#Review of New Memories by S.E. Shepherd #BookReview of a new Sandlin PI #book @HobeckBooks #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalCrimeFiction #crimeseries

New Memories
By S.E Shepherd

It’s time to get excited about the new book in the Sandlin P.I. series. You can read them as a standalone or as part of the series. Take a look below for the blurb and review.

Blurb

For three decades, Olivia Farnley used alcohol and drugs to try to block out the memory of the horrific murder of her mother which put her father in prison. Now she’s ready to face her past, and her hypnotherapist is sure he can help her to fill in the gaps.

During therapy, a key detail comes back to her, one that is so momentous that Liv is forced to share this new-found information with the police. When they dismiss her claims, Liv is left frustrated and furious. Then a chance encounter leads Liv to private investigator Hannah Sandlin , who, accompanied by her best friend Lottie, embarks on an investigation in the Spanish resort of Marbella

Amid the magnificent villas and infinity pools of Porto Banus, and the stunning beaches of Playa de la Fontanilla, dark secrets lurk. Once Hannah deploys her sharp investigative mind and shameless tenacity, she discovers what really happened to Liv’s mother, Susan, all those years ago. In the process, she uncovers some shocking secrets that the rest of the Farnley family have been trying their hardest to keep.

Can Hannah separate the lies from the truth and bring Liv the resolution she so desperately needs?

Review

Books involving a therapist of some kind can be fascinating and what makes this one particularly interesting is that it involves a hypnotherapist who can assist in people releasing vital memories to fill in Olivia/Liv’s gaps. It’s a hard one for the police to follow and cotton onto when she suddenly remembers something vital to do with a criminal investigation.

There are secrets to be uncovered, but where does the line stop between truth and lie?

New Memories has suspense and the intrigue of psychology making it a compelling read that pulls you into each page.

#Review By Lou of The Screen Test Performed By Bebe Cave FringeReview @edfringe #FringeEdin #WhatsonEdi #Edinburgh #Fringe #Edinburgh #Theatre #comedy #play Venue 33

The Screen Test
Performed and Written by Bebe Cave

By Louise Cannon

Pleasance Courtyard – The Pleasance Below
Aug 9-13, 15-26 3:10pm

Review

What a stunning preview show, Screen Test was that I saw.
Having seen Bebe Cave on tv in Frankie, Hangup’s and a bit in Industry, it was interesting to see how she has developed as an actress. The answer I found was, brilliantly and her solo play, Screen Test is very compelling, with poignancy and sharp humour.
Bebe Cave brings her character, Betsy Bitterly to live in the most full-on charismatic, highly engaging manner.
What does it take to be a star and what does it mean to be one? It’s a pertinent question that the drama asks.

Screen-Test is very funny, but there are layers to Betsy, which adds depth and adds to the compelling nature of this play. You see her career shift from lots of confidence that she’s going to make it in show-biz and ends up going from screen test to screen test. She is full of hopefulness and real optimism and also has a lot to say for someone who’s been put up for a silent movie. As things move on, you also see her filming instructional shorts and more… but you also feel that you’re always rooting for her to have more than this.

Deep subjects are also tackled in the way women were viewed by men in the 30’s and the treatment of production companies was interesting.

It’s all like a look behind the scenes into a world most people don’t get near and all general audiences see is a final film, so it is fascinating to see what it takes to follow your dreams, like Betsy who just wants to be a shining star in Hollywood. It asks the question about when to give up too? The final scene is one of the most dramatic!

Bebe Cave is most certainly still one to watch in what is an admirable performance with meaning and gusto. She is sharp in performance and sharp, witty and interesting in writing.

You can find tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/screen-test

#Review By Lou of #Oof by Arthur Smith and Phil Nice @edfringe #FringeEdin #WhatsonEdi #Edinburgh #Fringe #Edinburgh #Theatre#Review Venue 33

Oof!
Performed By Arthur Smith and Phil Nice

Pleasance Courtyard – Cabaret Bar 2:30pm (1hr)
until and including 18th Aug

Review by Louise Cannon (Lou)

Oof! is a really special comedy play. Arthur Smith and Phil Nice have reunited in what is a 40th anniversary play. They appeared together as far back as 1984 with a play, Fiasco Job-Job. This is the last time they will appear together, which is rather poignant and makes it more the special, so it’s a great year to catch them.

A park bench is the opening scene where Arthur Smith is soon joined by his old pal, Phil Nice. It’s a lovely and humorous play as they reminisce about more youthful times as they recreate a bit of what they had done and achieved together, which is interesting and fun, whether you know about what they’ve produced previously or not.

There are many philosophical and humorous points about getting older, such as using technology and how it keeps moving on, emojis etc and the way jokes go round. It’s thoughtful!

There is much poignancy in their relationship, what they’ve done in their lives, the parting of ways and to now, the joining up together and reconciliation. It’s incredibly heart-warming and uplifting.

Arthur Smith quote: “Waiting For Godot Meets Morecambe and Wise”

This is exactly what this play is and there is much humour to be had almost all the way through. I say almost, as there is an insightful part about some family things, which is moving and a bit more emotional, before they intelligently move on to something entertaining around the corner.

Oof is heart-warming and highly entertaining. It’s a masterclass in perfect comic timing with poignancy and the philosophical interweaving. It’s memorable and will linger in your mind, whether you’re around their age or younger like me.

#Review By Lou of Don Quixote @edfringe #FringeEdin #WhatsonEdi #Edinburgh #Fringe #Edinburgh #Theatre

Don Quixote

Original text by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Don Quixote is performed by 2 Finnish clowns and clearly they have talent and are completely invested in what they were doing. You will also learn a bit of Finnish a long the way. The story is clearly condensed to give a flavour of what is a classic tale. There are plenty of references to the story as we learn about the journey this Spanish Gentleman from La Mancha is on with Sancho Panza. There’s also mention of Friston, an imaginary person who is believed to be a book thief and an enchanter of the windmills. It’s also interesting how we learn a little about the author at the beginning, which starts to put firmly in your mind the significance of the book. It’s also heart-warming that there is that respect there.

There’s a lot of laughs to be had and interest in most parts, but this sadly wasn’t consistent. Truly the desire of wanting to be invested all the way through was there, but a couple of times this did waiver, with some parts being unnecessary, occasionally laboured parts, from what was a powerful and promising start.
It is perhaps worth noting that not all of the audience remained for the whole show, but it is worth, perhaps noting that it could have been for any reason, although the walkouts mainly occurred during a nudity scene.

In saying this there is lots to be entertained by, although a bit surreal at times as it tries to appeal to different audiences all at once as it references Don Quixote itself, the clowning around (which, incidentally brings that Fringe feel to it) and the setting of the scene and some of the humour is entertaining. The two clowns are clearly talented, but some of the material could have been sharper.

#Review of Jamie Finn: Nobody’s Talking About Jamie (Taylors Version) By Lou #FringeReview @edfringe #FringeEdin #WhatsonEdi #Edinburgh #Fringe #Edinburgh #Theatre Venue 61

Nobody’s Talking About Jamie

Underbelly, Iron belly, Cowgate 3:40pm 1hr 14 plus

Review by Louise Cannon

Nobody’s talking about Jamie… but they soon will. Jamie Finn is making his mark on the world and reinventing himself. It opens with a big song number that makes you sit up and want to know more about Jamie.
Cordelia has broken up with him for someone at the gym and life gets rather messy, until he discovers Spin Classes at the gym. There’s another woman, Lily, the spin instructor who changes his life in a platonic friendship way.
Life has its ups and downs for Jamie and you can but hope he settles, but it’s hard when your friend has broken up with you too. It’s an interesting exploration of love, friendship and what can go on when its the good and the bad times.

There’s music mixed with engaging dialogue and that playlist at the spin class creates an energetic vibe.

Nobody’s Talking About Jamie… After seeing the show, you sure will. It made me want to Talk About Jamie Finn. It’s very funny but also moving at times as he tries to find out how to move ever forwards in life. He’s easy to empathise with, especially with certain unexpected twists in this tale of re-invention and discovering a new path of life. What’s true and what’s not, the audience is told to make up their own minds.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jamie-finn-nobody-s-talking-about-jamie-taylor-s-version#

#Review of One Sugar Stirred To The Left #FringeReview @edfringe #FringeEdin #WhatsonEdi #Edinburgh #Fringe #Edinburgh #Theatre Venue 43

One Sugar Stirred To The Left

The Space Venues Surgeon’s Hall, Grand Theatre
11th to 17th Aug 2:15pm 1hr 10 mins aged 14 plus

Set in a hospice, One Sugar Stirred to the Left isn’t as grim as what it sounds. This is a clever and thoughtful written play that also has music. There is humour to be found, sometimes light, sometimes dark, in the conversations as well as poignancy and inevitable sadness, but that sadness comes with a certain amount of peace, which I wasn’t expecting. This is based on award-winning composer, Jon Lawrence’s own experiences and it transfers very well onto stage for all to see.
The acting is brilliant by all the actors involved.

Bronwyn is a palliative care nurse and there’s an assistant who makes the tea and insists everyone has some, even though she is terrible at making it. There are a few laughs to be had at the misunderstandings. Underneath all that, there’s some wise, philosophical and are more useful than her tea as she helps Bronwyn through the challenging days of working as a palliative care nurse.

Bronwyn, meanwhile is taking care of Justin’s dad in his final days and is asked to produce songs from his book that tells a story of him and his wife and after years of it being stored from anyone else’s view, he now wants something done with it. She sings and writes music, but hasn’t in a while and this coaxes her into doing so.

There is also another man and his daughter, who talk about how things really were between them, before the end of his time.

This shows what a calm death look like. There’s also something quite inspirational in some of the lines between the 2 men as they converse.

It’s all thought-provoking and is sure to spark conversations around death, preparing for it as it opens the doors a bit into a world that isn’t often spoken about, unless you’re in this position. It provides a little corner of hope for the future, beyond someone’s death too, as well as seeing it.

The mix of humour and poignancy is greatly balanced, all wrapped with warmth and empathy.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/one-sugar-stirred-to-the-left