Sing Like a Canary

by Isobel Blackthorn

Retired police officer Marjorie Pierce is on her way to Lanzarote to track down her old informer, Billy McKenzie. Billy ended Marjorie's career, and she needs an explanation; an apology.

Present and past soon collide when gangsters Eric and Mick Maloney turn up on the island with revenge in their veins, and Marjorie has to race against the clock to get to Billy before the brothers.

But who is complicit and who can be trusted... and who really betrayed Marjorie all those years ago?

A multi-layered mystery packed with suspense, Sing Like A Canary is the fifth book in Isobel Blackthorn's Canary Islands Mysteries Series, and can be enjoyed as a standalone even if you haven't read other books in the series.

310 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2021

About the author

Isobel Blackthorn is an award-winning author of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including dark psychological thrillers, gripping mystery novels, captivating travel fiction and hilarious dark satire. Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism for her groundbreaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in Spain.

www.isobelblackthorn.com
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Reviews

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sing like a Canary: Isobel Blackthorn.

Retired police officer Marjorie Pierce is grieving. Her partner has previously passed away, and she is in limbo, unsure what she wants to do with her life. Her thoughts return to her job and in particular Billy Mckenzie, who was her snitch and eventually caused her to stop working.

Needing a break, Marjorie decides to travel to Lanzarote where Billy is living under witness protection, find him, and ask him to explain himself.

Little does she know she is putting herself and her newfound friend Clarissa in danger. The gangsters Billy blew the whistle on, are out of prison after a long stretch. They are angry, looking for revenge, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.

So begins a complex plot with more twists and turns than the Lanzarote roads the writer so brilliantly describes. Nobody can be trusted, and nothing is as it seems.

At the start of each chapter, the storyline flicks you either to the past or the present: Back in the past; you learn about the precarious hard life of a female cop at that time, and how her relationship with Billy began, developed and eventually died.

In the present, Blackthorn takes hold of your hand and leads you through the towns and villages of Lanzarote, weaving each nuance and peculiarity of the characters into the plot with seamless articulation, until you are well and truly hooked. You believe you know each and every character inside out (but do you?), You simply can’t put the book down until you find out the truth.

As the blurb claims, this is a standalone novel that forms part of a series. (A great series.) As I have read three of the others, I was really looking forward to this novel and was not disappointed. I highly recommend it. (And I must read book four, which I’ve somehow missed!)

A standing ovation to Blackthorn, who brings the island and its people alive.

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Sing Like a Canary

Thank you to Blackthorn Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

When readers are introduced to Marjorie she's grieving the loss of her partner and trying to find her way through life once more. Cast adrift, she searches for closure from her once informant Billy McKenzie. Bad information from him ended her career, and she wants to uncover the truth behind it. But Marjorie isn’t the only one searching for Billy. At one point his information put away a few of his old associates. Ones that are now recently free and out for revenge. But who will find Billy first? And if these associates catch wind of Marjorie, she’ll be next on their hit list.

Readers will slowly reveal how Marjorie ended her career as a detective as the tension builds within the plot. The closer Marjorie comes to finding Billy’s whereabouts, the closer readers come to revealing the full history between the two characters. The pacing for this reveal was so well done and accented the overall story. The anticipation of what will happen if the two characters eventually meet once more will build and readers will be left needing the meeting to occur.

Isobel Blackthorn also tackles the challenges women faced in a predominately male workforce of the 70s. Majorie is met with doubt and sometimes outright aggression when she has information her coworkers are unable to produce. When she’s successful, it makes the situation all the direr for her. While there are a few people that seem to be on her side, they still have an underlying sense of jealousy against Majorie. And there are instances where they try to take advantage of her, causing Majorie to become both ashamed and confused. In some aspects this is a tough read due to the treatment of women. The writing does not shy away from the hardships Majorie faces, but I enjoyed the honesty of it. It takes finesse to incorporate these elements into a story, and Isobel Blackthorn has done a fine job.

