Lots of drama in this murder mystery set in - sigh- the south of France.  The title is a big clue to what's going on but it's a good read.

Sexy, racy, not able to put down, twists and turns and everything you want inbetween with this book. Read it and enjoy. Excellent book. well done.

Review: Revenge

I received a copy from Netgalley.

I must be a black sheep on this one. Most of the reviews I browsed through were fairly positive, there was a handful of one stars but no actual reviews. It caught my eye whilst browsing Netgalley because I like revenge themed books featuring famous people with glitz glamour and potential murder. When I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that the author was compared to the British equivalent of Jackie Collins that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

 I thought it was one of the stupidest, most annoying books I have ever read.

I didn't find it glamorous or captivating or anything. The characters were unremarkable and annoying with maybe one exception and it was nearly 70% into the book before the reason all these people were brought together was finally explained. It started out okay, the frost problem I had with the book was that the review copy I was reading on my iPad kindle app had an appealing font which wouldn't go out of bold which annoyed the hell out of me. I ended up buying a finished copy with a sensible font I could read properly. At this point the book still had my attention to want to know the what was going on. 

The premise was interesting enough, a bunch of people have been invited to the opening debut of a new snazzy restaurant by popular celebrity chef Dexter Franklin in St Tropez. It's all expenses paid as well. It becomes obvious immediately that bringing this particular group together is a disaster waiting to happen. It's also made clear right away that each person invited to the opening have history with Dexter and pretty bad history at that. The tag line hinted at murder so the interest for me was who do these annoying people is going to get bumped off first?

The characters:

Two members of a former squeaky clean girl group Crazy Sour, who had a massive career as pop idols for teen girls until one of them, Holly, fell into drugs and drink and ruined the band and destroyed everyone's careers. Holly wound up becoming a high class prostitute and raked the cash in until she got caught up in a scandal with a politician and the whole thing came crashing down around her, again. She’s an utter bitch, out for number one and doesn't seem to give a fuck about anyone else other than herself. Of course, she's got a few secrets of her own which sort of explain her deplorable personality and the defensive attitude she displays. She had a hot fling with Dexter at some point and it didn't end well.

The other girl band member Mew, I got the impression was supposed to be the sensible smart one of the group. She and Holly rubbed each other the wrong way. There wasn't much mentioned about the third member of the band or there than she wasn't all there. I think the only reason she wasn't brought in on this little trip was she didn't have anything going on with Dexter. When  Crazy Sour failed Mew made her fame and fortune by winning a celebrity cooking show hosted by Dexter. There was a big scandal when it was discovered that Mew was screwing Dexter behind the scenes. Mew went on to have her own cooking career and wrote best selling cookbooks. Mew brings her assistant/agent Olivia along on the trip complexly oblivious to the fact that Olivia is head over heels in love with her. Of course, neither Holly nor Mew know the other has been invited.

Leland Franklin, Dexter’s older brother. The two brothers never got along. Leland is actor who made his name as a hunky TV action adventurer star who thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread and God’s gift to women. A better than thou jerk who thinks the sun rises and sets on him, and completely unfaith to his supposed long term girlfriend. To the point where he brings some fame hungry American girl he picked up and has been screwing on the side, the girl who was notorious for having once been a hooker on the trip. Leland’s supposed actual girlfriend is a Brazilian actress Rosita Velazquez. She's a huge star in her own country and wants to break into other markets and she's convinced that dating Leland will raise her profile. She's outlandish and takes over the top to a whole new dimension. Neither knows that the other has been invited to Dexter’s restaurant opening. Rosita has her own complex history with Dexter. 

Finally DC Riding, a restaurant critic. Openly gay and friendly DC is probably is the only likeable character amongst this lot. He had a failed try at producing a big broadway production. He's had some not so pleasant things to say about Dexter’s restaurants before. He’s into really kinky sex stuff as well and doesn't seem to care where it comes from and is quite happy to pay for it. 

A few other minor characters are introduced who wind up having fairly decent rolls as the plot goes on. 

