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The Bubble Reputation
If you want to destroy someone’s reputation, social media provides the perfect tool.
Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, is riding high on a wave of popularity when an unscrupulous newspaper editor, desperate for a scoop, brings Emmie’s world crashing down.
Social media picks up the baton and a terrifying backlash of hate and abuse is unleashed. Threats are made and there are those, inflamed by the rhetoric, prepared to take the law into their own hands.
Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, is riding high on a wave of popularity when an unscrupulous newspaper editor, desperate for a scoop, brings Emmie’s world crashing down.
Social media picks up the baton and a terrifying backlash of hate and abuse is unleashed. Threats are made and there are those, inflamed by the rhetoric, prepared to take the law into their own hands.
- GenresFiction
134 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
9 people want to read
About the author
Alex Craigie
7 books147 followersAlex Craigie is the pen name of Trish Power.
Trish was ten when her first play was performed at school. It was in rhyming couplets and written in pencil in a book with imperial weights and measures printed on the back. There were two princes in it - one was called Rupert and the other was changed to Sam because she couldn't find enough rhymes for Randolph.
When her children were young, she wrote short stories for magazines before returning to the teaching job that she loved.
Trish has had seven books published under the pen name of Alex Craigie. Three books cross genre boundaries and feature elements of romance, thriller and suspense against a backdrop of social issues. Someone Close to Home highlights the problems affecting care homes, Acts of Convenience has issues concerning the health service at its heart, and The Bubble Reputation reflects her fears about social media and the damage it can do. Another book. Means to Deceive, is a psychological thriller set in Pembrokeshire in Wales.
Someone Close to Home has won a Chill with a Book award and a Chill with the Book of the Month award. In 2019 it was one of the top ten bestsellers in its category on Amazon.
The Bubble Reputation won a Chill With a Book Premier Readers' Award in 2023.
She is currently writing a series of books called The Rat in the Python about growing up as a Baby Boomer. The title comes from the term for the bulge in the population statistics caused by us post-war babies.
Trish was ten when her first play was performed at school. It was in rhyming couplets and written in pencil in a book with imperial weights and measures printed on the back. There were two princes in it - one was called Rupert and the other was changed to Sam because she couldn't find enough rhymes for Randolph.
When her children were young, she wrote short stories for magazines before returning to the teaching job that she loved.
Trish has had seven books published under the pen name of Alex Craigie. Three books cross genre boundaries and feature elements of romance, thriller and suspense against a backdrop of social issues. Someone Close to Home highlights the problems affecting care homes, Acts of Convenience has issues concerning the health service at its heart, and The Bubble Reputation reflects her fears about social media and the damage it can do. Another book. Means to Deceive, is a psychological thriller set in Pembrokeshire in Wales.
Someone Close to Home has won a Chill with a Book award and a Chill with the Book of the Month award. In 2019 it was one of the top ten bestsellers in its category on Amazon.
The Bubble Reputation won a Chill With a Book Premier Readers' Award in 2023.
She is currently writing a series of books called The Rat in the Python about growing up as a Baby Boomer. The title comes from the term for the bulge in the population statistics caused by us post-war babies.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 11, 2022
I’ve never met a book from this author I didn’t enjoy. This book is a story about how low people will go and how easy it is to get people riled up and become haters through social media. Sad to see how far people will go to ruin a reputation for ratings and the almighty dollar.
Emmie is a kind children’s author and TV presenter with a near spotless reputation. But Ursula Bloom needs dirt on Emmie for better ratings – even though there isn’t any. Ursula, the editor of a rag tabloid pushes her reporter Jessie to get some dirt in return for a big bonus. There is no dirt so the ball gets rolling by asking the nasty co star Tiffany for some dirt, which is barely anything, but then distorted. Sadly, there seems to be no control on the evil on manufacturing lies and doctoring images, as defamation and libel run wild. Taking photos and embellishing them to look like events that never took place is the name of the game for Ursula. Then all that’s required is linking images to a BS story, and set it ablaze into social media, and one children’s author’s reputation is smeared.
Emmie’s friends shockingly join the masses of haters, because of course, it’s easier to be a sheep and go with the masses than to look for the truth. Emmie has only her husband Luke and her loving parents to stand by her side. Even Emmie’s loser, jealous sister Livvy gets in on the action. She has no ambitions, addicted to drugs, and never has money. But Emmie is too good to her until she finds out that Livvy too, helped create stories by offering personal information on her sister so she could earn some money to support her drug habit, demonstrating that money is thicker than blood.
The story grabs us as we get a good scope of exactly how easy it is to smear someone’s reputation publicly with lies. My heart went out to Emmie in this book and kept me wondering how she could stop the madness and restore her reputation. The author does a wonderful job of sewing up the story with a satisfying conclusion after squirming through Emmie’s unjustified attacks.
Emmie is a kind children’s author and TV presenter with a near spotless reputation. But Ursula Bloom needs dirt on Emmie for better ratings – even though there isn’t any. Ursula, the editor of a rag tabloid pushes her reporter Jessie to get some dirt in return for a big bonus. There is no dirt so the ball gets rolling by asking the nasty co star Tiffany for some dirt, which is barely anything, but then distorted. Sadly, there seems to be no control on the evil on manufacturing lies and doctoring images, as defamation and libel run wild. Taking photos and embellishing them to look like events that never took place is the name of the game for Ursula. Then all that’s required is linking images to a BS story, and set it ablaze into social media, and one children’s author’s reputation is smeared.
Emmie’s friends shockingly join the masses of haters, because of course, it’s easier to be a sheep and go with the masses than to look for the truth. Emmie has only her husband Luke and her loving parents to stand by her side. Even Emmie’s loser, jealous sister Livvy gets in on the action. She has no ambitions, addicted to drugs, and never has money. But Emmie is too good to her until she finds out that Livvy too, helped create stories by offering personal information on her sister so she could earn some money to support her drug habit, demonstrating that money is thicker than blood.
The story grabs us as we get a good scope of exactly how easy it is to smear someone’s reputation publicly with lies. My heart went out to Emmie in this book and kept me wondering how she could stop the madness and restore her reputation. The author does a wonderful job of sewing up the story with a satisfying conclusion after squirming through Emmie’s unjustified attacks.
December 8, 2022
A novella that takes a talon-sharp swipe at fame, social commentary, and public opinion, The Bubble Reputation sets itself forth like a train wreck—a totally revolting scenario, but one from which you can’t look away.
Emmie Hobson is the IT Girl of her generation—a popular children’s author and TV personality. She’s at the top of her game, the darling of the press, the public, and A List Celebrities. When she wins a coveted award, a tabloid makes her the target of a smear campaign by creating fake news using an altered photograph and lies generated by a jealous co-worker. Like the proverbial train wreck, Emmie’s perfect world starts to unravel, slowly at first, then speeding headfirst into disaster.
As horrendous as it is to watch what happens—and to cringe with the knowledge that social media, overzealous press, and undocumented “source” accounts make the entire scenario plausible—it’s impossible not to become immersed (and inwardly enraged) by the way this clever social commentary plays out.
I was by turns appalled, devastated, heartbroken, and enraged by the biting turns in the story. Most of all, however, the character of Emmie, her partner Luke, and her parents shine through. No matter how much mud is slung, the core of some people remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Bravo to the author for wringing so many emotions from me, painting a believably bleak picture, then making me believe in the good of humanity.
Emmie Hobson is the IT Girl of her generation—a popular children’s author and TV personality. She’s at the top of her game, the darling of the press, the public, and A List Celebrities. When she wins a coveted award, a tabloid makes her the target of a smear campaign by creating fake news using an altered photograph and lies generated by a jealous co-worker. Like the proverbial train wreck, Emmie’s perfect world starts to unravel, slowly at first, then speeding headfirst into disaster.
As horrendous as it is to watch what happens—and to cringe with the knowledge that social media, overzealous press, and undocumented “source” accounts make the entire scenario plausible—it’s impossible not to become immersed (and inwardly enraged) by the way this clever social commentary plays out.
I was by turns appalled, devastated, heartbroken, and enraged by the biting turns in the story. Most of all, however, the character of Emmie, her partner Luke, and her parents shine through. No matter how much mud is slung, the core of some people remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Bravo to the author for wringing so many emotions from me, painting a believably bleak picture, then making me believe in the good of humanity.
November 8, 2022
I’ve read previous books by Alex Craigie and thoroughly enjoyed them all, The Bubble Reputation is no exception. This is a story with a chilling message, but it’s not overtly didactic; as usual with this author’s work, this is a steady unveiling of the plot; the revelation of how evil social media can become when driven with the intent of ruining someone’s life.
The character of the protagonist, Emmie Hobson, is well rounded and it’s easy to emphasise with her. And when her optimism and confidence, the enjoyment in her life, is gradually reduced to despair and uncertainty, it’s heartbreaking. This is a book where the reader can see what is happening and wonder how far her jealous antagonist will go, and what Emma can do to stop the malice.
And with a cast of realistic and credible minor characters, some of whom are spreading the spite and others who seem incapable of stopping it, it becomes frustratingly impossible to see who will finally win in this struggle.
The dialogue carries every character’s personality, leaving no doubt who is speaking. But, sometimes, that spoken dialogue becomes unreliable, and leaves the reader to question the words when they don’t match the inner dialogue and actions of of a particular character. The narrative is often the only disclosure of the reasons behind the actions. It’s a clever ploy by the author.
And, as I’ve said in the past, Alex Craigie has a talent for writing descriptions which give a great sense of place. So it is with The Bubble Reputation. But, equally fascinating for me, is the way she has brought the world of social media to life with all the possibility of the inherently manipulative and dangerous behaviour within it. Social media becomes a character in its own right and intrinsically carries the warning that is the main theme threaded throughout the story.
Above all else,The Bubble Reputation is well written, with strong narrative, convincing characters and a plot that progressively moves onwards, taking the reader with it towards an accomplished ending. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is looking for a slow-burning psychological drama.
The character of the protagonist, Emmie Hobson, is well rounded and it’s easy to emphasise with her. And when her optimism and confidence, the enjoyment in her life, is gradually reduced to despair and uncertainty, it’s heartbreaking. This is a book where the reader can see what is happening and wonder how far her jealous antagonist will go, and what Emma can do to stop the malice.
And with a cast of realistic and credible minor characters, some of whom are spreading the spite and others who seem incapable of stopping it, it becomes frustratingly impossible to see who will finally win in this struggle.
The dialogue carries every character’s personality, leaving no doubt who is speaking. But, sometimes, that spoken dialogue becomes unreliable, and leaves the reader to question the words when they don’t match the inner dialogue and actions of of a particular character. The narrative is often the only disclosure of the reasons behind the actions. It’s a clever ploy by the author.
And, as I’ve said in the past, Alex Craigie has a talent for writing descriptions which give a great sense of place. So it is with The Bubble Reputation. But, equally fascinating for me, is the way she has brought the world of social media to life with all the possibility of the inherently manipulative and dangerous behaviour within it. Social media becomes a character in its own right and intrinsically carries the warning that is the main theme threaded throughout the story.
Above all else,The Bubble Reputation is well written, with strong narrative, convincing characters and a plot that progressively moves onwards, taking the reader with it towards an accomplished ending. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is looking for a slow-burning psychological drama.
December 10, 2022
“The Bubble Reputation” is a chilling read showing the dark side of social media and news. Emmie has it all. She is a successful children’s author, on a show, happily married, and close to her parents. After she wins an award, things change after a fabricated story is posted about her to increase profits. She tries to let it pass, but the anger and outrage directed at her take on a life of its own. Her reputation is ruined, and there isn’t a shortage of people, including a family member, trying to make money off it. She was a character with whom I felt her pain as her life spun out of control. She quickly found out who had her back and who wanted to see her downfall. I loved the relationship between her and her husband and her parents. This story was a dire warning of what can happen when an editor and journalist decides they can say whatever they want about another human, regardless of the consequences. The sad part was how a portion of her young reader’s parents quickly believed whatever they read about Emmie, and from there, it spiraled out of control. A quick read that I couldn’t put and can easily recommend.
October 29, 2022
The Bubble Reputation is a chilling read about social media’s darker side.
Emmie Hobson is a likeable and sweet children’s author who is also part of a children’s television show.
Other than her disturbed sister, Emmie’s life is full of love and success. She has the support of her boyfriend and her parents.
When a trashy newspaper boosts their sales by smearing Emmie’s reputation, they release the Kracken of the social media machine on the unsuspecting girl.
What follows is a present day horror story. Many of us have seen these attacks playing out in the social media arena for ourselves. It’s all vile and against the law!
Friends and family soon turn their back on Emmie, believing the lies concocted about her. The newspaper even photo shops photographs to deceive their readers.
All of this harassment leaves Emmie’s personal and professional life in shambles. Her publisher pulls her contract, and the television show makes it clear her services are no longer needed.
The best part of the book is when the young woman finds the inner strength to take back her reputation and life. This is a quick read that shows us how perilous success can be in our social media addicted world. Bravo to this author for showing the horrors as they truly are.
Emmie Hobson is a likeable and sweet children’s author who is also part of a children’s television show.
Other than her disturbed sister, Emmie’s life is full of love and success. She has the support of her boyfriend and her parents.
When a trashy newspaper boosts their sales by smearing Emmie’s reputation, they release the Kracken of the social media machine on the unsuspecting girl.
What follows is a present day horror story. Many of us have seen these attacks playing out in the social media arena for ourselves. It’s all vile and against the law!
Friends and family soon turn their back on Emmie, believing the lies concocted about her. The newspaper even photo shops photographs to deceive their readers.
All of this harassment leaves Emmie’s personal and professional life in shambles. Her publisher pulls her contract, and the television show makes it clear her services are no longer needed.
The best part of the book is when the young woman finds the inner strength to take back her reputation and life. This is a quick read that shows us how perilous success can be in our social media addicted world. Bravo to this author for showing the horrors as they truly are.
January 3, 2023
The Bubble Reputation opens with a scene between a hapless junior reporter trying to eke out a modest living and her cosmetically-enhanced harridan of an editor. Editor Ursula Bloom launches into a venom-filled rant about the projected winner of a professional achievement award. The rant ends with her ordering the reporter, Jessie, to dig up some dirt on the projected winner. However, Ursula’s end goal is not driven by petty professional jealousy but by money: the circulation of the publication they work for is flagging. Gotta get those numbers up!
We then meet the object of Ursula’s smear campaign: successful children’s book author Emmie Hobson. Although Emmie is riding high professionally and has a happy, stable marriage, she does have to contend with a sister who is a manipulative drug addict forever in need of money.
Unfortunately, reporter Jessie has recently replaced her washing machine and is in need of money. She silences her conscience and provides Ursula with enough fabricated and unattributed dirt to set Ursula’s smear campaign in motion. As the weeks go by, Emmie is subjected to indignity upon indignity, and she is powerless to stop the flood of lies. As she soon learns, cyberbullying is impervious to the “Don’t dignify bad behavior with a response” strategy.
Even more disturbing to me than Ursula’s smear campaign is the reaction of all the people jumping on the vilification bandwagon–not only accepting bald-faced lies with no proof but with no idea that verifiable evidence is even needed or that serious damage could be done to the person being persecuted. As despicable as it is to damage someone’s reputation and livelihood to sell magazines, at least money is an understandable motive.
In terms of craft, the author made a sound decision in choosing the genre of novella to tell Emmie’s story. A short story would not have had adequate room to develop the full extent of the bullying and downright cruelty to which Emmie is subjected–while a full-length novel would have diluted the intensity of the events and the runaway train pacing.
After the plot is resolved in the final chapter, an epilogue explains the fallout from Ursula Bloom’s smear campaign, as well as what subsequently happens to the major players in the book. The epilogue prompts the reader to take a step back and put the novel’s fictional events into their real-life perspective.
The reader is then left to wrestle with the question of how intractable cyberbullying and yellow journalism actually are in our current “civilized” society. Have we passed a point of no return? The Bubble Reputation is a small book that packs a very big punch. I highly recommend it.
We then meet the object of Ursula’s smear campaign: successful children’s book author Emmie Hobson. Although Emmie is riding high professionally and has a happy, stable marriage, she does have to contend with a sister who is a manipulative drug addict forever in need of money.
Unfortunately, reporter Jessie has recently replaced her washing machine and is in need of money. She silences her conscience and provides Ursula with enough fabricated and unattributed dirt to set Ursula’s smear campaign in motion. As the weeks go by, Emmie is subjected to indignity upon indignity, and she is powerless to stop the flood of lies. As she soon learns, cyberbullying is impervious to the “Don’t dignify bad behavior with a response” strategy.
Even more disturbing to me than Ursula’s smear campaign is the reaction of all the people jumping on the vilification bandwagon–not only accepting bald-faced lies with no proof but with no idea that verifiable evidence is even needed or that serious damage could be done to the person being persecuted. As despicable as it is to damage someone’s reputation and livelihood to sell magazines, at least money is an understandable motive.
In terms of craft, the author made a sound decision in choosing the genre of novella to tell Emmie’s story. A short story would not have had adequate room to develop the full extent of the bullying and downright cruelty to which Emmie is subjected–while a full-length novel would have diluted the intensity of the events and the runaway train pacing.
After the plot is resolved in the final chapter, an epilogue explains the fallout from Ursula Bloom’s smear campaign, as well as what subsequently happens to the major players in the book. The epilogue prompts the reader to take a step back and put the novel’s fictional events into their real-life perspective.
The reader is then left to wrestle with the question of how intractable cyberbullying and yellow journalism actually are in our current “civilized” society. Have we passed a point of no return? The Bubble Reputation is a small book that packs a very big punch. I highly recommend it.