If you enjoy detective stories, give Sing Like a Canary a try. While this isn't book one of the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The characters and settings are brought to life by Isobel Blackthorn’s wonderful writing. Readers will not be disappointed as they join Majorie in her search for Billy and the truth only he knows.

[John Dizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sing Like A Canary by Isobel Blackthorn is a detective novel that also earns a worthy place as a work of women's fiction. Marjorie Pierce is a retired Criminal Investigation Division officer in the UK who is drawn to the Spanish desert island of Lanzarote. Figures of the past reemerge as the murder of Oscar Cribbs creates a ripple effect throughout the community. Cribbs, an enforcer for the notorious Maloney Brothers, was a player in a botched operation that resulted in the nadir of Marjorie's career. Finding his body near the home of informant Billy Mackenzie causes Marjorie to suspect it as a portent of further mayhem ahead. The now-mature woman finds herself questioning whether she will be able to endure a test that could bring answers to enigmas of four decades past.

Blackthorn's writing style turns this into a cozy mystery which easily transitions across flashbacks that embellish a fluid narrative. The 70's anecdotes reveal how the rookie female finds herself marginalized by her superior Derek Brace despite the leveraging of her 'snout' Billy. The theme of chauvinism reverberates as the skilled female is pushed to the rear of the pack until a scapegoat is needed when the operation fails on a technicality. She makes a connection with Clarissa Wilkinson at present-day Lanzarote, whose youth and vibrance perfectly complements the matron's experience and perception. Readers will be drawn to Marj's upbeat personality that drives her along a path of closure despite the specters of mayhem and murder that darken the road ahead.

For suspense/thriller lovers and detective story aficionados, Isobel Blackthorn's Sing Like A Canary is one you won't want to miss.

[Melanie | addictedtobooks86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read any of the previous books so was not sure what to expect going in, but this worked out just fine as a stand alone! I definitely am interested in reading the other books in the series now though after reading this one.

It was an enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns that made this one hard to put down at times. I really enjoyed the characters in the book, especially our MC, Marjorie Pierce, as well as how the author weaves each chapter from past to present. This one will have you questioning things up until the very end—at times I thought I knew things, but then the author threw in another sucker punch and took me for a whirlwind of twisted turns and I found myself questioning each character.

If you enjoy suspenseful police procedural books you will definitely need to give this one a read!

[Peter Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendous novel, in an outstanding series, by a wonderful author.

I have read all of the Canary Island series and thoroughly recommend them. Each book stands alone, but if read in sequence the nuanced links become dynamic, especially in this latest book – it is on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff, interlaced with wonderful personal tales.
In summary, a super-grass, living incognito in Lanzarote, is sought by the detective who handled him and the career; a personal matter. Violent criminals he helped put away, and after 30 years in jail, are released and it is payback time – simple? Well, it is not. Blackthorn creates a tangled web of intrigue, especially as past forgotten events come rushing back with a vengeance; vengeance being the operative word. Light and dark, love and hate, compassion and animosity, a melting pot of emotions in a fast paced thriller – so exciting.
Blackthorn is a prolific and accomplished and author well worth reading her other books.
Read this. Read the whole series – you will not be disappointed – 5 stars.

[Carly Rheilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really related to this novel – a feisty older woman as its main character, trust unwisely given, a career-ending betrayal, the enduring need for answers, the longing for an apology… the slow burn of the plot tugged at my heart, tightening as the action moved onwards.

Unusually for a crime thriller, this is a book about older people and the endurance of the past in their current experiences. Marjorie, a retired police officer, is haunted by the recent death of her life partner but is displacing that grief into searching for answers to the loss of her career. How and why did someone she trusted betray her? She has waited a long time for the answer and will put her life at risk to find it Opposite her, though hard to find, is her old informant, Billy – his family, his life options, even his real identity – all lost to a witness protection scheme that leaves him living like an elderly ghost in a distant island, with no real friends except for his dog. There could have been a poignant reunion in the sun, but poignancy and sunshine are replaced by risk and lengthening shadows, as other figures from the past – equally hostile to Marjorie and to Billy - are also closing in.

