#BookReview : Madam Tulip by David Ahern @DaveAhernWriter

I am delighted to be sharing “Madam Tulip” by David Ahern in the blog today. My thanks to David for my ecopy for my honest review, and an even bigger thank you for introducing me to what I think will be a really great series.

Synopsis:

Out-of-work actress Derry O’Donnell is young, talented, a teeny bit psychic … and broke. Spurred on by an ultimatum from her awesomely high-achieving mother, and with a little help from her theatrical friends, Derry embarks on a part-time career as Madam Tulip, fortune-teller to the rich and famous.But at her first fortune-telling gig – a celebrity charity weekend in a castle – a famous rap artist will die.
As Derry is drawn deeper into a seedy world of celebrities, supermodels and millionaires, she finds herself playing the most dangerous role of her acting life.Trapped in a maze of intrigue, money and drugs, Derry’s attempts at amateur detective could soon destroy her friends, her ex-lover, her father and herself.
Madame Tulip is the first in a series of Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents.

My Thoughts:

Madam Tulip A.K.A Derry O’Donnell is an actress (when she has a job). Bella is Derry’s friend and is the one behind the advice for Derry to use her psychic abilities for gain. Leading them to a world of glitz and glamour that initially sounds wonderful until a deadly side to this social world reveals itself.

This is a wonderful introduction into what I feel will be a really good series. It has the feel of an old style cost mystery with a female sleuth but in a modern setting. The characters are as dysfunctional as they are fun. Derry’s mother is a high flyer in the art scene, her father a horse race gambling drunk and then throw in an ex-model, an old friend who is more than a little cagey and hopefully you will start to see what I mean. With all these different traits you definitely start to remember who is who in the story.

As I said the plot has a cosy mystery feel to it as Derry starts to look into things which would be better left to the professionals. Something she had been told on more than one occasion, and I am glad she didn’t pay any heed to them. Instead we follow Derry through mishaps and adventures as she does what she thinks is the right thing landing her in very deep water.

There are a few characters I really liked and it will be interesting to see if they make an appearance in future books.

If you like you crime and mystery books on slightly a lighter side but with some darker moments, then this is one I would definitely recommend reading. The perfect book to sit and read over an afternoon.

If this has piqued your interest then why not grab a copy or you can head over to Amazon UK for 3 Book Series.

About the Author:

David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate but soon absconded to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series and winning numerous awards, none of which got him free into nightclubs.

Madame Tulip wasn’t David Ahern’s first novel, but writing it was the most fun he’d ever had with a computer. He is now writing the fourth Madam Tulip adventure and enjoys pretending this is actual work.

David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud.

You can learn more about David Ahern and Madam Tulip on his website davidahern.info