April 20, 2024
This book is about bearing false witness. Not just lying but lying about someone in order to defame them. This is something so many people do without second thought now a day, especially on social networks. Blindly believing and acting upon the lies also shows a lack of integrity. The desire to believe lies is a form of lying. A malicious person can pop your reputation as a needle can pop a bubble at any time.
Emmie Hobson is a popular children’s books author and TV personality. She is happily married, has a great relationship with her parents, and a rocky relationship with her sister who is an addict. One day an editor for a gossip magazine decide to slander Emmie in an attempt to boost sales. She fabricates evidence to support her false accusations. Despite the evidence being questionable a lot of people are quick to believe it and social media is used to supercharge and spread the false accusations even further, while inventing new rumors. People eat it up and suddenly Emelie is a hated pariah and a target for emotional and physical abuse.
I think this book is an important wakeup call for all of us because it highlights a very dark side of humanity that has grown worse. Gossipers, rumor mongers, conspiracy theorists, and mean trolls are tremendously successful today, thanks to social media, internet and divisions in society. “Bearing false witness” is a special kind of black lie that can kill. Defamatory conspiracy theories enabled the holocaust, the Tutsi genocide and the recent genocide in Myanmar. So, this is a very serious topic.
I found the apparent extreme gullibility of the public in this story to be very believable, perhaps even an understatement, because of what I’ve seen on social media. For example, someone posted a false defamatory story on Facebook, and I responded with a comment debunking it. My comment included a link to snopes stating that the story was false, I pointed out that the only source for the story was a fake news creation website, and that the story had other plausibility issues. It should have been easily dismissed by everyone considering what I said. Despite that, all other commentors on the story believed it and the person posting it launched a silly ad hominem attack against me instead of arguing the case. Social media is indeed wild.
I can add that I don’t think it is as much gullibility as a desire to believe ill about others that is rooted in envy, politics, worldviews, bias, plain meanness, or perhaps a desire to be judgmental or feel superior. Accepting unsubstantiated claims whilst being very skeptical of what you don’t want to believe, isn’t skepticism but the opposite of it. We need to do better, use common sense, and examine the evidence. The story about Emmie, despite being fiction, makes it very clear as to why.
This is one of the most intense thrillers I’ve ever read, and it is very timely. The author is describing a very believable scenario that grows more and more intense and darker and darker. Many of the characters in the book are infuriating and yet so average, so unethical and foolish, yet so sure of their righteousness, so incredible yet so realistic. The author also describes the love between Emmie and her parents, and her husband, and their unyielding support for each other throughout all this craziness. The book asks us to be careful about what we believe and to stand up against rumors and lies. It is a gripping page turner that will shake you to your core while asking you to think. It describes a slice of a drama that we are all part of everyday. I highly recommend this excellent thriller.
Emmie Hobson is a popular children’s books author and TV personality. She is happily married, has a great relationship with her parents, and a rocky relationship with her sister who is an addict. One day an editor for a gossip magazine decide to slander Emmie in an attempt to boost sales. She fabricates evidence to support her false accusations. Despite the evidence being questionable a lot of people are quick to believe it and social media is used to supercharge and spread the false accusations even further, while inventing new rumors. People eat it up and suddenly Emelie is a hated pariah and a target for emotional and physical abuse.
I think this book is an important wakeup call for all of us because it highlights a very dark side of humanity that has grown worse. Gossipers, rumor mongers, conspiracy theorists, and mean trolls are tremendously successful today, thanks to social media, internet and divisions in society. “Bearing false witness” is a special kind of black lie that can kill. Defamatory conspiracy theories enabled the holocaust, the Tutsi genocide and the recent genocide in Myanmar. So, this is a very serious topic.
I found the apparent extreme gullibility of the public in this story to be very believable, perhaps even an understatement, because of what I’ve seen on social media. For example, someone posted a false defamatory story on Facebook, and I responded with a comment debunking it. My comment included a link to snopes stating that the story was false, I pointed out that the only source for the story was a fake news creation website, and that the story had other plausibility issues. It should have been easily dismissed by everyone considering what I said. Despite that, all other commentors on the story believed it and the person posting it launched a silly ad hominem attack against me instead of arguing the case. Social media is indeed wild.
I can add that I don’t think it is as much gullibility as a desire to believe ill about others that is rooted in envy, politics, worldviews, bias, plain meanness, or perhaps a desire to be judgmental or feel superior. Accepting unsubstantiated claims whilst being very skeptical of what you don’t want to believe, isn’t skepticism but the opposite of it. We need to do better, use common sense, and examine the evidence. The story about Emmie, despite being fiction, makes it very clear as to why.
This is one of the most intense thrillers I’ve ever read, and it is very timely. The author is describing a very believable scenario that grows more and more intense and darker and darker. Many of the characters in the book are infuriating and yet so average, so unethical and foolish, yet so sure of their righteousness, so incredible yet so realistic. The author also describes the love between Emmie and her parents, and her husband, and their unyielding support for each other throughout all this craziness. The book asks us to be careful about what we believe and to stand up against rumors and lies. It is a gripping page turner that will shake you to your core while asking you to think. It describes a slice of a drama that we are all part of everyday. I highly recommend this excellent thriller.
November 5, 2025
When Ursula Bloom, editor of In the Picture, requires an attention-grabbing headline to increase flagging circulation of her publication, the answer is easy. In the absence of any genuine item of news, she picks on Emmie Hobson, clean-living author of children’s books and presenter on a popular children’s TV show. Jessie Principal, a low-paid and hard-up reporter on her staff, is sent to dig some dirt on the hapless Emma—and when this is not forthcoming, Ursula has no qualms about manufacturing some. Emma’s fair game, after all isn’t she? She knows the score, as a celebrity, living her best life, with all the gifts the gods can bestow just falling into her lap—but not anymore.
Once Ursula’s poison takes hold, Emma’s life crumbles around her with frightening rapidity. Some family members remain true, as do some friends, but others are willing to believe the worst of Emma at the drop of a hat. While this might be understandable—but not unforgiveable—for those bearing a grudge, for others it’s alarming how ready they are to change sides with no more evidence than that of an online mob of trolls with their own axes to grind—and to bury in poor Emma’s back.