Isobel Blackthorn knows how to tell a story, ramp up the anticipation, build up tension from the apparently tiny, concrete observations. The plot is intricately woven – a double point of view, as the narrative shifts to and fro from Marjorie to Billy, and also a double timeline, as we move between decades from their working lives to their retirement. The reveal is gradual, cumulative, and completely satisfying.

Beautifully read by Gerri Green, who evokes a vivid range of personalities in her reading style, the audible version is a real pleasure. I also read it as an e-book – well worth the second read.

[Emily | bookswith.emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was such an entertaining read with some amazing characters. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

I thought the plot was very unique and it was exciting. I thought this book had a good pace and I enjoyed the twists in the book. The author took the reader on such a journey both in London and then in the Canary Islands. I found the places that were mentioned in London were places I knew very well myself so it was nice to imagine the characters being there.

I thought Marjorie was a great main character, she was very determined and told a great story. There’s is a lot going on with this main character and it is interesting to see this discussed in the book. Alongside her, we get to read about Billy, who also has his fair share of difficulties in life. I enjoyed both of these main characters and their stories. I found the other characters were mysterious, it was difficult to know who to trust!

This book is told in the perspective of both Marjorie and Billy and across two different timelines. The timeline from the past gives out information to tel the reading what happened with Marjorie and Billy back before she lost her jobs because of Billy. The present is when Marjorie is trying to find Billy to get an explanation. Within all of this, they have to try and keep themselves safe from the gang who they were tracking down in the past.

I enjoyed how the author wrote this book, it was a quick read which had some great mystery and crime elements.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaw-dropping action

What a magnificent story in Sing Like A Canary by Sing Like A Canary. The fifth book in Blackthorn's Canary Island mysteries, and what a story it is. A "retired" cop Marjorie needs to find her old informant, so she travels to Lanzarote. It's the start of an adventure and action-packed story, that makes Marjorie intent on finding Billy, before the gangsters who are also looking for him. This story has multiple layers of plots and in-depth characters. Marjorie isn't sure who she can trust, she has her own self on this mission, which also discovering her betrayer, if it wasn't Billy. It's not an easy search, but a suspense journey for Marjorie, wondering where he could be in this Island town. It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. This author is a great storyteller. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. The characterizations are engrossing and dynamic. This read is so engrossing that it brings you right in the middle of the story. This read is more than just words on a page. Sing Like A Canary is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews and I read this book and give my honest and unbiased review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[P.L. McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I can reassure you that this book stands on its own. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but you don’t need to. Obviously I could tell there was some history to the characters, they were all well-rounded and dynamic, but there’s enough context in the book that you don’t feel lost.

Be forewarned, reader, this is a slow burn of a book.

Right away, I got Agatha Christie vibes from the writing — the settings are luscious (I could almost feel the Spanish sun beating down on me), I really enjoyed the strong, realistic females characters in this book (Blackthorn shines a blunt light on the blatant sexism that ran rampant in the British police departments, which her mother no doubt had many stories about)— though I also grew fond of the informant, an avid dog lover and puzzler, and the ending was as unexpected as it was satisfying.

We join Marjorie as she is grieving the loss of her partner and seeking revenge against an old informant. Their story is told in alternating chapters, which are broken up with segments of their past, which slowly reveals the betrayal and secrets between them.

So not only is this a tale of intrigue and crime, but also of grief and remorse.

If you’re looking for a nice, decadent summer read — this is a good option!

