This story is essentially a romance set in a prison context. A young female doctor has chosen to work at the hospital her younger brother is being held prisoner in. Her new boss however, seems less pleased to have her. He has little regard for inmate wellbeing and seems like a brute. Is there more to the surly warden beneath the surface?

Song of the Blackbird had the potential to be a thoroughly enjoyable debut novel. However, the story seemed repetitive and fairly predictable at times. There’s only so many times you can split a couple up over trivial things and get them back together again. Nobody says I love you as quickly as it seemingly happens here either.

There were however some lovely elements to this story. Though seemingly a background character, Sam and some of his fellow inmates have fantastic characterisation. The blackbird aspects and symbolic meaning tied the story together nicely.

All in all this has the potential to be great with a well thought out plot. This isn’t a bad debut novel, but I isn’t a great one either.