this was a really interesting read for me.different too in terms of the theme. i was able to keep up and feel like i knew enough to be invested in the story but also that it kept its authenticity for those aware and unaware of the cycling world.
it was such a glimpse into the world that once again we see has good and bad aspects. but do what you gain in that world ever make the bad side of it ok? hmm im not sure. there always appears to be a rather shady side to anything that requires striving for success. in the sporting arena we see it happen a lot and im sure much more that we still dont know of.
my knowledge before of the time of the event has always been in the places the Force goes through and the people in France that put on actually little event parties for when the race passes through them. so to see this book after following them was a real all round view of it and just what those people going into those villages and towns were up to.
if you discovered someone in your family was one of these professionals, and one thats life ended in the field they worked so hard in? we then go on human journey not just a sporting one which really helped me become invested. the more we learn of the characters the more we learn of the sport and so you become more than one of the spectators. who knew something about and surrounding the tour de force could be so compelling and it certainly was that for me.
i was nicely surprised at just how invested i was. and when i next see it happening i know i will look at it in a different way.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What Goes on Tour was a unique and ambitious read that combines sports history, family drama, and mystery into an intriguing story. While cycling is not a subject I typically read about, the premise immediately caught my attention—a decades-old death during the Tour de France and a son's quest to uncover the truth behind what really happened.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its structure. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and the gradual unveiling of secrets surrounding Harry Chatham's life and death. The opening chapters immediately drew me in, and the conclusion delivered a satisfying payoff that made the journey worthwhile. Rob McIvor clearly has a deep knowledge of cycling, and that expertise adds authenticity and richness to the story.

The emotional core of the novel lies in Jim's search for answers about his father, and I found that aspect particularly compelling. As family secrets emerge and long-buried truths come to light, the story explores themes of identity, legacy, and the cost of uncovering the past.

Although some sections in the middle moved more slowly for me, and the large cast of characters occasionally required extra attention, I appreciated the detailed portrait of professional cycling in the 1970s and the care taken to recreate that world.

Overall, What Goes on Tour is an engaging and thoughtfully crafted novel that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy historical mysteries, family secrets, and sports-based fiction. It's an impressive debut that offers an intriguing look at both the glamour and the darker side of competitive cycling.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for an ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.

A very different book to what I usually read, and I was intrigued by the concept - a death in the final stages of the tour du France 30 years ago and the subsequent investigation of whether it was a tragic accident or something more sinister.

The first and last 10% were both really interesting and held my attention, but I felt the middle 80% had a lot of filler, too many characters to keep track of, and the details of the races and events was a bit too intense and lost my focus a little. I did like how the story was told from multiple time lines and revealed little by little but not quite fast paced enough for me sadly.