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

#booktour day for Sing Like a Canary by @isobelblackthorn @hrpr.blackthorn
REVIEW BELOW ~ 4 STARS
What an utterly brilliantly written mystery. Although this book 5 in The Canary Island series it works equally well as a standalone. Sing like a canary is full of intricate suspense that builds throughout the book. The characters are great and written so thoroughly that you can not help but to become invested in their outcomes. this is a highly emotionally charged story that sees the retired police officer Marjorie heading to Lanzarote in search of her old informer Billy. She has no idea really where he is but events start occurring, like the death of an old adversary of Billy's she knows she needs to find him and fast. She wants an apology from Billy but is it really him who she needs it from?
This mystery has many layers and that come stuffed to the rafters with intensity. A superbly written tale of old time police informant versus retired police offer looking for answers. Who is going to come out on top? Does anyone get what they want? You will have to grab yourself a copy and settle down for a fine read that will draw you right in.
#booktour #booksontour #bookblogger #reviewblogger #mustread #loverofbooks #avidreader #bookstagram #mystery #nikipreston

[Grace J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Stand-Alone Read!
Having read and enjoyed Emma’s Tapestry by this author, I was happy to sign up for this one – and it’s every bit as good!

Marjorie Pierce has never been able to forget being let down by her informer, Billy McKenzie. Now retired from the police force, she is on her way to Lanzarote to track him down and find out what happened – and why. When she realises that gangster brothers Eric and Mick Maloney are also on the island, she concludes that they, too, must be hunting for Billy so she better tread carefully – and get to him first. Who can she trust?

This is the first in this series that I’ve read and I love that it is a stand-alone story leaving me free to catch up with the earlier novels. The story of Marjorie and Billy’s professional relationship is revealed throughout the book, and they are both likeable characters. Entwining the present with the past kept me on my toes throughout and the tension ramps up as the tale reaches it’s conclusion. With plenty happening, this is one I enjoyed, and the author is definitely worth a second look. 4*.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 5 of the Canary Islands Mystery series but can be read as a standalone – I’ll definitely be catching up on the others! It is a clever, multi-layered story laced with tangled threads that connect in the most unlikely ways. Blackthorn’s complex writing weaves a foreboding tale brimming with paranoia, betrayal, and corruption. The slow trickle of information reels us in and heightens the suspense, keeping us on the edge of our seat!

It’s an international crime thriller set in a rich and vibrant setting that’s so well described it places us right in the centre of the action. The split perspective adds depth to the characters and their compelling personal stories.

Marjorie is a retired copper wanting closure from her past. Billy is the informer she is trying to find to get to the truth of what happened. He’s living a solitary life, however his paradise hideaway soon becomes a nightmare. I loved the to-ing and fro-ing from past to present to see the gripping events that took place to lead us here.

The past has a tendency of never staying in the past! It’s an intense read which turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. As a dead body’s found on the Island the walls are closing in, and the building momentum reaches a pulse-pounding crescendo.

Blackthorn skilfully captures the pure terror of the situation, and how desperate the characters feel in the fight of their lives. Where can they turn? Who can they trust? It’s a thrilling mystery about revenge, survival, and the very real way past actions collide to shape our present.

With thanks to @BlackthornTours, @IBlackthorn, and @NextChapterPub for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book

[Jenny McClinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Marjorie Pierce on the island of Lanzarote as she tries to locate Billy Mackenzie who was in witness protection when she was a detective.

It has been forty years since Billy left for Lanzarote and started his new life after being an informant leading to the arrests of gang members.

Now the gang members have been released from prison and men involved are turning up dead, Billy fears for his life.

Will Marjorie find Billy? Who can be trusted?

This book really kept me enthralled throughout, although it was quite a gentle read at times the glimpses back to the past keep the book intense as you realise how dangerous the situation is getting.

I loved that it was set in Lanzarote, although I have only been in the tourist areas, I could still imagine from what I remember the layout & style of the areas described.

The mystery behind why Marjorie wants to find Billy and why he is so frightened builds up throughout. I enjoyed reading both characters stories and felt for both of them.

Overall, an intense crime thriller following the fallout once two gang members are released from prison.