Graphic: Suicide, Fire & Fire Injury, Grief, Death of a Loved One, Medical Scenes, Racism.
Moderate Missing Person, Slavery.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Representations: https://trello.com/c/VCDroEhD/131-black-tag-by-simon-mayo

Feels a tad generic, but with some very wild curveballs thrown in with not much research lmao.

The characters largely were just a bit meh. Nothing too spectacular, nothing too bad. Famie just feels like a general "investigative journalist" with a moral compass that seems to be a generally common trope at the moment, but she wasn't an annoying point of view at least and decently solid to follow along with. It did get a little confusing who was what, even at the end I was still getting confused about how someone related to someone else. Just felt like too many characters, with not enough information on a lot of them.

Plot was a bit wild. The main crime had a decently solid thread through it - if not just a bit weak - and knew where it was wanting to go. But.. then there was just a load of really weird side tangents in it. One of them was a constant mention of a specific video game, XIII - even throwing shade at the developers of the remake for the bad release for some reason - but (and this isn't a spoiler tbh) it leads to literally nothing lol. It was described weirdly and just had no use being there except for the shade towards the devs, and a bit of shade towards just, gamers in general I think?? It was weird.
And on the topic of tech - if you're going to have "Base Sixtyfour" in your book, at least convert the string into B64 to see what it is - and see it's an alphanumeric string of 108 characters and not "thousands of letters, signs and symbols" 😂 Also PLEASE stop using the colour green for "hacking" scenes, it's such a tired trope that's so bad lmao. Though I'll be honest that scene was just so bad it was hilarious - all tension was stripped from the scene and I was genuinely just laughing my ass off at how dumb it was. So minus points for not doing basic research, bonus points for hilarity lol.

It is pretty slow paced, but it at least keeps things going. It was an easy read, and didn't take that long (I've just been pretty busy) keeping my interest decently well tbh. I have literally no idea where in the series this book is, if it's book 2 or 3, but it's certainly not book 1 despite literally no where mentioning this is part of a series. Do better, publishers. Luckily though you can read it fully standalone I'd say, it gives background context to some things (maybe a bit too often) and feels like a contained story.

This is actually book two of a series, or at least a follow up to characters first met in Knife Edge. I didn't realise this before I started and, although I have previously read Knife Edge, it did take me a fair while to really get into this book. Probably didn't help that it is a very slow burn... There is a lot of scene setting, a far remove from the hectic hit the ground running opening of the previous and I was tempted to sack it off a few times when it really dragged. In fact, looking at my review for KE, it seems that I criticised it for being too action packed... oh the irony!
But I did carry on and was mostly rewarded for my efforts.
This time the "action" is centred around an art gallery and a fire that happened during a protest march. Certain works were saved - they had a grab list - but it soon becomes evident that there was actually someone present at the time of the fire. A body was found in the ashes. Is this person connected? Did they set the fire and fail to get out? And if not, why were they there, as everyone connected to the gallery has been accounted for? This has really piqued the interest of journalist Famie Madden and we reconnect with her, first met in KE, as she starts to investigate, her daughter, Charlie, being the flatmate of Lena, whose family own the gallery...
And then it actually really does kick off....
As I said, this was a bit hard work initially but, once it eventually got going, it did so with gusto! Albeit not always completely credible, it was fun nonetheless. TBH, I much preferred the parts that were more about HOWL than solely the gallery and maybe wished it was more focused on that side of things. Although the two are connected, although I won't spoil things...
I also loved the family dynamics which did provide a few choice popcorn moments. I do love a dysfunctional family.
But I guess overall, it was the pacing that scuppered my full enjoyment of this book. Characters and overall story were good, but the delivery was just not quite as I personally would have preferred. That said, I'll still be looking out for book three... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, for this eCopy to review

I recently finished reading "Black Tag" by Simon Mayo, and it was an exhilarating ride from start to finish. The novel is a contemporary thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat with its twists and turns.

The story kicks off with a dramatic fire at the West End Gallery in London's Coal Drops Yard. The fire service uses a "grab list" to save key pieces of art, but something goes wrong – the list has been altered. Amidst the chaos, an unidentified body is discovered, sparking a complex investigation.

