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Black Tag
Brought to you by Penguin.
Your house is on fire. What do you save?
You have seconds to decide.
If everything is about to burn, what do you rescue first?
When the West End Gallery in London's fashionable Coal Drops Yard is set alight, the fire service must use the list of paintings lodged with it - a grab list - to snatch the key paintings from the flames.
But something has been altered. It’s the wrong list.
Then the ashes reveal another an unidentified dead body. Someone who shouldn’t have been in the gallery. Crusading journalist Famie Madden wants to know who it is and why they were there. Soon it becomes apparent that the ashes are hiding much more than they should be - and that this is much more than a casual act of arson…
Bestselling author and legendary broadcaster Simon Mayo has created a spellbinding contemporary thriller. He weaves a story ripped from today’s newspapers that will take Famie far from the pages of her website into a murderous family saga stretching back over centuries.
_______________
Praise for Simon Mayo
'Mayo spools out his many twists and turns skilfully.' Observer
'Simon Mayo is clearly a force to be reckoned with in the thriller world.' The Times
Your house is on fire. What do you save?
You have seconds to decide.
If everything is about to burn, what do you rescue first?
When the West End Gallery in London's fashionable Coal Drops Yard is set alight, the fire service must use the list of paintings lodged with it - a grab list - to snatch the key paintings from the flames.
But something has been altered. It’s the wrong list.
Then the ashes reveal another an unidentified dead body. Someone who shouldn’t have been in the gallery. Crusading journalist Famie Madden wants to know who it is and why they were there. Soon it becomes apparent that the ashes are hiding much more than they should be - and that this is much more than a casual act of arson…
Bestselling author and legendary broadcaster Simon Mayo has created a spellbinding contemporary thriller. He weaves a story ripped from today’s newspapers that will take Famie far from the pages of her website into a murderous family saga stretching back over centuries.
_______________
Praise for Simon Mayo
'Mayo spools out his many twists and turns skilfully.' Observer
'Simon Mayo is clearly a force to be reckoned with in the thriller world.' The Times
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Published January 30, 2025
69 people are currently reading
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About the author
Simon Mayo
25 books213 followersSimon started work in Hospital radio and later became a Dj on BBC radio 1 and later on BBC radio 2.
His series 'Itch' is closely related to best selling series such as Alex Rider & Jason Steed. Also written by British authors.
Simon was recognised as the Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in 2008, and has won several Sony Awards for his work in radio.
His series 'Itch' is closely related to best selling series such as Alex Rider & Jason Steed. Also written by British authors.
Simon was recognised as the Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in 2008, and has won several Sony Awards for his work in radio.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 30, 2025
That was some weekend!
It's only a few days since I realized that the person I regularly listen to on the radio is also an author!
Who knew? I guess a lot of people did! Well, now I do too!
This is a breathless drama and thriller from start to finish and to coin what many have said before completely unputdownable.
If you are a fan of Tony Parsons you are going to love this book. Both authors have completely mastered the production of vivid pictures and scenery with their words.
IMHO
It's only a few days since I realized that the person I regularly listen to on the radio is also an author!
Who knew? I guess a lot of people did! Well, now I do too!
This is a breathless drama and thriller from start to finish and to coin what many have said before completely unputdownable.
If you are a fan of Tony Parsons you are going to love this book. Both authors have completely mastered the production of vivid pictures and scenery with their words.
IMHO
May 29, 2025
Famie Madden Returns
Author Simon Mayo’s, intrepid , investigative journalist, Famie Madden returns after her adventures, in the highly entertaining , Knife Edge , from a few years ago
Here , Famie , and her daughter Charlie , get caught up in , a series of events, involving, a super rich philanthropic family , right wing politics, and historical slavery
This is a well researched story, with a unique premise, and plenty compelling characters- good and bad, and a combination of nail biting tension, and exciting action
A triumphant return from Mr Mayo
Author Simon Mayo’s, intrepid , investigative journalist, Famie Madden returns after her adventures, in the highly entertaining , Knife Edge , from a few years ago
Here , Famie , and her daughter Charlie , get caught up in , a series of events, involving, a super rich philanthropic family , right wing politics, and historical slavery
This is a well researched story, with a unique premise, and plenty compelling characters- good and bad, and a combination of nail biting tension, and exciting action
A triumphant return from Mr Mayo
April 7, 2025
My Kindle edition had a different title, Black Tag, but it's the same book.
Mayo writes well and his thrillers have intriguing premises and grip me every time. I was a little disappointed by the finale to this one (no spoilers) and felt that it came out of nowhere and seemed somewhat tagged on. Nevertheless it's a good read with interesting ideas and history underpinning it.
Mayo writes well and his thrillers have intriguing premises and grip me every time. I was a little disappointed by the finale to this one (no spoilers) and felt that it came out of nowhere and seemed somewhat tagged on. Nevertheless it's a good read with interesting ideas and history underpinning it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews