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TROUBLEMAKER
Sharp, stylish and deliciously dark – a wickedly funny thriller perfect for fans of Killing Eve, The Other Black Girl, and You.
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London’s biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night, and Elena doesn’t want to talk about it. Not to her millionaire lawyer boyfriend Daniel, nor her spiky boss Paula. And especially not to moody, cynical colleague Nathan, whom she’s had a secret crush on for years.
But when mysterious newcomer Katja Lake shows up at work, nabbing Elena’s longed-for promotion, it sets off a chain of bizarre events involving poisoned colleagues, badminton mishaps, and spectacular film star tantrums.
As Elena’s career and reputation crumble, she wonders if her murky past is back to haunt her – until an unexpected, violent showdown leaves her fearing for her life.
Did she really kill Laura? And can she prove she’s in grave danger from the new girl– before her death becomes the next big Spark headline?
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London’s biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night, and Elena doesn’t want to talk about it. Not to her millionaire lawyer boyfriend Daniel, nor her spiky boss Paula. And especially not to moody, cynical colleague Nathan, whom she’s had a secret crush on for years.
But when mysterious newcomer Katja Lake shows up at work, nabbing Elena’s longed-for promotion, it sets off a chain of bizarre events involving poisoned colleagues, badminton mishaps, and spectacular film star tantrums.
As Elena’s career and reputation crumble, she wonders if her murky past is back to haunt her – until an unexpected, violent showdown leaves her fearing for her life.
Did she really kill Laura? And can she prove she’s in grave danger from the new girl– before her death becomes the next big Spark headline?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 15, 2025
At times a joyous romp of a read, very witty indeed and yet at others an emotive rollercoaster,both blended wonderfully and if could give this debut 10 stars then would
So yes I LOVED IT,in a nutshell it’s a tale of modern day office life packed with revenge,classic one liners and a plot that thickens with every page
Some outstanding character performances from Elena,Katje,Laura,Nathan and Daniel each very distinctive and with a role to play,that they played brilliantly
The opening chapter leads to future chapters from the character which are split between being very moving and comedic when least expect it to be,very difficult to do but was done so well
Fab observational comedy re the modern life we lead and obsessions and wants
My favourite book so far this year for many different reasons but ultimately because it was an outstandingly good exciting funny yet poignant read
So yes I LOVED IT,in a nutshell it’s a tale of modern day office life packed with revenge,classic one liners and a plot that thickens with every page
Some outstanding character performances from Elena,Katje,Laura,Nathan and Daniel each very distinctive and with a role to play,that they played brilliantly
The opening chapter leads to future chapters from the character which are split between being very moving and comedic when least expect it to be,very difficult to do but was done so well
Fab observational comedy re the modern life we lead and obsessions and wants
My favourite book so far this year for many different reasons but ultimately because it was an outstandingly good exciting funny yet poignant read
September 21, 2025
I was kindly gifted this book a few weeks ago and we decided to do a group buddy read starting today.
Well I loved this book so much I pretty much read it sitting on day 1!!
The Blurb....
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London's biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night, and Elena doesn't want to talk about it. Not to her millionaire lawyer boyfriend Daniel, nor her spiky boss Paula. And especially not to moody, cynical colleague Nathan, whom she's had a secret crush on for years.
But when mysterious newcomer Katja Lake shows up at work, nabbing Elena's longed-for promotion, it sets off a chain of bizarre events involving poisoned colleagues, badminton mishaps, and spectacular film star tantrums.
As Elena's career and reputation crumble, she wonders if her murky past is back to haunt her - until an unexpected, violent showdown leaves her fearing for her life.
Did she really kill Laura? And can she prove she's in grave danger from the new girl- before her death becomes the next big Spark headline?
This book was fast paced with short chapters. It switched from multiple POV's and had some petty, bitchy characters which made you think maybe your office isn't actually that bad.
There was humour, romance and murder. What's not to love?
