Tightrope

by Marnie Riches

'Dark, gritty and funny. ' STEVE CAVANAGH
'A gripping page-turner of a plot' ROZ WATKINS
'A corking thriller' ED JAMES

What happens when a private investigator ends up being the one uncovered?

Having lost everything after a failed marriage, Beverley Saunders now lodges in the basement flat of a house owned by her best friend Sophie and her husband, Tim. With Bev's former glittering marketing career in the gutter, she begins to do investigative work for other wronged women, gathering dirt on philanderers, bosses and exes.

But when Beverley takes on the case of Sophie's friend Angela, who is seeking to uncover grounds for divorce from her controlling husband, Jerry, the shadow Science Minister, she soon discovers that she isn't the only one doing the investigating...

Beverley has a secret history she doesn't want coming out - but will she manage to stay hidden long enough to give Angela the freedom she deserves?

Marnie Riches is back in this darkly comic thriller, perfect for fans of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers.

Praise for Marnie

'Gritty and gripping' Kimberley Chambers, Sunday Times No.1 Bestseller

'Marnie Riches is already a leading light in the field of Mancunian noir.' The Guardian

'Gritty and great fun.' The Express

'Pacy, poignant, funny and violent, it grabs you by the hand and drags you down the mean streets of Manchester with such verve and authenticity that you can almost smell the rain and blood as you turn the pages.' Simon Toyne

'Fast-paced and enthralling' C. L. Taylor

'Fast, furious, fantastic...One killer thriller!' Mark Edwards

'Edgy' Clare Mackintosh

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2019

About the author

Marnie Riches grew up on a rough estate in Manchester. She learned her way out of the ghetto, all the way to Cambridge University, where she gained a Masters degree in German & Dutch. She has been a punk, a trainee rock star, a pretend artist, a property developer and professional fundraiser. Previously a children's author, now, she writes gritty, fast-paced crime fiction.

Marnie Riches is the author of the award-winning, best-selling George McKenzie series, starting with "The Girl Who Wouldn't Die", published in the UK by Avon/HarperCollins and special editions by The Word Factor-e in the US. She is also the author of best-selling, critically acclaimed Manchester gangland thrillers, "Born Bad" and "The Cover-Up" as featured in CBS documentary, "Written in Blood".

In her spare time, Marnie likes to spin, travel, drink and eat all the things (especially if combined with travel) paint portraits, sniff expensive leather shoes and renovate old houses. She also adores flowers.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bev Sanders in living in the basement flat of her friend, Sophie's house. She's a private investigator who mainly works for women that have been cheated on by their husband/partners. She takes on the case of a woman who is married to a government minister. All she wants is enough dirt on him so that she can get a divorce. The only problem is, Angie does not have any money to pay her as Jerry keeps all the bank cards and money. She promises to pay Bev when everything is finalised.

Bev's not had an easy life. She suffers from mental health issues, addiction and she finds it hard to trust people. She's struggling to pay her rent and bills. Angie is married to a bullying control freak. She wants a divorce and custody of their girls. There is some humour to this story but it's also quite dark. There are lots of twists in this fast paced read. The characters seem true to life. I was not keen on the male characters but I think that was the authors I tension. There are some strange events that take place but I will let you make up your own mind about them. A really good read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author Marnie Riches for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. RTC

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tightrope is an unusual thriller in which street smarts play a substantial role. Set in a high crime area it is worth warning you that there is a lot of graphic violence throughout; Riches considers prevalent real-world themes through the experiences of a stellar cast of engaging characters and it becomes so absorbing that I enjoyed every single word. The story revolves around issues of drug and sex addiction, bullying, relationships, mental health, domestic abuse and gas-lighting. It's gritty, shocking and in some parts utterly disturbing but the issues within are treated with care and sensitivity.

The first chapter is absolutely captivating as we are all thrown into the deep end and it ensured the pages kept turning in an effortless fashion. I was pleased to discover that this is the start of a new series as certain characters are worth reuniting with! Sassy Bev, for example, swears like a sailor and is not afraid to speak her mind; I am so glad we will have more of her to look forward to in upcoming books. She's a real independent woman and a great heroine for our age. There's never a dull moment as there is always something happening on just about every page, and although the pacing was generally pretty spot on there were a few times I felt it drag a little.

Overall, though, this is a chilling and emotional read sprinkled with much-needed dark/black humour to lighten a somewhat bleak tale. Many thanks to Trapeze for an ARC.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group Trapeze for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a new author for me, so was a little unsure what to expect. The blurb sounded interesting, so I gave it a go.

This is not a book for the faint hearted numerous dark subjects are discussed, there’s addiction to sex and drugs, plus domestic abuse for starters. However these sensitive subjects are handled well, with some rather graphic descriptions. But at no time did it feel gratuitous.

This book starts well and I was impressed by the pace throughout, it was heading for an easy 4/5 even a 5 at times. But then something changed and it became a bit too predictable, almost started to be a bit cliché. The main “villain” was so predictable it was untrue, worked them out very early on. As a private Investigator, she was very naïve, not too have worked out how she was being tracked.

Having said that the main character Bev, is a very likeable character with a great sense of humour and is .. adventurous shall we say. I would like to read more of this authors work, in the future as a comparison.

Overall 3.5 as a little bit disappointed. But try it yourself, you may love it as the other reviewers have!

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverley Saunders is doing her best to recover after a failed marriage and a lost career, She's living in the basement of her best friend and her husband ... Sophie and Tom. It's there that she comes up with the idea of becoming a private investigator working for other women who have lot everything due to cheating husbands.

Beverley's first case is helping Angela, a friend of Sophie's. Angela is seeking to uncover grounds for divorce from her controlling husband, Jerry. What Beverley discovers is that she is not the only one investigating.

BOOK BLURB: Beverley has a secret history she doesn't want coming out - but will she manage to stay hidden long enough to give Angela the freedom she deserves?

This is the first in a brand new crime fiction series, a darkly comic thriller. It's well written and there's enough twists to keep the reader engaged. The characters are deftly drawn ...especially Beverley. Included with the suspense is humor .... something I don't see a lot of in crime fiction. I really look forward to the next in this series.

Many thanks to the author / Orion Publishing Group - Trapeze Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this entertaining crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a story what a book so hope another to this Bev is one sassy lady .who lives in her friends Sallys basement .she is a private investigator but she has took on a big case who is very high powered how this story unfolds is brilliant praise for this author. all she wants is her daughter hope but her ex took everything from her I so recommend and I love dock a must read

[Steph Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tightrope – Marnie Richies

This novel almost seemed like a “blind date” of a book for me, I knew what it was called, a little of what it was about but no idea on the cover. What swung it was the fact that it’s been written by one of my favourite authors. Marnie Richies isn’t scared to take on any topic in this novel there’s addiction and domestic abuse for starters. I must say that although these are sensitive subjects and that there are some rather graphic descriptions they haven’t been written about in a gratuitous fashion.

The main female protagonist Beverley Saunders had a rough time from her teens onwards, she lost her dad from suicide quite young and in effect she might as well have lost her mum, she was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard as she had demons of her own to fight. This really affected Bev leaving her with mental health problems, addiction and trust issues although it’s hardly surprising. But on saying that she is a gutsy lady with the heart of a lion and a mouth like a sewer their were times she literally made me laugh out loud with some of the things she came out with. I think that she’s as mad as a box of frogs and a very likeable character. Fingers crossed that we hear from her again.

All grown up now Bev is a down at heel PI, having been royally shafted by her ex-husband Rob and is living in her friend from Uni Sophie’s mould infested basement flat struggling to pay the rent never mind the other bills. Having just finished up a case her friend introduces her to Angela she’s looking for help with her husband. She’s a woman married to a bullying control freak called Jerry Fitzsimmons who just happens to be the shadow Science Minister. All she needs/wants is enough dirt on him to get herself a divorce and keep her children close.

I will be honest and say that I was more than a little surprised by a couple of the other female characters, I always thought I was a good judge of character as it turns I badly misjudged one, was almost completely wrong about the other and another that I disliked immediately. There were times when I wanted to shout at them to get a grip but then that’s easier said being an outsider looking in. At other times I just felt heart sorry for them and the situations they found themselves in.

There are a few male characters that you just can’t like no matter how you try. Most of them are just plain nasty. The Wolf and the rest of his crew the pig, the cockerel, the bulldog and the horse are in a whole new league of their own. Nearly all of them more than deserve their comeuppance and more. Doc on the other hand is the closest ally that she has even though he’s not the bravest of chaps. What he lacks in courage he more than makes up for in other ways he’s a proper tech geek, he is the only one who seems to have her back despite his own demons.

Whilst trying to find the evidence that Angela so desperately needs Bev has to keep her wits about her and to try to rein her temper in. Using what tech knowledge she has Bev sets out her stall to catfish Jerry on social media and it doesn’t take long before he bites. What follows next is a whole whirlwind of events, including debauched partying at a “sex house”, violence, origami and Lego. I know the mind boggles doesn’t it?

Although it’s not a particularly funny part of the story there’s a chapter involving a second hand toaster that sparks when it’s switched on. It had that feeling of knowing it was wrong to laugh at something but being unable to stop myself from having a good old chuckle. I think that was possibly favourite bit of this novel.

I’m going to stop here or else I’ll probably end up letting out too many spoilers suffice it to say that this is a full on book with something happening on almost every page. I’d definitely recommend giving #tightrope a shot.


Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group Trapeze

[Papierfliegerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

» Rezension zur deutschen Ausgabe «

"Dein letzter Atemzug" ist ein sehr ungewöhnlicher Thriller, der einige verschiedene Facetten mitbringt und erstaunlich viel Tiefgang in sich trägt. Zwar braucht die Geschichte eine Weile, bis sie so richtig in Fahrt kommt, doch trotz der langen Einstiegsphase war es doch durchgehend interessant und informativ. Da Bev alles andere als eine einfache Persönlichkeit ist, bringt sie zusätzlichen Zündstoff mit und lockert so manche Situation mit knallharten Sprüchen oder barschen Aussagen auf. Dazu ihr unerschütterlicher Mut, der manchmal nur Fassade, manchmal einfach Einsatzbereitschaft ist, und schon ist sie als Figur nahezu perfekt. Und ich sag ja immer wieder: ein Protagonist muss nicht immer der Sympathieträger sein; solange die Persönlichkeit ansprechend und gut umgesetzt ist, ist alles gut. Meine Kritik liegt also eher im langen Einstieg und dem eher schwachen Ende, das sich sehr danach angefühlt hat, als hätte man es sich bewusst leicht gemacht, die ganze Sache abzurunden. Da hätte ich mir etwas mehr Einfallsreichtum und eine deutlich größere Überraschung gewünscht. Auf meinem Blog könnt ihr gern nochmal alles genauer nachlesen; falls ihr also neugierig seid, schaut einfach mal » hier « vorbei. Viel Spaß beim Stöbern.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally devoured Tightrope; from the toe-curling, vicious and gasp making prologue, right through every single twist and turn until the end ... which knocked me for six.

The author introduces a new female Private Investigator; Beverley Saunders. Beverley is very new to the game; in fact she's veering towards desperation as her previous life as a successful marketing manager, and wife, has disappeared. She's now living in a dank, damp basement flat, courtesy of a mate and her husband; driving a clapped out old banger and creating a mountain of unpaid bills.

What an absolute cracker of a character she is though. Through this clever author's skilful creation, the reader soon comes to love Beverley; there's a whole lot to love; she has many issues; some of them are a little bit funny, some of them are downright dirty, and dangerous, and some are sad and quite heart-wrenching.

Beverley's first case is to assist Angela; abused, beaten, anorexic wife of the Shadow Minister for Science, Jerry Fitzwilliam ; and what a vile and totally objectionable character he is! Whilst the case may seem pretty cut and dried, it's not long before Beverley finds herself totally immersed in a dangerous world, with secrets a plenty and folk who will do anything to prevent those secrets from being exposed.

There's some excellent characterisation in this book; but don't expect to like many of them. With the exception of Beverley herself and her sidekick Doc, there are not many lovable rogues in here! However, this just adds to the compelling and intense story that is both witty and frightening in equal measures.
Marnie Riches writes meticulously and unflinchingly; my jaw dropped, my eyes popped and the tension gave me a headache! It's brutal and dark, but brilliant. I loved it and would highly recommend.

[DrunkenCherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dein letzter Atemzug ist ein relativ ruhiger und unblutig erzählter Thriller. Eigentlich nicht unbedingt etwas für mich, aber die Geschichte um Bev und den großen bösen Wolf hat mich direkt dermaßen in seinen Bann gezogen, dass ich das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen wollte.
Das lag hauptsächlich an der Person Bev. Sie ist einfach eine ganz andere Privatdektektivin aks man sie sonst kennt. Sie ist kaputt und gebrochen, aber nicht auf diese klischeehafte Art. Sie lebt in Scheidung und man merkt schnell, dass zwischen ihrem Ex und ihr nicht alles ganz sauber gelaufen ist. Dazu hat sie eine bemerkenswerte Obsession für Origami, geht in Selbsthilfegruppen und hat noch das ein oder andere Laster, das man selbst entdecken muss.
Bev wohnt in der Kellerwohnung ihrer Freundin Sophie. Sophie ist das Gegenteil von Bev, wohlhabend, immer darauf bedacht, was andere Leute denken und dabei wirklich ekelhaft Bev gegenüber. Ich konnte den beiden nicht abnehmen, dass sie wirklich Freundinnen sein sollten – bis zum Schluss nicht.
Die Handlung wird aus verschiedenen Sichten erzählt. Der Großteil wird aus Bevs Richtung erzählt, aber einiges auch aus der Sicht ihrer Klientin Angie, ein bisschen was erfährt man vom Killer, der sich nur „Der Wolf“ nennt und dann erzählt noch eine gewisse Boo, eine Collegestudentin.
Die ganze Zeit fragt man sich, was der Erzählstrang von Boo mit der Geschichte zu tun hat, wann er eingewoben wird. Und als es dann soweit war, war ich wirklich überrascht und begeistert. Hier hat sich die Autorin was richtig gutes einfallen lassen.
Hatte ich am Anfang etwas Angst, dass mir die vielen unterschiedlichen Sichten zu viel werden würden, hat sich das nicht bestätigt, ich fand es sogar ganz gut.
Generell mochte ich nicht nur Bev, sondern auch die anderen Figuren. Hier sind nicht alle hübsch und charmant, sondern manche haben auch eine sehr eigene Art. Vor allem Doc, Bevs Kumpel, hat es mir hier angetan. Die Szenen mit ihm habe ich geliebt, weil er so schrullig war
Bev geht nicht wie eine typische Ermittlerin vor und das hat mir gut gefallen. Sie merkt recht schnell, dass sie verfolgt wird und es ist sehr spannend, ihr zuzusehen, wie sie immer paranoider wird, sich aber trotzdem nicht unterkriegen lässt.
Die Auflösung des Falls war nicht unbedingt unvorhersehbar, aber dennoch einnehmend. Ich wollte unbedingt wissen, wie Bev den Täter niederstreckt.
Was ich hier allerdings bemängeln muss, war, dass es dem Showdown an Dynamik fehlte. Ich hatte den Eindruck, die Autorin wollte plötzlich ganz schnell fertig werden und so kam die Beschreibung der Action etwas zu kurz. Aber die ganzen Zusammenhänge zwischen Bev, dem Wolf und allem, was passiert ist, fand ich grandios.
Auch das Ende gefiel mir richtig gut und macht Lust auf mehr. Ich will unbedingt wissen, wie es mit Bev weitergeht und hoffe, dass Heyne noch weitere Bücher der Autorin, und vor allem dieser Reihe, übersetzt.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit the locations in the novel

Met Marnie Riches on location visiting the places in her book! Authorsonlocation

How to describe this book? Darkly funny and with one of the wittiest and sassiest female leads I’ve read in a while.

Beverly Saunders is one gutsy lady. She’s had a rough time as a teenager and lost her dad to suicide, now she’s recovering from a failed marriage. She’s got problems and a hard shell because of it. Now living in a friends basement, she starts to help out other wronged women. If there’s anyone going to suss our your wayward husband or cheating boyfriend and even your weird boss, then this is that person. She takes on the case of a woman married to a government minister and it soon becomes apparent that as she investigates him, he is also the one under the microscope. Would you want your history to come out if you had such a colourful one as her? The title describes what happens next well - Beverly is on a tightrope throughout balancing and taking care not to fall into one hole, then another, then that trap..

It’s got that quirky Marnie humour and dark comedy and it all comes together very nicely indeed. There’s lots of Manchester locations and towns dotted around the area to take a peek at too.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

''Beverley Saunders was no longer Rob's passive,pleading wife.She was now a woman who wouldn't take any more shit,helping women who weren't yet strong enough to fight their own battles.And didn't she still have the biggest battle of her own to fight? This job could give her the security and professional standing to convince the judge she was back on track and a responsible adult''.

Bev is the heroine of Marnie Riches new series aout a P.I whose own life needs rescuing through no fault of her own. Completely ruined by her vile ex-husband who holds their child as collateral , Bev is reduced to living in the mould infested basement of her best friend,Sophie's, palatial residence. Lost and with her career and reputation in tatters she re-establishes herself as a private investigator , her first case coming courtesy of Sophie whose friend,Angela, is trapped in an abusive marriage.

The twist-Angie's husband is the Shadow Science Minister and darling of the very same media that tore Bev apart...when someone as influential and in the public eye as much as Jeremy Fitzwilliam is, how do gather proof of his infidelity and his abusive behaviour? In the meantime she has an almighty battle looming with her ex, and the possibility of a stalker to deal with...

Opening with a shocking act of violence, 'Tightrope' pulls no punches in its depiction of all types of violence against women and the patriarchal attitude of men towards women and girls being no more than disposable playthings. These women are bright, intelligent and fierce yet face subjugation, sexual assault and death from men who deem them worthless.

The narrative alternates between Bev, a character known as 'The Wolf', and Angela, the woman so in need of Bev's help. Nearly every chapter ends on a cliff hanger which hurries you to finish it as it is the very definition of unputdownable. The suspense is nail biting and sphincter tightening as you urge Bev to finish Jerry off, he is the most odious male character I have read this year and sadly I can absolutely say I have met men like him who feel the female of the species should fall to their knees for the privilege of breathing the same air as him. It's not all darkness though, 'Tightrope' has an immensely Northern sensibility which keeps it grounded and rooted with a vein of humour runnign through it like lettering in rock. There is a fabulous scene set in a swimming pool that will have the reader cheering and a hoover repair man who is unforgettable.

As readers, we have the luxury of closing the book, saying that was a fabulous thriller and walking away. The things that happen to the women in this novel occur every day. Bev has a complex and multifaceted past which has led her to the point where she is acting to support women who are cheated on, let down and abused whilst struggling to acknowledge that all of this happened to her. She is ballsy, warm hearted and fearless and she exists to make a life for her daughter. In doing so she turns over every stone to expose the dark underbelly of a world which treats half of its citizens as a commodity. Domestic violence is the biggest world wide killer of women, it's a figure that doesn't change in the UK either, accounting for 2 deaths every week. Until it becomes a fairer society for women, their narratives could fill a million books and this is what Marnie Riches is doing-shining a light on how sex trafficking is something happening everywhere, the systems in palce designed to isolate women financially,emotionally and physically.

