHAEL BALL.

GLAMOUR. DECEIT. SECRETS. SCANDAL. 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?

In this perfect Christmas gift for theatre lovers, Michael Ball transports readers to the roaring twenties as he works his magic in this second Empire Theatre novel.

#Review By Lou of Dance to the Death By Shirley Ballas @ShirleyBallas @HQstories #CrimeFiction #DanceToTheDeath #ChristmasRead #Strictly

Dance to the Death
By Shirley Ballas

Review by Louise (Lou)

How far will you take things? What would you do when all you want is to win? Dance to the Death is a Christmas murder mystery with style, sass with a bit of heart!

Blurb

It’s Christmas time in London and all is not calm…

After solving a series of murders at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, all Lily Richmond and Susie Cooper want is a peaceful Christmas. The last thing they expect is to find a dead body backstage at the Royal Albert Hall.

Even worse, the victim is one of Lily’s students, a trust fund debutante set to be the new star of the ballroom dancing world.

Lily and Susie set to investigating, but every clue throws up more questions, and around every corner lurk more suspects. And along the way, familiar faces on the dance scene will make themselves known – some that ought to stay in the past.

Will the unlikely duo manage to wrap up the case in time to enjoy the holiday with their loved ones? Or is there a greater danger behind the scenes than they could have imagined?

Review

The glittering cast list before the story begins shows sass and intrigue. It starts in a strong, need to read on, prologue at the Royal Albert Hall and shimmies to Dance Daily Live.

Hook-ability is quick (don’t care if that isn’t a word, I’m saying it). Plunged into the world of competitive dance with all its sequined glitz, a valuable necklace is stolen and there’s murder.

You can really dig deep into the cast to see what really goes on with your “backstage pass” that this book is like. There is friendship, foes, romance and interestingly, NDA’s. For a murder mystery, there is some heart to be found in it too.

The writing is brilliant and there are certain parts that are almost poetic.

So, I recommend getting your shiny shoes on and dance to the One Step Ahead championship as your fingers quick-step through the fast-paced book, with all eyes glued on the words that pop off the page.

#Review of touring family play, Treasure Island written by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Ross MacKay directed by Jordan Blackwood @scottishtheatreproducers @Macrobert #Whatson in #Holidays #TreasureIsland #FamilyShow #Theatre #Tour

Treasure Island

Written by Robert Louis Stevenson
Adapted by:

Ross MacKay

(A Play, Pie and a Pint’s Party of The Century
and Tortoise in a Nutshell’s Feral),

Directed by Jordan Blackwood

(A Play, Pie and a Pint’s The Scaff and Perth Theatre’s Antigone)

Review by Louise Cannon (Lou)
Bookmarks and Stages

Last night I had an entertaining night at the MacRobert Centre, Stirling, Scotland at family play, Treasure Island. Sail down further to see the synopsis, review, quotes and the all important tour dates of what’s left of it.

Treasure Island_Image by Mihaela Bodlovic

Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic

Synopsis

Local lad Robbie Stevenson prefers to hide away from the world inside the pages of his favourite book, Treasure Island. But with a little bit of imagination, the book comes to life, and he is thrust aboard. Robbie soon finds that you can’t stay hiding forever when he must learn to navigate his own course, and to discover the world is full of treasure, if you’re brave enough to look.
Inspired by the classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Review

Ahoy Me Hearties!!! I dared to be whisked away on the seven seas in this new re-telling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, adapted for all the family from 5 years plus.
There’s a great balance of entertainment for both adults and children alike.
I took a look around the audience and people seemed enthralled and happy.

The audience were greeted with sea shanties filling the auditorium, which definitely set the scene perfectly well and gave a great atmosphere.

You’re placed inside Robbie’s imagination. He’s go the Biggest Imagination Ever!!!

He’s also had the Worst Day at School. EVER!!! It’s so relatable to children and adults alike. He just wants to curl up and disappear. He reckons he can’t possibly sing the song for the school play. So, he hunts through his books and finds Treasure Island and you see him act out scenes, before we are immersed onto the ship ourselves. It truly married up book, the escapism they give with stage too as soon, his bed becomes a ship and we meet familiar characters, most notably like Jim Hawkins, who as we are reminded, is the Strongest Boy Ever!, Bones, Captain Flint and the infamous, Long John Silver.

All the cast were strong, playing several parts, with my favourites being Long John Silver, the part was played superbly with just enough scariness for children and no more. It was pitched just right and acted strongly. The character of Jim Hawkins was played very well, going between anxious and playful states.

The mix of spoken word and song, in the form of sea shanties was fabulous fun and arranged very well.

There is mild trepidation, humour, swashbuckling sword fights and uplifting messages about the power of stories and imagination, that it’s okay to be scared and more, throughout.

And what do the black spot and tattoos mean?
Can he find the treasure? What happens to Robbie?
You’d have to go and see it to find out.

