When I started The Publicist, I really got sucked into the story, but unfortunately that dwindled down after about 40% of the story. The pacing felt off in certain places and the characters didn't feel well-rounded. All of this did pick up a bit more towards the end of the book, but it wasn't enough to make me feel obsessed with it.

Having thoroughly enjoyed The Nail Salon, I was excited to receive this book. I enjoyed it very much - I think it was as good as the first one and I liked the continuing development of Sue - apart from one seemingly random incident - and poor old Mike. It was an interesting story - I would have liked some warning about the eating disorder element but hey ho. Also a bit confused about the ending and Lola's position. Still very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more about Sue and Mike in the future.

In "The Publicist" by Natalie Tambini, PR expert Lola Lovett faces a unique challenge as her client, an actor thought to be deceased, goes missing from his own home. Unfazed by the unconventional situation, Lola delves into the investigation, bringing her closer to DCI Sue Fisher. Fisher, grappling with personal loss, is thrust into the search for the missing actor, Sam Stevens, leading to unexpected complexities. Tambini's storytelling mastery keeps readers captivated, with expertly crafted pacing that leaves one yearning for more with each chapter. Amidst the glitz of the showbiz world, the novel delves into darker themes, including abuse, anorexia, adoption, abandonment, and suicide. This gripping narrative weaves a tapestry of suspense, taking readers on a whirlwind of twists and turns that hold their attention until the very end. "The Publicist" is a fast-paced, riveting tale that skillfully addresses multiple issues while keeping its audience on the edge of their seats.

Lola Lovatt runs a successful international PR Company. She is savvy and focussed, her company boasting a stable of A list clients. One of them, actor Sam Stevens, has been with her long term and they are close. But now Lola has a problem, because Sam is threatening to expose things in her life she would rather keep private. Together with Rick, the man who sorts out any ‘difficulties’ she encounters, they plan to find Sam and make the problem go away. However, before they can locate him, they discover he has been abducted.
DCI Sue Fisher is brought in to head up the investigation. The case takes her back to Cobshott, where she investigated the grisly Medford case four years ago. Following the death of her husband, Sue now lives with her former colleague Mike, who has been promoted and transferred. Son Tom is due to leave for university after the summer. Sue’s new DI is Dev Basu and together they embark on what appears to be an impossible task. There has been no ransom note, no call to make demands. Has Steve taken himself away to chill out after weeks of shooting a TV series in the Lake District, or has something more sinister happened? Talking to Lola seems to be a good place to start, but it brings unexpected and unforeseen complications which could pose a threat to Sue at some future point.
Although the plot is not as complex as that of The Nail Salon, it still takes the reader on quite a journey as Sue and Dev try to find answers by delving into Sam Stevens’ personal life. Sue is still the committed police officer, but she’s also having to cope with Tom, whose reaction to his father’s death has turned him into a temperamental and remote stranger. It is Mike who discovers the cause of this sudden personality change, and in Sue’s absence prevents what could have been a real tragedy. I have to admit the ending came as a bit of a surprise. If anything, it confirmed that Lola was definitely ahead of her game. Looking forward to what Natalie Tambini has in store for us next.

To sum up, The Publicist is definitely a worthy sequel to The Nail Salon. A great four star read.
I would like to thank Natalie Tambini, Harper Collins and Netgalley for an ARC of The Publicist in exchange for an honest review.

The Publicist follows quickly on the heels of The Nail Salon, and continues the narrative from the first book. DCI Sue Fisher is back and on the trail of missing actor Sam Stevens. So too is his 'celebrity publicist' Lola Lovett, who has an ulterior motive - Sam should be dead.

What is really different about Natalie Tambini's books is that most of the narrative is written from the protagonist's viewpoint - in this case Lola. It adds an extra sinister level to what you're reading, and you'll find yourself torn with emotions; should you feel sympathy for what the characters have gone through in their early life, or despise them for what they have become.

