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Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?
In the early 1980s, The Diamonds - Ireland's trailblazing all-woman rock band - were on the brink of international success. Their debut single 'Too Much Not Enough' was soaring the British charts. Then, as suddenly as they'd arrived, they vanished. It was the last anyone would hear of songwriter, guitarist and legend-in-the-making Birdy Troy.
Stacey Nash, host of the popular podcast 'Whatever Happened To...?', becomes fascinated with the band that broke up before she was born. How could four young women with so much promise just disappear?
As problems mount in her own life, Stacey is drawn deeper into unravelling the mystery. But, after forty years, and with the band's members reluctant to cooperate, is it too late for the truth to emerge?
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? is a rollercoaster journey through the rise and fall of four unforgettable friends and bandmates, in a music scene where darkness lurks beneath a veneer of glamour.
Stacey Nash, host of the popular podcast 'Whatever Happened To...?', becomes fascinated with the band that broke up before she was born. How could four young women with so much promise just disappear?
As problems mount in her own life, Stacey is drawn deeper into unravelling the mystery. But, after forty years, and with the band's members reluctant to cooperate, is it too late for the truth to emerge?
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? is a rollercoaster journey through the rise and fall of four unforgettable friends and bandmates, in a music scene where darkness lurks beneath a veneer of glamour.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2024
119 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Rachael English
8 books225 followersHi, and thanks for visiting my page.
I'm the author of seven novels. The latest is WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BIRDY TROY?Before that there was GOING BACK, EACH AND EVERY ONE, THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY, THE PAPER BRACELET and the Irish number one bestsellers, THE LETTER HOME and THE AMERICAN GIRL.
Like many many writers, I also have a day job. I'm a presenter on the radio programme, Morning Ireland.
You can find me on Twitter - @EnglishRachael, on Instagram - @RachaelEnglishWriter or on Facebook.
I'm the author of seven novels. The latest is WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BIRDY TROY?Before that there was GOING BACK, EACH AND EVERY ONE, THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY, THE PAPER BRACELET and the Irish number one bestsellers, THE LETTER HOME and THE AMERICAN GIRL.
Like many many writers, I also have a day job. I'm a presenter on the radio programme, Morning Ireland.
You can find me on Twitter - @EnglishRachael, on Instagram - @RachaelEnglishWriter or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 31, 2024
4.5* --> 5*
Back in the eighties, an all-girl group called The Diamonds from a small town in Ireland were being touted as the next big thing. But just when things were starting to happen for them, the girls disappeared and all that was left was a “it could have been ...”. What happened to make the girls turn their backs on their dream?
In the present day, Stacey’s life is falling apart. Her relationship is over, she’s being evicted from her flat, has no job prospects and is finding a new and affordable place to stay near impossible. Until someone contacts her with a possible topic for her podcast “Whatever happened to …?”. A podcast that tries to find out what happened to celebrities, local or national, from days gone by. What did they go on to do when their fame died, for instance. And someone really wants to know what happened to Birdy Troy, a member of the Diamonds who had music in her veins and yet turned her back on all of it. Sure, Stacey has more pressing issues to deal with but finding Birdy takes precedence.
As someone who was a teenager in the eighties, this novel was sheer nostalgia. The hair, the clothes, the music … it all took me right back to those carefree days when the world was your oyster and everything seemed possible. For Gail, Yvonne, Birdy and Loretta, things were no different. Living in a small town in Ireland, working on their craft, they were dreaming of bigger things. They were “discovered” and headed to the bright lights of Dublin. But as so often happens, not everyone has good intentions.
Whatever happened, which I obviously can’t tell you about, has an impact on all four girls. It shows the pitfalls of this music industry, the manipulation, the dangers that lurk around the corner. How in a flash your dream can be taken away, the relationship with your friends becoming increasingly complicated, and life taking a very different turn than the one you had in mind. It is sad and heartbreaking what went on, the effects long-term and still upsetting after four decades. And unfortunately there's the sad realisation that not that much has changed since.
But this is also a story about resilience, about guilt, about fighting back and about forgiveness. About how things look differently when you’re nearing sixty and you look back on events that played out when you were nineteen. We learn, we experience, we move on but deep down we never forget. Maybe you wish you could go back and do things differently. Maybe you wish you could right some wrongs.
Who is looking for Birdy? And why? Will Stacey find her? Or at least figure out what happened to her? Lots of questions and they will all be answered in good time. “Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy” is full of relatable and believable characters. Sometimes it will make you want to dance around the room, sometimes it’ll pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a lump in your throat. 'Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy" is an engaging, moving, bittersweet, yet enjoyable story that needs to be told for women like Birdy everywhere.
Back in the eighties, an all-girl group called The Diamonds from a small town in Ireland were being touted as the next big thing. But just when things were starting to happen for them, the girls disappeared and all that was left was a “it could have been ...”. What happened to make the girls turn their backs on their dream?
In the present day, Stacey’s life is falling apart. Her relationship is over, she’s being evicted from her flat, has no job prospects and is finding a new and affordable place to stay near impossible. Until someone contacts her with a possible topic for her podcast “Whatever happened to …?”. A podcast that tries to find out what happened to celebrities, local or national, from days gone by. What did they go on to do when their fame died, for instance. And someone really wants to know what happened to Birdy Troy, a member of the Diamonds who had music in her veins and yet turned her back on all of it. Sure, Stacey has more pressing issues to deal with but finding Birdy takes precedence.
As someone who was a teenager in the eighties, this novel was sheer nostalgia. The hair, the clothes, the music … it all took me right back to those carefree days when the world was your oyster and everything seemed possible. For Gail, Yvonne, Birdy and Loretta, things were no different. Living in a small town in Ireland, working on their craft, they were dreaming of bigger things. They were “discovered” and headed to the bright lights of Dublin. But as so often happens, not everyone has good intentions.
Whatever happened, which I obviously can’t tell you about, has an impact on all four girls. It shows the pitfalls of this music industry, the manipulation, the dangers that lurk around the corner. How in a flash your dream can be taken away, the relationship with your friends becoming increasingly complicated, and life taking a very different turn than the one you had in mind. It is sad and heartbreaking what went on, the effects long-term and still upsetting after four decades. And unfortunately there's the sad realisation that not that much has changed since.
But this is also a story about resilience, about guilt, about fighting back and about forgiveness. About how things look differently when you’re nearing sixty and you look back on events that played out when you were nineteen. We learn, we experience, we move on but deep down we never forget. Maybe you wish you could go back and do things differently. Maybe you wish you could right some wrongs.
Who is looking for Birdy? And why? Will Stacey find her? Or at least figure out what happened to her? Lots of questions and they will all be answered in good time. “Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy” is full of relatable and believable characters. Sometimes it will make you want to dance around the room, sometimes it’ll pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a lump in your throat. 'Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy" is an engaging, moving, bittersweet, yet enjoyable story that needs to be told for women like Birdy everywhere.
February 25, 2024
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy hit all the right notes with me. An engaging dual timeline where I was equally interested in both narratives.
We follow the rise to fame in the 1980s of an Irish female rock band. The music, the freedom, the dizzying sense of possibility all made it a gripping and resonant read. It felt so nostalgic but gritty enough to stop it being twee.
And we follow Stacey a podcast maker who investigates once famous people to see whatever happened to them. Stacey has hit a pothole in her own life, and her investigation into this 1989s band is a lovely distraction for her.
I loved how threads of the past and present wove together and created a layered and emotional tale. The suspense held up well and women’s issues echo through the decades and will strike a chord with many I think.
Another powerful read from the ever dependable Rachael English.
We follow the rise to fame in the 1980s of an Irish female rock band. The music, the freedom, the dizzying sense of possibility all made it a gripping and resonant read. It felt so nostalgic but gritty enough to stop it being twee.
And we follow Stacey a podcast maker who investigates once famous people to see whatever happened to them. Stacey has hit a pothole in her own life, and her investigation into this 1989s band is a lovely distraction for her.
I loved how threads of the past and present wove together and created a layered and emotional tale. The suspense held up well and women’s issues echo through the decades and will strike a chord with many I think.
Another powerful read from the ever dependable Rachael English.
February 17, 2024
Nostalgia, music and a mystery to be investigated. An intriguing book that draws you in. Pacy, with strong female characters that tell different stories - from life in a small Irish town to making it in the music business, this book has something special on every page.
This book has so many layers yet it’s written in an easy and engaging style. Nostalgia abounds yet you feel you are there.
A great read 4.5* rounded up to 5*.
I think these characters will stay with me …
This book has so many layers yet it’s written in an easy and engaging style. Nostalgia abounds yet you feel you are there.
A great read 4.5* rounded up to 5*.
I think these characters will stay with me …
February 18, 2024
A page turning exploration of fame, power and abuse in 1980s Ireland and England, it’s one I recommend. I loved reading about the rise of The Diamonds, and found myself really rooting for Birdy, Loretta, Gail and Yvonne. Rachael is refreshingly positive about Ireland and our culture too, which was nice to see. Honestly I’m not a fan of 1980s music myself, but I’d really love to hear The Diamonds’ singles.
I agree with other reviewers that fans of Daisy Jones will love this one!
I agree with other reviewers that fans of Daisy Jones will love this one!
January 14, 2024
‘Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?’ by Rachael English tells the story of The Diamonds, an Irish female rock band who shone brightly for a short time in the early 80s before a sudden drop into obscurity. Podcaster Stacey - who interviews former celebrities for her show - responds to a fan’s query suggesting she attempt to shed some light on the mystery of why the ladies’ first Top Of The Pops performance was also their last…
The story is told in dual timelines - in the modern day, Stacey is investigating the past while facing eviction and missing her ex-boyfriend in the present. She is determined to find out what happened to the women and especially to their supremely talented and captivating guitarist, backing singer and songwriter Birdy Troy. In the 80s, Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy are shooting for the stars as they graduate from Steeltown to Dublin to London’s music scene, working with their manager Kieran Mitchell and their record company to promote their first single and record an album.
I loved the pacing of the novel and the tremendous emotional range. The reveals within the pages felt genuine, inevitable and rage-inducing. The unexpected connections and lengthy estrangements were heartbreaking, and the ending was bittersweet and satisfying.
Birdy Troy should always be famous in the world of this book, and should always be famous outside of it… because this cleverly crafted and impeccably told story deserves to be read far and wide. I’m giving this five stars and recommending for fans of the rock and roll of Daisy Jones and the Six, the descriptiveness and deeply Irish setting of Tana French’s books or the feminist rage of Laura Bates - honestly there’s something for everyone here.
I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Hachette Books Ireland via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story is told in dual timelines - in the modern day, Stacey is investigating the past while facing eviction and missing her ex-boyfriend in the present. She is determined to find out what happened to the women and especially to their supremely talented and captivating guitarist, backing singer and songwriter Birdy Troy. In the 80s, Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy are shooting for the stars as they graduate from Steeltown to Dublin to London’s music scene, working with their manager Kieran Mitchell and their record company to promote their first single and record an album.
I loved the pacing of the novel and the tremendous emotional range. The reveals within the pages felt genuine, inevitable and rage-inducing. The unexpected connections and lengthy estrangements were heartbreaking, and the ending was bittersweet and satisfying.
Birdy Troy should always be famous in the world of this book, and should always be famous outside of it… because this cleverly crafted and impeccably told story deserves to be read far and wide. I’m giving this five stars and recommending for fans of the rock and roll of Daisy Jones and the Six, the descriptiveness and deeply Irish setting of Tana French’s books or the feminist rage of Laura Bates - honestly there’s something for everyone here.
I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Hachette Books Ireland via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
February 2, 2024
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? by Rachael English is described as ‘a rollercoaster journey through the rise and fall of four unforgettable friends and bandmates, in a music scene where darkness lurks beneath a veneer of glamour.’
With an opening line in the description of ‘In the early 1980s..’ and a mention of music I knew, beyond doubt, that I was going to lose myself in Rachael English’s latest novel about The Diamonds rock band and the elusive Birdy Troy. I grew up in a household surrounded by vinyls and guitars, as my older brother was a musician. The Diamonds, at the beginning of their career, were dubbed ‘the next U2’, a band that I distinctly remember surprising me, and the huge crowd in attendance, at a free outdoor music festival in Cork on 25th August 1985 when they did an unscheduled set. We were in heaven. I was fourteen years old, and this was the gig that sealed my life-long love of music.
Birdy Troy was a young girl who dreamed of escaping her hometown in Co. Clare. She worked in a local supermarket. But Birdy had ambitions. She was the songwriter and guitarist of The Diamonds, an all-girl rock band, alongside her best friends, Gail, Yvonne, and Loretta. A last-minute gig provided them with the opportunity to get their music in front of a Dublin manager. The girls lives changed forever that night. They moved to Dublin and began an extraordinary adventure, which was exhausting but also incredibly exciting. Birdy Troy was more serious about her musical ambition than the rest. Birdy loved the intricacies of the studio work, where perfection was all that mattered, no matter how many takes it took to create the exact note or word in a track.
As their reputation took off, the girls lived a whirlwind existence far removed from their humble beginnings, then, suddenly, disappeared. What happened to The Diamonds? Why did they never reach the trajectory that was expected of them?
Stacey Nash is a podcaster whose life is teetering on the brink. Stacey left a permanent job to follow her dream, freelancing and doing what she loves. But Stacey is in trouble. Her financial situation and personal life are in the doldrums and, without a bit of luck, or a sprinkling of magic, there is the real possibility that Stacey could very soon be homeless.
Stacey’s podcast features has-beens, people who were once well-known and dropped off the radar for various reasons. Popularity is important to Stacey, as the more subscribers she gets, the possibility of advertiser revenue increasing is very real. But Stacey has hit a wall. Her revenue is slowing down, and her recent podcasts have not been as popular as she hoped. A chance stumble upon a story about a girl band, The Diamonds, who were on the up and up in the 1980s piques her interest. She looks up a few articles, speaks to a few contacts and the more she unravels, the more curious she becomes. Stacey, on hearing some of their music, is intrigued. These girls were musicians going places but disappeared without a trace. Stacey decides that the story of The Diamonds could make a very compelling podcast but, as her research soon uncovers, there is so much more buried in the past.
One of the girls, Birdy Troy, really catches Stacey’s attention. Birdy has no digital footprint, and no record exists of what happened to her following the band’s breakup. It’s clear she was very focused and passionate about her music. She was good, really good, but where was she?
Stacey’s investigation takes her on a very unexpected journey and as she slowly peels back the layers of history, the past slowly emerges. Stacey is committed to the truth and to justice but is she right to blow the cobwebs off a secret that has remained hidden for years?
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? will appeal to all with a love of the 80s, those glorious years when the floor under your feet pulsed to the bass of a live band, when a Sony Walkman was a dream possession and when perms were cool! If you are of a younger generation then you will be drawn in by the Taylor Jenkins Reid style of storytelling, a cross between the vibe of Daisy Jones & The Six and the dual-time element of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Rachael English has written an engaging and immersive tale with a delightful cast of characters (almost all!!). Rachael said that she was hoping ‘to capture the lives of music-obsessed teenage girls in the 1980s’ and she certainly has. She also put together a class playlist on Spotify, featuring a brilliant selection of artists from Ireland and beyond who were so very much part of those iconic years.
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? is an insightful, at times challenging and exciting story, a must-read for so many different reasons. It’s wonderfully atmospheric and nostalgic with a very relevant, modern twist. Highly recommended!!
With an opening line in the description of ‘In the early 1980s..’ and a mention of music I knew, beyond doubt, that I was going to lose myself in Rachael English’s latest novel about The Diamonds rock band and the elusive Birdy Troy. I grew up in a household surrounded by vinyls and guitars, as my older brother was a musician. The Diamonds, at the beginning of their career, were dubbed ‘the next U2’, a band that I distinctly remember surprising me, and the huge crowd in attendance, at a free outdoor music festival in Cork on 25th August 1985 when they did an unscheduled set. We were in heaven. I was fourteen years old, and this was the gig that sealed my life-long love of music.
Birdy Troy was a young girl who dreamed of escaping her hometown in Co. Clare. She worked in a local supermarket. But Birdy had ambitions. She was the songwriter and guitarist of The Diamonds, an all-girl rock band, alongside her best friends, Gail, Yvonne, and Loretta. A last-minute gig provided them with the opportunity to get their music in front of a Dublin manager. The girls lives changed forever that night. They moved to Dublin and began an extraordinary adventure, which was exhausting but also incredibly exciting. Birdy Troy was more serious about her musical ambition than the rest. Birdy loved the intricacies of the studio work, where perfection was all that mattered, no matter how many takes it took to create the exact note or word in a track.
As their reputation took off, the girls lived a whirlwind existence far removed from their humble beginnings, then, suddenly, disappeared. What happened to The Diamonds? Why did they never reach the trajectory that was expected of them?
Stacey Nash is a podcaster whose life is teetering on the brink. Stacey left a permanent job to follow her dream, freelancing and doing what she loves. But Stacey is in trouble. Her financial situation and personal life are in the doldrums and, without a bit of luck, or a sprinkling of magic, there is the real possibility that Stacey could very soon be homeless.
Stacey’s podcast features has-beens, people who were once well-known and dropped off the radar for various reasons. Popularity is important to Stacey, as the more subscribers she gets, the possibility of advertiser revenue increasing is very real. But Stacey has hit a wall. Her revenue is slowing down, and her recent podcasts have not been as popular as she hoped. A chance stumble upon a story about a girl band, The Diamonds, who were on the up and up in the 1980s piques her interest. She looks up a few articles, speaks to a few contacts and the more she unravels, the more curious she becomes. Stacey, on hearing some of their music, is intrigued. These girls were musicians going places but disappeared without a trace. Stacey decides that the story of The Diamonds could make a very compelling podcast but, as her research soon uncovers, there is so much more buried in the past.
One of the girls, Birdy Troy, really catches Stacey’s attention. Birdy has no digital footprint, and no record exists of what happened to her following the band’s breakup. It’s clear she was very focused and passionate about her music. She was good, really good, but where was she?
Stacey’s investigation takes her on a very unexpected journey and as she slowly peels back the layers of history, the past slowly emerges. Stacey is committed to the truth and to justice but is she right to blow the cobwebs off a secret that has remained hidden for years?
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? will appeal to all with a love of the 80s, those glorious years when the floor under your feet pulsed to the bass of a live band, when a Sony Walkman was a dream possession and when perms were cool! If you are of a younger generation then you will be drawn in by the Taylor Jenkins Reid style of storytelling, a cross between the vibe of Daisy Jones & The Six and the dual-time element of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Rachael English has written an engaging and immersive tale with a delightful cast of characters (almost all!!). Rachael said that she was hoping ‘to capture the lives of music-obsessed teenage girls in the 1980s’ and she certainly has. She also put together a class playlist on Spotify, featuring a brilliant selection of artists from Ireland and beyond who were so very much part of those iconic years.
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? is an insightful, at times challenging and exciting story, a must-read for so many different reasons. It’s wonderfully atmospheric and nostalgic with a very relevant, modern twist. Highly recommended!!
February 27, 2024
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? by Rachael English is story written in a dual timeline. The present day timeline follows Stacey Nash, a podcast creator and presenter who is facing struggles in her personal life after giving up her daytime job to pursue her podcasting career. The podcast titled "Whatever happened to...?" follows up on the lives of famous people who have fallen off the grid, people like TV presenters, and singers with one-hit-wonders. She regularly receives requests from listeners to record an episode about certain people, and having received a request to look into 80's band "The Diamonds", her interest is piqued.
Stacey begins investigating this band who appeared to have a very bright future ahead of them at the time but all of a sudden, following a huge number one hit and having recorded an album, ceased to exist in the world of music.
The second timeline follows the rise of The Diamonds and of its members Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy who move from the small town of Steelstown in Co Clare to London when they get signed by music producer Kieran Mitchell.
Through Stacey's deep dive investigation and through the lens of the band's members, we get to see exactly what happened to The Diamonds and where it all went wrong.
I absolutely loved this story! Before evening beginning, I had hoped for Daisy Jones vibes and that is exactly what I got! I loved the dual timeline and being able to see in from both sides. The writing is fantastic and I was completely immersed into the lives of The Diamonds as well as into the life of Stacey Nash who, for me, was a fantastic character. By the end of the book, I cared just as much about Stacey as I did about the members of the band. She was such a wonderfully developed character and I felt we really got to understand her personality. I was really rooting for her from the very beginning of the book. The interwoven storylines were very well handled as were the whole host of characters from both the past time line and the present. The final chapter for me was just lovely and was a perfect ending to this story.
This is my first Rachael English book but it certainly won't be my last. I am so grateful to NetGalley and Hachette Ireland publishers for giving me the opportunity to honestly review this book.
Stacey begins investigating this band who appeared to have a very bright future ahead of them at the time but all of a sudden, following a huge number one hit and having recorded an album, ceased to exist in the world of music.
The second timeline follows the rise of The Diamonds and of its members Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy who move from the small town of Steelstown in Co Clare to London when they get signed by music producer Kieran Mitchell.
Through Stacey's deep dive investigation and through the lens of the band's members, we get to see exactly what happened to The Diamonds and where it all went wrong.
I absolutely loved this story! Before evening beginning, I had hoped for Daisy Jones vibes and that is exactly what I got! I loved the dual timeline and being able to see in from both sides. The writing is fantastic and I was completely immersed into the lives of The Diamonds as well as into the life of Stacey Nash who, for me, was a fantastic character. By the end of the book, I cared just as much about Stacey as I did about the members of the band. She was such a wonderfully developed character and I felt we really got to understand her personality. I was really rooting for her from the very beginning of the book. The interwoven storylines were very well handled as were the whole host of characters from both the past time line and the present. The final chapter for me was just lovely and was a perfect ending to this story.
This is my first Rachael English book but it certainly won't be my last. I am so grateful to NetGalley and Hachette Ireland publishers for giving me the opportunity to honestly review this book.
June 10, 2024
This book surprised me, but I was probably most surprised to discover that the author is one of the radio journalists I listen to most mornings on RTE Radio 1! I thought this might have been a bit of fluff, but it's far from it!
Some of the characters here are great, but some are a little underdeveloped for me. But I loved the character of Birdy, she was great! Plus, I love her name! I think I'd have liked to have seen The Diamonds live. That's how well English writes about their music and their gigs! She tackles some serious topics here, too, and does so very well! It doesn't feel cack-handed, as well it could have by a lesser author.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would.
*Don't forget to support your local library*
Some of the characters here are great, but some are a little underdeveloped for me. But I loved the character of Birdy, she was great! Plus, I love her name! I think I'd have liked to have seen The Diamonds live. That's how well English writes about their music and their gigs! She tackles some serious topics here, too, and does so very well! It doesn't feel cack-handed, as well it could have by a lesser author.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would.
*Don't forget to support your local library*
February 4, 2024
It’s the 1980s and Birdy Troy is the songwriter and guitarist of The Diamonds, a woman’s rock band.
She has ambition and hunger and when The Diamonds have the opportunity to play in front of a Dublin manager their lives change forever.
They move to Dublin to be the next big thing, they’re dubbed ‘the next U2’
They’re on the brink of stardom and suddenly vanish, it’s the last anyone would hear of Birdy Troy.
Move to present day and Stacey Nash, host of a popular podcast that features has-beens that have dropped off the radar, becomes fascinated with the band - how could they disappear without a trace.
A retro read of vinyls and guitars, very much in the vibes of Daisy Jones and the six.
It’s an engaging and totally immersive read.
The author has also put together a playlist on Spotify of brilliant Irish artists to get you in the retro mood.
It’s very atmospheric and nostalgic (I’m an 80s girl at heart) but with a modern day twist.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Thanks @englishrachael, @hachetteire & @netgalley with the nostalgic read.
She has ambition and hunger and when The Diamonds have the opportunity to play in front of a Dublin manager their lives change forever.
They move to Dublin to be the next big thing, they’re dubbed ‘the next U2’
They’re on the brink of stardom and suddenly vanish, it’s the last anyone would hear of Birdy Troy.
Move to present day and Stacey Nash, host of a popular podcast that features has-beens that have dropped off the radar, becomes fascinated with the band - how could they disappear without a trace.
A retro read of vinyls and guitars, very much in the vibes of Daisy Jones and the six.
It’s an engaging and totally immersive read.
The author has also put together a playlist on Spotify of brilliant Irish artists to get you in the retro mood.
It’s very atmospheric and nostalgic (I’m an 80s girl at heart) but with a modern day twist.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Thanks @englishrachael, @hachetteire & @netgalley with the nostalgic read.
February 8, 2024
This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future
February 3, 2024
Always a great story..never disappoints
I always look forward to Rachael Englishs' books.
Her characters are well developed and the stories are deep and intriguing.
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy grabbed me from the first page..and I am still thinking about it after "The End". A very good place to be.
I always look forward to Rachael Englishs' books.
Her characters are well developed and the stories are deep and intriguing.
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy grabbed me from the first page..and I am still thinking about it after "The End". A very good place to be.
May 9, 2024
This was an easy read , but a little drawn out and very light
March 3, 2025
This was a pretty average read for me. I certainly wouldn’t describe it as “riveting”, like the quote on the front cover, but it was easy to read and the story had promise. The end was pretty anti climatic, and was probably the worst part of the book. I think it would’ve been more intriguing to follow the story of the band as if they had made it, and didn’t let a man ruin what they had.
March 20, 2024
A total joy to read. Having been born in the early 60s in Ireland, many of the band names were familiar. A wonderful insight into the sometimes seedy world of music and how young talented musicians are exploited by greedy management. In a hurry to succeed, youngsters make mistakes, are taken in by the promise of glitz and glamour, while the powers that be skim both money, innocence and happiness off the top.
This is an amazing story of a small all-girl band trying to make it big, and the mistakes they made along the way.
This is an amazing story of a small all-girl band trying to make it big, and the mistakes they made along the way.
August 31, 2024
Nothing beats a good music book. Great story, relatable characters, my era. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommended.
October 14, 2024
I found that I didn’t really get to know any of the characters but still enjoyed the read
September 27, 2024
Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? is a dual timeline story following the rise and fall of an all girls rock band in 1980’s Ireland. Birdy, Gail, Loretta and Yvonne were great friends and The Diamonds were gaining in popularity and destined for great things…until it all went horribly wrong and the band members slipped into obscurity.
This is a compelling story, the bones of which are still relevant today. I was invested in both timelines, maybe slightly more with The Diamonds. Birdy is a stand out character, a seriously good songwriter and guitar player, someone who was totally focused on the band. When an unexpected and momentous opportunity presented itself the girls’ lives were never the same. The leap from Steelstown to London via Dublin was huge and they were on a high…for a while.
In the present, Stacey a podcaster who investigates once popular and well known people who are no longer in the public eye for her show ‘Whatever Happened To…?’ becomes fascinated by The Diamonds, wondering why the group disappeared just as they began their rise to fame.
'A quick search brought up a website about Irish bands of the 1980s. It told her that The Diamonds had formed in 1979 and broken up in 1982. Rock critics had labelled them ‘U2 for girls’. Because they’d been on the cusp of international success, the split had been unexpected and had never been properly explained.'
Despite the problems she’s facing regarding living arrangements and relationship issues, Stacy is dogged in her determination to find out all she can about The Diamonds although her main focus is Birdy. She can’t seem to find a trace of her anywhere, not even on social media. So what could have happened to her? One thing Stacy knew, she wasn’t going to stop until she found out.
I appreciated how the author handled the reason for the band’s disappearance sensitively and very realistically too. It’s a poignant look at how artists were, and maybe sometimes still are, exploited in one way or another. It’s very well written, a compelling and emotional tale that held my attention throughout.
This is a compelling story, the bones of which are still relevant today. I was invested in both timelines, maybe slightly more with The Diamonds. Birdy is a stand out character, a seriously good songwriter and guitar player, someone who was totally focused on the band. When an unexpected and momentous opportunity presented itself the girls’ lives were never the same. The leap from Steelstown to London via Dublin was huge and they were on a high…for a while.
In the present, Stacey a podcaster who investigates once popular and well known people who are no longer in the public eye for her show ‘Whatever Happened To…?’ becomes fascinated by The Diamonds, wondering why the group disappeared just as they began their rise to fame.
'A quick search brought up a website about Irish bands of the 1980s. It told her that The Diamonds had formed in 1979 and broken up in 1982. Rock critics had labelled them ‘U2 for girls’. Because they’d been on the cusp of international success, the split had been unexpected and had never been properly explained.'
Despite the problems she’s facing regarding living arrangements and relationship issues, Stacy is dogged in her determination to find out all she can about The Diamonds although her main focus is Birdy. She can’t seem to find a trace of her anywhere, not even on social media. So what could have happened to her? One thing Stacy knew, she wasn’t going to stop until she found out.
I appreciated how the author handled the reason for the band’s disappearance sensitively and very realistically too. It’s a poignant look at how artists were, and maybe sometimes still are, exploited in one way or another. It’s very well written, a compelling and emotional tale that held my attention throughout.
December 30, 2023
'Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?' is a compelling, and, at times, unflinching look at the price women pay for daring to claim space in male-dominated environments, and the lack of accountability for men who are the gatekeepers. The real question isn't so much as 'whatever happened to Birdy Troy?', but 'how was the stolen from the music from the Diamonds'?
Broke and soon-to-be evicted podcaster Stacey Nash finds herself compelled to investigate what happened to promising 1980s all-female Irish band, The Diamonds.
Switching between Stacey in the present day and the early 1980s, we learn the band's history - from playing small venues in their home town, signing with manager Kieran Mitchell, then moving to Dublin and London before it quickly falls apart. At times I found the flashbacks slowed the pace. However after the stunning conclusion to part one, the story really picked up that I devoured it.
By the time I finished I was equal parts teary, angry and resigned to the final outcome. This book is a deeply moving, heartbreaking and accurate portrayal of women whose music careers were cut short, but finally having their story acknowledged in history.
I couldn't stop thinking about how there's songs that don't exist because of women like The Diamonds who had their passion for music (and lives) stolen from them. While there's no magical resolution, its still a balm to read a book that acknowledges these very real struggles. Sadly, as Talking Heads once sang (a song referenced in the book):
🎶 Same as it ever was, same as it ever was
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was 🎶
Be moved, and then go crank up the music of your local non-male band loudly.
Thanks to Hatchette Books Ireland and NetGalley for the ARC.
Broke and soon-to-be evicted podcaster Stacey Nash finds herself compelled to investigate what happened to promising 1980s all-female Irish band, The Diamonds.
Switching between Stacey in the present day and the early 1980s, we learn the band's history - from playing small venues in their home town, signing with manager Kieran Mitchell, then moving to Dublin and London before it quickly falls apart. At times I found the flashbacks slowed the pace. However after the stunning conclusion to part one, the story really picked up that I devoured it.
By the time I finished I was equal parts teary, angry and resigned to the final outcome. This book is a deeply moving, heartbreaking and accurate portrayal of women whose music careers were cut short, but finally having their story acknowledged in history.
I couldn't stop thinking about how there's songs that don't exist because of women like The Diamonds who had their passion for music (and lives) stolen from them. While there's no magical resolution, its still a balm to read a book that acknowledges these very real struggles. Sadly, as Talking Heads once sang (a song referenced in the book):
🎶 Same as it ever was, same as it ever was
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was 🎶
Be moved, and then go crank up the music of your local non-male band loudly.
Thanks to Hatchette Books Ireland and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 2, 2025
The copy of this I read was called ‘The last song’.
I enjoyed this, it has good characters and a strong rooting in the 1980s music scene, all of which is quite evocative.
I did guess the big mystery about why the band split well before it was revealed, if not exactly how it played out.
There are two timelines mixed in the narrative. A present with a journalist whose own life is not in a good place, digging into what happened to The Diamonds, and all female Irish rock band which was on the verge of a big break through and then dropped out of sight. And the 1980s, where you follow the bands story at the time.
I thought this worked well. I thought it maybe lost some of its impetus about half way thorough, and there were some unlikely coincidences to tie the plot together a bit over neatly. There were some unnecessary cliff hangers at the end of several sections, when something is revealed to the character, but not to you. There usually wasn’t any particular reason for this, just feels like a bit of a cheap gimmick to ramp up tension. Overall, though, I thought it was well written, quite a fresh, straight forward style.
I enjoyed this, it has good characters and a strong rooting in the 1980s music scene, all of which is quite evocative.
I did guess the big mystery about why the band split well before it was revealed, if not exactly how it played out.
There are two timelines mixed in the narrative. A present with a journalist whose own life is not in a good place, digging into what happened to The Diamonds, and all female Irish rock band which was on the verge of a big break through and then dropped out of sight. And the 1980s, where you follow the bands story at the time.
I thought this worked well. I thought it maybe lost some of its impetus about half way thorough, and there were some unlikely coincidences to tie the plot together a bit over neatly. There were some unnecessary cliff hangers at the end of several sections, when something is revealed to the character, but not to you. There usually wasn’t any particular reason for this, just feels like a bit of a cheap gimmick to ramp up tension. Overall, though, I thought it was well written, quite a fresh, straight forward style.
May 14, 2024
Whatever happened to Birdy Troy was the second of Rachael English books I have read. I absolutely loved the paper bracelet by her so I was excited to read this one and it definitely did not disappoint! This book has a dual timeline of present day and the early 1980s and is centred around an all-woman rock band called The Diamonds. They were on the brink of huge success when everything came crumbling down and they vanished. Stacey Nash a podcaster in present day whose podcast is titled whatever happened to... Comes across their story and decides to dig into what really happened.
I really enjoyed this one, it gave Daisy Jones and the six vibes except set in Ireland. Definitely a very easy read that you'll fly through! I loved the characters, the character development, the storyline, definitely a page turner! My favourite part of this was definitely the 1980s section that focused on the Diamonds. I did find that timeline more engaging so I loved getting back to those chapters.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it!
I really enjoyed this one, it gave Daisy Jones and the six vibes except set in Ireland. Definitely a very easy read that you'll fly through! I loved the characters, the character development, the storyline, definitely a page turner! My favourite part of this was definitely the 1980s section that focused on the Diamonds. I did find that timeline more engaging so I loved getting back to those chapters.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it!
December 7, 2025
This one was a winner for me, personally. I thought the author did a great job of telling the story from multiple perspectives.
We start in the "now," when podcaster Stacey gets turned on to the idea of doing an episode of her "Whatever Happened To..." podcast about a girl group from the early 1980s who were destined to be the next big thing, the all-girl U2, but then...vanished.
We also spend some time in 1981/1982, getting to know The Diamons and its members, most prominently Birdy Troy and singer Loretta Saunders.
I felt the characters were well drawn, their problems and choices relatab
We start in the "now," when podcaster Stacey gets turned on to the idea of doing an episode of her "Whatever Happened To..." podcast about a girl group from the early 1980s who were destined to be the next big thing, the all-girl U2, but then...vanished.
We also spend some time in 1981/1982, getting to know The Diamons and its members, most prominently Birdy Troy and singer Loretta Saunders.
I felt the characters were well drawn, their problems and choices relatab
April 14, 2024
It brought back in time because I was dating an Irish boy (black Irish, blue eyes, very easy on the eyes) and having some epical parties with a lot of Irish people. I was also listening to U2, Virgin Prunes, Pogues and others.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness" and I was 20
All this blah blah is the introduction to the review that can be summerise in "I love it" and had a lot of fun.
Read it, it's strongly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness" and I was 20
All this blah blah is the introduction to the review that can be summerise in "I love it" and had a lot of fun.
Read it, it's strongly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 12, 2024
2.5 stars. I had to read this for my work book club and it was fine. I'm getting a bit tired of authors using the dual timeline to create suspense, and English was particularly guilty of this. I found the main character very wet, and seemingly incapable of taking charge of her own life. The ending was very neat for her. I thought the reason for Birdy's disappearance was handled sensitively and pretty realistically, but other than that the book felt quite predictable. An easy read but not one that will stick with me.
July 23, 2024
I didn't expect this book to be so heartbreaking. The book is set in Ireland so it has a different feel for an American who grew up about ten years before the girls in this book.. These girls were talented musicians who could go far, but didn't and after a major hit in 1982 they disappeared. In current day, a podcaster, who is a bit down on her luck, gets a lead about this group and works to discover what happened to them. I like how the author tied the whole story together in a very realistic way.
August 26, 2024
I liked this book way more than I expected! It wasn’t super hard to read—it kinda felt like it would be a good a mini series show (think Daisy Jones & the Six). I loved the 80s references and the mystery woven throughout. Also, I think the author did a really good job writing within two different timelines and then making them converge at the end, which can be tricky.
August 27, 2024
There should have been a trigger warning for sexual assault. It’s at the 48% mark. I had higher hopes for this book. When I read in the description that it involved a podcast I immediately bought the book because I thought it would have podcast transcripts similar to None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.
June 29, 2024
The first half tool a while to get going but once it did I became truly invested. I enjoyed it so much although I predicted most of what happened. The characters were likeable and the story was highly relevant. I recommend it as an enjoyable & untaxing read.
September 20, 2024
Sexually abusive music manger causes a young Irish female rock band The Diamonds to split. The book could have been 200 pages instead of nearly 400 pages of waffle. Important message spoilt with blah and reputation.
October 13, 2024
Good. I liked it. It may seem like a Romantic Comedy, but it’s not. It explores some hard moral issues. I liked the characters and the story kept going ok. It was slightly slower later on but that wasn’t much of a problem. I would recommend it.
January 6, 2025
3.5 — this one was a lot of fun. Definitely felt it was going on too long and went pretty exposition heavy towards the end, but overall great characters and story, smooth transitions between the past and present.
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