I found this book slow to get into and then realized that it is a follow-up to Knife Edge which gives the background to the characters. I would recommend reading Knife Edge first. The pace picked up towards the middle of the book and I started to enjoy the storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Black Tag is the latest thriller from Simon Mayo and whilst the main storyline was interesting the overall book didn’t seem to quite flow.

The main characters all appeared in a previous book although there was no back story or resume included which did feel a little strange.

So whilst ok I felt that this book didn’t quite reach the heights of his previous outing.

The story opens with the fire bombing of a London art gallery, which is soon an the radar of journalist Famie. What follows is a story of twisted family relationships, dangerous journalism and a chase to find the truth.

I didn't realise this was the second book with these characters, but it does make sense as Famie, Charlie and Sam are not introduced in this one, it feels like the author assumes the reader knows them already. It was an interesting read, my first by this author. I liked the fast paced writing style, but did find most characters unlikeable, and found some the events unbelievable.

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Penguin Random House for a copy in return for an honest review.

Where to start?
Simon Mayo has surprised me with this novel, I have not read any of his previous books, so in this way, he is a new author to me. I found this a refreshing change to his radio career, which I have also enjoyed following, but he seems to have found a maturity in his writing career.

I very much enjoy his writing style. It is an informative, interesting subject to be covered, and he has done this with depth.
Whilst reading this story, I have discovered so much more about journalism and the ways in which research is carried out. When it is presented with integrity and honesty, an article can offer so much more to a reader.

The back story in this novel is interesting, and it raises many difficult questions. although I did find some of the points a little far-fetched, as they seemed to me to be a bit over exaggerated, but maybe I live in a different world than the characters, and this is fiction after all.
I loved the fast-paced action within the writing, and I found myself eagerly reading on to the next part of the story.

A slow burn, but once the fuse ignites this thriller gets off with a bang!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins with arson, an Art Gallery and a body. Famie Madden, Journalist, starts investigating, as her daughter Charlie lives with Lena whose family owns the Gallery. A family with dark and jaded secrets.

The Black Tag, refers to the dead body of a crusading Journalist, found at the scene. This creates many questions as to what he was investigating, which in turn leads to a much bigger investigation. As the story unfolds, their lives are put at risk to avoid history being revealed.

There is much action included with some pacy chase scenes, although some of the Police involvement is a little unrealistic. Still a page turning read!

A second in the series, which might have been why I struggled initially not having read the first, particularly with the lead characters. However, I will likely read the first and will look forward to reading a third, should it be written. Worth a read!

The more books I read set in the art world, the more dangerous it seems. Any situation where people are willing to pay copious amounts of money for 'priceless' paintings is always going to ripe for the attention of both the rich and the shameless, but, for once, this case, this arson and murder, is about so much more than someone just getting their hands on a pretty picture. Simon Mayo's latest thriller is packed with intrigue, dubious characters, and a thread of social commentary that feels all too scarily current.

I really liked revisiting the character of Famie. A journalist, Famie runs a website, Howl, which tracks other journalists across the world, those reporting from conflict zones and areas of political unrest where journalists are under constant threat of imprisonment or worse for speaking out against whatever particular regime may be in power. If you have read Knife Edge, then you will understand what is behind this, and why Famie is on such a crusade. It is not essential to have read the book to follow this story, but it does add context.

It is the disappearance of one of the site's journalists, and possible links to a recent arson attack on a London gallery, which draws Famie into this particular mystery, a case which ultimately puts her own life in grave danger. The case has personal resonance for Famie too, as the gallery is owned by her daughter's best friend, but with her particular instincts, and her own crusade to protect and track journalists whilst ensuring that their true stories are published uncensored, it's an impossible ase to walk away from anyway. Good new for me as this was one heck of a case and I loved it.

Simon Mayo does a brilliant job of portraying a family in conflict with each other, that strange dynamic that seems to exist between the Nash siblings, a family backed by old money. That condescension of the older siblings, Robert and Helen, compared to the conscience and genuine love for the artwork of their younger brother, Michael, really rang through, making what comes to pass perhaps not really all that surprising. But it is a story that is threaded with tension and threat, and the constant efforts of the family to control the narrative, even distorting the truth to suit themselves. The truth is a far murkier tale than it appears, and that particular twist in the story gave an element of authenticity and believability to what comes to pass.

The pacing in this book does wax and wane, the initial rapid pace, tension and tragedy of the opening scenes, giving way to a slower investigative section, where the underlying story is established, through to the ending which is a mixture of overt threat, quiet acceptance and a climatic showdown that genuinely took me by surprise. It is similar in that way to Knife Edge, the author alternating pace to make those life changing moments really make their mark. and Simon Mayo explores a dark and shameful time in history, one that is still making headlines now. As a follow up case for Famie, this really hit the spot, and I hope we'll see more of her in the future. This case may have come quite close to home, but I'm certain she has more stories in her yet. Recommended.

I loved this latest thriller from Simon Mayo, it's left me with a book hangover!
I'll be sharing my full review and links closer to publication date.

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

I've previously read and enjoyed several books by Simon Mayo, so was looking forward to reading this one.

This is the follow up to a previous title "Knife Edge", and shares a few characters with that novel. Whilst I really enjoyed the previous book, I found the pace of this one rather slow moving - although it picked up in the second part of the book. I also didn't find Famie as sympathetic a character as in the earlier book.

So all in all a mixed bag for me. I'll still read future novels from Simon Mayo though (particularly as I enjoyed his standalone - "Tick Tock" - so much!)

