Cover Image: The Publicist

The Publicist

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Member Reviews

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book for an honest review.

The Publicist is a well written thriller full of twists and turns. Lola is a famous agent to the stars. Lola makes everything right, she ensures maximum good publicity and Lola make’s problem go away. Lola has deadly secrets and Sam her biggest star knows all about. Sam has disappeared and not even Lola or her hit man Rick knows where he is so that they can deal with the secrets before they become public.

Sam is gay and was disowned by his strict parents when he was 16. Sam was a drug addict and frequently picked up men , however he’s got a new boyfriend Tyler who has helped him get off the drugs and Sam has been clean for weeks. There are many secrets and lies in this book more bodies turn up and Sam is the main suspect.

Detective Sue Fisher is on the case of Sam’s disappearance. Sue is a tortured soul with many problems of her own resulting from a violent marriage, a deadly previous case and a current very troubled son. I really liked the fact that the previous book was touched on enough for the history of Sue and her troubled past but not too much to take over this new story which often happens in a series of books
The end of this book has a stunning twist read and enjoy 5 stars ( would give it more if I could ) !!

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Cute! Fun! Fresh! I love me a good fluff guilty pleasure thriller. It didn’t let me down. I would say that it was aggressively mid, though.

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This book was easy to read and very quick. I didn't guess at the twists or the reveal. Would recommend this author enthusiastically! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

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I loved this! It wad a fun, quick and easy read and I enjoyed every second of it. It wad purely based on the twists and turns and the scandal and didn't have to use shock value or trigger topics. It was a good, clean, suspense that let the writing style speak for itsself. I can't say I really liked any of the characters but in real life I don't like a lot of people either so it could just be me! Or the fact that not all people are likeable. The actual story was just such a good read and kept me guessing til the big reveL at the end. Highly recommended

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3.5

The publicist is Lola Lovett and on her books are many A-listers such as Premier footballers and so on. One of her clients is high profile, well known actor, Sam Stevens who appears to have gone missing, which is odd as Lola has a plan for him and it’s not a good one. DCI Sue Fisher is on the case once more in leafy Cobshott, a place that doesn’t hold good memories following the terrifying drama centred on the Medford Nail Salon. She is determined to try to move on from that horror but as well as this case she faces several unexpected challenges. Where is Sam? Has he been kidnapped,? Or is he hiding for some reason? If so, why? What is Lola‘s game? Let the “fun“ begin……

The opening line is a cracker and the first scene is darkly funny but then it gets a bit clunky while the storyline gets going. The pace rises and falls which is fine, but there is a tendency to over explain which gets in the way of a good plot.

I like Sue Fisher, although there is one section in the book, where I go off her a bit! She’s a thoughtful, determined and brave copper who has a lot of baggage to work through. Mike doesn’t appear much this time but he is one of the good guys which he clearly demonstrates towards the end. As for Lola, I’ll fake it till I make it and then I’ll fake it some more. She is manipulative, ruthless and puts a whole new spin on ambition. She’ll go to any lengths to protect her clients, oh, and herself. This does, of course provide scope for a juicy scandalous mystery/thriller, and there’s certainly a tangled web here. The plot thickens and deepens, there are lies by the lorry load and secrets which will be concealed by any means necessary. Let’s chuck in some revenge too and then maybe it gets a bit convoluted. Do I totally buy into it?. Hmmm. It’s an entertaining quick read but not as good as The Nail Salon in my opinion.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

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According to the reviews, I should have read the Nail Salon first. This book is about Lola, a publicist, who apparently isn't on the side of her clients. One who she believes is dead goes missing....so what happened to him? Is he dead? Was he dead? Why do so many people dislike him. Lola get involved in the case to keep her own secrets hidden. Little slow for me. It was ok. I skipped around a lot.

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Publicist’s are kinda scary when you think about it, so a mystery about a publicist is wonderfully done. It had everything that I was looking for when reading this. I enjoyed the characters and loved the way Natalie Tambini wrote this.

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Lola is a public relations guru to the stars. She is at the top of her field and has some high-profile clients. When one of them goes missing, she’s annoyed, he’s meant to be at home – dead. Determined not to let this client deter her plans, she inserts herself into the investigation and gets close with DCI Sue Fisher.

Sue has been laying low since her last high-profile case, she just wants to stay hidden and do her job and let her son grieve in peace. This new case is supposed to be cut and dry, but Sue is surprised by unexpected challenges. In the world of showbiz, everyone is keeping secrets, and the glitter and glitz can’t hide them all.

Sometimes a book with entirely all unlikeable characters works, and that is the case here. I didn’t like anyone, but the writing was done so well that I didn’t care, I was eating it up trying to determine what all was going on. I loved the twists and turns of this one. The big reveal at the end was shocking and entertaining. I appreciated how dark the book was at times, it fit the narrative very well. The characters were well rounded and so developed. I felt that this book would make an amazing first book in a series, I would love to learn more about Sue and how she works her cases.

If you are looking for a fun and twisty novel where you aren’t sure who to like, then check this one out.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Additional links will be added once posted.

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Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge, a great who done it, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

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I've just finished diving into the glitzy and mysterious world of Natalie Tambini's latest book, "The Publicist," and boy, was it a thrilling ride! If you've read her another nail-biting work, "The Nail Salon," you know you're in for a treat with this one.

In "The Publicist," we're reunited with DCI Sue Fisher, a character we've grown to love. But this time, she's facing an entirely new challenge: the disappearance of the famous actor Sam Stevens. Is he just taking a break from the limelight, or has something more sinister happened? Enter Lola, Sam's dedicated publicist, who's determined to unravel the truth. But as she gets closer to the investigation, things take an unexpected turn.

Tambini masterfully weaves a web of suspense, keeping you guessing at every turn. The author tackles multiple themes throughout the book, including abduction, foster care, drugs, and revenge. It's impressive how she manages to seamlessly blend these elements into the overarching storyline.

The pacing is spot-on, with a perfect balance of action and intrigue. Each chapter leaves you hungry for more, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. I found myself pulling an all-nighter because I just had to uncover the secrets hidden within these pages!

One thing that sets Tambini's writing apart is her ability to create well-rounded characters. DCI Sue Fisher continues to be a compelling protagonist, dealing with personal struggles while relentlessly pursuing the truth. Lola, the publicist, brings a vibrant energy to the story and adds an interesting dynamic to the investigation.

Now, let's talk about that one constructive criticism. While the suspense and plot twists were absolutely captivating, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly rushed. I would have loved to see a bit more depth in certain scenes and character interactions. It's a small nitpick, but I believe it could have added an extra layer to an already fantastic story.

In conclusion, "The Publicist" is a suspense-filled rollercoaster of a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Natalie Tambini once again delivers an enthralling read, leaving readers hungry for more. If you're a fan of mysteries, fast-paced action, and unexpected surprises, this book is a must-read!

A huge shoutout to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC) of "The Publicist." I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to dive into this gripping tale before its official release. So, grab your favorite reading spot, buckle up, and prepare to be captivated by Tambini's latest masterpiece. Happy reading, everyone!

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The Publicist is the second novel in a new series by Natalie Tambini and re-introduces the reader to Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Sue Fisher from the Metropolitan police in London. However, the novel would also work well as a standalone, despite there being numerous references to the previous novel.
Our storyline begins with PR guru Lola Lovett who informs the reader that not only is one of her clients missing - but that he is actually dead. And of course, she is involved and trying to keep on top of the investigation. As in The Nail Salon, we soon discover that our protagonists can have many facets to their character and each side is more dangerous than the last.
Next we meet DCI Sue Fisher as she introduces us to her investigation into the disappearance of Sam. It's not long before we start to see some disturbing overlaps between Sue's case and Lulu's story.
The overall pace is rapid and there are sufficient twists that I really could not guess what was going to happen next. The storyline is certainly dark and TW are required. The number of darker elements did make for difficult reading in certain sections but the storyline was well written and I wanted to know how the novel would end for the characters such as Sue and Lulu. And the developments in Sue's personal life are a welcome progress and I want to see more happen in the future with her character.

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Definitely a different type of thriller. I loved how the first few lines draws you into the story and the plot keeps you engaged.

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This is another fascinating book from Tambini whose book, The Nail Salon was a nail biter! In this one, also featuring DCI Sue, famed actor, Sam Stevens has gone missing and no one is sure why. Has he been kidnapped, or is he in hiding as he needs a break from all the press? But does Lola, the publicist who represents him know more than she should or is she speculating or in the dark like the rest of them? So many questions and the answers will surprise you! Many themes and topics abound: abduction, foster care, drugs, foster care, and revenge. Bottom line is a suspense-filled, action-packed novel that will keep you up until you finish!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

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I enjoyed the last book, The Nail Salon, which I just read a few weeks ago but this one was a miss for me. I always want a female character to hiss at but I also need one to root for. And the detective Sue, who was also in the first book wasn’t as strongly written as before.

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Wow! This is an outrageous thriller with a massive twist. It revolves around the world of publicist and celebrity. When I compare it to real life with all the publicity surrounding a popular daytime television programme, not so far fetched either! Hence I thought it bang up to date, appropriate, enjoyable and intriguing with the added bonus of a murder mystery.
It contains multiple references to the first book, The Nail Salon, so I would recommend reading that first for maximum enjoyment, though this does work as a standalone.

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First of all, I simply have to mention the very first line in this book- goodness me what an opener! I knew from that I was in for a good read, and I was right.

This is so claustrophobic and twisty- I wasn't so good at playing detective and had no way of working this one out. A great mix of characters, not ones I always liked but I definitely didn't know who to trust.

Daring, surprising, nail biting. A compelling and addictive read.

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Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the copy of The Publicist by Natalie Tambini. This book also features DCI Sue Fisher, who was also in The Nail Salon. It was so interesting that I read The Nail Salon but when this book referenced what happened in it I really didn’t remember and didn’t even realize that I had read a book with Sue in it before! This one was a little more memorable, but still what I would consider a potato chip thriller - the experience is pretty enjoyable but I still need a satisfying meal afterwards. If you love a book where things come together in interesting ways with a surprising reveal, you will love this book. I liked it but didn’t love it.

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