It’s fortunate that she has some on her side, including partner Luke, but even their close relationship is strained by the pressure put on Emma, as lie after lie is concocted against her, resulting not only in online calumny but actual physical attack, not to mention her privacy invaded where she ought to be safest. Her career in jeopardy, employers keen to distance themselves—and their bank accounts—from the slightest whiff of scandal, it’s not looking good for Emma. And then the cavalry arrives at the eleventh hour, from the most unlikely directions.
Only a few books have aroused deep emotion in me—the kind that makes me angry enough to want to drag a character from the pages and physically assault them, so it’s just as well that’s not possible—and The Bubble Reputation has just become one of them. If you’d told me before the advent of social media that people could be so wicked as to deliberately hound an innocent person almost to the edge of sanity I’d have had a hard time believing you. Some of the things I’ve seen since I joined what I used to call ‘anti-social media’—and it looks as though I was right—have brought me to the depressing conclusion that such people exist, and in disturbing numbers. The phone-hacking scandal in the UK, along with instances of so-called friends selling falsities to the media in order to make money—make that thirty pieces of silver—are but a few instances of the depths of depravity to which some will stoop.
The action of the book is fast-paced, mirroring the speed with which the initial lie against Emma gathers momentum, rolling like a stone down a hill and gathering large quantities of extra dirt in its heedless descent. It can be read equally quickly; once started, I couldn’t put it down, seething with indignation at what I was reading. It’s the best example I’ve seen in a long while of art mirroring real life, and author Alex Craigie has done a marvellous job of showing how the old adage of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ means nothing to a mob intent on taking out their darkest urges on the victim provided to serve their previously-latent viciousness. In the past we had ‘witch trials’; now social media does the unsavoury job.
Trolling, dogpiling, call it what you will; it’s trial by mob of somebody who’s the victim of unfounded allegations which haven’t been proven in a court of law—and Alex Craigie’s The Bubble Reputation is a scathing denunciation of such ‘trials’ by social media. I just pray it wasn’t based on personal experience. A must-read.
Once Ursula’s poison takes hold, Emma’s life crumbles around her with frightening rapidity. Some family members remain true, as do some friends, but others are willing to believe the worst of Emma at the drop of a hat. While this might be understandable—but not unforgiveable—for those bearing a grudge, for others it’s alarming how ready they are to change sides with no more evidence than that of an online mob of trolls with their own axes to grind—and to bury in poor Emma’s back.
It’s fortunate that she has some on her side, including partner Luke, but even their close relationship is strained by the pressure put on Emma, as lie after lie is concocted against her, resulting not only in online calumny but actual physical attack, not to mention her privacy invaded where she ought to be safest. Her career in jeopardy, employers keen to distance themselves—and their bank accounts—from the slightest whiff of scandal, it’s not looking good for Emma. And then the cavalry arrives at the eleventh hour, from the most unlikely directions.
Only a few books have aroused deep emotion in me—the kind that makes me angry enough to want to drag a character from the pages and physically assault them, so it’s just as well that’s not possible—and The Bubble Reputation has just become one of them. If you’d told me before the advent of social media that people could be so wicked as to deliberately hound an innocent person almost to the edge of sanity I’d have had a hard time believing you. Some of the things I’ve seen since I joined what I used to call ‘anti-social media’—and it looks as though I was right—have brought me to the depressing conclusion that such people exist, and in disturbing numbers. The phone-hacking scandal in the UK, along with instances of so-called friends selling falsities to the media in order to make money—make that thirty pieces of silver—are but a few instances of the depths of depravity to which some will stoop.
The action of the book is fast-paced, mirroring the speed with which the initial lie against Emma gathers momentum, rolling like a stone down a hill and gathering large quantities of extra dirt in its heedless descent. It can be read equally quickly; once started, I couldn’t put it down, seething with indignation at what I was reading. It’s the best example I’ve seen in a long while of art mirroring real life, and author Alex Craigie has done a marvellous job of showing how the old adage of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ means nothing to a mob intent on taking out their darkest urges on the victim provided to serve their previously-latent viciousness. In the past we had ‘witch trials’; now social media does the unsavoury job.
Trolling, dogpiling, call it what you will; it’s trial by mob of somebody who’s the victim of unfounded allegations which haven’t been proven in a court of law—and Alex Craigie’s The Bubble Reputation is a scathing denunciation of such ‘trials’ by social media. I just pray it wasn’t based on personal experience. A must-read.
January 3, 2023
I think most of us now are aware of the dark side of social media and I most certainly have removed myself from social media groups when I have felt that the hate talk and vitriol is just too much and I am also shocked when it appears those in charge do nothing.
In this novel, Emmie Hobson is a children's author and host of a children's Tv programme. Loved by her parents and her boyfriend to many Emmie seems to live a charmed life the only blip is her unpredictable drug-addicted sister who will lie and manipulate to get money for her next fix add that to an unscrupulous newspaper editor who bullies and threatens her staff to get stories that sell newspapers and Emmie her chosen victim... had her life torn apart, her family hounded and parents and friends who believed the lies the social media trolls who relish in all this let all this hate loose on Emmie...where even her sister sold her story, photos were manipulated people lied and fabrication was bought and paid for... the author did a great job of portraying Emmies horror and disbelief as this all unfolded I was in the moment and couldn't put the book down...I was both horrified and hooked at the same time it was a well-crafted story where the author skilfully navigated the reader through all the emotions and angst as this played out...As a reader, I could understand how quickly and easy it was to twist truths and just make the rest up it was horrifying and very true to life...How did it end you will have to read the book to find out.