Famie Madden, is a crusading journalist determined to uncover the truth behind the fire and the mysterious death. As she delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in a web of secrets that stretch back over centuries. The plot is gripping, and Mayo's ability to weave historical elements into a modern-day thriller is impressive.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the character development. Famie is a strong, relatable character whose determination and curiosity drive the story forward.

Full of suspense and twists and turns I was hooked from start to finish. It's a compelling read that combines mystery, history, and a touch of drama.

Black Tag is the first novel I have read written by Simon Mayo. Although it can be read as a standalone, I wish I had read the previous novel for some added context.
A demonstration ends with a West End art gallery ablaze. Once the fire has abated, fire crews discover an unidentified body in the ruins. Is it one of the demonstrators who made an error and was caught in the flames? The investigation points to this not being a random arson attack as the gallery’s list of important artworks that the fire crews need to save has been tampered with.
Famie Madden is an investigative journalist who runs a website that tracks other journalists in countries where they could be in danger. One of the website’s journalists appeared to have a link to the West End gallery. This draws Famie into investigating what has happened at the gallery. Famie also has a personal involvement as her daughter, Charlie lives with Lena Nash who is the joint owner of the gallery.
What follows is a complex story of corruption and lies. I did enjoy Simon Mayo’s writing, but thought this book was slightly disappointing. There was an explosive, tense and tragic opening, then the story lost all its pace and was slow and plodding. The pace picked up again in the later chapters, but by then I had somewhat lost interest. There was enough in this book though to make me want to read more from the author.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Simon Mayo and particularly Random House UK for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

When a west end gallery is set alight, a grab list is used to try and save the key items, only it is the wrong list. Meanwhile an unidentified body is found in the wreckage. How could this be when the galley was closed due to suspected protests? Journalist Famie begins to investigate.

I liked the idea of this book being set in the art world as I found this a compelling setting. I also found the mystery aspect appealing, I was interested to see where it would go. I didn’t realise before starting this that it was the second in a series and having not read the first one I feel that I missed out on some background information and building a connection with the characters, saying that, it can still be easily read as a standalone.

I found the book overly long and very slow going, which made it difficult to stay invested in the story. There were some action scenes however as the book got going. I think I would personally have enjoyed this more if I’d read the first one prior. Definitely not a bad read but not a favourite either. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Black Tag By: Simon Mayo is the third book I have read by him however, I found this one did not grip me at first, as his previous book, as it was slow burner. we learn more about the all the characters, which was helpful if you haven’t read the first book, plus, it refreshed your memory from The Knife Edge.
Then, Bang the second half of the book became an excellent read as it picked up pace with full of twists and turns, which was great especially as I was going to give up on it. So glad I didn't, I ended up enjoying it.

Black Tag opens up with the fire bombing of a London art gallery, which is soon on the radar of journalist Famie Madden, she is determined to find out the truth on what happened! She uncovers corruption and a web of lies etc The bombing in the art gallery is much more than a casual act of arson attack.

I do really like the main character Famie Madden and looking forward reading more Simon Mayo books.

I do recommend you read the previous book, but not necessary.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my ARC.

This is the third novel I have read by Simon Mayo and although I enjoyed it I felt it fell short of the previous books. This is a thriller featuring art, mystery, and investigative journalism.
A West End Gallery is on fire and interest is aroused when the “grab list” which is a document used by firefighters to save key artworks is found to have been tampered with. Once the fire dies down an unidentified body is found lying in the ashes which adds to the mystery. Who is the victim and why were they in the building.

Famie Madden is a young determined journalist who is searching for the truth and as she delves into the mystery surrounding the gallery fire uncovers a tangled web of lies, corruption, and hidden motives. Suspicion is roused and it seems most likely that this was no random act of destruction but the gallery itself holds secrets that some would kill to protect.

I did enjoy this novel and would give it a solid 3 star rating but overall felt it was a little too slow. I did enjoy the characters and the plot but felt it lacked the finishing touch the previous two novels had.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Black Tag’ written by Simon Mayo in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

A demonstration is taking place outside the West End Gallery in Coal Drops Yard and a person has climbed through the smashed windows with a fire bomb with the sole purpose of destroying the gallery. A body is found amongst the ashes, later named as Jamie Nelson, but Famie Madden knows he isn’t an arsonist as he was following a story intending to post content on her Howl website. Along with her colleague Sam Carter, daughter Charlie and Charlie’s friend Lena Nash, part of the wealthy Nash family who own the gallery, Famie is determined to clear Jamie’s name and find the identity of the person who wanted him dead.

