This is the best way to enjoy a reality TV show.
Last night I started reading A Game of Lies. It’s the second in the DC Ffion Morgan by Clare Mackintosh set aa picturesque North Wales. I was a little dubious about starting a book with only 6 days until Crescent City 3 but with a long train planned for today I felt confident it wouldn’t be an issue. If I’m honest I wanted to make sure I had time to enjoy the story and not rush it. I’m glad I didn’t wait, although I knew I needed to stop reading last night for my early start and just kept repeating to myself just one more chapter. It’s a hard book to put down.
I think my favourite character is Dave the dog. I respect his commitment to being a Velcro dog, and with one of my own I understand how it feels! We have some familiar characters and some new ones who quickly fit right into the ‘regular’ cast column. Some of the more disposable ones don’t feel that they could only be with us for a book, which is nice.
The story takes us on a journey with Ffion as a company sets up a reality show ( think I’m a celeb / survivor / Big brother mixed into one) with a dramatic twist that the contestants weren’t aware of. It’s the sort of show that in the real world would have everyone talking for sure. When a contestant goes missing the local team have to look into it, and rope in some help from surrounding forces. Welcome back Leo. Sometimes I felt awkward for Ffion, I wanted to shake her and tell her to sort it out but overall, I just wanted her to work through everything, quickly! Guess that would be a boring, short book though.
We have murder, missing people, social media wannabes and secrets people want to keep hidden – what could go wrong when it’s all being filmed because we all know you can’t manipulate reality TV or lead your audience to a pre-planned conclusion!
This book is enjoyable, a good read and feels modern and relevant whilst maintaining a realism. With returning characters that can be a hard thing to do but its done brilliantly here.
A Game of Lies is out now!
One More Chapter 