It's a 5 star read that pulls no punches, I absolutely recommend it and cannot wait to catch up with Bev again on her next outing.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bev is down on her luck. She is struggling to pay her rent and bills yet still finds herself taking on a case where the customer doesn’t have any money to pay her. You can’t help but feel for Bev who is trying to overcome addiction for some rather interesting activities and get her life back on track in the hope of getting her daughter back. She has a fight on her hands as well as getting mixed up in discovering a heinous crime.

There are so many unlikeable characters in this book but then there is supposed to be. Certain characters made my blood boil where as others like, Bev, her client Angela and Bev’s friend Doc, remind us of the good in people. The storyline deals with physical and mental abuse as well as rape so it did make for some uncomfortable reading at times but the story focuses more on Bev and her investigation and getting herself into some compromising positions.

Tightrope is an intensely, dark and chilling read that had me well and truly hooked. If you love your crime thrillers on the gritty side, then like me, you will love this one. The pacing was on point and I was gripped to every page. There are even some very unexpected twists that totally floored me. What’s even better is that this is just the first book to feature Private Investigator Beverley Saunders and I for one can’t wait to read more!

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to a gripping series. I was fascinated with the amount of points that this author managed to cover. Fantastic characters and a wonderful storyline. Can't wait to read more.

[Gaby (GNTxREADs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's start with the cover, this design gives me the creepy alley-way shivers! The colours work really well together in grabbing your attention to scream CRIME THRILLER at you if you saw it in a bookshop.

After reading the prologue, you begin to realise why this book comes with a warning for violent scenes throughout and there was even a part of me left feeling somewhat embarrassed at having enjoyed the first few pages so much! It absolutely grabbed me, shook me around a little and then left me feeling compelled to read on.

We then meet Beverley Saunders, a private detective who seeks to find grounds for her client Angela to divorce her husband, Jerry Fitzsimmons who is an MP. It sounds like an easy job, but Bev soon finds herself much more involved than expected..

I really enjoyed getting to know Bev as a character. So often there are female DI protagonists, or male defence laywers, yet Bev took on a very different role with all the same drama and suspense of the more predictable type of female leads. Yet she is also so likeable, and willing to do absolutely anything to solve this case for her client. Dabbled in with her own vulnerabilities, be them both familial and psychological, I found myself warming to her, and her story very quickly.

I'm glad I could get on with the female protagonist, because not a single part of me liked ANY of the other characters - particularly the men! Perhaps this is because of the way they were portrayed, or even that I found myself 'siding' with Bev. But I really couldn't connect or care any less about them - yet that was the feeling which was so key to the elements of this book.

Given that the first pages had been so gripping, the following chapters felt a bit tame and slowed the pace of the story a little bit. However, I found myself racing through the final 100 pages as the plot really picks up and everything slots into place (making the events much more poignant). At some points I gasped, some I cringed, and some I laughed, but ultimately this dark thriller really surprised me!

If Tightrope had continued to shock me just as the first few pages had, then I would've been gobsmacked by this title, but instead I was left wanting more! An enjoyable read, with some great twists in the end - a four star review from me on Goodreads.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard about this book, I knew I really wanted to read it. I have loved the author's other works, especially the George McKenzie books, so my expectations were high. High ... but were they met?

Heck, yes. Tightrope is an absolutely cracking introduction to the relative train wreck that is Bev Saunders, a former Marketing Manager turned Private Investigator, whose private life plays out like something from the worst sitcom ever, but whose determination to help women expose their cheating and abusive husbands knows no end. She was a character I grew to like very quickly, straight talking, a walking disaster zone, living in her best friend Sophie's, basement flat and going to regular counselling sessions to help deal with her origami addiction ... amongst other slightly less family friendly pursuits. She is funny, down to earth and very easy to identify with. To a degree. I'll let you read the book to discover why.

The story centres around Bev's quest to help the wife of a prominent politician find the evidence she needs to safely leave him. He is abusive, controlling, and an all round creep and Bev see's right through him. The question really is over how far Bev will go in her quest for evidence and the answer is pretty far. Far enough she gets into some pretty close scrapes, that's for sure.

I love the way in which the author has built the characters in this book. You have all kinds of people represented here - from drug addled teenagers, to do-gooding friends, the down to earth Bev with her geek of a friend, Doc, and right through to the down right sleazy, underhand and dare I say deadly - all are well drawn and the author brings them all to live with full and sometimes frightening authenticity.

The story isn't always easy to read. There are some very dark passages hidden amongst the humour and the madness that Bev gets caught up in. The opening itself is quite dark, although not gratuitously so, and there is an undercurrent of threat and unease from start to finish. Never quite dark enough to push you away from the book - there is a sense that the real bad guy is almost a caricature of himself at times, his bravado and attitude almost too intense - but it works perfectly against the true laugh out loud moments that permeate the story.

For an introduction to the characters of Bev and Doc, this book was a cracking opener and I have to be honest, if we're going to get this mixture of humour and criminality, that touches on some very pertinent and topical subjects but in an accessible way - neither trivial or excessive - then I cannot wait to read more and I'm delighted another book is out early next year. Bev is great, and then there is Doc, her tech-geek counterpart, the nervous, lego addicted nerd you can't help but love. They make for an unconventional investigative team, but it is perhaps that very fact that makes it work so well and that kept me entertained from start to finish. I read through this in a little over one evening and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes their crime with humour and heart. Top stuff.

[Gordon Mcghie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tightrope conjured up the image of a figure in the spotlight. An individual carefully focused on balancing everything to avoid an untimely end. Standing up with a purpose in mind but leaving themselves open to have their mistakes fully exposed for all to see.

Beverly Saunders, is very much on that tightrope and is the scene-stealing star of the latest stormingly-good thriller from Marnie Riches. She is taking herself out of her comfort zone to help the friend of a friend but it will place her against dangerous opposition.

Bev is a private investigator and she is asked to look into the private life of a Member of Parliament – a much loved member of the shadow cabinet. The MP in question is not the nicest of individuals and Bev’s dilemma is how far she can go in obtaining evidence of his darker side.

Unfortunately for Bev she is accruing dangerous enemies. Unbeknownst to her, Bev is being watched by a dangerous predator who calls himself The Wolf. At the start of Tightrope is a darkly disturbing scene where The Wolf shows off his power in front of his friends. That display led to a life being lost so readers know the danger Bev is facing.

Returning visitors will know I have enjoyed previous books by Marnie Riches. She nails the dark, disturbing tension and always delivers a cracking thriller which I don’t want to end. She also knows the power of a well timed quip or killer comeback line so Bev is the feisty, smart mouthed hero I love to read about.

I’ve been struggling to get through a few of my recent reads. Quite a few books I’ve started will not be finished and won’t get reviewed here. Thank goodness then for Tightrope – started and finished in a single day and most definitely giving me a book to recommend as you plan your summer holiday reading. Not said this for a while…Grab This Book!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bev Sanders is living in the dank, unhealthy basement of her friend Sophie's house. After having her name blacklisted by her ex-husband Rob when they divorce, she turns her hand to Private Investigating she sets herself up as a honeytrap mainly for women being cheated on by their partners.

Unable to pay her bills she takes up her friends offer to meet Angie who she doesn't realise at the time is the wife of the shadow science minister Jerry Fitzsimmons, who Angie suspects is playing away from home and has many dark secrets. He is a wife basher and bully, so she wants out and asks Bev to help her catch him, the only problem is because he doesn't let her have any bank cards or money she can't afford to pay Bev, but promises when everything is finalised she will pay her everything she owes and more. All she wants is to protect her children from him as she feels divorcing him without good evidence, he will pull strings to blacken her name and take her children he may possibly have her sectioned to get his way,

Bev feels sorry for Angie and takes on the case, also involving her geek pc wiz Doc who is hilarious and has some funny habits.

From here we meet, The Wolf, the pig, the cockerel, the bulldog and the horse who are depraved and reading the book you hope will have a bad outcome.

Bev creates false accounts on social media sites to try to tempt Jerry and bingo he bites, she hopes she can catch him out and find the evidence she needs.

Such a great book with lots of twists, it really caught me out a couple of times. I thoroughly recommend this book, you will enjoy every thrilling page.
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This got bumped up my TBR pile after reading some great reviews on it. The description of this book got me excited to read it.
Having a failed marriage behind her Bev is living in the basement flat of a wealthy friend. Her former career is over and Bev needs to be doing something to bring in some money. Her bills are piling up, her rent isn't being paid.
​Beginning to do Private investigative work, Bev soon has a client in need of her help. The wife of The Shadow Science Minister want's a divorce. Her husband is nasty and controlling and she's desperate to break away from him.
This book had me hooked, well and truly hooked. You know from quite early on that this story was building up to something big, something explosive, which means every opportunity I had to sit and read some more. Not sleeping also helped as instead of arguing with my self that I needed sleep I just picked up my kindle to read some more.
A superbly written story that felt very different to have the main character as a private detective rather than a police officer or gangster. I love that the setting of this book in and around Manchester meant that I knew a lot of places that were mentioned. I always find it really helps add to the visual of the story. The character of Bev was first class, I loved everything about her, in fact I loved everything about this book it's gritty, thrilling, an edge of your seat page turner but with some humour throughout. This book has everything, and more.
Is Bev getting herself in too deep and causing herself more upset than is needed? Can she help Alison break away from her controlling husband. Well to find out you need to read the book and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this book.

[Bookfrempire · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Unbezahlte Werbung, Rezensionsexemplar | Vielen Dank an Penguinrandomhouse und das Bloggerportal für die Bereitstellung]

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Dieses Buch von aus handelt von Bev. Bevs Leben ist in letzter Zeit aus den Fugen geraten und sie befindet sich am Tiefpunkt. Und das nicht nur, weil sie in der Souterrain- Wohnung ihrer besten Freundin und wohnt. Doch dann bekommt sie einen Auftrag als Privatermittlerin, der sie in Gefahr bringt, ohne dass sie weiß, bereits seit geraumer Zeit in Gefahr zu schweben. Sie ist eine Jägerin, die gejagt wird… wie lange wird das gutgehen?

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Der Schreibstil lässt sich gut lesen und man hat verschiedene Perspektiven dabei. Bei einigen weiß man zunächst nicht, welchen Zweck sie erfüllen, das wird jedoch zeitnah aufgelöst.

Im Laufe des Buchs kommen verschiedene Handlungsstränge zusammen und ergeben ein Ganzes. Das ist für mich gut gelungen. Bis dahin hat man sich gefragt, was hinter all dem steckt und wohin es noch führen würde.

Es gab einiges an Gewalt, aber in einem zum Buch und zur Handlung passenden Ausmaß. Die meisten Charaktere waren eher unsympathisch, was jedoch nicht schlimm war.

Die Protagonistin war jedoch echt cool. Sie war zwar ein Wrack und hatte ihre Eigenheiten, aber sie war ein in sich stimmiges Gesamtbild. Sie war tough, hat immer weitergekämpft und ist für sich und Gerechtigkeit eingestanden, sich der Konsequenzen durchaus bewusst.

Insgesamt war das Buch echt gut. Es hat mich gut unterhalten und wurde vor allem von der Protagonistin getragen. Ich hatte schnell eine Ahnung, wer dahinterstecken könnte, das hat jedoch nichts daran geändert, dass ich wissen wollte, wie es weitergeht. Insgesamt 4,5 ⭐️ für mich.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bev Sanders is living in the dank, unhealthy basement of her friend Sophie's house. After having her name blacklisted by her ex-husband Rob when they divorce, she turns her hand to Private Investigating she sets herself up as a honeytrap mainly for women being cheated on by their partners.

Unable to pay her bills she takes up her friends offer to meet Angie who she doesn't realise at the time is the wife of the shadow science minister Jerry Fitzsimmons, who Angie suspects is playing away from home and has many dark secrets. He is a wife basher and bully, so she wants out and asks Bev to help her catch him, the only problem is because he doesn't let her have any bank cards or money she can't afford to pay Bev, but promises when everything is finalised she will pay her everything she owes and more. All she wants is to protect her children from him as she feels divorcing him without good evidence, he will pull strings to blacken her name and take her children he may possibly have her sectioned to get his way,

Bev feels sorry for Angie and takes on the case, also involving her geek pc wiz Doc who is hilarious and has some funny habits.

From here we meet, The Wolf, the pig, the cockerel, the bulldog and the horse who are depraved and reading the book you hope will have a bad outcome.

Bev creates false accounts on social media sites to try to tempt Jerry and bingo he bites, she hopes she can catch him out and find the evidence she needs.

Such a great book with lots of twists, it really caught me out a couple of times. I thoroughly recommend this book, you will enjoy every thrilling page.

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from TBC Reviewers request- Thank you
What happens when a private investigator ends up being the one uncovered?
Having lost everything after a failed marriage, Beverley Saunders now lodges in the basement flat of a house owned by her best friend Sophie and her husband, Tim. With Bev's former glittering marketing career in the gutter, she begins to do investigative work for other wronged women, gathering dirt on philanderers, bosses and exes.
But when Beverley takes on the case of Sophie's friend Angela, who is seeking to uncover grounds for divorce from her controlling husband, Jerry, the shadow Science Minister, she soon discovers that she isn't the only one doing the investigating...
Beverley has a secret history she doesn't want coming out - but will she manage to stay hidden long enough to give Angela the freedom she deserves?
Marnie has written a book centred around a new female PI who has taken up the mantel of chasing men who play around on their wives and helps them get their just deserts.
A really well written book that was cleverly twisted it kept me guessing right up until the last page- a brilliant read I can’t wait for the next book!

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely new author for me but I've been wanting to try one of her books for awhile as kept hearing good things.

Well I have to say that I got a bit of a shock with this book as it certainly wasn't what I'd been expecting. I had it in my mind that it be similar in genre to the likes of Martina Cole or Dreda Say Mitchell, boy was I wrong. I don't mean that in a bad way either.

This was one hell of a story that is dark, violent and gritty from start to finish. The story grabs hold of you and literally sucks you in completely. There are some sensitive and difficult topics/situations throughout the story but I think the author does them justice.

On the whole the storyline was very well written, albeit being a little bit predictable in places but despite that it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book.

As for the main character of Beverley, truth be told, I had mixed feelings about her, couldn't decide if I liked her or not. She's like no main character I've ever come across before but that could be a good thing. She's certainly not had an easy time of it, that's for sure.

But with that said, I'm looking forward to getting reaquainted with her and her partner Doc in the next book Backlash real soon.

