Today I have a review of Birthright, an excellent psychological thriller book for fans of Ian McEwan, Rupert Thomson and Edward St Aubyn. Please find the blurb and my review below.
A sublime psychological thriller from Polari Prize-shortlisted Charles Lambert.
Sixteen-year-old Fiona inhabits a privileged world of English affluence, though her relationship with her widowed mother is strained. When she discovers an old newspaper clipping of a woman and her daughter – the little girl a mirror image of her own younger self – she becomes convinced she has a true family elsewhere. Four years later, with the help of charming fraudster Patrick, Fiona drops everything to seek out her doppelgänger in Italy.
Fiona arrives in Rome to find Maddy living hand to mouth with her alcoholic mother. Spooked by the appearance of this strange girl wearing her face and stalking her every move, Maddy wants nothing to do with her. Caught in a surreal push-and-pull, the two are both fascinated and repulsed by the oddly familiar other, each coveting a different life. But they aren’t the only ones trying to control their fate, and the two women will soon learn that people aren’t always what they seem – though blood may still prove thicker than water.Birthright is a dark, gripping literary thriller for fans of Ian McEwan, Rupert Thomson and Edward St Aubyn
Birthright is a curious and compelling psychological thriller that takes readers into the lives of Fiona, in England and Maddy, in Rome. It begins with Fiona coming across a photograph of someone who looks like her, but is not her. She finds herself wanting to know more. She drops everything in her life in England, learns Italian and goes off to Rome to find Maddy.
Maddy may resemble Fiona in appearance, but their lives couldn’t be more polarised. Fiona has a better life background than what Maddy does, for starters. There’s a tension that grows in the push-pull scenarios, which in turn also increases intrigue as to how they’ll play this surreal time in their lives. Both would like to think they’ll secure their fates one way or another themselves, but there are other forces at play. There is also the suddenly, strong desire from Fiona, to find Maddy’s mother. It all borders onto obsession. As things deepen, the darker and more intriguing the book becomes as it shows what obsession and birthright can do and what hold it can have.
It is a gripping literary/psychological thriller that I highly recommend.
Thanks to Jaime at Ink Editorial for inviting me to review and for a copy of Birthright, in exchange of an honest review.
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)
One Of The Girls is a sinister thriller set in idyllic surroundings. Check out the blurb and review below. Thanks to Harper Collins UK for accepting my request to review.
WE WERE DYING FOR A HOLIDAY
The six of us arrived on that beautiful Greek island dreaming of sun-drenched beaches and blood orange sunsets, ready to lose ourselves in the wild freedom of a weekend away with friends.
On the first night we swam under a blanket of stars.
On the second night the games began on our clifftop terrace.
On the third night the idyll cracked, secrets and lies whispering on the breeze.
And by the final night there was a body on the rocks below . . .
WHO WOULD KILL FOR IT?
One of The Girls seems like fun, something to sweep you away onto a Greek Island for a weekend of hen party shenanigans. Or so you would think, except that rather revealing cover and then from the start, you know something is going to happen to spoil it. Five women are invited to Lexi’s hen-do for fun and games before she ties the knot. The book becomes dark as tensions rise and become pretty well sustained as bit by bit secrets are revealed. The tensions between the women reveals their layers and complexities of their friendships.
There are themes of female identity, friendship and forgiveness running through what is a compelling book with quickly paced, short chapters. It practically poses the question of how far would someone go in such a climate and will keep you guessing which of the women will end up a murderer.
Finding Ruby Draker By Marianne Scott Excerpt/Extract
Today I have an excerpt of finding Ruby Draker for you, courtesy of being on the Love Books Group blog tour and Marianne Scott. It certainly caught my attention and drew my eye in. First, check out the blurb and then onto the excerpt, of this suspense/thriller, which has intrigue and intensity.
Blurb
Kathleen Jones has lived a protected and typical suburban life, nothing unexpected in her carefully controlled and planned existence. She’s about to complete her college degree and is ready to start a successful career but after completing her last exam she comes home to find her world has been turned upside down. Her home has been torched and her parents and little brother killed. If that’s not bad enough, she is kidnapped and drugged unconscious by strangers posing as police officers. When she awakes she discovers that everything has changed – her face, her name, and everything she believed to be true. But things get worse. Hardly recovered from surgery, she is whisked away under the cover of darkness as more men storm the clinic with guns. It seems that the men who abducted her are not her greatest threat. Now on a private charter on its way to Nice, France, her abductors are calling her Ruby – Ruby Draker!