In this novel, Emmie Hobson is a children's author and host of a children's Tv programme. Loved by her parents and her boyfriend to many Emmie seems to live a charmed life the only blip is her unpredictable drug-addicted sister who will lie and manipulate to get money for her next fix add that to an unscrupulous newspaper editor who bullies and threatens her staff to get stories that sell newspapers and Emmie her chosen victim... had her life torn apart, her family hounded and parents and friends who believed the lies the social media trolls who relish in all this let all this hate loose on Emmie...where even her sister sold her story, photos were manipulated people lied and fabrication was bought and paid for... the author did a great job of portraying Emmies horror and disbelief as this all unfolded I was in the moment and couldn't put the book down...I was both horrified and hooked at the same time it was a well-crafted story where the author skilfully navigated the reader through all the emotions and angst as this played out...As a reader, I could understand how quickly and easy it was to twist truths and just make the rest up it was horrifying and very true to life...How did it end you will have to read the book to find out.
November 1, 2022
Social media is a wonderful way to connect with family and friends, but most people know that it has a dark side as a vehicle for bullying, making threats, and spreading lies. Emmie is a highly successful children’s author, until a jealous coworker and a tabloid needing a tasty scoop decide she’d make a great target for a scandal. A lie and a doctored photograph start off a social media storm that picks up momentum with frightening speed. As the feeding frenzy intensifies, it nearly costs her everything. And I mean everything.
There are a whole lot of things that are frightening about this story. The plot is highly plausible, and though I could see the escalation coming, it was still horrifying to watch. The way ordinary citizens start going for blood is not only shocking but terrifyingly realistic. It’s a situation that not every character finds their way out of without a heavy toll.
This isn’t a long book, and I read it in one afternoon, glued to the story. The pace moves quickly and there are a wide variety of authentic characters—some heartless and calculating, some risk-avoidant, some bloodthirsty, and others highly supportive. There are a lot of takeaways from this read, particularly a chance to decide which type of character we want to be. Highly recommended.
There are a whole lot of things that are frightening about this story. The plot is highly plausible, and though I could see the escalation coming, it was still horrifying to watch. The way ordinary citizens start going for blood is not only shocking but terrifyingly realistic. It’s a situation that not every character finds their way out of without a heavy toll.
This isn’t a long book, and I read it in one afternoon, glued to the story. The pace moves quickly and there are a wide variety of authentic characters—some heartless and calculating, some risk-avoidant, some bloodthirsty, and others highly supportive. There are a lot of takeaways from this read, particularly a chance to decide which type of character we want to be. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2025
What creative person (I'm a writer myself!) doesn't crave fame and fortune? But be careful what you wish for in today's warped, social media crazy world. Alex Craigie paints a very convincing portrait of how fame can give you a backlash so stinging that you cannot recover from it. It's a lesson in hubris and the negative side of celebrity and the press. Very topical with all the 'untruth' out there these days. Well written, as are all Ms Craigie's books, this is a humbling tale of someone fallen from a pedestal but without justification. A lesson on what is really important in life, which is as always, of course, love.
December 3, 2022
A suspense novella that hits close to home for anyone who shares their life online, particularly if they have celebrity status.
For Emmie Hobson the nightmare has just become a reality. Her reputation as an author and presenter has taken years to establish, and she is much loved by both parents and the children who read her books and watch her television programme.
The unscrupulous editor of a celebrity focused magazine, works on the principle of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story. Manipulation of events, photographs and hearsay are the weapons of choice, and a total disregard for the devastating consequences of the vitreol, are the spoils of this vicious campaign.
Unfortunately fame is not admired by everyone. There are those whose lives are not as fortunate, who see the glitter, but not the hard work required to reach this level of success, and take great pleasure in bringing that person down.
The story explores the devastation this kind of onslought can bring to an individual, their families and those close to them. It highlights how difficult it is to counter the allegations, especially when those responsible keep throwing more fuel on the fire.
As always the author has a wonderful grasp of human nature and paints a graphic picture of how quickly this kind of online bullying can escalate. The characters are wonderful, and whilst feeling empathy for those being victimised, those who are behind the campaign will certainly infuriate and anger the reader.
It is a cautionary tale for all of us who share our lives online. Is this a sobering read? Absolutely. However, the author has one or two solutions up her sleeves and there are very satisfying moments that will have you cheering for the good guys. And they are out there, attempting to make themselves heard above the noise of the mob.
I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an emotion stirring story that carries you along to a well choreographed climax.
For Emmie Hobson the nightmare has just become a reality. Her reputation as an author and presenter has taken years to establish, and she is much loved by both parents and the children who read her books and watch her television programme.
The unscrupulous editor of a celebrity focused magazine, works on the principle of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story. Manipulation of events, photographs and hearsay are the weapons of choice, and a total disregard for the devastating consequences of the vitreol, are the spoils of this vicious campaign.
Unfortunately fame is not admired by everyone. There are those whose lives are not as fortunate, who see the glitter, but not the hard work required to reach this level of success, and take great pleasure in bringing that person down.
The story explores the devastation this kind of onslought can bring to an individual, their families and those close to them. It highlights how difficult it is to counter the allegations, especially when those responsible keep throwing more fuel on the fire.
As always the author has a wonderful grasp of human nature and paints a graphic picture of how quickly this kind of online bullying can escalate. The characters are wonderful, and whilst feeling empathy for those being victimised, those who are behind the campaign will certainly infuriate and anger the reader.
It is a cautionary tale for all of us who share our lives online. Is this a sobering read? Absolutely. However, the author has one or two solutions up her sleeves and there are very satisfying moments that will have you cheering for the good guys. And they are out there, attempting to make themselves heard above the noise of the mob.
I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an emotion stirring story that carries you along to a well choreographed climax.
March 21, 2023
An editor, desperate for the next big story, sends her star reporter out to get the dirt on a too-good-to-be-true tv star and children’s author (Emmie) who is favored to win at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Tempted by a large bonus, Jessie agrees, but soon lives to regret the decision.
A jealous co-star starts the ball rolling with a web of lies spiraling into a series of fake news, doctored photos, and flaming comments that take on a power of their own. Emmie’s life unravels, leaving her a pariah among not only her fans but many of her family and friends.
It is horrendous how much power fake news can have on a person’s life. In The Bubble Reputation, the author sheds light on just how easy it is to destroy someone’s character in this age of technology. A thought-provoking read.
Tempted by a large bonus, Jessie agrees, but soon lives to regret the decision.