The bulk of the novel is all these characters arriving in St Tropez and their reactions to each other. Which in the most case are not happy reunions. It's drama drama drama. They've all worked out there must be something going on. Dexter hasn’t made an appearance yet. Most of his chapters up to this point are reflections on his relations with the other characters and hints of something big that's going to happen. By this point I am bored to tears with the book. I lost interest in the drama between the characters, the bitch fest between Holly and Mew, Olivia pining over Mew, Rosita and her ridiculous attempts at making a name for herself, Leland who I despised right from the start and remember very little about. The only fun chapters were the ones from DC Riding. Opening night approaches and the reasons for bringing these particular people together were finally revealed. Over 70% in and no ones been killed. What happened to the murder hinted at in the tag line and why is these thing called Revenge?

It turns out it's all involving a show girl Cher Le Visage. Dexter was madly in love with Cher, now Cher is dead and every person he has invited to the opening has a reason to want to kill Cher. So…who did it? More secrets are revealed and more past information comes to light. 

One thing I did actually like at the end was how the women came together to defend each other when found in a dicey situation with the killer. Mew and Holly really came together and wound up with a new understanding and a budding friendship that allowed them to reconnect and come together in a way they hadn't before.

Not enough to salvage the book for me, but something about it I actually liked. 

There was a brief what happened afterwards conclusion detailing where each of the main characters when after the eventful opening night of Dexter's restaurant. Most of them had shown some sort of growth over the novel and some found new relationships, new friendships and new directions in life. 

This wasn't a page turner for me, nor was it a gripping thriller at all. I found myself skimming a large portion of the middle. It had its moments but in the end just not for me. I’m not really interested at all in trying anything else by this particular author. Every now and then I try something different from my usual type of book but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me at all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoture for approving my request to view the title.

Sex, drugs, girl bands, the rich, the famous, has beens, wannabes, call girls, reality TV stars, murder, blackmail, glitz, glamour and the ultimate…. revenge. This book has it all; wrapped around a compelling mystery. It’s delicious, shocking, scandalous and at times laugh out loud funny.

<i>”Brother Leland, diva Rosita, call girl Holly, Ex Mew and critic DC. His lips curled into a knowing smile as he considered what was about to be served to his illustrious guests. Revenge, regrets and explosive revelations.”</i>

Dexter Franklin, successful celebrity chef, invites five special guests to the opening of his new restaurant, Tresor, in St Tropez. Each of these guests has a connection to Dexter but they also have a connection to each other which we find out through some very revealing backstory on each character.

I loved every one of these characters. The development throughout the story is well done with chapters of backstory on each character slowing revealing more of their life so you become really invested in who they are.

There is never a dull moment and plenty of drama as the mystery unfolds. An abundance of sex, drugs, scandals, bitchiness and accusations makes this a racy page turner.

I love nothing better than a bit of revenge.

This book is a saucy whodunnit, set in the glamorous world of celebrities and full of secrets, scandal and even murder. It is an easy and fun read, perfect for the holidays. 
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for ARC.

I love a good mystery. I especially love a good mystery set in an exotic locale, which was why I was excited to start reading Revenge. It’s got a good hook, and the suspense conjured up by the blurb was definitely maintained right from the first page. It’s definitely not a book for the faint of heart, as all the characters have dirty secrets and there’s a fair bit of smut that goes on. But if you like things a lil’ gritty and a lil’ sexy, then you’re probably going to enjoy Revenge.

I enjoyed Revenge, but not as much as I thought I was going to. Though well-written and well-researched, there was some element lacking for me. I guess it was just that there was too much build-up to the climax. By the time the restaurant’s opening night came around, I was expecting something spectacular to happen. I was left a little disappointed, especially since immediately afterward all the loose threads of the story were tied up just a little too neatly for my liking. It was like we got all this great story, and these interesting characters, but the author skimped out on the ending. The red herrings were lackluster at best, and the great reveal was anticlimactic. The title promises “A gripping and utterly addictive page turner that will have you hooked”, but doesn’t deliver on this promise. Also, in my opinion that’s a kinda tacky thing to include in the title.

