Behind Her Back by Jane LythellMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - approx 9 hours
Pages - 368
Publisher - Head of Zeus
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
The second StoryWorld novel set in the glamorous, pressurized world of a live London TV station.
StoryWorld is the nation's favourite morning show, and producer Liz Lyon wants to keep it that way. Her job is to turn real-life stories into thrilling TV – and keep a lid on the cauldron of conflicts and resentments that constantly simmers off-stage.
In this gripping novel of power, rivalry and betrayal, Jane Lythell draws on her experiences of working in the heated world of live TV. Liz Lyon must balance the monster egos at work with the demands of her teenage daughter – and the man she's just started dating – at home. It's all in a day's work.
My Review
This is book two in the StoryWorld series, I haven't read the first and don't feel I have missed out or less enjoyment as a result. Liz Lyon is the glue that keeps the feisty team of StoryWorld together. Live TV that covers so much content, celebrities, news, fashion, cooking you name it they do it but juggling many divas. Fizzy has been off on maternity leave and is now heading back, however the team have a new member Lori Kerwell whose focus is profitability. Whilst Liz and Lori class, Fizzy finds herself battling to keep her place, tempers are affray and some people will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Ooooooh all the dramas! The bitchy world of getting ahead in the world of TV, who knew eh? I really only picked this up last night to read one chapter, I was still reading it into the wee hours of the morning. It isn't a murder mystery or anything like that, it is "office" politics, underhanded tactics, back stabbing, relationships, bitchiness and stepping over folk to get to the next rung of the career ladder. I couldn't wait to see what next, what X, Y, Z had planned and who could you actually trust.
There is a family element to it too, Liz is juggling her life as a woman still in her prime but with a teenage daughter and all the spikiness that comes with it. Fizzy is a new mother, ambitious career woman and trying to keep a secret whilst everyone and their granny want all the dirt! I found the whole workings of a TV network actually quite interesting too. I have read this author before and not only do I have another on my TBRM I enjoyed this one so much I just bought the first in the series, 99p for it on kindle. I am looking forward to finding out a bit more about the characters I just met and hope there is more coming from this series. This book is available to buy in all formats at time of posting. My thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this and introducing me to new characters and an interesting world, 4/5 for me.
I have heard that in real life, behind the scenes at television news shows can be acrimonious and crazy. This novel seems to reflect that. It sounds good.
ReplyDeleteGreat review as always Lainy.
Thanks so much for your terrific review Lainy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked Liz. She certainly has her hands full!
I worked as a producer in live television at TV-am (breakfast TV). It was a feverish and dramatic few years and I drew on my experiences to create StoryWorld TV and Liz and Fizzy and co.