Now, onto the excerpt.
When I awoke, I could hear people moving around me, but I kept my eyes squeezed shut.
For a minute or two I listened to what was going on around me, but then I just had to see what was happening. I cracked open my eyes, but my vision was blurry, and I couldn’t make out much of anything except shapes and colors. All the people who floated in and out of this quiet place were dressed in white. A man with dark hair stood from his chair in the corner and leaned over. I knew right away it was him, from the fire. He tapped the IV pole to my side while a nurse covered me with another blanket and adjusted the pillow under my head.
In a few seconds, the white fog went black and I passed out again.
I have no idea how long I was like this; it could have been a day, a week, a month.
When I woke up again, my face was tightly bandaged and again everyone around was fuzzy and white. The bandage felt like a straitjacket, and my hand flew to it to pull it off. Someone saw I was conscious and came over to scoot me into a sitting position in some kind of high- backed chair and rested my head on a cushion.
Why was everything so white? My heart was like a rock, heavy in my chest. I didn’t feel anything, no pain, no fear, just like I’d been emptied out. I didn’t even know if I was breathing. I couldn’t move or talk or see much. My eyes and lips seared against the air.
I have reviewed many books in 2022 and what a privilege it has been too. Here are some that I highly recommend out of the many books I have reviewed in 2022. I also have included links to my full no spoiler reviews where you’ll also find the blurbs. The mix of crime fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, memoirs are in no particular order. Please also feel free to explore my blog for other great book reviews, author interviews and talks and theatre reviews.
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures By Holly Hepburn – An antique shop, antiques, a mysterious puzzle box, a trip to Egypt, a mention of the Canarvon Family (think the real Downton Abbey), all wrapped up in a wonderful book full of splendid characters. Holly Hepburn has a new book coming this year that I will also be reviewing.
Suicide Thursday By Will Carver explores this and the darker corners of society. It’s a compulsive read with intriguing characters – Mike, Jackie and Eli. Will Eli leave a hated job and get past writing chapter 1 of a novel? What is written in texts? Find out the answers to these and more in Suicide Thursday.
All About Evie By Matson Taylor is a humorous second book to the much talked about The Miseducation of Evie Epworth that was a Radio 2 book club pick. There’s much humour mixed with poignancy and sadness. Find out what happens at a sound check at Broadcasting House, her friend, Caroline and life’s mishaps and incidents. It’s highly engaging. Find the blurb and review in the link: All About Evie
Yes, I Killed Her By Harry Fisher s full of chilling suspense. The question isn’t who, but it is how. How did a murderer commit such a calculated crime. Is it as perfect as he thinks? Here is a link to the blurb and full review. Remember, I’m not going to disclose the answers to those questions. That’s for you to discover yourselves: Yes, I Killed Her
Verity Vanishes By A.B. Morgan is book 3 of The Quirk Files. The books can be read as part of the series or as standalone as the cases each complete by the end of the book. The Quirks are quirky private investigators.
There are secrets to uncover, including who was Verity, why has she vanished and why is a tv station so interested in this particular case? It’s intriguing with wit. See blurb and review in the link –Verity Vanishes
Touching, haunting and a darn good unputdownable read. It takes place between Glasgow and H.M. Polmont Prison in Central Scotland. It’s gripping getting to know about what revelations unfold in Ginger and Wendy’s personalities and what happens to them. It’s a book of obsession and friendship and more in this contemporary fictional book… Find out more in the link to the blurb and my full review: Ginger And Me
The Homes By J.B. Mylet is set in an orphanage village in Scotland. Follow the lives of Lesley, Jonesy and Eadie, all from their points of views. How safe is The Homes? Murder strikes and everything changes in this fast-paced, immersive page-turner. It’s fiction based on a true story. Find out more in the link: The Homes
Remember Me by Charity Norman is gripping and addictive as the layers build up to discover what has happened to Leah, who has disappeared.