Anyway, I’d still recommend reading it. If nothing else, you’ll learn some cool things about St. Tropez and have the opportunity to read about some well-rounded celebrity characters. Just maybe don’t get as jazzed up about getting to the climax as I did.

3.5 stars

Well I suppose everyone is going to hate me but yes I really only gave this 3 out of 5 and I'm being generous.
From the blurb I expected to absolutely love this book it sounded right up my street but sadly it wasn't to be. The storyline is good the setting is great the reason why all the characters are gathered together for that one evening was a good twist in the story but for some reason it didn't hold my attention. I didn't feel myself drawn to liking any of the characters particularly, the story seems to go on and on and not all of it relevant. I found myself scanning pages for bits that would be needed to piece this story together and flicking through pages unread. This is the first book in a long time that I didn't want to read every spare moment I got. Sorry.
I would like to thank netgalley and bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who follows my blog will know that I am a huge fan of Nigel May (one of his biggest!) and his fabulous books. Nigel has fast became one of my favourite authors over the past few years and I go into each one of his books full of confidence that they will not disappoint, and Revenge was no different. I'm not the biggest fan of books set in France however St. Tropez is a little different and Nigel uses the glamorous setting to its fullest here in Revenge (with flashbacks and some scenes taking place around the world) and it is only a small part of what is an action-packed and very character-driven story.

Dexter Franklin has invited a whole host of characters to his newest restaurant opening in St. Tropez and, determined to make it a success and one of the most talked about events of the decade, he's invited just the right mix of people to make that happen. I'm not going to list them all as they should be discovered by the reader themselves, however there's a real mystery behind each of the characters and why they have been invited by Dexter. They each arrive in St. Tropez with a bang and there's a shock in store for each of them. I also love how Nigel's books all take place within the same world and there's always mentions and appearances from some of his past characters.

I love that by now Nigel has created so many characters across all of his novels and yet he still manages to make all of his newest ones feel fresh and original, all with their own believable backstories and stories to tell. Yes, as a bonkbuster some of the characters can behave a little over the top, but underneath all that, in his female characters especially, there's an underlying vulnerability that allows us as readers to relate to these characters who, whilst living in a world so far removed from our own, are relatable and we are able to view them as real people who just want the same thing everybody wants regardless of wealth or social status; love and happiness.

All throughout Revenge you know that Nigel is building up to something big and he never fails to deliver when it comes to his finales. Each book he has written has finished and left me desperate for me and I can't think of another author currently writing in this genre that does it better than Nigel May. As with the legendary Jackie Collins, Nigel's books transcend the genre and go far beyond being another book just filled with smut and sex. Instead you get a truly action-packed book here featuring murder, intrigue, revenge, comedy, rivalries, glamorous locations. Pretty much everything you could possibly expect from a book and then some. I am in awe of how Nigel manages to achieve this book after book, improving on what came before and his writing and storytelling in Revenge compared with his earlier work is astounding (and his early books are amazing so that should give some idea of how good Revenge is).

Nigel named a character after me in Lovers and Liars and I was ecstatic to see that I made a return here in Revenge as a fantastic journalist who refuses to take no for an answer and I appear in a couple of rather funny scenes (however a certain Daniel Riding also made an appearance as DC Riding and I found myself wishing I too had quite the fun he had in his hotel room...) Revenge is one of Nigel's best books to date and cements his place as the King of the Bonkbuster and one of my all-time favourite authors. If you are yet to discover one of his books then this is the perfect place to start, and then when you finish you have a back catalogue of books just waiting to be devoured. Now, when's the next one?

If you keep dangerous secrets you’ll pay the ultimate price…

In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun itself:

Mew Stanton: Fashionable, beautiful and a notorious TV chef, Dexter’s ex-girlfriend has all the ingredients for success. As her books fly off the shelves, a secret from her past is about to surface with explosive consequences. 

Holly Lydon: Ex girlband star who has fallen on hard times. Forced to make ends meet she’s having to sleep her way to the top. Now she’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Rosita Velázquez: Brazilian actress extraordinaire and girlfriend of Dexter’s brother, Leland. When she’s in town everybody needs to know about it, but this is one show-stopping entrance she’ll live to regret.

Three women have a past with Dexter and a grudge to bear against him. As fireworks ignite in the jet set capital of Europe, there’s murder on the menu. Who will be served their just desserts?

The sun is setting in the South of France. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and sit back for a read of revenge, regrets and shocking revelations that will have you hooked to the very last page.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Nigel May as it was one of the books I was helping to represent at the literary agency I was working for. This is by far one of those drama-filled, very character-drive and action-packed book that you can’t seem to put down and you even miss your tube stop (happened to me) because of it!

Revenge has a deep element of mystery woven throughout. It begins by Dexter Franklin sending invites to a whole host of versatile characters to her newest restaurant opening in the hear of St.Tropez. Determined to make the eve of the restaurant opening a success, he invites the right mix of people. The five characters which the entire book focuses on all have a hidden past which gets pulled to the forefront as we’re told why they’re each invited by Dexter.

Though each character is distinct in their own ways, they each have had encounters with each other and a past that begins to piece the present plot into making much more sense. I thought focusing on five charters might get a bit confusing and messy but trust me, it was put together so eloquently and because the characters were unique, it worked very well. The chapters were Nigel goes back into the past to explore the characters past adds to the present and also allows us to get a better understanding of each of the five characters – as nobody is perfect, no matter how much they may appear to be on the surface, everybody has skeletons hidden in the closet.

Throughout Revenge, there is a real sense of tension building up and towards the end of the book, Nigel indeed, finishes with a big bang. Nigel has a talent for taking universal themes: love, betrayal, dreams, desires and weaving these ideas seamlessly through well-developed characters and plot.

I can’t wait to see what else comes from Nigel May. I’d recommend Revenge for anyone who is prepared to jet off to St. Tropez for some action-packed tension and drama.

Revenge was published by Bookouture in 2017.

This was such a good book!!!  We get a glimpse of the lives of those rich and famous people we always wonder about, but find out that the grass is not greener on the other side.  The story starts with a group of people who are invited to Dexter Franklin's’ restaurant launch.  The story pulled you in by wondering why these particular people were invited to the opening.  Each person’s life or past is like a puzzle piece that comes along and helps form the whole picture of past events and sets up the scenario for present day drama.

Wow, what an amazing book this was, loved it from start to finish, was such an addictive read. The story never stopped, and you never knew what was going to happen next. I was truly captivated from start to finish.

The storyline is cleverly done and the characters are well thought out, there was lots going on in the book & lots of characters to love & hate but at no point was it confusing to follow at any point.

If you love books by Tasmina Perry, Jackie Collins, Rebecca Chance, Louise Bagshawe or Tilly Bagshawe, then you should definitely give Nigel May's books ago as you won't be disappointed.  I've already read 4 of his previous books and definately looking forward to reading his others.

Many other reviewers are calling this the ultimate beach read and I agree. It meets all my checks to make it a superb smutty beach read. Tropical setting, sex, drama and intriguing characters. 
The book opens with the death of Cher Le Visage, a stage performer. Fast forward 5 years where Dexter,famous chef has just opened a new restaurant in St.Tropez and has invited many people to the grand opening of his restaurant. The reader is introduced to many characters but they are easy to keep track of- trust me! Dexter has planned this evening perfectly. Why? and how is everyone connected?You can bet someone will be getting some delicious revenge.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I am sorry to say that i did not finish this book.
I almost never give up on a book i start but in this case I read more that the third and i couldn't make my self read it any longer.

From its summary and the glorious reviews about it , i expected a very good story. But i simply couldn't enjoy it, and i really did not like the whole set of characters.

Besides i think there should have been some warning about the sexual contents in the story, i actually kept skipping part in each chapter.

Revenge sucks you in with the crazy prologue leading you to this murder mystery - exclusive dinner party - set in the super chic, St. Tropez. I love all the different characters and how you are able to follow along with each of their interconnected lives as the plot develops. This is a great book to read enjoying poolside with a cocktail while dreaming that you are enjoying this addictive, delicatessen in the South of France. Well done Nigel May!!!!

Revenge by Nigel May is the type of book where you need to clear your schedule before you start it because you wont be able to put it back down again until its finished.  A great read I highly recommend, especially if you miss Jackie Collins

I have been a fan of this author for a while now and his latest offering did not disappoint.

Once again he weaves so many different storylines together in such a way that the reader is immediately drawn into the story and held kicking and screaming till the bitter end.

Great story and excellent characterisation. Fans of Jackie Collins will love this author and his books.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Nigel May has the ability to bring the old fashioned bonk buster style stories of the 1980's, into the 21st century. He knows how to spin a good yarn centred around the glamour and wealth of characters with a celebrity status and lifestyle.

Dexter Franklin is a well known chef, as he plans the opening night of his new restaurant based in the stunning setting of St Tropez, in the south of France. He has hand picked a group of friends and acquaintances to a private gathering on the opening night. With no expense spared he makes sure that they are all able to attend.

As the group begin to assemble in St Tropez, some new relationships are formed and some older grudges are brought to the fore. None of them are aware of what Dexter has in store for them on opening night and as the night begins, we the reader sit back to watch the fireworks  begin!!

Told in the present with flashbacks to the past, this story is well written and soon has us embroiled in the lives of the characters. 

This was the first story that I've read by Nigel May and it won't be my last. I can thoroughly recommend this story to anyone who loves to escape real life to experience the trials and tribulations of those that have a celebrity lifestyle.

I was more than happy to give this story a 4 stars or 8/10.

Well nobody stands Nigel May in the corner! I could be put into a room full of books that have brown paper backing and I could still pick out his. This book, Revenge, is no exception as Nigel May deserves centre stage yet again.
Revenge has even more glitz and glamour as the rich and famous are invited by the world renowned chef Dexter Franklin, to the opening of yet another exclusive restaurant, this one in St. Tropez, Southern France. At some time each of the invited guests have crossed Dexter but the greed of these people, for an all expenses paid trip to the Play Ground of millionaires makes them jump at the chance to grab the lime light again. The has-beens and wanna-bes are all fighting for poll position.
He always gives his characters character to put it bluntly and you get an instant like or dislike for them straight away, to the point you could in some cases turn to murder yourself! What I do like is how I get to know these people before they really start to interact in the story. There are some sparks flying around as it seems that all their lives have crossed at some point. It makes for perfect entertainment.
I just love how Nigel May builds the suspense in his books, it always makes me feel like I’m on a murder mystery weekend, like I am there looking over someone’s shoulder at what is going on and I don’t want to leave until its all over. Well you won’t want to put this book down. Oh it gets hot though, phew really hot!  Steamy Hot! Lots of taking clothes off and very descriptive action hot. I did mention brown paper backing earlier didn’t I? No seriously the scenes are very well described which for me adds to the whole story of these people. He always wows me with the story and the unexpected outcome. A massive must read for any Nigel May fans and I hope many more too. It is soooooo goooooood!

Revenge is a strange one for me.
Strange in a good way mind.
We've have literally got it all in one book. Love, murder, mystery, romance and sex.
What more do you want exactly?!?
Well, aside from the lack of a high body count, blood, guts and gore I normally appreciate in a book, I really enjoyed Revenge.
It's a very well written and brilliantly thought out plot which really had me guessing all the way through. Why did Dex want all these old rivals at the opening of his new restaurant? What had they all done to each other in the past? Thankfully this book isn't marketed as a gritty crime/psychological thriller and I'm so glad I knew not to expect that.
It is bonkfest with a murder, a bitchfest with a mystery, a hunkfest with a crime! It's got it all and not in a bad or confusing way. Nigel keeps it real, there's no confusion and it works really well.
I'll certainly be looking out for more of Nigel's books in the future and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a steamy chick-litty murder mystery (who'd a thought I'd ever say that?!?)