[Jane Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping - if dark and disturbing - story that I just couldn't put down. Don't make the mistake I did and try to go to bed 50 pages before the end! The setting in the "posh" part of Manchester, home to footballers, soap actors and Waitrose shoppers, not to mention the local MP, gives the dark acts in the book even more impact than it would if it was set in the rougher parts of the region.

For a large part of the book, I was wondering how on earth the chapters about the drug-addled pair Boo and Mitch and their sanctimonious university neighbour Holy Jo fitted into the story, but everything came together perfectly and by the end of the book many things that seemed to have been incidental turned out to be important details. Very cleverly written.

I thought all the characters were brilliantly portrayed apart from the 10 year old girl, who was more like a 10 year old from the 1960s. Being gran to a 10 year old girl myself, I know that the 2019 model is actually a mini teenager, and if presented with a playground, for instance, would do the "teenage eye roll" rather than whooping with excitement at the slide and asking to be pushed on the swing.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well put together tale about Bev who is a PI and lives in her friend Sophie’s basement flat. When she is asked to investigate one of Sophies friends husband who happens to be a government minister she finds herself entering a dark and sinister world. Once she finds a link between him and a Russian girl who has been murdered events spiral out of her control.

With issues of her own and demons to lay her life becomes evermore entwined with the case.

It was a well paced novel with short chippy chapters and a raft of characters but only really one that was pleasant. I didn’t like Bev much at all which spoilt the story for me. She was damaged but she had a ruthless side that was great for her profession but not for her character.

This one gets a 3 stars from me

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This got bumped up my TBR pile after reading some great reviews on it. The description of this book got me excited to read it.
Having a failed marriage behind her Bev is living in the basement flat of a wealthy friend. Her former career is over and Bev needs to be doing something to bring in some money. Her bills are piling up, her rent isn't being paid.
​Beginning to do Private investigative work, Bev soon has a client in need of her help. The wife of The Shadow Science Minister want's a divorce. Her husband is nasty and controlling and she's desperate to break away from him.
This book had me hooked, well and truly hooked. You know from quite early on that this story was building up to something big, something explosive, which means every opportunity I had to sit and read some more. Not sleeping also helped as instead of arguing with my self that I needed sleep I just picked up my kindle to read some more.
A superbly written story that felt very different to have the main character as a private detective rather than a police officer or gangster. I love that the setting of this book in and around Manchester meant that I knew a lot of places that were mentioned. I always find it really helps add to the visual of the story. The character of Bev was first class, I loved everything about her, in fact I loved everything about this book it's gritty, thrilling, an edge of your seat page turner but with some humour throughout. This book has everything, and more.
Is Bev getting herself in too deep and causing herself more upset than is needed? Can she help Alison break away from her controlling husband. Well to find out you need to read the book and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this book.

[Cassandra MADEUP BookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book AFTER book 2, I realised my mistake when the first book arrived in the post 🤦‍♀️ fail on my part haha

That being said, I was glad to dive into the first book, it was just as brilliantly entertaining and unique as the second book, and I found that I understood the main character much better having started from the start.

I will say here, I don’t much find the main Character Bev to be particularly likeable, I find myself often wanting to slap her. But, that’s a personality clash, and I think actually shows just how well the Author has created this character, it feels as though I know this person.

Certainly a series WELL worth delving into if you like crime thriller stories that are a bit different, and keep you guessing start to end.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could only give 3 stars for this book as I wasn't too keen on some of the scenes described in it. Over all it was well written but I didn't feel it flowed as well as I would have liked, I don't want to say more as it might give some of the story away. I admit I am struggling to review this book, it isn't as though it is a bad storyline because it isn't but there was just something about it I found irritating and I can't put my finger on what it is. The blurb on the back cover says "Gritty, shocking and dangerous" it is all of these things, it is not often that the blurb gets it right but it has this time.

[Karen Peterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bev Saunders is not your typical heroine. She’s a sex addict whose marketing career and marriage have both ended. Broke and living in her friend Sophie’s basement she now works as a private investigator.

Sophie’s friend Angie comes to Bev as a new client wanting evidence to use in a divorce from her husband Jerry. However Jerry is Shadow Science Minister. He’s dangerous he has secrets. But Bev has secrets too ...

It’s an exciting read and Bev is both reckless and shocking. She’s an anti-hero but she somehow becomes the heroine. An exciting read and a great plot with good background stories about Bev. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in the series.

[Sharon Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast moving, dangerous and funny I loved this book.
Bev is a disgraced ex marketeer now working as a hapless PI. Broke and estranged from her daughter she is living in her friend’s basement.
Mix this with murder, trafficking of underage girls and an MO who is abusing his wife this book successfully weaves its way through many strands.
Bev’s past is troubled and her current life is a mess. Her ex husband is still causing problems and unknown to her is still determined to bring her down.
Bev is being stalked and is in danger but she is a determined and resourceful woman.
One of my favourite books of the year.