The book also follows Felix, who has Alzheimer’s. It’s authentically and sensitively written. Discover the blurb and the rest of my thoughts in the link: Remember Me
Should I Tell You By Jill Mansell is enthralling in both setting and the relationships between all the characters. Meet Lachlan, a chef in high demand and Peggy, a formidable, yet fun woman who puts up a credible argument as to why he should follow her to Cornwall to cook his amazing food. Also meet Amber, Lachlan, Rafaelle and Vee as you step into idyllic scenery. Is all well though? What would you make of the mysterious letter? Find out more in my link about this beautiful, compelling book that perfectly captures the lives of its characters, who are concealing truths. Should I Tell You
White Christmas on Winter Street has all the festive feel-good vibes you can want. Unearth the treasures in Corner House in Middledip. It’s a rather moving book as Heather returns to discover new friends and old. Find out more in the link: White Christmas on Winter Street
The Little Wartime Library By Kate Thompson is about a courageous librarian who took Bethnal Green Library underground during World War 2. It is fascinating and is fiction based on fact. Lots of research was done, including asking librarians, including me, many questions that then formed the basis of the central character. The Little Wartime Library
The Locked Away Life by Drew Davies is about 2 people who are seemingly poles apart. 1 is becoming practically a recluse and increasingly elderly, the other, much younger in need of a job, which is how they meet. Little do they know they need each other more than they thought they would. It’s a heartwarming story. Find out more in the link: The Locked AwayLife
Love Untold by Ruth Jones is uplifting, emotional and endearing, It crosses the generations from a teenager right up to a 90 year old. It’s well observed in all the complexities of life and interactions. Discover more such as the blurb and my review in the link. Love Untold
The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre puts readers on an island. There’s a hen party set on a Scottish island. In some ways it’s a bit like And Then There We’re None by Agatha Christie, but there are also many differences.
There are frictions amongst the guests and things take a sinister turn. It’s a well-observed book in the way relationships are between the characters and what happens when people are on a remote island. Everyone has a secret and no one is safe. Find out more in the blurb and the rest of my thoughts in the review: The Cliff House
Cat Lady By Dawn O’Porter is very humorous but also very poignant and thought provoking. Within the book, wrapped in the cuteness of a cat, there is a great human story too and both together makes this quite different and compelling. There are 5 parts to Cat Lady – Mother, Career Woman, Animal, Wife, Cat Lady. Follow Mia and Tristan through the ups and downs of life. Mia is especially more than you would perhaps assume she is… Here is the link to the blurb and full review: Cat Lady
Thrown is a debut novel by Sara Cox. It’s heartwarming and uplifting at a pottery class. It’s about community pulling together and friendships forming. There are elements that may well tug at your heartstrings. Here is the link to the blurb and review: Thrown
The Cruise by Catherine Cooper takes place on the most luxurious cruise-liner. The type that would be a holiday of a lifetime. Something mysterious happens and it is compelling to travel around to try to fit together all the pieces to discover how they all fit together and some truths. Here is the link to the blurb and full review. The Cruise
Keeping A Christmas Promise By Jo Thomas is about 4 friends who have known each other for 25 years. Tragedy happens to one of them, meaning it is up to 3 of them to keep their bucketlist promise- to see the northern lights at Christmas. With themes of friendship, mortality and strength to carry on in the face of adversity and community, it’s an entertaining, heartwarming book. Here is the link to the blurb and full review. Keeping A Christmas Promise
The Echoes of Love By Jenny Ashcroft transports readers to the 1930’s to the 1940’s and then to 1970’s. It takes readers into the depths of love and war and how it reverberates years later. The book is set between Portsmouth in the UK and Crete. It is a story of war and love. A story unfolding at the BBC Broadcasting House. It is fascinating, poignant and beautifully written. Here is the link to my original review and the blurb. The Echoes of Love
Cooking the Book by various authors published by Hobeck Books also raised money for the Trussell Trust. It’s various short stories, each taking on a different sub-genres of crime fiction. Each also has a recipe you can create by each author. Here is the link to all the details Cooking The Books
The Language of Food is fiction based on fact. It takes reader into the life of a little known woman, by many, called Eliza Acton. She changed the course of cookery forever and when today’s cooks come across her, they are inspired by her story and style and have been influenced greatly by her. Annabel Abbs now opens up her life in this very interesting book. Here is the link to discover more: The Language of Food
