They enter our homes via the TV. They become our trusted source of information, their work makes us laugh and sometimes cry, and we feel like they are our friends. Behind all this and the glitz and glamour, all is not what it seems.
A cast of amoral characters gives us a look at the seedier side of celebrity and the lengths people will go to to keep their status and their secrets secret.
It took me a while to get into this read but once I did WOW!

The Famous is a big departure from Rachel Lynch's other novels, which are crime based. This time around we meet celebrity presenter and journalist Gloria White, who has fought her way to the top, by whatever means it took. But now, facing the death of her ex-father-in-law, a whole load of scandal, and her daughter wanting to forge her own path, is it time for Gloria to step back from the spotlight.

With echoes of Succession and other scandal-hit family dramas, The Famous is a great big of escapism, showing the dark side to the glitz and glamour.

I loved that this book explored the dark side of fame, it shone a light on the dangers, such a twisty and intense read.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

This book took me almost a month to finish because I just could not get into it at ALL. The description sounded like it would be good but it was all over the place. It didn’t start getting interesting until about 60% of the way in and then it felt rushed and unfinished. I have so many questions that were left unanswered. Usually I’m forgiving if a book is tough to get into but then has a “wow” at the end but there was nothing.

Thanks NetGalley and Canelo for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled with this on. All unlikeable characters and a super slow plot made it a difficult read to get into. The ending pulled it back a bit, but I had almost checked out by that point and if it wasn't for enjoying this authors other work, I would have probably dnf'd much sooner.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for granting me access to the ARC of The Famous.

I am sorry to say this one just wasn’t for me. Once I have invested time in a book, I feel like I have to finish it, otherwise this would definitely have been a DNF for me.

It seemed to just trundle along with not much happening until the last quarter, but even then I was struggling to pick it up as I didn’t care for any of the characters, or what happened.

I gave it 2 stars as it did pick up slightly at the end with the kidnapping, but this was definitely not for me.

A pretty good thriller!
These characters had me all over the place 😅
I did guess what I think was a big plot twist but it was still a good book and kept me hooked!

The very end however.. 🤯
I WANT TO KNOW MORE

I really enjoy reading the DI Kelly Porter series by Rachel Lynch so I was looking forward to this standalone. Unfortunately this novel didn’t grip me in the same way as Rachel Lynch’s other novels. It is still a decent read but in my opinion falls short of the usual high standards I have been used to. The Famous focuses on the price of fame, ambition, and the dark secrets that threaten to be exposed.

Gloria White is a household name, a glamorous morning television presenter who is confident and charming. But hidden behind her public persona is a dark past filled with ruthless ambition and buried truths. Her secret past is known by someone who is aware of how she rose to fame and they are determined to make her pay. Gloria’s perfect world starts to unwind and she will have to face her past before she is ruined. .

I was attracted to this book not only because of the author but also the synopsis which sounded my sort of read. Sadly I felt more than a little disappointed after reading the novel. The writing is good but I didn’t take to any of the characters so found it difficult to get fully absorbed in the book. I have read so many excellent novels by this author so will have no hesitation reading her next book.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed Kelly Porter series very much but this stand-alone story just did not hold my attention. Very slow burner. Unlikeable characters and not enough going on to make it a thriller. I would definitely read the next book as usually enjoy her writing. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I really tried to read this book but just could not get into it. I didn’t like any of the characters and it was just so slow for me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The media world... ouch. There's a whole mixed bag of characters in this book. All telling the not so great world of these jobs. And how Gloria got to the top? Well, she knows and someone else knows. And now it's all coming to a head in a world of lies and deciet.
This book is a definite thriller. The characters were mostly loathsome so I wanted them to pit agaisnt eachother by the end. Even the not so bad daughter soon stooped to the lows.
Yes, good read. Not my favourite this year but still good.

I unfortunately could not finish this book. I don't know what it was about the book, but it just did not keep my attention at all despite numerous attempts in different locations even

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

The Famous
Watching attractive, graceful Gloria White on TV everyday, you would never guess what she did to get to the top. But someone knows her secrets and is taking revenge!
A sensational, twisty psychological suspense!

YIKES.

Everyone was terrible and the plot takes wayyyyyyyy too long to get going.

There's better books out there.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

As a great fan of Rachel Lynch's Kelly Porter series it was interesting to read something totally different from her. The Famous was a slow burn as the scene was set, then things started to heat up. It was difficult to like any of the main characters as I'm sure the author intended. They were spoilt, entitled and only concerned with themselves. Jilly the daughter was perhaps supposed to be seen more innocently but even she reverted to type somewhat when tested! As the plot progressed it definitely became more convoluted and more interesting. Webs of deceit woven many years before coming to the fore to complicate the plot. The ending did seem a bit rushed after the slow burn start, however I was ready for it to end by then so no complaints from me. An enjoyable read but not up to Kelly Porter standards I'm afraid.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb...

I've read and enjoyed Rachel Lynch's DI Kelly Porter series, and others, so was delighted to receive an ARC of "The Famous". I find it's always interesting to read a "standalone" by a favourite author, and this was no exception.

This was a "mixed bag" read for me. I thought the plot was well thought out, and enjoyed the "flashback" sections relating to the main character's past. There was a definite sinister atmosphere at times (no spoilers - sorry, you'll have to read it to find out the cause!), and a tense finale.

The characters were also well written and described - the problem was that I didn't like any of them. Gloria's habits put me off her - though I expect it's not uncommon in the showbiz and media world. I found myself disliking the rest of her family group as well - for a variety of different reasons (which I won't go into for fear of "spoilers"!).

However I found myself glued to the book and read it in just over a day, so obviously quite enjoyed it :-)

Recommended for readers who enjoy insights into the world of showbiz, tv and the media in general.

Looking forward to reading more from Rachel Lynch - hoping for more Kelly Porter and Helen Scott stories too!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

This was an amazing thrillers.

Very intriguing, fast paced. It kept me hooked from the start.

I devored it in one sitting.

She just delivers the thriller of the year.

The Famous follows a 50-something legendary TV chat show host as she confronts secrets from her past.
I'm a big fan of books that are set in the entertainment world - movie stars, influencers, musicians, especially when they explore the pitfalls of 'getting everything you ever wished for' and the dark side of the industries. I should have loved this book, but unfortunately, it wasn't really for me.
It was a very slow start, with nothing much happening until 60% of the way through, and we spend most of the narrative inside the main character's head, which wasn't a very pleasant place to be. I really felt that interaction with outside characters was lacking, and as a result of this, the side characters really weren't fleshed out at all.
I finished the book, which is a plus point, and the mystery was in itself interesting, I just wish we'd had more time delving into that and less time watching Gloria get high/drunk and feeling sorry for herself.

I have been reading Rachel’s DI Kelly Porter series since 2023. I absolutely love them and am currently on book 11, so when I was sent an ARC of The Famous I couldn’t wait to get started! 🥰@rachellynchcrime

Gloria White is a famous and wealthy breakfast TV Presenter. She looks as though she has it all, but having it all can sometimes come at a price. A story of fame, fortune and family with a mix of vengeance and a nasty web of lies.

The last 100 pages had me completely hooked and I had to inhale the last quarter in one sitting. A fantastic psychological thriller filled with suspense and twists that you don’t see coming.