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Tib Street Ballroom #2
Exit, Pursued by Death
Welcome back to the Ballroom…
Manchester, 1987
The Ballroom - an obscure police department on Tib Street known for using unconventional methods to solve cold cases - is once again thrust into a spine-chilling investigation.
Lady Bancroft's Rose is a play with a grim history: three mysterious deaths have occurred during performances in Manchester theatres since 1922, all on opening night. When the desperate director of an upcoming production seeks the Ballroom’s help, Detective Inspector Andrew Joyce and his eclectic team plunge headfirst into the sinister tale of a cursed play and stories of a malevolent entity known as The Shadow Man.
Joyce, still a sceptic at heart, dismisses such notions and sets out to prove that the current cast’s tormentor is merely human, but when reluctant ‘consultant’ Peggy Swan confirms that the production is being haunted, it becomes a race against time to reveal the secrets hiding within the play's dark history before another victim is claimed.
As the clock ticks down to opening night, Joyce will need to put his doubts aside and once again trust Peggy’s judgement; not only to protect the cast, but perhaps to save his own life too.
The thrilling second instalment in the Tib Street Ballroom series coming October 2024.
Manchester, 1987
The Ballroom - an obscure police department on Tib Street known for using unconventional methods to solve cold cases - is once again thrust into a spine-chilling investigation.
Lady Bancroft's Rose is a play with a grim history: three mysterious deaths have occurred during performances in Manchester theatres since 1922, all on opening night. When the desperate director of an upcoming production seeks the Ballroom’s help, Detective Inspector Andrew Joyce and his eclectic team plunge headfirst into the sinister tale of a cursed play and stories of a malevolent entity known as The Shadow Man.
Joyce, still a sceptic at heart, dismisses such notions and sets out to prove that the current cast’s tormentor is merely human, but when reluctant ‘consultant’ Peggy Swan confirms that the production is being haunted, it becomes a race against time to reveal the secrets hiding within the play's dark history before another victim is claimed.
As the clock ticks down to opening night, Joyce will need to put his doubts aside and once again trust Peggy’s judgement; not only to protect the cast, but perhaps to save his own life too.
The thrilling second instalment in the Tib Street Ballroom series coming October 2024.
448 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2024
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2024
Thank you so much to Keira Willis and Marmalade Press for this advanced copy.
What can I say about this book?! It was perfect, I adored the first in the series, this was even better. I’ll keep this spoiler free not to ruin anyone’s enjoyment but it’s no spoiler to say you should absolutely read this book once it’s released on October 24th.
We pick up with the gang just over 12 months after Tib Street Ballroom is initially set to them being sent to investigate some strange going’s on at the theatre. Rehearsals are well underway for Lady Bancroft’s Rose, a play that has already had three mysterious deaths linked to it in our fair city, and a mysterious entity called “the shadow man” bringing something far more sinister to play.
The cast is set with an ensemble of hilarious and sassy (looking at you Marnie) ,down right unsettling, and sad ghosts alongside our unconventional but amazing Tib Street crew, and a bunch of actors that are collectively so annoying they make me want to think twice about going to the theatre again.
Everything about this was brilliant. These books have so much heart and warmth poured into them that shines through onto the pages , the banter between the characters is so well written that you can’t help fall a little bit in love with the gang. Especially Higson who is if anything even more Gene Hunt coded this time round.
I really hope that there is more to come from this series because the characters have so much to offer, and it’s a delight being able to immerse in their world.
What can I say about this book?! It was perfect, I adored the first in the series, this was even better. I’ll keep this spoiler free not to ruin anyone’s enjoyment but it’s no spoiler to say you should absolutely read this book once it’s released on October 24th.
We pick up with the gang just over 12 months after Tib Street Ballroom is initially set to them being sent to investigate some strange going’s on at the theatre. Rehearsals are well underway for Lady Bancroft’s Rose, a play that has already had three mysterious deaths linked to it in our fair city, and a mysterious entity called “the shadow man” bringing something far more sinister to play.
The cast is set with an ensemble of hilarious and sassy (looking at you Marnie) ,down right unsettling, and sad ghosts alongside our unconventional but amazing Tib Street crew, and a bunch of actors that are collectively so annoying they make me want to think twice about going to the theatre again.
Everything about this was brilliant. These books have so much heart and warmth poured into them that shines through onto the pages , the banter between the characters is so well written that you can’t help fall a little bit in love with the gang. Especially Higson who is if anything even more Gene Hunt coded this time round.
I really hope that there is more to come from this series because the characters have so much to offer, and it’s a delight being able to immerse in their world.
April 9, 2025
Very much the 2nd book I hoped for, that delved into not only a new mystery, but more into the characters past. Written in a way that is both funny, familiar and exciting, I enjoyed this very much. It perfectly set the scene for the next installment which I am looking forward to; something odd is going on with Peggy and her odd experience in the ballroom and i like that this wasnt part of the immidiate plot but a stranger, bigger picture. I love the characters and how they interact, and there were twists I didn't see coming with big oh no moments. Hopefully Andrew will sort himself out at some point and stop being, and I quote "an utter utter arse", but only time will tell :D
August 11, 2025
Yes this is a mystery book and Willis is very good at crafting a mystery but the thing I enjoyed most about this book and indeed the series was the characters. I don’t just want to know more about Joycie and Peggy but about Higton, Charlie Lloyd and Jen too. I’ll be first in line for the next in the series
October 26, 2024
This title is a most wonderful balance of Crime, Mystery, and ✨ Haunting Suspense ✨ Perfect for fulfilling one’s spooky season reading needs! 👻🎃🍁📖
🍁 A full spoiler-free review can be found on my blog at: multeapodvoyager.wixsite.com/multeapo...
🍁 A full spoiler-free review can be found on my blog at: multeapodvoyager.wixsite.com/multeapo...
August 26, 2025
The second book in the Tib Street Ballroom series absolutely delivers in mystery, scares and bickering. The team are now working on trying to figure out if it is human or spirit causing all kinds of problems with the current production of Lady Bancroft's Rose. The play has a long history of mishaps and death.
I absolutely loved this book the author has ramped up the spook levels and general uneasiness. I was going round in circles blaming everyone and despairing at D.I.Joyce and Peggy their relationship is all over the place. Each having their past catch up with them. The ballroom team continues to endear themselves to me. You can't help but delight in Lloyd he is the puppy you can't help but be fond of. Charlie appears in this one less but his moments are never wasted.
I was absolutely gripped from beginning to end, holding my breath at times and reading with one eye open. There is still a lingering doubt in the air that something is brewing. Bring on book 3!!!
I absolutely loved this book the author has ramped up the spook levels and general uneasiness. I was going round in circles blaming everyone and despairing at D.I.Joyce and Peggy their relationship is all over the place. Each having their past catch up with them. The ballroom team continues to endear themselves to me. You can't help but delight in Lloyd he is the puppy you can't help but be fond of. Charlie appears in this one less but his moments are never wasted.
I was absolutely gripped from beginning to end, holding my breath at times and reading with one eye open. There is still a lingering doubt in the air that something is brewing. Bring on book 3!!!
August 19, 2025
4⭐
I loveeed this next installment of the Tib Street Ballroom gang , it was a fun theatre themed investigation this time 👀
I loved the how sassy Marnie was, she's my favourite 😅 I was on the edge of my seat at times reading it, finding it hard to put down.
I won't spoil it, but I felt so frustrated by the relationship between Andrew and Peggy in this book, I want them to work out tbh but I understand the dynamic - it's such a miscommunication between the two and I want to scream at them both !!
I love all of the characters in this and their development throughout ! we have amazing new ghosts in this story and loved how it all panned out. I cannot WAIT for the next installment of the series 👀
I loveeed this next installment of the Tib Street Ballroom gang , it was a fun theatre themed investigation this time 👀
I loved the how sassy Marnie was, she's my favourite 😅 I was on the edge of my seat at times reading it, finding it hard to put down.
I won't spoil it, but I felt so frustrated by the relationship between Andrew and Peggy in this book, I want them to work out tbh but I understand the dynamic - it's such a miscommunication between the two and I want to scream at them both !!
I love all of the characters in this and their development throughout ! we have amazing new ghosts in this story and loved how it all panned out. I cannot WAIT for the next installment of the series 👀
September 7, 2025
A great second instalment of the Tib street ballroom series. There were two stories running concurrently within this book, and I found myself less interested in the play, and increasingly frustrated to work out what was happening within the more personal storyline. It was worth persevering though as most of my questions were eventually answered.
This storyline was decidedly less 80’s themed, and I found myself forgetting now and then that mobile phones and the internet weren’t available to the team. Overall, it was a good read & I’m looking forward to the third instalment. (Thank you for the gifted copy).
