The Talk Show by Harry Verity
Published by Bloodhound Books
Publication Date: 1st March 2021
Genre: Psychological Thriller
279 pages
Book Description:
You never know who is watching...
When Edward gets a job working behind the scenes on the notorious and controversial Michael O’Shea Show, he thinks he’s hit the big time. But little does he realise what he’s let himself in for.
The presenter’s brother is arrested for sex crimes, and the show is threatened with cancellation when two guests are reported missing. Then, when a member of the backstage staff is abducted, it becomes clear someone has the show in their sights.
Is someone trying to sabotage a seemingly harmless talk show by targeting its presenters and guests? Or does the truth lie somewhere closer to home?
One thing is for sure, there’s no telling who’s watching The Talk Show…
My Thoughts:
I loved the concept of this book. With the recent controversy surrounding talk shows in the UK I was interested to see where the author would take it. I wasn't disappointed!
New recruit to the team Edward has ideas of grandeur with his new job in television. It doesn't take long for his bubble to burst as he realises he really is the lowliest person on the team and his colleagues are quick to quell any enthusiasm he had to begin with. As you would expect there are a lot of big egos clashing on the show and the media are constantly looking to cast accusations against any of the show's presenter - some with more truth to them than others. Edward isn't the only who gets shouted down on a regular basis, with show psychologist Bernard Braithwaite also constantly in the firing line. Edward wonders how he copes in his role as he seems very anxious and lacking in confidence for someone in his position.
I will be honest that the first half of the book was quite slow and I was almost at the point of abandoning the book (sorry!) but then BANG! things kicked in and the story took off at a rate of knots which had me hanging on tight. I'm so glad I kept with the story as the second half really was action packed. You have guests being abducted, accusations of all kinds being levelled at just about everyone on the team and then police arriving to shut the show down while their enquiries continue because things just got very real.
My opinion of this book is that if you are prepared to hang in there while the scene is set then you are in for a treat once everyone is in their places. I guarantee they won't be where you expect at the end!
About the Author:
Harry Verity grew up in the city of Leicester in the UK and then studied at Loughborough University and obtained an MA in Early Modern History from the University of York.
After leaving university he pursued a career writing freelance for magazines and newspapers and worked in British Book store WH Smith as a sales assistant.
As well as writing Harry travels all around the world, experiencing new cultures and making new friends. He is currently based in Vietnam where the impact of COVID-19 has been minimal.
The Talk Show is his first novel.
After leaving university he pursued a career writing freelance for magazines and newspapers and worked in British Book store WH Smith as a sales assistant.
As well as writing Harry travels all around the world, experiencing new cultures and making new friends. He is currently based in Vietnam where the impact of COVID-19 has been minimal.
The Talk Show is his first novel.
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