Well I loved this book so much I pretty much read it sitting on day 1!!
The Blurb....
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London's biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night, and Elena doesn't want to talk about it. Not to her millionaire lawyer boyfriend Daniel, nor her spiky boss Paula. And especially not to moody, cynical colleague Nathan, whom she's had a secret crush on for years.
But when mysterious newcomer Katja Lake shows up at work, nabbing Elena's longed-for promotion, it sets off a chain of bizarre events involving poisoned colleagues, badminton mishaps, and spectacular film star tantrums.
As Elena's career and reputation crumble, she wonders if her murky past is back to haunt her - until an unexpected, violent showdown leaves her fearing for her life.
Did she really kill Laura? And can she prove she's in grave danger from the new girl- before her death becomes the next big Spark headline?
This book was fast paced with short chapters. It switched from multiple POV's and had some petty, bitchy characters which made you think maybe your office isn't actually that bad.
There was humour, romance and murder. What's not to love?
July 12, 2025
I was so excited to meet CR Westbrook at The Book Party this year because this debut of hers really jumped out at me as a potential page-turner, and it did not disappoint.
One of my favourite things about this was the dialogue, which CR Westbrook got spot on. It’s very conversationalist, sharp, and effortlessly readable. The conversational tone made it incredibly easy to voice these characters in my mind and bring them to life with their witty comments, bitchy lines and scheming ways!
It’s a slow-burn mystery, and there’s just the right balance of suspense and humour sprinkled throughout to keep you turning those pages. I absolutely loved the proper LOL moments in the dialogue throughout. The writing is brilliantly witty.
The tones gave me soap opera vibes, with perhaps streaks of the brilliantly camp Footballers’ Wives. Think feuding ladies, power plays, and devilishly messy characters. The women are bold and the drama’s dialled up… basically, perfect for me!
None of the characters are particularly likeable with next to no morals. You’re constantly guessing who (if anyone) can actually be trusted which makes a great mystery.
Overall, I found Trouble Maker an entertaining debut. Messy workplace drama, warring colleagues, and a killer on the loose. What’s not to love?!
One of my favourite things about this was the dialogue, which CR Westbrook got spot on. It’s very conversationalist, sharp, and effortlessly readable. The conversational tone made it incredibly easy to voice these characters in my mind and bring them to life with their witty comments, bitchy lines and scheming ways!
It’s a slow-burn mystery, and there’s just the right balance of suspense and humour sprinkled throughout to keep you turning those pages. I absolutely loved the proper LOL moments in the dialogue throughout. The writing is brilliantly witty.
The tones gave me soap opera vibes, with perhaps streaks of the brilliantly camp Footballers’ Wives. Think feuding ladies, power plays, and devilishly messy characters. The women are bold and the drama’s dialled up… basically, perfect for me!
None of the characters are particularly likeable with next to no morals. You’re constantly guessing who (if anyone) can actually be trusted which makes a great mystery.
Overall, I found Trouble Maker an entertaining debut. Messy workplace drama, warring colleagues, and a killer on the loose. What’s not to love?!
March 28, 2025
I was skeptical at first, the slang was hard for me to understand, but the more I read the book, the more interested I became in this story! The ending surprised me and wrapped up so nicely! Definitely worth the read for a quick thriller.
August 21, 2026
This is an interesting one for me because, on the surface, it’s not really my sort of read. But I came across it a few weeks ago, when I met the author at an event, and the premise intrigued me.
Idk much about the world of showbiz reporting (more my wife’s thing 🙂), but I must admit I found some of the little insights and details fascinating. It never occurred to me that the machinations of a rumour mill could be such a big deal. So, for me, the backdrop was relatively new, though there were certainly shades of Kitty Collins in the main character, Elena.
When Elena is passed over for a stick-on promotion at her gossip mag, things start to get worse and worse. Her boyfriend isn’t really living up to expectations (there’s a really lovely sinister subplot in there, too) and her new boss, Katja, quickly settles in, just as Elena’s work falls off a cliff. The two things couldn’t be related, could they?