It may not all be completely the original story, but is certainly inspired by it and is still recognisable as being Treasure Island, so a worthy adaptation. I felt that it hopes that maybe one day children will read the novel and escape with their own imaginations into the full story too, like Robbie does.

It’s a great night out for all the family and I urge you to go and then have your own pirate adventures on the high seas of play and bookish imagination.

Quote from the writer:

“I am delighted that audiences across the length and breadth of Scotland will have the chance to take to the seas and share in the adventure. I always wanted to adapt Treasure Island and I am over the moon to be working with such an incredible team to bring this magical story to life in a unique adaptation. I hope this show inspires people young and old to show that with a bit of bravery and a dash of imagination treasure can be found anywhere.”

Writer, Ross MacKay

Quote from the director:
“Our Treasure Island centres around a young boy who has locked himself in his room and goes on a journey to discover what bravery means for him. In this version of the show, everything you see on stage could be found in his bedroom. We would love to inspire children to go home and create their own adventures in the bedrooms, this show reminding audiences you’re never too old to use your imagination.”

Director, Jordan Blackwood

Tour Listing:

Places it is still touring are:

Tuesday 15 Oct 2024, 6pm – Festival Theatre Studio, Edinburgh

Thursday 17 Oct 2024, 2:30pm – Lemon Tree Theatre, Aberdeen

Saturday 19 Oct 2024, 1pm – Platform, Easterhouse

#CoverReveal By Lou of Slow Burn By Oti Mabuse #SlowBurn #TeamBATC #OtiMabusi #RomanticFiction @BookMinxSJV

In 2025, something sizzling and electrifying is coming to a bookcase near you! It’s so hot and smouldering, can you handle it?

Former Strictly dancer, Oti Mabuse has written 2 books that will be published by Simon and Schuster’s Books And The City (BATC) arm. Slow Burn being the first.

I have the very exciting pleasure of being part of revealing the cover.
Check it out and the blurb below.

To fall in love, they first have to get back in hold.

For Lira, Latin Ballroom is everything. Whilst her dreams of fame were cut short aged 19, she’s never forgotten the connection she felt dancing with a stranger at the Paris World Championship afterparty 13 years ago.

Taking on the responsibility of running the family dance studio wasn’t in her master plan, but with her two younger sisters pursuing their own successful careers, Lira’s flame of ambition is barely burning anymore.

But Lira is still feisty and fierce, and just because her family treat her like a doormat, she’s not going to take it lying down anymore.

A chance encounter sees Lira secretly auditioning for Slow Burn, a new dance show about to embark on a 6-week European tour, and coming face to face with a blast from her past that sends her reeling.

Gabriele has been the darling of the Latin Ballroom scene since his mother taught him the Argentine tango as a child. Slim of hip, with long, lean muscles that pop, a chiselled jaw, dark eyes, obscenely long lashes, and a mouth that just won’t give, he’s been surrounded by fawning women all his life. He’s the quintessential bad boy – arrogant, cocky, and he almost can’t help but take women for granted.

As the longest serving, and most popular professional dancer on hit Italian TV dancing competition, Bring the Heat, the world’s his oyster, and it’s no surprise when he lands the principal male lead role on Slow Burn. But, with just a few weeks to go till the tour starts, he’s at his wit’s end and down to his last two female lead auditionees. He needs to feel the heat, the fire, the chemistry… then in walks Lira.

On the dance floor they’re smouldering, off it, they’re electric.

Filled with sexy, Black female characters, hot scenes of sizzling, spicy passion that’ll make you blush, and plot beats of swoon worthy romance that will leave you breathless, the highly anticipated and unputdownable debut novel from Oti Mabuse brims with heat and heart, for fans of Colleen Hoover, Tahlia Hibbert, Ana Huang, Lauren Asher, Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace.

#Review By Lou – #CallingAllSwifties #BookReview of Little People, Big Dreams Series – Taylor Swift #KidsLit #ChildrensBook #Swifties #NonFiction #TaylorSwift #Music

Taylor Swift
Part of Little People, Big Dreams Series
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Learn about the glittering story of Taylor Swift! The talented singer-songwriter who dreamed of sharing her talent with the world.

Synopsis

The perfect gift for every Swiftie in your life, young and old, this powerful book features captivating illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with photos of the star and a detailed profile of her life…

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

Review

Taylor Swift, she’s one of a few global superstars of the music industry. Many have been to gigs, bought her albums, downloaded her songs. This adds to the memorabilia of her life. This book is fun for fans, especially her child fans to keep as it charts her rise to meteor success, tells a little about her life pre-stardom, which makes it a bit grounded and “real” and gives a timeline of events and songs.
There are nicely placed starry photos of Taylor Swift in action.

It’s a good mix of info and presentation throughout!

All in all, it’s a fun book for young Swifties.