#TrendingInZane

This book made me feel a little like I was losing my mind. And the further I read, the less sure I became that the narrator could be trusted.

About The Book

If all the world’s a stage, who can you really trust?

Celebrity actor Zane Osborne plays London’s renowned plastic surgeon and secret serial killer, Ethan Holloway, in the hit series Play Him, Play Her. Zane’s wife Lilja, former chef and 39-year-old mother, simply wants to live out her dream of starting a restaurant. None of the perks of fame make up for Zane treating her coldly, drinking too much, and neglecting his family. When Lilja discovers Zane is having an affair with his assistant Nic, the polished facade of their life splits wide open.

Zane’s process of method acting has often resulted in the entanglement of his life with Holloway’s, and as the lines between reality and script blur beyond recognition, Zane loses sight of not only who he is, but what he has done. When Nic goes missing after his birthday party, a popular podcast speculates Zane is the prime suspect. As Lilja fears for her and her daughter’s safety and Zane struggles to detach his identity from his character’s, they will have to discover if it’s possible for Zane to play an adulterer and a serial killer without becoming one himself.

Told in dual points of view, PLAY HIM, PLAY HER combines the toxic relationships of The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins meets the propulsive suspense of A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight.

My Thoughts

Like any fantastic thriller, this one kept me guessing twist after twist right up until the end. I absolutely would never have guessed the ending on this one. I’ve read I think one book by her before and her writing is brilliant. Deep, complex, flawed, real characters that are almost all morally grey – or in some cases straight-up evil.

She is such a talented writer being able to create the complete atmosphere making me feel like I was losing my mind – #InZane. The descriptions and embodiment of Zane and Holloway’s characters were just brilliant. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but this is one of those stories that’s just so deep and rich but is hard to describe without spoilers.

So, mostly – READ IT. You won’t regret it. Unless some of the CWs affect you. Then, you should take care of your mental health first.

I enjoyed the experience of reading this, even though it was also incredibly unsettling. I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me in this tour. I can’t wait to read more by this amazing author!

Who’s It For?

If you love a great thriller, especially if you’ve read Claire Stibbe books before and loved them, you’ll love this one. She weaves complex, real, morally grey characters that will make you question everything just a little bit.

Content Warnings: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Mental Illness, Infidelity, Violence, Fear Elements, Crime, Fighting, Death, Domestic Abuse

Question of the Day

Have you ever met a movie star? Another famous person?

Answer of the Day

I was next to the red carpet at the London premiere of the 4th Harry Potter movie. I also had the opportunity to be at a signing where Emma Watson was the week before.

I also saw a play with David Bradley (Argus Filch) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) while in London. We all went around back trying to see Dumbledore, but he was ushered away. Even though David Bradley was the titular character – Henry IV – he just walked out the stage door like it’s no big deal. Then he proceeds to hang out and talk to us and sign autographs. He was brilliant!!! Nice guy!

As a journalist, I got to meet lots of famous people, the most famous was probably Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw who is an alumnus of the same college I am.

About the Author

Claire worked in hotel and catering and as an Executive Assistant for companies in the UK, US and Hong Kong. She has completed four writing courses with Curtis Brown and is always hungry for more! Her novels owe much to her years as a member of the Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy where her main focus was the impact of violence towards women. Originally from Bradfield, UK, Claire worked in London before moving to Utah, where she now lives with her family and her cat, Edward.

Her latest book PLAY HIM PLAY HER has been called “unique and sinister”, with “a twisty finale that will surprise even the most perceptive readers.”

Amazon US: https://a.co/d/7T7kLBu
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9798990487116
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2FDeh9d
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212188917-play-him-play-her
Author Website: https://www.claire-stibbe.com/

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