I am delighted to share my review today for Red Light and Bell by Richard Cobourne. This is the second in the trilogy and if you have not come across this one yet, you should look. Here is my review of the first book Band Wagon.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising my spot on the tour and for my copies of the first two amazing books.

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…

Daisy DeVilliers, celebrity PR, and Danny Owen, former investigative journalist, sit hand-in-hand in the VIP seats enjoying the much-anticipated return of global pop-megastar Martha. Following the kidnapping and dramatic rescue of the star and her sister, neither thought this glamorous night would ever happen. The ecstatic audience are demanding encore-after-encore. Martha is back!

As the final notes die away, there is pandemonium ― the police sergeant seated next to Daisy is assassinated by a sniper. Daisy is covered in blood and gore. Martha is unwillingly bundled off the stage to safety. But why was the police sergeant killed? Mistaken identity or deliberate act? Who orchestrated the murder and why? Soon Daisy and Danny are forced out of their comfort zones from show business into a world of high-level corruption, international organised crime, attempted cover-ups, and governmental chest-stabbing ― all too believable with our current politicians and parties.

Featuring well-informed behind-the-scenes entertainment action ― who to trust in the duplicitous world where celebrity, the police, security services, and politics collide? This exciting page-turner takes you far and wide to Elstree Studios, the 02 Arena, the Houses of Parliament, inside the Security Services, and to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

MY REVIEW

Red Light and Bell is the second book in this trilogy, it does continue on from the first book Band Wagon. I suppose you could read this second book as a stand-alone, but I would definitely suggest reading these in order as they are both fabulous.

After Martha and her sister had been kidnapped and then released, and also after the potential people trafficking had been stopped Nowak believes he has nothing to worry about. He thinks the debt he owes has disappeared into the ether and he is free and clear to start making some money from the Movin’ Out Tour that Martha is due to perform.

That is until a police officer is shot during the opening tour!

Once again this author has absolutely delivered a fast-paced, entertaining and action-packed story. Martha is just getting back on her feet and looking forward to her new tour and this latest blow knocks her confidence. The PR machine in the form of Daisy works hard to find a balance between supporting Marths, the victim of the shooting and supporting others when needed. A good job then that her boyfriend Danny is there watching her back.

In the first book a scheme was hatched in the past Nowak, it showed how he had been able to get away with crimes and never be convicted. He is shady and dangerous as Danny knows only too well. This is where reading the first book definitely does help with the back story and the character dynamics.

Having corruption included in this story is such a great angle, and it is something that the author has worked on so well. Not only is it a story full of showbiz glitz and glamour, but it is also dirty and underhanded. It makes for riveting reading.

There are some subplots going on in this trilogy and this book helps to develop further. It is gradually building up the suspense and drama at a fast rate of knots. This book leaves the reader hanging on a precipice and wondering what is going to become of the characters. There is an ever-present danger that is lurking and I think it still has more to reveal. It has made me eager to get my hands on the final book.

This is great for people who like to mix the genres up. A sort of procedural as there is a police presence, the investigation side, the showbiz and then there is the corruption, conspiracy, lies and the overall thrill of reading this fast-paced book. A book and trilogy that I would definitely recommend reading.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Cobourne writes with a production background in the broadcast, corporate, music and global events and 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-found On 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.

The author can be contacted via http://www.Cobourne.com
PREVIOUSLY
FICTION

• Bandwagon (the first Danny and Daisy showbiz thriller)
  NON-FICTION
• The History of Castration
• The History of Diabetes
• The History of Contraception
• The Cardio-Protective Effect of Wine
  

Check post the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx