LOOSE LIPS COST LIVES.
It’s 1986, and Adam Cave, lead singer of sensational pop group Loose Lips, is struggling to stay in the closet, especially as his group is going through a messy split, and media speculation about the reasons behind it are rife.
Joe Stone is assigned to Adam as a runner for the behind-the-scenes, warts and all expose of the recording of the bands last album, and an unlikely friendship begins to form.
But when Adam’s manager, Jack Eddy, is found dead in Adam’s hotel room, in what looks like a sex game gone wrong, Joe turns to his flatmate, Russell, to help him clear the pop star’s name, and keep his secret.
Russell, meanwhile, has a secret of his own. He’s just been for a test, the results of which may change his life forever.
Review
I would like to thank the author and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Having loved the previous books in this series, I was excited to be offered the third to review as part of a blog tour. I’m glad to be able to report that Careless Whisper is another fantastic read. One of those, I can’t put down, flipping enjoyable books. Welcome back Joe and Russsell, I adore you!
What I loved about this book is the way that the story is perfectly formed, it’s exciting, full of a variety of interesting personalities and it places LGBT characters front and centre of a top notch crime thriller. I firmly believe that it takes great skill to write a novella, because the story has to be fully formed, but within a constrained word count and this book is a shining example of how to do that! From page one to the final page it is littered with tension, emotion and even humour. The characters develop and we get to know them better with each book. Joe as he seeks to explore his sexuality and Russell when he faces a crisis, that could leave him facing an unknown future. You can’t help but fall in love with them.
The writing is so wonderful, you really feel your there in the 80s with them, so on point is the depiction of a London where being gay is no longer ilegal, but where a Careless Whisper can still wreck a career. T S Hunter tells a story of a tortured soul, of bent coppers, of the heady freedom of living as a gayman, but still facing discrimination. Into this he weaves a tale of torturous secrets which lead to a death, plunging both Joe and Robert into a world of frenzied media and fan obession.
The story was exciting, addictive and very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a short read that doesn’t compromise on story and entertainment. That also gives a voice to LGBT characters, whose world will open up to you, it’s darker side, it’s heady excitement and where “the careless whispers of a good friend” leads you a death and justice, only when Joe and Robert are willing to track a killer down.
Why not play a little Wham then lose yourself in a story that will have you transported back to 1980s London. I promise you it’s worth it.
You can purchase this novel directly from Red Dog Press or Amazon Kindle or or paperback from Amazon.
You can also buy it as part of a set with the first two books in the series from Amazon.
About the author
Claiming to be only half-Welsh, T.S. Hunter lived in South Wales for much of his latter teens, moving to London as soon as confidence and finances allowed. He never looked back.
He has variously been a teacher, a cocktail waiter, a podium dancer and a removal man, but his passion for writing has been the only constant.
He’s a confident and engaging speaker and guest, who is as passionate about writing and storytelling as he is about promoting mainstream LGBT fiction.
He now lives with his husband in the country, and is active on social media as
booksaremycwtches 