RUTHLESS WOMEN BY MELANIE BLAKE, REVISITED

  

There are two main reasons why I wanted to reread RUTHLESS WOMEN. The first is I wanted to reacquaint myself with the characters and situations to get ready for the upcoming sequel called GUILTY WOMEN due out this spring. The second and most important one is that I also wanted to give the novel the spotlight it truly deserves since I feel I didn’t totally do justice to it when I reviewed it before on this blog last year. COVID-19 is mostly to blame. That, and my stubbornness to continue to write reviews despite a very hectic schedule. Yes, not only did I find myself swamped at the hospital where I work but I barely could manage anything else, including putting my own two cents worth about Melanie’s work. So I did what I do best under pressure: I click on the automatic pilot and hope for the best. Turns out I did write what I consider a good review. Now, however, I want to write a fantastic one because I believe that’s what the novel truly deserves. So, on I go.

 

If you ever wanted to know how show business works in the soap opera world then look no further than RUTHLESS WOMEN by the multitasker Melanie Blake. I say multitasker because the woman can do it all: she can manage a highly successful agency, write best-sellers—when not ghostwriting them—and be social media savvy. In RUTHLESS WOMEN all three take center stage. A long-running syndicated soap is in danger of cancellation. It needs to reinvent itself before the plug is pulled. In comes a newly appointed male chauvinistic executive producer who wants to shake things up, like broadcasting a live episode that will reveal the demise of a much loved character. Not only that, but a live search will also be underway to determine which actress among six ‘mature’ women will play the new villainess onscreen. Not an easy task, especially when most of them have problems of their own off-screen. Did I also mention that there is a newcomer behind the scenes who has a big score to settle with a major player? I won’t say who but it’s a doozy, trust me. Add a girl—or should I say woman—power approach, a front row seat of what really goes on behind or in front of the camera and you got yourself one heck of an escapist read to delve into.

 

Moreover, in between colorful characters, a fire-cracking plot and a solid narration lies a roman-à clef with a heart. The reader can clearly feels the bond between the women as they manage the best they can to stay afloat in this male-dominated culture. Because yes, it is still a boys club despite all of the denunciations made since the Weinstein exposé. Melanie Blake clearly demonstrates that. She also demonstrates a pure knack for keeping the page turning, despite the fact that I already knew the story’s outcome. Sure, having my mind at ease during this winter’s vacation certainly helped but still, what a fun wicked ride RUTHLESS WOMEN turned out to be. To tell you the truth, I wanted more of the same and will have, not only when GUILTY WOMEN arrives in late April but when the third book in the series, VENGEFUL WOMEN comes out next year. Now that’s what I call satisfying one’s craving, wouldn’t you say so?

 

 

Until next post—Martin 

Melanie Blake