‘Black Tag’ follows on from the wonderful ‘Knife Edge’ as we once again meet journalist Famie Madden who’s worried about her missing colleagues and is preparing to write a damning article on the wealthy Nash family and who they support financially. The first half of the book is fairly slow as we learn more about the characters, especially helpful if you haven’t read the first book, but then half-way through the tension increases as Famie’s investigation puts lives at risk. It’s fast-paced with lots of action, suspense and twists, with the tension increasing considerably towards the final chapters that are powerful and quite shocking. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this thriller and can wholeheartedly recommend it.

A bit slow to begin with and as I haven’t read the previous story with all references to that tale a bit confusing. But by halfway it suddenly picked up the pace and never stopped. Full of dark mysterious characters,first threatening but by the finish totally violent. A good read as I say but I need the previous adventure for it to make total sense!

Black Tag starts off fairly slowly as the author sets the scene. A West End Gallery is ablaze, a body found. The police conclude the cause to be arson, the perpetrator dying in the inferno. The gallery is owned by the three Nash siblings. Lena, the daughter of one sibling, lives with journalist Famie Madden's daughter Charlie. Famie runs a website which keeps track of journalists across the globe who report from warzones or are in danger for speaking out against political regimes. One of the journalists appears to be missing. As Famie tries to establish his whereabouts, she realises there could be a link to the gallery fire.

Once the scene is set, the book rapidly gathers pace. This is a marvellously accomplished thriller full of intrigue and tension with a very unexpected conclusion. Mayo does a great job of describing the dynamics and conflict between the Nash siblings. The two older ones seemingly resenting Michael, their much younger brother. The truth lies in the past, the detail of which is well researched and cleverly woven into the plot.

This is the second of Simon Mayo's books to feature Famie Madden. Reading Knife Edge first would give context to Famie's passion for the wellbeing of journalists under threat. However in my opinion, reading this second Famie Madden thriller as a stand alone works equally as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved this latest thriller from Simon Mayo, it hooked me from the first page and didn’t let go. It also left me with a sizeable book hangover!
This book is a follow up to Knife Edge that I devoured when I read it back in 2020! You could read this as a standalone as there is enough of a hint about what happened in the other book, but it was such a good thriller you should read it first!
Famie is the main character again in this book and she just as good as she was in Knife Edge, a strong female main character, but not ridiculously bad ass. Her colleague Sam, is also back, as is her daughter Charlie.
I’m not going to go into the plot as I’m sure I’ll give away spoilers. If life hadn’t got in the way I would have read this in a day, but it wasn’t to be. There were some great twists, turns and reveals throughout, with very tense final chapters.
Just like the synopsis says at the top of the page, Simon Mayo has written “a story that could be ripped from today’s newspapers” and it really felt like it!
Highly recommended if you enjoy contemporary thrillers.

4* Black Tag - Simon Mayo. A hugely enjoyable thriller which starts with small sparks but results in a blazing thriller.

West End Gallery, in the trendy Kings Cross area, is set alight. The gallery was closed for the day because protests were expected. The fire brigade use a 'grab list' supplied by the gallery, to salvage priority pieces of art from the gallery before they are consumed in the flames. However, it becomes clear that there was someone in the closed gallery. Was it the arsonist? How does this connect to the eccentric and rich family who own the gallery? And have the fire brigade salvaged the priority pieces.

The interest of Famie Madden is piqued as her daughter is connected to the gallery owners. What initially appears to be mindless arson and a tragedy unfolds to be some much more.

This is the second outing for Famie Madden, following on from Knife Edge. Each is fine as a standalone but there will be some obvious spoilers if read out of order.

The pace starts reasonably slow and brooding, as Simon Mayo does a great job of setting the scene. I would perhaps have eliminated some of the detail about missing journalists but it adds to the atmosphere. By the half way point, the action is breathless and it leads to a thrilling conclusion. the characters are superb and some of the tradecraft elements are great fun. A hugely enjoyable read.

With thanks to Netgalley and Random House (Transworld) for an ARC.

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.

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.