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

Black Tag is the second book to feature journalist Famie Madden, a character first introduced in Mayo’s 2020 novel, Knife Edge. This is not overly obvious from the cover splurb – a shame as, although the plot of Black Tag is standalone, the establishment of many of the characters is not. I do feel this book would have benefitted from greater character exposition and development in its own right. This flaw is exacerbated by the fact the plot is slow to gain momentum, all in all making this quite a tricky book to get into.

However.

I loved the second half of the book. The pace and tension of the plot ramp up, resulting in a real page turner. There aren’t many novelists who could make a trip to the National Archives exciting to read about! The final chapters and ending are great.

Black Tag is certainly a book worth persevering with. Just maybe give Knife Edge a read first.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Bantam, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mixed feelings on Black Tag - I was a few chapters in when I realised it was a follow up to Knife Edge, which I enjoyed very much back in lockdown times. This didn’t grab me in the same way and I found Famie less realistic in her approach this time round. Some entertaining set pieces, but overall the book didn’t hold my attention as much as I hoped. It’s an interesting concept but perhaps didn’t sustain the length of the book. It’s the first of Mayo’s I’ve not really bought into, but I’ll certainly be giving his next a go anyway.

Oh WOW!! I only discovered Simon Mayo as an author recently as I try to stay away from celebrities who wander out of their specialism thinking they must be good at everything. However, Simon Mayo is very much the exception. He writes exceptionally good books of which Black Tag is the latest. It is the second book featuring Famie Madden and her daughter Charlie although personally I think it reads well as a standalone book. The story is complicated, exciting, scarily believable and extremely well researched. The characters are very believable and well written. I was hooked immediately as the book opens with the fire bombing of an Art Gallery in central London. The tension level never drops from thereon in. Another amazing book from an exceptional writer. I hope there are many more still to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

3.75/5 stars! This is by the same author that brought us "Tick Tock," a great pandemic thriller. I was excited to check out "Black Tag." I wish I had been aware that this was a sequel because it didn't work for me as a standalone. The characterization was strong and the general story arc was intriguing, but without understand the motivation behind actions, I felt disconnected at times. I did like the ability of Simon to make us want to explore things that aren't fully developed, almost as if we are trying to live in his world.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

As a standalone this book is fine but I’m glad I read Knife Edge by Simon Mayo previously as there is a backstory to Famie Madden, the ‘crusading journalist’ at the heart of this book.

The book starts well with a storyline that grabbed me, but I also agree with some other reviews that it drags a bit in the middle before picking up pace again in the final third. I do enjoy the author’s writing style though and as expected it is very well written with a solid story and a great ending. I would still recommend this book, especially if you’re already a fan because you won’t be disappointed to have stuck with it to the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Black Tag - Simon Mayo

Absolutely LOVE Simon’s books - and this latest outing certainly didn’t disappoint.

Black Tag builds magnificently and unfolds into what can only be described as an action movie grand finale!

No spoilers here - but fantastic to be reunited with Famie, Charlie and Sam….let’s hope it’s not the last we see of them.

An unmissable read - and should be a superb addition to your TBR pile!

Black Tag by Simon Mayo
I had read Knife Edge by the same author in which Famie Madden the journalist first appeared and so I was really pleased to be reading about her again a while on from the previous novel This meant that I was aware of Famie’s backstory although I felt that this book works as a stand-alone.
The novel is all about a fire in an art gallery located in the Granary Square area of Kings Cross. The gallery owners are Uber rich and Famie’s daughter, Charlie, lives with Lena , the daughter of the gallery owner in Gasholder Park. The Black Tag of the title refers to a dead body within a burnt out building.
Famie notices that the person who died is a crusading would be journalist and decides to investigate what he was doing in the building unearthing some very unpleasant truths from the and ultimately puts herself and her daughter at risk. It is a gripping story and one which I read in a very short time despite its length. The Good Guys are well developed characters but we do not really get to understand the motivation of the baddies. A gripping read and one I will be recommending. Many thanks to Simon Mayo, the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

A slow start with a lot of not very interesting characters. The first few pages are gripping but then it loses impetus and starts to drag. The characters didn't pull me in and I wasn't really invested in their stories but about two-thirds of the way through the plot suddenly took off and became the thriller I'd been expecting.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a fantastic book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people! A bit on the long side but enjoyable!

A slow moving thriller about a fire in an Art Gallery and a journalist trying to find out who set the fire and why.
I didn’t know that this book was part of a series and I was reading this as a stand alone novel. I found it hard to get into it because I didn’t know the back story of the principal character. I think I would have enjoyed it better by reading the previous novel first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I found this one too long. It is a standalone but reads like if it was a part of a series. There is no proper introduction to the characters so I felt it was a bit disjointed.

Black Tag is the second, or possibly, third in a series, although that is not made clear, Reading as a standalone means there is a lot of backstory missed, and I think it would work better if the preceding novel was read first.

Black Tag features crusading journalist Famie Madden and her daughter Charlie. When a nearby London art gallery, the West End Gallery, burns down with an unknown body inside, Madden wants to know why, Her investigation leads her to the owners, the ultra wealthy Nash family, and they are resistant to her approaches. She digs deeper and begins to uncover the true story behind the Nash family's fortune.

A little overlong at 400+ pages, Black Tag is slow to get going. But it is worth persevering and the narrative is compelling once it finds its stride. The characters are strong, although the bad guys are very one dimensional, Overall a decent thriller.