The Diamonds.

According to some, U2's female counterparts in Ireland in the early '80s. But their story is not one of success.

One blistering single, and then...nothing.

Podcaster Stacey wants to know what happened to The Diamonds, and in particular to Birdy Troy, who dropped off the face of the earth.

Amazing. Brilliant.

This book will surely be a top best seller ! Following the life of birdy troy since her early days in a young band until they all disappear without trace .Buy it and read ,its just wonderful.

'Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?' is a compelling, and, at times, unflinching look at the price women pay for daring to claim space in male-dominated environments, and the lack of accountability for men who are the gatekeepers. The real question isn't so much as 'whatever happened to Birdy Troy?', but 'how was the stolen from the music from the Diamonds'?

Broke and soon-to-be evicted podcaster Stacey Nash finds herself compelled to investigate what happened to promising 1980s all-female Irish band, The Diamonds.

Switching between Stacey in the present day and the early 1980s, we learn the band's history - from playing small venues in their home town, signing with manager Kieran Mitchell, then moving to Dublin and London before it quickly falls apart. At times I found the flashbacks slowed the pace. However after the stunning conclusion to part one, the story really picked up that I devoured it.

By the time I finished I was equal parts teary, angry and resigned to the final outcome. This book is a deeply moving, heartbreaking and accurate portrayal of women whose music careers were cut short, but finally having their story acknowledged in history.

I couldn't stop thinking about how there's songs that don't exist because of women like The Diamonds who had their passion for music (and lives) stolen from them. While there's no magical resolution, its still a balm to read a book that acknowledges these very real struggles. Sadly, as Talking Heads once sang (a song referenced in the book):

🎶 Same as it ever was, same as it ever was
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was 🎶

Be moved, and then go crank up the music of your local non-male band loudly.

Thanks to Hatchette Books Ireland and NetGalley for the ARC.

‘Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?’ by Rachael English tells the story of The Diamonds, an Irish female rock band who shone brightly for a short time in the early 80s before a sudden drop into obscurity. Podcaster Stacey - who interviews former celebrities for her show - responds to a fan’s query suggesting she attempt to shed some light on the mystery of why the ladies’ first Top Of The Pops performance was also their last…

The story is told in dual timelines - in the modern day, Stacey is investigating the past while facing eviction and missing her ex-boyfriend in the present. She is determined to find out what happened to the women and especially to their supremely talented and captivating guitarist, backing singer and songwriter Birdy Troy. In the 80s, Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy are shooting for the stars as they graduate from Steeltown to Dublin to London’s music scene, working with their manager Kieran Mitchell and their record company to promote their first single and record an album.

I loved the pacing of the novel and the tremendous emotional range. The reveals within the pages felt genuine, inevitable and rage-inducing. The unexpected connections and lengthy estrangements were heartbreaking, and the ending was bittersweet and satisfying.

Birdy Troy should always be famous in the world of this book, and should always be famous outside of it… because this cleverly crafted and impeccably told story deserves to be read far and wide. I’m giving this five stars and recommending for fans of the rock and roll of Daisy Jones and the Six, the descriptiveness and deeply Irish setting of Tana French’s books or the feminist rage of Laura Bates - honestly there’s something for everyone here.

I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Hachette Books Ireland via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Stacey Nash, host of the popular podcast 'Whatever Happened To ...?', becomes fascinated with The Diamonds, Ireland's trailblazing all-woman rock band that vanished in the early 1980s. As she delves into their story, she uncovers the rise and fall of four unforgettable friends and bandmates, in a music scene where darkness lurks beneath a veneer of glamour. "Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?" is a rollercoaster journey through the mysteries and complexities of the music industry, as well as a poignant exploration of friendship, fame, and the power of music to shape our lives.

Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? by Rachael English is story written in a dual timeline. The present day timeline follows Stacey Nash, a podcast creator and presenter who is facing struggles in her personal life after giving up her daytime job to pursue her podcasting career. The podcast titled "Whatever happened to...?" follows up on the lives of famous people who have fallen off the grid, people like TV presenters, and singers with one-hit-wonders. She regularly receives requests from listeners to record an episode about certain people, and having received a request to look into 80's band "The Diamonds", her interest is piqued.

Stacey begins investigating this band who appeared to have a very bright future ahead of them at the time but all of a sudden, following a huge number one hit and having recorded an album, ceased to exist in the world of music.

The second timeline follows the rise of The Diamonds and of its members Loretta, Yvonne, Gail and Birdy who move from the small town of Steelstown in Co Clare to London when they get signed by music producer Kieran Mitchell.

Through Stacey's deep dive investigation and through the lens of the band's members, we get to see exactly what happened to The Diamonds and where it all went wrong.

I absolutely loved this story! Before evening beginning, I had hoped for Daisy Jones vibes and that is exactly what I got! I loved the dual timeline and being able to see in from both sides. The writing is fantastic and I was completely immersed into the lives of The Diamonds as well as into the life of Stacey Nash who, for me, was a fantastic character. By the end of the book, I cared just as much about Stacey as I did about the members of the band. She was such a wonderfully developed character and I felt we really got to understand her personality. I was really rooting for her from the very beginning of the book. The interwoven storylines were very well handled as were the whole host of characters from both the past time line and the present. The final chapter for me was just lovely and was a perfect ending to this story.

This is my first Rachael English book but it certainly won't be my last. I am so grateful to NetGalley and Hachette Ireland publishers for giving me the opportunity to honestly review this book.

"Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?" by Rachael English is a poignant tale of secrets, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family. Set in rural Ireland, the novel follows Birdy Troy's mysterious disappearance and its lasting impact on her loved ones. English's evocative prose skillfully unravels the layers of Birdy's past, revealing the complexities of her character and the hidden truths that bind her family together. With richly drawn characters and a compelling narrative, this novel captivates from start to finish, leaving a lingering sense of hope and redemption in its wake. A beautifully crafted story that resonates long after the final page.

Whatever happened to Birdy Troy by Rachael English is set in 1980’s Ireland where we follow the journey of 4 piece rock band called “The Diamonds”.

This story is told through a dual timeline, slipping seamlessly between past and present day. Back in the 80’s we follow Birdy Troy the main songwriter and guitarist, her band mates and their rollercoaster rise to fame. In the present day, Stacey, who hosts an investigative podcast which focuses on celebrities that have long faded from the spotlight, turns her attention to the infamous the band “The Diamonds” and their sudden rise and fall.

If you liked Daisy Jones you’ll probably like this too. Beautifully written, a love letter to the 1980’s music scene in Ireland. Nicely paced, exciting, lots of heart and bucket loads of nostalgia. I highly recommend the accompanying playlist on Spotify search- “Whatever happened to Birdy Troy” it is perfectly curated and transports you to that 80’s Dublin music scene 👌🏻

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

It’s the 1980s and Birdy Troy is the songwriter and guitarist of The Diamonds, a woman’s rock band.
She has ambition and hunger and when The Diamonds have the opportunity to play in front of a Dublin manager their lives change forever.
They move to Dublin to be the next big thing, they’re dubbed ‘the next U2’
They’re on the brink of stardom and suddenly vanish, it’s the last anyone would hear of Birdy Troy.
Move to present day and Stacey Nash, host of a popular podcast that features has-beens that have dropped off the radar, becomes fascinated with the band - how could they disappear without a trace.
A retro read of vinyls and guitars, very much in the vibes of Daisy Jones and the six.
It’s an engaging and totally immersive read.
The author has also put together a playlist on Spotify of brilliant Irish artists to get you in the retro mood.
It’s very atmospheric and nostalgic (I’m an 80s girl at heart) but with a modern day twist.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Thanks @englishrachael, @hachetteire & @netgalley with the nostalgic read.

I loved every minute of this book, every character (except the bold one obviously), the pacing of the book and the way the story was told.

I did wonder did we need Stacey’s current day story, but I did like her and found myself wondering if herself and Ronan would make it.

The book definitely reminded me of Daisy Jones and I’d expect all DJ fans will enjoy this book to.

And it is interesting to see what happens when bands don’t make it.

The characters were very real to me. They all had the innocence of youth and then full lives after decades of living.

I had never read a Rachael English novel before and I think this is 11th, so I’m delighted I’ve found a new to me author with a decent back catalogue. I wonder what all her other books are about.

4.5* --> 5*

Back in the eighties, an all-girl group called The Diamonds from a small town in Ireland were being touted as the next big thing. But just when things were starting to happen for them, the girls disappeared and all that was left was a “it could have been ...”. What happened to make the girls turn their backs on their dream?

In the present day, Stacey’s life is falling apart. Her relationship is over, she’s being evicted from her flat, has no job prospects and is finding a new and affordable place to stay near impossible. Until someone contacts her with a possible topic for her podcast “Whatever happened to …?”. A podcast that tries to find out what happened to celebrities, local or national, from days gone by. What did they go on to do when their fame died, for instance. And someone really wants to know what happened to Birdy Troy, a member of the Diamonds who had music in her veins and yet turned her back on all of it. Sure, Stacey has more pressing issues to deal with but finding Birdy takes precedence.

As someone who was a teenager in the eighties, this novel was sheer nostalgia. The hair, the clothes, the music … it all took me right back to those carefree days when the world was your oyster and everything seemed possible. For Gail, Yvonne, Birdy and Loretta, things were no different. Living in a small town in Ireland, working on their craft, they were dreaming of bigger things. They were “discovered” and headed to the bright lights of Dublin. But as so often happens, not everyone has good intentions.

Whatever happened, which I obviously can’t tell you about, has an impact on all four girls. It shows the pitfalls of this music industry, the manipulation, the dangers that lurk around the corner. How in a flash your dream can be taken away, the relationship with your friends becoming increasingly complicated, and life taking a very different turn than the one you had in mind. It is sad and heartbreaking what went on, the effects long-term and still upsetting after four decades. And unfortunately there's the sad realisation that not that much has changed since.

But this is also a story about resilience, about guilt, about fighting back and about forgiveness. About how things look differently when you’re nearing sixty and you look back on events that played out when you were nineteen. We learn, we experience, we move on but deep down we never forget. Maybe you wish you could go back and do things differently. Maybe you wish you could right some wrongs.

Who is looking for Birdy? And why? Will Stacey find her? Or at least figure out what happened to her? Lots of questions and they will all be answered in good time. “Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy” is full of relatable and believable characters. Sometimes it will make you want to dance around the room, sometimes it’ll pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a lump in your throat. 'Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy" is an engaging, moving, bittersweet, yet enjoyable story that needs to be told for women like Birdy everywhere.

I loved this book so much. I just sobbed at the ending. It's a book that I'll have to pause after before starting another one, because this needs to be absorbed and sat with for a while. The story itself is really different and interesting. It will keep you reading to find out what happened and what will happen but really it's the characters and their personal stories that make it. It's such a believable, recognisable tale and we really get to know the women at the heart of it. Everything felt really true - the setting, life in Ireland in the 80's, young people finding their way. And in current times, a couple in their 30's navigating modern life and families. The idea of the podcast was brilliant. It framed the story but also made it really relevant to today. And while I enjoyed getting to know Stacey and Loretta, Birdy is an unforgettable character. A fabulous read.