A jealous co-star starts the ball rolling with a web of lies spiraling into a series of fake news, doctored photos, and flaming comments that take on a power of their own. Emmie’s life unravels, leaving her a pariah among not only her fans but many of her family and friends.
It is horrendous how much power fake news can have on a person’s life. In The Bubble Reputation, the author sheds light on just how easy it is to destroy someone’s character in this age of technology. A thought-provoking read.
March 12, 2023
Emmie Hobson's life is ideal, married to Luke, a terrific husband, and enjoying a successful career as a children's writer and part of the cast for a respected children's television program called So Can You. The only sadness in her life is her broken relationship with her addict sister, Lizzie. Emmie is expected to win a major award for her work and seems to be everyone's darling.
That's when Ursula Bloom, editor of a tabloid magazine called In the Picture, makes a choice to take Emmie down and prop up the sagging ratings of her magazine. She assigns Jessie, a struggling reporter who can barely pay her bills, to find some dirt on Emmie by interviewing Tiffany, a jealous coworker. Tiffany expresses some general complaints about Emmie but is short on facts. Tiffany accuses Emmie of fat-shaming a 10-year-old boy—a complete fabrication. When Ursula gets wind of the accusation, she runs with it and assigns her staff to find a picture of a boy who fits Tiffany's description.
When the story first appears, most people are skeptical. Emmie decides to let it blow over, thinking that fighting back will make the story drag out longer. Ursula continues to pay Jessie and anyone else large bonuses for anything that will add fuel to the fire. While Jessie feels torn about what to do, she has bills to pay. Things snowball quickly, causing Emmie's life to unravel. Reporters invade her privacy and follow her everywhere, hounding her with questions about untruths regarding her life.
Author Alex Cragie's fast-paced tale is a fine example of how rumors quickly turn into "facts" in the hands of the wrong people and those gullible to believe such trash. Emmie's life is turned upside down within days to the point where many people turn on her, including some of her family and trusted friends. It's a disturbing trend that mirrors reality. The entire story, while tragic, is plausible. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings.
That's when Ursula Bloom, editor of a tabloid magazine called In the Picture, makes a choice to take Emmie down and prop up the sagging ratings of her magazine. She assigns Jessie, a struggling reporter who can barely pay her bills, to find some dirt on Emmie by interviewing Tiffany, a jealous coworker. Tiffany expresses some general complaints about Emmie but is short on facts. Tiffany accuses Emmie of fat-shaming a 10-year-old boy—a complete fabrication. When Ursula gets wind of the accusation, she runs with it and assigns her staff to find a picture of a boy who fits Tiffany's description.
When the story first appears, most people are skeptical. Emmie decides to let it blow over, thinking that fighting back will make the story drag out longer. Ursula continues to pay Jessie and anyone else large bonuses for anything that will add fuel to the fire. While Jessie feels torn about what to do, she has bills to pay. Things snowball quickly, causing Emmie's life to unravel. Reporters invade her privacy and follow her everywhere, hounding her with questions about untruths regarding her life.
Author Alex Cragie's fast-paced tale is a fine example of how rumors quickly turn into "facts" in the hands of the wrong people and those gullible to believe such trash. Emmie's life is turned upside down within days to the point where many people turn on her, including some of her family and trusted friends. It's a disturbing trend that mirrors reality. The entire story, while tragic, is plausible. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings.
October 8, 2023
A story for our modern times.
As soon as I started reading Alex Craigie's story, I felt swept along with it and emotionally involved, wondering where it would all end as the days went by and the awful events unfolded. Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, seems to be on top of the world and beloved by everyone – until she becomes the victim of malicious lies, fake photos, and a hate campaign that looks as if it will destroy her life. The story concerns not just her struggle to restore her reputation, but to stop every aspect of her life from falling apart. We also see the heavy toll this takes on her entire family.
This story is so on point for our modern times. “Cancel culture” is everywhere, condemning and casting people out for any perceived infractions against the new ideological agenda. This is enabled and amplified by social media, and by the mainstream press who are so willing to jump on all the latest bandwagons.
The story never stopped moving along as the tensions continued to build. The characters were all well-developed and believable, perfectly suited to the storyline. At times I felt they had jumped straight from the pages of a newspaper. It was easy to empathise with Emmie in her struggles with Jessie, her difficult, drug-addicted sister. It was also easy to empathise with her parents and husband as they dealt with the consequences of the scandal.
The author has an easy writing style that was quite cinematic and kept me turning the pages. I think The Bubble Reputation would make a good movie or TV series, and I’d certainly like to read more of this author’s work.
This was a high-concept and absorbing read, and I give it a resounding five stars.
As soon as I started reading Alex Craigie's story, I felt swept along with it and emotionally involved, wondering where it would all end as the days went by and the awful events unfolded. Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, seems to be on top of the world and beloved by everyone – until she becomes the victim of malicious lies, fake photos, and a hate campaign that looks as if it will destroy her life. The story concerns not just her struggle to restore her reputation, but to stop every aspect of her life from falling apart. We also see the heavy toll this takes on her entire family.
This story is so on point for our modern times. “Cancel culture” is everywhere, condemning and casting people out for any perceived infractions against the new ideological agenda. This is enabled and amplified by social media, and by the mainstream press who are so willing to jump on all the latest bandwagons.
The story never stopped moving along as the tensions continued to build. The characters were all well-developed and believable, perfectly suited to the storyline. At times I felt they had jumped straight from the pages of a newspaper. It was easy to empathise with Emmie in her struggles with Jessie, her difficult, drug-addicted sister. It was also easy to empathise with her parents and husband as they dealt with the consequences of the scandal.
The author has an easy writing style that was quite cinematic and kept me turning the pages. I think The Bubble Reputation would make a good movie or TV series, and I’d certainly like to read more of this author’s work.
This was a high-concept and absorbing read, and I give it a resounding five stars.
September 22, 2023
The Bubble Reputation is an intriguing and chilling story which focuses on the unscrupulous nature of some reporters who will do anything for a 'story', fake news, and the power of social media.
