Feminist-prone RUTHLESS
WOMEN (2021, Head of Zeus) by British author Melanie Blake offers a yummy
premise: to save a long-running world-wide syndicated soap opera from being
cancelled the Beautiful People behind Falcon
Bay resolve into broadcasting a live episode which will celebrate its 40th
anniversary by introducing a female antagonist à la Alexis from TVs Dynasty.
But there’s more. Prior to the live broadcast, a reality TV special will air,
featuring actresses vying for the pivotal role before the winner gets chosen by
the TV audience. You’re taking notes,
Andy Cohen?
Suffice to say, this is a fun book, and a hot one at
that. There’s a bunch of great characters in it, all more wicked than the other.
‘Cause besides those reality TV contenders, the novel also highlights a slew of
other wonderful strong-willed women: a leading lady, a producer, a
writer-director, a super-agent, a casting director—all over 50 and still trying
to break down the boys’ club doors. You’ll definitely want to get to know them
and see some justice done. As expected, the novel has a Jackie Collins vibe to
it but RUTHLESS WOMEN is more than
just a Collins knockout. Aside from the sex, the behind-the-scene shenanigans and
the fast-moving narrative, the novel winds up owning its own style. If I had to
be a little bit fussy I would say that some situations have got to be taken
with a grain of salt at times (the hotel room cocaine bust, for instance) but otherwise
this is one great addictive trashy read.
This is Melanie Blake’s sophomore novel after 2019 THE
THUNDER GIRLS. If you enjoyed that one I think you’ll dig even more RUTHLESS WOMEN. I certainly did. I look
forward to reading the sequel. Last that I heard Ms. Blake is hard at work on
it. This time the novel will focus on the men side as they take their own
revenge on the women that have ‘wronged’ them. One word: yummy. In the meantime
do pick up RUTHLESS WOMEN, will ya?
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this
captivating ARC.
Until next post—Martin