Just as the main characters race through to their conclusion, I raced through the book. It is utterly engaging, with a real sense of not knowing where the paths were going to lead.

There are some strong topics involved and references to the themes from the previous novel.

The second in the DCI Sue Fisher series is another hit! This one follows after a few years and keeps up the heart-racing pace as it enters another complex case with all the twists and turns of the first! There are even more threads to pull and looking forward to number three! Great read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter Books for this ARC!

I enjoyed reading The Nail Salon so I was thrilled to start The Publicist by Natalie Tambini which is a great little mystery!
I was so immersed from the first page until the last.
This was a fast-paced, tension-filled, edge-of-your-seat thrilling read! I couldn’t flip these pages fast enough! I absolutely love this author’s writing – it pulled me in from page one and kept me fully captivated and intrigued until the very end.
Such a fabulous read! Tambini kept me gripped from beginning to end.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

“Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.” In this case, Lola Lovett PR and it’s owner, Lola will keep your secrets. She cleans up problems but she seems to part of the problem. In this novel, Lola’s favorite client, Sam, goes missing but we immediately find out he should actually be dead. GASP!

I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns throughout this story by Natalie Tambini. Multiple storylines converge to provide a jaw-dropping ending that you won’t see coming. Theirs is a combination of mystery, suspense and humor that keep you on your toes. I enjoyed the exploration of sexuality, power and the effects of addictions on individuals lives tied in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).

Another brilliant read from Natalie Tambini and a great follow up to The Nail Salon, which I would recommend reading first. This book focuses on the world of PR with Lola Lovett as the main character and again features DCI Sue Fisher. Lola knows all her clients secrets and when actor Sam Stevens goes missing she wants to know where he is as much as the police do. It turns out he knows some of her secrets too which has her worried. This is gripping with twists and turns. The characters are very deep and the writing is at times dark, with some quite graphic, not for the feint hearted moments. A real page turner that keeps you guessing the outcome from the start. I love how Natalie Tambini links everyone, with some of them not being at all obvious, and doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics. I would definitely recommend this if you like a good action packed, twisty thriller. Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Publicist was thrilling, dark and twisted with an air of mystery and glamour. I recommend reading the nail-biting book The Nail Salon before diving into this one.

DCI Sue Fisher is back and still reeling from the previous case. Her relationship with Mike is becoming static, her son Tom has withdrawn and not himself, and she is driven to find the truth regarding the disappearance of Sam Stevens, a famous actor. Sam's Publicist, Lola, like Sue, is forced to find out what happened with Sam and is keen on keeping up to date with the progress of the investigation. As Sue and Lola's paths cross, things become unexpected and complicated.

Leave it to the author to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is well-done, and the chapters leave you wanting more. Natalie Tambini also tackles multiple issues in this book, such as abuse, anorexia, adoption, abandonment and suicide. My sole contention with this read is that the last 85% of the book was abrupt and rushed. I would have loved it if the author fleshed out the scenes a tad more in line with the underlying suspense beautifully created throughout the book.

Thank you, NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Publicist
Author: Natalie Tambini
Source: NetGalley
Publish Date: Aug. 3, 2023

The Publicist features one of England’s top PR mavens, Lola Lovett, whose job is to put out fires, get good press for her clients, and advance their burgeoning careers with good publicity and great jobs. What they aren’t prepared for is when the top talent at the agency goes missing and is presumed in danger. The detective in charge is DCI Sue Fisher, well-known for solving significant crimes. This one is going to be a doozy, and everyone is suspect. I like a thriller that gives us a unique back story I haven’t read before with some super big twists. This novel comes out next week and was worth my time. I liked the well-described and flawed characters, which made for an exciting story. I think you will like it too. When it comes to stars, all that glitters is not gold. #abductions #crime #PR #ThePublicist #murder #whodunit #thriller #mystery @NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK @harpercollinsuk @natalietambini
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: August 3, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader

This gripping follow-up to "The Nail Salon" brings another compelling case to DCI Sue Fisher's desk. Tambini once again masterfully portrays flawed characters navigating through realistic and relatable situations. The story delves into moments so heart-wrenching that they leave a lasting ache in the reader's heart.

Similar to her previous book, the author keeps us oscillating between conflicting feelings about the characters. There are no easy resolutions or neat closures; instead, Tambini weaves a gritty and authentic narrative that resonates deeply with readers.

It's challenging to elaborate without revealing spoilers, but I must emphasize that this book is a riveting experience. As a recipient of the dARC from the publisher via Netgalley, I can wholeheartedly say that this review reflects my genuine and honest impressions.

Overall, Tambini's ability to craft intricate and emotionally charged stories shines through in this gripping sequel. If you appreciate realistic portrayals of flawed characters and stories that linger in your mind, this book is a must-read.

DCI Sue Fisher, the less than perfect investigator, returns in this compelling, unique series by talented author Natalie Tambini. She’s living with her former deputy Mike and dealing with her difficult teenage son Tom. As usual, she is avoiding personal problems by becoming completely involved in a new case. And what a case it is! We know from the first chapter that publicist Lola Lovett expects her star client Sam Stevens to be found dead of an overdose. Yes, she’d planned it that way. Instead Sam has disappeared, the police are involved and Lola must stay ahead of their investigation to protect some dangerous and very well hidden secrets that will destroy the career she has worked so hard to build. But nothing in The Publicist is simple. One secret leads to another and DCI Fisher is overwhelmed as her personal and professional lives collide.

Sue Fisher, with all her flaws, is a refreshing change from other detectives in police procedurals. And Lola Lovett dominates The Publicist with her self serving behavior and greedy desperation. Tambini has a gift for developing intense female characters. I can’t wait for the next in this excellent series. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Natalie Tambini for this ARC.

Well, well, well.
This follow up to the Nail Salon follows another case that crosses DCI Sue Fisher's desk. Tambini again showcases flawed characters living and dealing with very realistic situations. There were a few moments that were so gut-wrenching, my heart ached.
And as in her previous book, I'm left fluctuating between how I feel about characters. There's no open/shut, clean closure with her books and it adds a layer of grit that just works.
It's hard to say much because I don't want to spoil anything.

I recieved a dARC from the publisher via Netgalley; this is my honest review.

I truly love a book where I question if I should like or loathe EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! This was that book.
At every chapter I was sure I knew who I liked/didn’t like. Then I was wrong. It kept happening.

That, in my opinion, is the sign of a good thriller. This was twisty, unpredictable and full of unlikeable characters.

I loved this book so much just as much as the nail salon.loved the characters and the twists of this book. I did not want the book to finish.

I really enjoyed this one as the second in the series with DCI Sue Fisher. I was engaged right from the start. I enjoyed the viewpoint of Lola, the publicist which was thrown in at various times. There was no shortage of secrets and lies, twists and turns and surprising reveals. I loved how both Lola and DCI Sue Fisher were determined to find out what happened to Lola's client, Sam....but Lola was determined to get to it first. Great suspenseful novel.

I enjoyed this book so much that o ordered her first one on Amazon to fill in the gaps! The Publicist kept me on tenderhooks, I like the characters of Sue, Soozie and Mike and kept reading all night until I finished it.
I highly recommend anyone who loves a good whodunnit based in the rich suburbs with a cast of catty, beautiful people, all trying to stay happy or alive. Great read and should be made for tv series asap!
Get me the next one quick!!

This book was a thriller involving a celebrity and a publicist and I loved that I did not see the twists coming at all. I read this book in one sitting and truly enjoyed it. I had no idea how it would end and wasn't able to figure it out on my own and I think that is why I didn't put it down. If you are into thrillers this is a must read!

This was a well written book that I finished quickly and enjoyed. I wouldn't say it was a dark thriller which I would normally go for. But entertaining all the same xx