Emmy is an up and coming author of a series of popular children's books. She has her own television show and is in line to receive an award at the upcoming British Recognition of Achievement Awards Ceremony. In addition, Emmie has great relationships with her parents and partner.
Ursula Bloom is the frustrated editor of In the Picture, a paper with falling circulation figures. Ursula needs a scoop to book her paper's circulation and she is not concerned about how she gets it or whether it is based on truth. She hatches a plan with a junior reporter to commence a smear campaign about Emmie.
The detail in this book as to how the smear campaign starts and effectively 'gets its fake teeth' into Emmy and everyone involved with her is fascinating and believable. Soon Emmie is fighting to hold on to everything, her reputation, her show, and her book contract. Everyone around her is fair game and her parents and partner get hauled into the media mud fight.
This is an excellent novella which will make you extra careful about what you share in the public domain.
Emmy is an up and coming author of a series of popular children's books. She has her own television show and is in line to receive an award at the upcoming British Recognition of Achievement Awards Ceremony. In addition, Emmie has great relationships with her parents and partner.
Ursula Bloom is the frustrated editor of In the Picture, a paper with falling circulation figures. Ursula needs a scoop to book her paper's circulation and she is not concerned about how she gets it or whether it is based on truth. She hatches a plan with a junior reporter to commence a smear campaign about Emmie.
The detail in this book as to how the smear campaign starts and effectively 'gets its fake teeth' into Emmy and everyone involved with her is fascinating and believable. Soon Emmie is fighting to hold on to everything, her reputation, her show, and her book contract. Everyone around her is fair game and her parents and partner get hauled into the media mud fight.
This is an excellent novella which will make you extra careful about what you share in the public domain.
December 29, 2024
‘The Bubble Reputation’ is a haunting comment on the modern world which is driven by money, jealousy, social media, fake news and instant gratification. The story grabs your attention from page one when we meet Ursula Bloom who reveals her intentions and manipulates one of her employees to create a scandal that escalates to unimaginable proportions. While she basks in the glory of her malicious actions, Emmie Hobson loses almost everything. Is there a way out?
Fast-paced and realistic, Craigie creates an authentic story by crafting credible characters who could stoop absolutely low to tarnish the image of a popular author. She succeeds in stirring your emotions by placing you in the midst of a chilling scenario - a smearing campaign against Emmie would haunt you and make you wonder how public opinion turns against you within moments.
This novella reveals the darkest side of humanity. It highlights that even your own friends and siblings could turn against you. Human values hold no significance in modern society and perils of social media cannot be dismissed with a shrug. I highly recommend this book.
Fast-paced and realistic, Craigie creates an authentic story by crafting credible characters who could stoop absolutely low to tarnish the image of a popular author. She succeeds in stirring your emotions by placing you in the midst of a chilling scenario - a smearing campaign against Emmie would haunt you and make you wonder how public opinion turns against you within moments.
This novella reveals the darkest side of humanity. It highlights that even your own friends and siblings could turn against you. Human values hold no significance in modern society and perils of social media cannot be dismissed with a shrug. I highly recommend this book.
October 30, 2023
Emmie Hobson, wholesome presenter of a children’s show and author of a series of bestselling children’s books, is in line for a top award at the British Recognition of Achievement Awards. Ursula Bloom, editor of In the Picture, is looking for a scoop to increase circulation, but it seems pages of coverage on how wonderful Hobson is isn’t going to cut it. Jessie, a journalist whose name Bloom can’t even get right, is sent to the awards to paint Hobson in the most unflattering light.
And so it begins. While Hobson shows some naivety as things begin to escalate soon the press and subsequent social media have her public life spiralling out of control. I won’t go into further detail; you will have to read the book for that and it is well worth it. While this is a compelling read it is also difficult to watch just how quickly and completely someone’s bubble can be burst.
Extremely well written this was such a well-plotted novella showing the utter destruction of someone’s reputation using the power of social media. Highly recommended.
And so it begins. While Hobson shows some naivety as things begin to escalate soon the press and subsequent social media have her public life spiralling out of control. I won’t go into further detail; you will have to read the book for that and it is well worth it. While this is a compelling read it is also difficult to watch just how quickly and completely someone’s bubble can be burst.
Extremely well written this was such a well-plotted novella showing the utter destruction of someone’s reputation using the power of social media. Highly recommended.
November 5, 2022
This is a little gem with very hard sharp edges. Emmie Hobson is everyone’s favourite children’s author and TV presenter, and apart from a troubled sister, her life is golden. Which of course makes her ideal fodder for a sleazy newspaper in search of a good smear. And then social media is unleashed. It’s one of those stories that leaves me grinding my teeth with frustration on behalf of the protagonist and the seeming impossibility of her being able to escape the tide of unjustified hate. A very satisfying ending saved me a trip to the dentist. It would be reassuring if this were all pure fiction, but it is so discomfortingly believable.
May 24, 2024
I seem to be drawn towards books about sisters this year.
As a sister myself, I know only too well how hard it can be to get along with each other sometimes. And when war is declared between these sisters, the result can be unforgivable.
The Bubble Reputation is the ruthless story of two sisters and how badly you can hurt someone using social media. Horribly believable, mainly because we know how often it happens to the most undeserving people.
It is especially heartbreaking to read when this evil destroys Emmie’s life, reputation, and relationship with Luke, her boyfriend.
Can Emmie ever recover from the trauma or forgive her sister when the truth emerges?
I hope so…
As a sister myself, I know only too well how hard it can be to get along with each other sometimes. And when war is declared between these sisters, the result can be unforgivable.
The Bubble Reputation is the ruthless story of two sisters and how badly you can hurt someone using social media. Horribly believable, mainly because we know how often it happens to the most undeserving people.
It is especially heartbreaking to read when this evil destroys Emmie’s life, reputation, and relationship with Luke, her boyfriend.
Can Emmie ever recover from the trauma or forgive her sister when the truth emerges?
I hope so…
October 5, 2023
Unputdownable! It's hard to categorize this book, but that makes it right up my alley. The characters are so real. Don't miss it.
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