Create Your Own Indoor Green by Joe Swift who is also an expert gardener on Gardeners World and various other programmes. The book is an easy step by step guide to indoor plants. It quite literally has everything you need to know, whether you’re getting started or already have indoor plants as there’s always more knowledge to be gained. There are handy hints and tips as well as growing and caring for them. I actually bought this for a friend after reviewing it and she is delighted. Find out the blurb and review in the link: Joe’s Create Your Own Indoor Green
Women Like Us By Amanda Prowse, is a memoir where she sheds light and insight into her life, which many women will be able to relate to or understand, perhaps more than they may first expect. It’s a highly interesting read. Women Like Us
One Night on The Island introduces readers to Cleo. She works for the magazine – Women Today and has an unusual assignment to do. Directed by her boss, Ali, the assignment is to marry herself (or self-coupling or sologamy) on a remote island. She has a few reservations to say the least. It’s an entertaining story with lots of heart and warmth. One Night On the Island
Mothers and Daughters By Erica James is a compelling story of family life and revelations. Families can be more complex than what they may first appear to be in this sweeping family drama. Mothers and Daughters
Marion Crawford, a bright, ambitious young teacher, is ready to make her mark on the world. Until a twist of fate changes the course of her life forever… This mixes fact and fiction with Marion and the UK Royal Family in a fascinating way, about a woman not everyone knows much about. The Good Servant
Wolf Pack By Will Dean is a Scandi-Noir.
Tuva Moodyson has a case on her hands to solve with Thord and Chief Björn. Elsa Nyberg is reported as being missing and chillingly, Rose Farm has quite the history of deadly things happening there, involving a family. It’s a gripping page-turner. Here is the link to the full review and blurb. Wolf Pack
The Empire By Michael Ball is exquisitely theatrical, after all, that is his background. It takes readers back in time to the glitz and glamour of 1922, where you’ll meet Jack Tredwell and a whole host of other cast. There are secrets and the future of the theatre itself is in jeopardy. It’s a page turner! Here’s my link to the blurb and rest of the review The Empire
I have reviewed a number of books where publishers/authors have donated proceeds to various charities. Some, a percentage, others the entire lot. I’ve decided to compile a list with links to the original reviews, extracts, which also have blurbs within them, where you can find out more info.
Charities highlighted are The Trussell Trust, Streetreads (homelessness), Marine Conservation Society. Feel free to take a look at these very different books… some may surprise you.
Cooking The Books is published by Hobeck Books who specialise in crime books. This book is part story, part cookbook. It comprises of excellent, twisty short stories of every genre of crime and a favourite recipe from most authors published by this Indy publisher.
UnLocked is by a group of authors who call themselves D20. You can find out who they are in my link to the full blog post, which this time includes an extract of 2 stories from the collection. They are atmospheric stories about ordinary people doing ordinary, but very necessary jobs.
The Dark Side of Christmas is by various authors published by Hobeck Books. Expect the unexpected in these tightly twisted stories. Expect the unexpected and open if you dare!
Blurb (no link this time) From ghostly skatings on thin ice, echoes of peppermint creams and the joys of being a secret Santa, to rebellious turkeys, deserted offices, spiteful colleagues and yuletide loneliness – these stories touch on strength of spirit, with the odd splash of blood and gore.
All royalties from the sale of this book go to Streetreads, a charitable initiative that encourages reading and creativity amongst the homeless in Scotland.
Setsuko and the Song of the Sea By Fiona Barker about marine life and the jewels of the sea. She befriends a whale. Will Setsuko become a real life mermaid? A book for 5 plus to enjoy.
10% of the net profits from each book will be donated to the Marine Conservation Society
Leo And The Lightning Dragons By Gill White is a sensory story full of bravery, friendship and dragons. It is perfect for children in SEN and any child universally aged between 4-6 year olds. It is based on a real child – Leo, whom at the time of publishing was battling a rare form of epilepsy. It s a hopeful, optimistic story for children. Proceeds go to CHAS – Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.
I originally reviewed in 2019, see link below. I have an update on Leo.
The publisher – Fledgling Press has now informed me and would like me to inform you all that ‘Sadly, Leo has lost his fight in the Spring of 2022 but we continue to support the fantastic work that CHAS does with families’.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 