There’s little doubt they are and it spirals (all connected to a dark event from the past) fairly swiftly. Elena is a bit vapid, but reasonably amusing. The other characters are done well, too.
The prose is laden with dry wit, structured much like Freida McFadden does with hers. The pace is good, not stalling as often as these stories usually do, with a bit of spice and plenty of chuckles. Some of the similes had me cracking up - I do enjoy some dark jokes.
Westbrook, if you don’t know her, is a bit like Katy Brent, Bella Mackie, Caroline Kapnes, that sort of author.
Idk much about the world of showbiz reporting (more my wife’s thing 🙂), but I must admit I found some of the little insights and details fascinating. It never occurred to me that the machinations of a rumour mill could be such a big deal. So, for me, the backdrop was relatively new, though there were certainly shades of Kitty Collins in the main character, Elena.
When Elena is passed over for a stick-on promotion at her gossip mag, things start to get worse and worse. Her boyfriend isn’t really living up to expectations (there’s a really lovely sinister subplot in there, too) and her new boss, Katja, quickly settles in, just as Elena’s work falls off a cliff. The two things couldn’t be related, could they?
There’s little doubt they are and it spirals (all connected to a dark event from the past) fairly swiftly. Elena is a bit vapid, but reasonably amusing. The other characters are done well, too.
The prose is laden with dry wit, structured much like Freida McFadden does with hers. The pace is good, not stalling as often as these stories usually do, with a bit of spice and plenty of chuckles. Some of the similes had me cracking up - I do enjoy some dark jokes.
Westbrook, if you don’t know her, is a bit like Katy Brent, Bella Mackie, Caroline Kapnes, that sort of author.
March 12, 2025
💼💄☕ Murderous office politics? We’ve all been there, right?! 🤨
Murder, mayhem, and meticulously curated outfits—welcome to Spark, the cutthroat world of online media, where ambition is deadly and secrets don’t stay buried for long.
We kick things off with the unsolved murder of Laura Lucas seven years earlier. Fast-forward to the present, and showbiz journalist Elena Robins is living the high-flying, Insta-worthy London life… until mysterious newcomer Katja arrives, snatching her dream promotion and setting off a spiral of poisoned pastries, badminton mishaps, and full-blown film star meltdowns. Is Elena’s past catching up with her, or is something even more sinister at play?
Told through multiple perspectives—including Elena’s razor-sharp observations, brooding bad boy Nathan’s cynicism, and Laura’s diary entries—Troublemaker is a diabolical romp through modern office life. The blend of dark comedy and psychological thriller keeps the tension high and the twists coming, making this a binge-worthy, unputdownable read.
If you love messy workplace drama, morally grey characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the final showdown, this one’s for you!
📖 Thank you to BookFunnel, CR Westbrook (@cazza_writes) and @vulpine_press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
🗓 Out 28 March 2025!
Murder, mayhem, and meticulously curated outfits—welcome to Spark, the cutthroat world of online media, where ambition is deadly and secrets don’t stay buried for long.
We kick things off with the unsolved murder of Laura Lucas seven years earlier. Fast-forward to the present, and showbiz journalist Elena Robins is living the high-flying, Insta-worthy London life… until mysterious newcomer Katja arrives, snatching her dream promotion and setting off a spiral of poisoned pastries, badminton mishaps, and full-blown film star meltdowns. Is Elena’s past catching up with her, or is something even more sinister at play?
Told through multiple perspectives—including Elena’s razor-sharp observations, brooding bad boy Nathan’s cynicism, and Laura’s diary entries—Troublemaker is a diabolical romp through modern office life. The blend of dark comedy and psychological thriller keeps the tension high and the twists coming, making this a binge-worthy, unputdownable read.
If you love messy workplace drama, morally grey characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the final showdown, this one’s for you!
📖 Thank you to BookFunnel, CR Westbrook (@cazza_writes) and @vulpine_press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
🗓 Out 28 March 2025!
March 19, 2025
This hugely enjoyable debut by C.R. Westbrook is a witty, acerbic thriller that takes office politics to deadly extremes.
After a tragedy at her previous workplace, journalist Elena has forged a successful career at showbiz website Spark. She's popular, well respected, has a wealthy and devoted (perhaps too devoted?) boyfriend and fully expects to be promoted to Deputy Editor any day now...
That all changes with the arrival of Katja, who unexpectedly takes the job that Elena thought would be hers. But while her colleagues all seem enchanted by the glamorous newcomer, everything suddenly starts to go wrong for Elena. Is it bad luck or is Katja deliberately sabotaging her career? If so, why? And how far will she go?
I absolutely devoured this book, reading it in a single day. It's a gripping tale and Westbrook somehow manages to make some highly improbable scenarios surprisingly plausible. But most of all it's very enjoyable to read, full of astute observations of office life, witty asides, and even a few laugh out loud moments. It's enormous fun.
Thank you to Vulpine Press for the advance copy. All the opinions in this review are my own.
After a tragedy at her previous workplace, journalist Elena has forged a successful career at showbiz website Spark. She's popular, well respected, has a wealthy and devoted (perhaps too devoted?) boyfriend and fully expects to be promoted to Deputy Editor any day now...
That all changes with the arrival of Katja, who unexpectedly takes the job that Elena thought would be hers. But while her colleagues all seem enchanted by the glamorous newcomer, everything suddenly starts to go wrong for Elena. Is it bad luck or is Katja deliberately sabotaging her career? If so, why? And how far will she go?
I absolutely devoured this book, reading it in a single day. It's a gripping tale and Westbrook somehow manages to make some highly improbable scenarios surprisingly plausible. But most of all it's very enjoyable to read, full of astute observations of office life, witty asides, and even a few laugh out loud moments. It's enormous fun.
Thank you to Vulpine Press for the advance copy. All the opinions in this review are my own.
September 26, 2025
Troublemaker is Westbrook’s debut novel and is set in the fast-paced, image-obsessed world of online media in London. The protagonist is Elena Robins, an ambitious showbiz reporter at Spark, who has a glamorous lifestyle, a high-flying career, and the kind of social status many envy. But she also carries a secret: her involvement (or at least uncertainty over her involvement) in the death of a colleague, Laura Lucas, seven years earlier. When a newcomer, Katja Lake, arrives at the office and snatches the promotion Elena believed she was due, things spiral. Office sabotage, mysterious threats, and revelations about the past all combine to create tension, paranoia, and dark humour.
Troublemaker has many POVs and timelines which are perfectly interwoven throughout. This book was a perfect balance of dark humour with some thriller elements. Short chapters which make this book a proper page turner. Although some of the book is slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book!
Troublemaker has many POVs and timelines which are perfectly interwoven throughout. This book was a perfect balance of dark humour with some thriller elements. Short chapters which make this book a proper page turner. Although some of the book is slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book!
October 12, 2025
This was definitely a page turner that drew you in and lead you to want to read more. This book was fast paced with short chapters. It switched from multiple POV's and had some petty, bitchy characters which always amuse me. I always enjoy having characters that are unlikable and morally grey. There was humour, romance and murder all in a work based setting.
I did find the ebook had some spelling errors and general grammer issues which is just me being pedantic.
"he brushes my hair aside, takes his face in my hands and kisses me."
I saw the line above and just thought wow that's an interesting way to kiss.
However this doesn't affect the overall book - it is catchy and thrilling with twists and turns. Did I predict them? Yes - but I read way too many thrillers 🤷🏼♀️
Give this a read if you want a nice,quick thriller to speed through.
I did find the ebook had some spelling errors and general grammer issues which is just me being pedantic.
"he brushes my hair aside, takes his face in my hands and kisses me."
I saw the line above and just thought wow that's an interesting way to kiss.
However this doesn't affect the overall book - it is catchy and thrilling with twists and turns. Did I predict them? Yes - but I read way too many thrillers 🤷🏼♀️
Give this a read if you want a nice,quick thriller to speed through.
August 18, 2025
WOW, I loved this book!!
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London’s biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
All the characters were utterly likable, even Katja, she was really spunky. The author really sets the scene and I could imagine being in the office with them all! In fact, I would have loved it.
Its super funny but with a dark undertone, some parts I was LOL-ing and some parts I was a little scared!
Read it, you won't be disappointed
Showbiz reporter Elena Robins, the rising star of London’s biggest news website Spark, is talented, witty, popular, has fabulous dress sense, and might have murdered her biggest work rival.
All the characters were utterly likable, even Katja, she was really spunky. The author really sets the scene and I could imagine being in the office with them all! In fact, I would have loved it.
Its super funny but with a dark undertone, some parts I was LOL-ing and some parts I was a little scared!
Read it, you won't be disappointed
September 23, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The short, snappy chapters made it a real page turner, and at times I found it hard to put down. The story is full of twists, some I didn’t see coming, while others I managed to figure out. Even when I guessed the biggest twist, it didn’t take away from the suspense or excitement. Knowing where the author has worked before makes me wonder how much inspiration came from real life experiences, which adds an extra layer of intrigue. I truly hope C.R. Westbrook writes more books in the future. I’d love to read them!
March 28, 2025
Gripping from the first sentence. I couldn’t wait to catch up and see what was happening to Elena. Binge read this and enjoyed every bit of it. The title, characters, scenarios are all, chefs kiss funny and well written, you’ll want to continue reading to find out what happens next.Thanks to Bookfunnel for the opportunity to read this in advance. Had so much fun reading this book, often laughing out loud by the actions of the main characters, am curious to see what this author writes next 🤩
November 9, 2025
The story follows showbiz reporter Elena, who seems to have the world at her feet—until she’s passed over for a promotion in favour of newcomer Katja.
Katja’s arrival sets off a chain of events that leaves Elena questioning everything. But Elena also has a history of being around when things go wrong… Seven years ago, while working at another magazine, a promising young writer named Laura tragically fell to her death.
Are the two events connected? And what really happened that fatal night?
This is @c.r.westbrook debut novel, and I really enjoyed the short, snappy chapters and the alternating POVs—they kept the story lively and the momentum flowing.
At times, the book gave me Mean Girls vibes, especially with Katja’s thirst for revenge and the tone of certain perspectives. I did guess a few of the twists, and the killer’s identity didn’t completely surprise me.
It felt like a lighter thriller than I’m used to, and while I’m still unsure how I feel about the ending, I always enjoy trying new authors.
Katja’s arrival sets off a chain of events that leaves Elena questioning everything. But Elena also has a history of being around when things go wrong… Seven years ago, while working at another magazine, a promising young writer named Laura tragically fell to her death.
Are the two events connected? And what really happened that fatal night?
This is @c.r.westbrook debut novel, and I really enjoyed the short, snappy chapters and the alternating POVs—they kept the story lively and the momentum flowing.
At times, the book gave me Mean Girls vibes, especially with Katja’s thirst for revenge and the tone of certain perspectives. I did guess a few of the twists, and the killer’s identity didn’t completely surprise me.
It felt like a lighter thriller than I’m used to, and while I’m still unsure how I feel about the ending, I always enjoy trying new authors.
April 15, 2025
This was a very entertaining book. I really enjoyed the humour and the various characters. The story kept me interested from start to finish, and I finished the book within a day or so.
A great debut fiction novel from the author, I'll be watching out for more!
Thanks to the author and BookFunnel for the eARC of this book.
A great debut fiction novel from the author, I'll be watching out for more!
Thanks to the author and BookFunnel for the eARC of this book.
July 8, 2025
Troublemaker by C. R. Westbrook is an excellent thriller, fun, relatable, and well written. The storyline grab my attention from the beginning and kept me turning pages until the very end. A highly entertaining, lively, engaging book that takes office politics to an exorbitant degree. A definite must read!
August 14, 2025
A really fun book full suspense and twists and turns especially the end one. There's a high level of suspense but also a high level humour .
I just couldn't put it down. Think gossip girl on crack. If you want a fun, female led thriller for an easy read this summer then this book is for you .
I just couldn't put it down. Think gossip girl on crack. If you want a fun, female led thriller for an easy read this summer then this book is for you .
September 21, 2025
4.5💫
For a debut novel this is incredible! Westbrooks writing is impeccable, the characters were so well written, theat I genuinely hated some of them (as im meant to). The plot is one of a kind, and the ending? the twists? I didnt see any of them coming, which made it so enjoyable
For a debut novel this is incredible! Westbrooks writing is impeccable, the characters were so well written, theat I genuinely hated some of them (as im meant to). The plot is one of a kind, and the ending? the twists? I didnt see any of them coming, which made it so enjoyable
September 23, 2025
This was @c.r.westbrook debut book and what a cracker it was, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was fun, exciting and such a great read. Completed as part of a buddy read and finished it early because it was unputdownable. Excited to read more from a fantastic author! 🩷🫶🏻
Read
May 18, 2025Well written
This high quality, romp of a tale is rather interesting. The storytelling is a hoot and the dialogue is also quite realistic.
This high quality, romp of a tale is rather interesting. The storytelling is a hoot and the dialogue is also quite realistic.
June 6, 2025
Really enjoyable thriller based in office politics. Relatable characters and story moved along quickly. I read it all in a day and really enjoyed it.
June 24, 2026
📖 Book Review 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Of all the things that could have happened today, I can’t say I had ‘get pushed out of a forth-storey window’ on the bingo card’
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night.
If you love humour & a thriller with a hint of crime?
Then this really is the perfect book for you!!
Oh and revenge? Heavy on the psycho revenge 😍
I really really enjoyed this book - the first line alone had my interest straight away. (See above quote.)
I love the style of writing and the way the different timelines were told. Short chapters - everyone’s favourite kind.
Such an easy book to pick up as and when you can and keep your interest.
I really am looking forward to what @c.r.westbrook writes next ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Of all the things that could have happened today, I can’t say I had ‘get pushed out of a forth-storey window’ on the bingo card’
Nobody knows what happened to promising young writer Laura Lucas that night.
If you love humour & a thriller with a hint of crime?
Then this really is the perfect book for you!!
Oh and revenge? Heavy on the psycho revenge 😍
I really really enjoyed this book - the first line alone had my interest straight away. (See above quote.)
I love the style of writing and the way the different timelines were told. Short chapters - everyone’s favourite kind.
Such an easy book to pick up as and when you can and keep your interest.
I really am looking forward to what @c.r.westbrook writes next ✨
March 10, 2026
I started off feeling a bit sceptical, the characters in the office of Spark, a website focused on celeb news, seemed a bit 2-dimensional and I found the continuing chapters with Laura falling to her death but v-e-r-y sloooowwwly a bit irritating.
However, once you get past this and into the plot it all heats up very nicely and becomes quite a page-turner, with some exciting action and plot twists. Who is the mysterious Katya who seems to have it in for Elena? Why do her colleagues turn against her?
I’d love to say I didn’t guess whodunnit, but unfortunately once we know certain facts about the murder of Laura several years earlier, it did become obvious.
However, once you get past this and into the plot it all heats up very nicely and becomes quite a page-turner, with some exciting action and plot twists. Who is the mysterious Katya who seems to have it in for Elena? Why do her colleagues turn against her?
I’d love to say I didn’t guess whodunnit, but unfortunately once we know certain facts about the murder of Laura several years earlier, it did become obvious.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews