The Famous: The addictive new psychological thriller from the million-copy bestselling author Rachel Lynch

by Rachel Lynch

Everyone knows Gloria White. Or at least they think they do. She’s on your TV screen every morning. Her brand is elegance, charm and power.

You wouldn’t believe the things she did to reach the top.

But someone knows and now they’re taking retribution into their own hands.

A gripping psychological thriller about the dark side of fame. For fans of L.C. North, Adele Parks and Andrea Mara.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Psychological Thriller

330 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2025

About the author

Rachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years.

A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the sound of this book when ai read the synopsis.

Unfortunately though it was not for me. All the characters were truly awful and the pacing was just so slow and repetitive at times.

Thanks for the chance to read this, just didn't work for me

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

An interesting thriller story exploring fame, power, privilege and public personas.

If you want a story about the dark truths hidden behind polished fascades, then give this one a go.

Format: Ebook from Libby. Read on Kobo.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for granting me access to the ARC of The Famous.

I am sorry to say this one just wasn’t for me. Once I have invested time in a book, I feel like I have to finish it, otherwise this would definitely have been a DNF for me.

It seemed to just trundle along with not much happening until the last quarter, but even then I was struggling to pick it up as I didn’t care for any of the characters, or what happened.

I gave it 2 stars as it did pick up slightly at the end with the kidnapping, but this was definitely not for me.

[Dannii Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.

Rich people drama will never fail to suck me in and this was infused with a heavy dose of it! Gloria White is a household name and her face on most TV screens every night. But her fame came with a price and she hasn't finished paying. If she fails, her daughter, Jilly, will be forced to pay the price with her life.

I found the storyline a little overwhelming, as I struggled to connect who the characters all were to one another, but the actual premise a strong and immersive one. I was eager to learn who was blackmailing Gloria and what secrets every member of this wealthy family were hiding.

Most were pretty dislikeable, but I think this a deliberate tactic. The reader feels alienated from the story and at odds with its central characters. We were forced to view their tragedies just like we were their TV personas - from a distance. It didn't invite me into the story but instead forced me to watch from the sidelines, forgetting in this novel the pain they were experiencing was real and not a TV drama playing out. That was, until the ending. I thought this a clever way to write the novel and appreciated conversations on power and privilege that this contained.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twist at the end was crazy

[Kaileigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good thriller!
These characters had me all over the place 😅
I did guess what I think was a big plot twist but it was still a good book and kept me hooked!

The very end however.. 🤯
I WANT TO KNOW MORE

[Abbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one was too slow and repetitive for me. The characters were unlikeable and not much happened in the first 180 pages. It probably should have been a DNF but I stuck it out to the end.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m normally a huge fan ig Rachel’s books especially the DI Porter books but I really struggled to get into this book. The characters weren’t captivating me and the storyline even less, so much so I found myself skim reading instead. Not a book I’d recommend, go read a DI Porter one instead!

[Faithe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The famous by Rachel Lunch is a fast pace psychological thriller.

Gloria White is famous, she's on your tv every morning. She reflects elegance, charm and power. Everyone wants to be just like her, but she wasn't always like yhis. She started from the ground up and did some things to get to where she is today, but one person knows exactly what she did you get that famous, and that's an issue.

The book was fast paced, intriguing and easy to read. Thank you Rachel Lunch for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this! The premise is really unique and I wasn't sure how it was going to end. I really enjoyed the writing style and had a hard time putting this down! I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Rachel Lynch, Canelo and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie Garwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynch creatively exposes the darkness underneath the sheen of superficiality we see amongst Instagram reels and stories.

In this book, we meet Gloria White, the aging mid-morning television host who is being subjected to a series of vicious anonymous letters culminating in the kidnapping of her daughter; while dealing with the loss of her media mogul father-in-law Roger Wade and the stress this leads.

Hot on the heels of the highly acclaimed film 'The Substance', where the varnish vanishes from an ageing starlet as she seeks the elixir of youth; this shows a highly esteemed television personality's life slowly unravel when her integrity is questioned.

Unlike The Rich which was one of those Crash-like scenarios, when lives are entwinned unknowingly, this story focuses solely on a main matriarch and her behaviour impacts everyone, while her arc revolves around this eventual realisation of her actions before it is too late.

Truth is buried and lives are ruined by the acts of the rich and famous. Lynch who touched upon such things in her previous work, invents more fictional tales that focus upon cancel culture, celebrity and money buying power.

Thrilling and tantalising in equal measure, fans of Lynch's Kelly Porter books will know what to expect with the intricately plotted narrative, but the realisation of a character such as Gloria White, at her advanced age is a successful one.

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Lynch delivers a gripping and suspenseful novel in The Famous, a story that expertly blends romance, mystery, and intrigue. With a couple whose past secrets and lies resurface in unexpected ways, the novel keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Lynch masterfully builds tension throughout the story, creating an atmosphere of anticipation that makes it impossible to put the book down. The pacing is well-executed, allowing for a gradual unraveling of twists and revelations that enhance the depth of the narrative. The characters are skillfully developed, each carrying layers of complexity that make them compelling and authentic. Their struggles, emotions, and interactions feel raw and realistic, adding to the immersive nature of the storytelling.

Beyond the thrilling premise, what truly sets The Famous apart is its originality. Lynch’s ability to craft a storyline that is both unique and emotionally resonant makes this novel stand out in its genre. Readers will find themselves drawn into the secrets and lies that shape the protagonists’ journey, eager to uncover the truth alongside them.

With its engaging plot, well-rounded characters, and a suspenseful build-up, The Famous is a must-read for those who enjoy a mix of drama, romance, and psychological depth. Rachel Lynch has created a novel that is both thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining—one that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb...

I've read and enjoyed Rachel Lynch's DI Kelly Porter series, and others, so was delighted to receive an ARC of "The Famous". I find it's always interesting to read a "standalone" by a favourite author, and this was no exception.

This was a "mixed bag" read for me. I thought the plot was well thought out, and enjoyed the "flashback" sections relating to the main character's past. There was a definite sinister atmosphere at times (no spoilers - sorry, you'll have to read it to find out the cause!), and a tense finale.

The characters were also well written and described - the problem was that I didn't like any of them. Gloria's habits put me off her - though I expect it's not uncommon in the showbiz and media world. I found myself disliking the rest of her family group as well - for a variety of different reasons (which I won't go into for fear of "spoilers"!).

However I found myself glued to the book and read it in just over a day, so obviously quite enjoyed it :-)

Recommended for readers who enjoy insights into the world of showbiz, tv and the media in general.

Looking forward to reading more from Rachel Lynch - hoping for more Kelly Porter and Helen Scott stories too!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading the DI Kelly Porter series by Rachel Lynch so I was looking forward to this standalone. Unfortunately this novel didn’t grip me in the same way as Rachel Lynch’s other novels. It is still a decent read but in my opinion falls short of the usual high standards I have been used to. The Famous focuses on the price of fame, ambition, and the dark secrets that threaten to be exposed.

Gloria White is a household name, a glamorous morning television presenter who is confident and charming. But hidden behind her public persona is a dark past filled with ruthless ambition and buried truths. Her secret past is known by someone who is aware of how she rose to fame and they are determined to make her pay. Gloria’s perfect world starts to unwind and she will have to face her past before she is ruined. .

I was attracted to this book not only because of the author but also the synopsis which sounded my sort of read. Sadly I felt more than a little disappointed after reading the novel. The writing is good but I didn’t take to any of the characters so found it difficult to get fully absorbed in the book. I have read so many excellent novels by this author so will have no hesitation reading her next book.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloria White is an ageing TV presenter. The story begins with a threatening letter from someone who seems to know a lot about her and her past. For a psychological thriller the pacing begins really slowly, it is only in the latter half of the book that the pacing picks up. I wasn’t particularly invested in any of the major characters. The first part of the book seemed more interested in looking at the dark side of fame, how you can’t trust anybody from selling their encounters with the famous to the tabloids and touching on the cancel culture of recent years.

Gloria’s narcissistic ex-husband is the head of the media company she works which is rather awkward. Their daughter is an aspiring journalist, profiting like a nepo baby from her parents’ connections. More letters arrive and though the pace does pick up, I was disappointed overall as I had enjoyed Rachel Lynch’s police procedural novels with D I Kelly Porter far more than this.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance reader copy.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a great fan of Rachel Lynch's Kelly Porter series it was interesting to read something totally different from her. The Famous was a slow burn as the scene was set, then things started to heat up. It was difficult to like any of the main characters as I'm sure the author intended. They were spoilt, entitled and only concerned with themselves. Jilly the daughter was perhaps supposed to be seen more innocently but even she reverted to type somewhat when tested! As the plot progressed it definitely became more convoluted and more interesting. Webs of deceit woven many years before coming to the fore to complicate the plot. The ending did seem a bit rushed after the slow burn start, however I was ready for it to end by then so no complaints from me. An enjoyable read but not up to Kelly Porter standards I'm afraid.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

wow this book had me on the edge of my seat half the time....

the rich the powerful and famous all have things in common but they can also become targets so when gloria white starts to get letters hinting about something from her past she doesnt report it to the police.... and as the letters become more frequent she doesnt know where to turn...

everyone can have a stalker but this one is someone from her past...

gloria is the face of tv and is riding high on her programme but the gloves are now off as her father in law has died and her ex is suddenly in charge and her time is coming to an end.... with the reports of abuse against her father in law how much more can she take

she has tried to protect her daughter from the seedy side of life but things are about to get ugly ... how will gloria react and what will she do... her decisions will cost her...

what a read....

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Famous by Rachel Lynch is a very slow burn deep dive into the darker side of celebrity.

Gloria White is the face of a morning television show. She seems to have it all put together. But when she starts to receive some threatening anonymous letters, it seems that someone knows exactly how she got to the top. When the head of her media organization dies things get even worse because it is her father-in-law. Now her ex husband will have control over the company and that doesn't bode well for Gloria.

This definitely took a while for me to get into. The main characters are all pretty unlikable but I do like the way that Lynch explores the seedier side of media. Even though this one wasn't necessarily my favorite, I have heard great things about Lynch's other books and will definitely check them out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Lynch, and Canelo for this ARC. Publication date was March 6th 2025.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a book with secrets, shocking truth, and what lies behind fame, this book is right up your alley.

Author’s books have the infinite layers of mystery, secrets, lies, truth, and psychological elements. The characters were so intriguing. As each layer of secrets and truth unveiled, I felt more connected with Gloria. Author has shown the struggle of Gloria, how she clawed her way on the top. But the dark secrets held her down. So many things were going on this book. She wanted to keep her daughter far away from the glamorous world. Yet, something unthinkable happens and it turns her world upside down. Each character had a secret and it wasn’t easy for either for them. The way author draw us in and connect us to the characters is brilliant. I didn’t see the twists coming. The ending was jaw-dropping and it made me think about different scenarios.

4.5 ✨ Thanks to the Publisher

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloria White is someone that everyone knows from being on the TV. Only someone knows what she did to get to the top and are taking retribution into their own hands.

This was my first book by this author so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect, but sounded like it would be a fun thriller so I wanted to read. Unfortunately I struggled with this one a little bit. I found it hard to get into and had to keep putting it down. The main issues is the pacing and the fact that it is a very slow burn with not much happening until the end. I also found the characters unlikeable and I struggled to connect with them. Even though this wasn’t for me I have heard good things about this author’s other books and would be interested to look into them. 2.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria is the face of daytime television, but the death of the head of the influential media organisation leads to a series of accusations that threaten the organisation. Gloria's life implodes as she succumbs to her addictions and fights to protect her daughter, the only person she loves. It's an intense psychological suspense set in the world of celebrity. The protagonists are unlikeable, but I still cared about Gloria and Jilly, her daughter and wanted a positive outcome for them. It explores the darker side of the media world, which is so contemporarily relevant and the guilt associated with knowing about evil occurrences but not speaking out about them. It is a slow-burn suspense that draws you in.
Guessable twists are woven in with the more surprising to deliver a compelling story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Shilpa George · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I finished this book, I couldn’t help but wonder why it holds an overall rating of just 3.3, when it could be more than that. Personally, I found it to be an engaging read—though it didn’t quite deliver a “wow” factor for me.

The story follows Gloria, a well-known daytime show anchor, and shines a light on the glamour, struggles, hidden power plays, and unfairness within the entertainment industry. While at its core it is a fairly straightforward crime thriller, it does succeed in keeping you turning the pages, waiting for that final twist.

That said, I did find some challenges with continuity—the prose at times felt disjointed, which may explain the mixed reception. Still, it offers an interesting, if not entirely new, perspective on the realities of the entertainment world, echoing themes we’ve often seen portrayed in films.

[🦋𝔹𝕚𝕤𝕞𝕒𝕁𝕖𝕖𝟛𝟟𝟛🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading "The Famous" by Rachel Lynch and wanted to share my thoughts.

At first, I found the book to be quite slow-paced, and I even considered putting it down. However, I persevered, and I am so glad I did! After Chapter 38, the story really began to pick up, and all the elements started to come together beautifully.

The pacing picked up significantly, and the characters began to reveal their true selves and motivations, making for an engaging read. Rachel Lynch's writing skills shone through as the plot unfolded in a way that kept me hooked.

In conclusion, what initially felt like a drag turned into a rewarding journey. I highly recommend giving "The Famous" a chance, as it ultimately delivers a compelling narrative that resonates with persistence and growth.

[Becca jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m not good at writing reviews so this prob won’t be great.
I liked the book it was my first ever “psychological thriller” so wasn’t sure what to expect. I enjoyed the concept of the book and the plotline but i could kind of see most of the plot from very early on except who was writing the letters.
The characters were all fairly well developed. I enjoyed reading about a mother daughter relationship and the men were slightly more background characters until the end, slay💅🏼💅🏼
The book could’ve been shorter, things start to speed up at chapter 41 so i feel like the first 40 chapters could’ve been condensed.
Overall: Worth the read, couldn’t put it down for the last half

[Erika Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect palette cleansing thriller after reading something heavy. This story delves into the darker parts of being famous--abuse, drugs, lies, corruption, and coverups. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but the pace picked up in the second half of the book when the action started happening. The characters were spoiled and entitled (as they were supposed to be) and the way all the characters were brought together at the end felt like a present with a pretty bow on top!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel Lynch is one of my go to authors. I have read all her books and loved them. I was looking forward to reading this which is different style of writing that what she usually writes.
I found the blurb quite intriguing and so I was looking forward to reading this but, unfortunately, ‘the famous’ wasn’t for me. I found it rather slow, and I didn’t relate to any of the characters especially Gloria with her drinking her drug taking. It didn’t interest me. It only started to get a bit interesting about 20% towards the end. Three stars from me

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book promises to explore the dark side of fame - and, in fact, does so quite ably - the pacing is uneven. The slow unfolding of the first half does interfere with the enjoyment of the storytelling.

An aging TV personality receives letters that threaten to expose her past behaviour - her greed for fame and what she did to achieve it. The story does pick up speed in the second half, but it takes time to get the reader to feel invested. And by then, we are almost at the end of the book.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloria White is a British media star who seems to have all the power and privilege. But things are getting out of her control. She's getting creepy letters from a stalker, having problems at work, taking a few too many pills, and secrets from the past that she thought were buried seem to be coming back to haunt her.
I wouldn't describe this as a particularly fast paced or twisty thriller, yet it was somehow still quite compelling and unputdownable. It was a solid 3.5 star read, exactly what you want from this genre. A fast and entertaining read to distract you from real life.

[Lori C · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

This book took me almost a month to finish because I just could not get into it at ALL. The description sounded like it would be good but it was all over the place. It didn’t start getting interesting until about 60% of the way in and then it felt rushed and unfinished. I have so many questions that were left unanswered. Usually I’m forgiving if a book is tough to get into but then has a “wow” at the end but there was nothing.

Thanks NetGalley and Canelo for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be an enjoyable read, though not without its flaws. The storyline had some interesting moments, and the characters were generally well-developed. However, there were a few parts that felt a bit slow and dragged on longer than necessary. The pacing was inconsistent, and while some of the dialogue was engaging, other sections felt somewhat forced.

Overall, it's a good book for those who enjoy the genre, but I feel it could have been more polished. Worth reading, but not a standout.