This storyline was decidedly less 80’s themed, and I found myself forgetting now and then that mobile phones and the internet weren’t available to the team. Overall, it was a good read & I’m looking forward to the third instalment. (Thank you for the gifted copy).
September 25, 2025
Fantastic
Loved loved loved it cant wait for the next one
Great characters totally engaging plot line
Was hooked from page one
Loved loved loved it cant wait for the next one
Great characters totally engaging plot line
Was hooked from page one
September 20, 2025
I devoured book one and was instantly hooked on this 1980s Manchester based team of crime sleuths who are a cold case team with a supernatural twist.
In book one they helped solve the murder of a young woman, Marnie Driscoll and I was delighted that Marnie the spunky ghost was back with her insightful critique as to the failings and mishaps of the Tib Street team. Her witty put downs and observations on what the team miss during their investigations are the perfect touch.
Book 2 is set in The Court, an old Manchester theatre, where we join the cast of Lady Bancroft's Rose who are convinced that the play and its cast are haunted. The Tib Street team are called in to review the deaths of previous cast members from previous productions which are overshadowing their current rehearsals, is it a ghost or someone playing tricks on the cast?
As well as following this adventure, you get to delve deeper into the background of Andrew Joyce a recent transfer into the team and more about his personal tragedies that have shaped his beliefs. I was so invested in what was happening in his childhood home and that gave an opportunity for some of the tender moments of the book to be explored with him and his brother, Rob. We also learn more about Peggy and Charlie Swan, siblings who consult with the Tib Street team with Peggy acting as a conduit and go between with the dead. It was interesting to see more about their relationship with their mother Caroline the owner of the theatre and how that impacted on the case.
There is so much I want to share about this book but I dont want to share spoilers. If you like crime / police stories with a supernatural twist these are books for you. It's like Life on Mars the TV show but in book form, funny with perfect 80s cultural references.
In book one they helped solve the murder of a young woman, Marnie Driscoll and I was delighted that Marnie the spunky ghost was back with her insightful critique as to the failings and mishaps of the Tib Street team. Her witty put downs and observations on what the team miss during their investigations are the perfect touch.
Book 2 is set in The Court, an old Manchester theatre, where we join the cast of Lady Bancroft's Rose who are convinced that the play and its cast are haunted. The Tib Street team are called in to review the deaths of previous cast members from previous productions which are overshadowing their current rehearsals, is it a ghost or someone playing tricks on the cast?
As well as following this adventure, you get to delve deeper into the background of Andrew Joyce a recent transfer into the team and more about his personal tragedies that have shaped his beliefs. I was so invested in what was happening in his childhood home and that gave an opportunity for some of the tender moments of the book to be explored with him and his brother, Rob. We also learn more about Peggy and Charlie Swan, siblings who consult with the Tib Street team with Peggy acting as a conduit and go between with the dead. It was interesting to see more about their relationship with their mother Caroline the owner of the theatre and how that impacted on the case.
There is so much I want to share about this book but I dont want to share spoilers. If you like crime / police stories with a supernatural twist these are books for you. It's like Life on Mars the TV show but in book form, funny with perfect 80s cultural references.
March 13, 2025
The Ballroom team are back in the sequel to Tib Street Ballroom. They are tasked with investigating a haunted theatre production to prevent any more mysterious deaths.
I absolutely adored this book. Even after just two instalments it has very quickly become one of my all-time favourite series of books.
I loved reuniting with the characters, especially now that they already know each other. It was fantastic to see more of Peggy's ability to speak to ghosts and Charlie remains one of my favourite characters. I think he brings something really fun to the novel in contrast to the dark subject of murder.
I always enjoy a theatre setting and this was no exception. I like the grandeur and the type of people who work there. It was especially exciting here because of the element of urgency created by the curse.
This was a book that I raced through as I was so desperate to find out what would happen. Keira Willis has produced a sequel just as brilliant as Tib Street Ballroom which is incredibly impressive.
I absolutely adored this book. Even after just two instalments it has very quickly become one of my all-time favourite series of books.
I loved reuniting with the characters, especially now that they already know each other. It was fantastic to see more of Peggy's ability to speak to ghosts and Charlie remains one of my favourite characters. I think he brings something really fun to the novel in contrast to the dark subject of murder.
I always enjoy a theatre setting and this was no exception. I like the grandeur and the type of people who work there. It was especially exciting here because of the element of urgency created by the curse.
This was a book that I raced through as I was so desperate to find out what would happen. Keira Willis has produced a sequel just as brilliant as Tib Street Ballroom which is incredibly impressive.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews