Exposure: Seven contestants living in the remote Welsh mountains for two weeks--subjected to challenges and public votes and the elements. What could go wrong, right? It's typical reality TV, but Detective Ffion Morgan wasn't expecting such a show to be filmed practically in her backyard. When the show's producer, Miles, turns the table on his seven players and reveals that he will expose their greatest secret on live TV unless they are the last one standing, ratings soar. But soon a contestant is missing, which was not part of Miles' script. And when a murder hits the Exposure cast and crew, things take an even more dramatic turn. Most of the suspects were on camera or have an alibi; can Ffion untangle the group's secrets before the killer strikes again?
I loved the first book in this series. Ffion is one of my favorite characters-a flawed but brilliant detective with an acerbic wit. The story begins with her being called out by her boss for not being a team player. That may sum up our Ffion perfectly, but she's loyal and she won't quit on a case. You don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I do recommend it, especially as you'll enjoy the personal dynamics more. With a person missing, Ffion must call upon DS Leo Brady from the first book, but the two have a... history... together.
The "locked reality show" concept in the Welsh mountains works great here. We have a small cast of characters. You get to know your reality show players, the small crew, and Ffion and her family. There are limited suspects, but we soon learn there are plenty of people the group wouldn't mind dead. Nothing heightens emotions like being on camera, false pretenses, and the public revelation of secrets. Clare Mackintosh has a way of writing books that just keep you guessing--I was genuinely surprised at the whodunnit.
Adding to the well-plotted story is Ffion's well-written character, as we delve into complex dynamics with her family, Leo, and work colleagues. Ffion must work with someone new on her force, Georgina Kent, as well as deal with Leo coming back into her life. I just adore prickly Ffion. She's so smart and hides her insecurities by forging ahead without thinking things through at times. Mackintosh writes her vulnerabilities so well, and I sure hope there will be a book #3. (And I hope it features Ffion's smelly, lovable dog, Dave!)
Overall, this is an excellent mystery--exciting and atmospheric with a complex, thoughtful lead detective.
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| Hostage | The Last Party | A Game of Lies | |
| Customer Reviews |
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| Price | $10.30 | $9.69 | $25.19 |
| More riveting thrillers from Clare Mackintosh! | An explosively addictive thriller about a flight attendant forced to choose between saving the life of everyone on board her flight—or the life of her child back home. | After a New Year’s Eve party ends in murder, DC Ffion Morgan learns that nearly everyone in their Welsh village had reasons to want the victim dead. | DC Ffion Morgan is called to investigate a reality television show that has morphed into a deadly game in the Welsh wilderness. |
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Reviews with images
Deadly Reality TV
I don’t watch much reality TV. If this is what those shows are like, I can see how some people get addicted to these train wrecks.The contestants have no idea what kind of a competition they are about to try to emerge from as the winner. Everyone of them has a secret that can be exposed by losing different parts of this game. But when one contestant vanishes, and someone is murdered, it seems that winning the prize money might not mean as much as protecting their secret.My favorite character: Dave. Hard to not love him.My least favorite character (at first): DC Ffion Morgan. She was tough to like at first, but as the story progressed, I wound up hoping that she would open up and maybe even find a happy ending.I enjoyed the perspectives from each of the contestants and the police trying to solve these crimes. Did I guess right? Nope. I considered this person, but wound up choosing someone else! Author -1 Me -0A good mystery, one where I learned a lot about how reality TV is made. Characters,especially Dave that had me laughing out loud, and I certainly wouldn’t mind visiting this town again. I received a DRC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley.
Top reviews from other countries
Kate
Exposure is the name and Exposure is the game.
Reviewed in Australia on August 7, 2023
Lizanne Lloyd
Great characterisation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2024