A fascinating and impactful dark thriller of broken human psyche. Once more Natalie Tambini brings the listener/reader into a dark world where the exposure to cruelty and abuse of the characters in their young lives explosively impacts on them and others in the now of their adult lives. The story has threads that start in ‘The Nail Salon’, listen/read that first if you can. Thank you to Harper Collins Audio UK and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for my audio version of The Publicist which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This book is the second in a series by Natalie Tambini and although there are numerous references to the previous case it still works just as well as a stand alone novel.
Personally I would have preferred a different narrator for each book because Colby obviously uses the same nuances and modulation for the main protaganists in both books and at first I was confused by how similar they both seemed but as time went on I realised they actually are quite similar. Colby narrates seamlessly and clearly but I was very disappointed that she hadn't done her homework and learned how to pronounce Tonyrefail correctly, as a proud Welsh woman from that area that really jarred. She also missed pronounced 'piqued'!!
The plot is carefully construed with a lots of twists and turns right up until the last few lines and I was engrossed from start to finish.

Lola Lovett won't let anyone stand in her way. Even if they are a high profile, well-liked actor. Lola is a ruthless and manipulative woman who has a big secret - or two!

When Lola's client, famous actor Sam Stevens, goes missing, Lola is keen to assist DCI Sue Fisher in the case. Lola sees this as a brilliant opportunity to raise her profile and manipulates Sue, the press, and Sam's boyfriend, Tyler for her own gain, leading to a shock twist that Lola absolutely wasn't prepared for.

Fast-paced, scandalous and deliciously dark & twisty, Lola is a great character who will play dirty when it suits her agenda! I was gripped throughout and the ending was super WOW!

I didn't really care for Sue, Mike and Tom, but I think this may be because i haven't read the first book and so I didn't have the benefit of the background on Sue and her family.

I thought Helen Colby's narration was excellent, with clear diction and a good pace.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Natalie Tambini and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I wasn't at all sure what to expect from this audiobook. From the title, I wondered if it might be a bit controversial, maybe humorous and filled with salacious scandal! What I got was a great psychological thriller / crime novel that ticks lots of my boxes!

Main characters are Sue, the cop, - a pragmatic character with an excellent work ethic and Lola, the publicist, an equally driven work horse, a woman who is paid to keep secrets, and has more than a few of her own locked away! One of Lola's clients is reported missing, and Sue is called in to investigate this high profile disappearance. Both women have their own backstories and the exchanges between the 2 are fascinating, and a story it itself. As the story plays out themes of abuse are explored and it really got my thinking about the potential impact of childhood trauma.

Overall a really well written and clever novel that doesn't t shy away from difficult topics. The narration of the audiobook is superb.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.