Tell Me How It Ends by V.B Grey

Updated: Jul 12, 2020

Published : 2020

Publisher : Quercus

Format : Kindle, Audio, Hardback, Paperback

Genre : Historical Fiction/Crime

Synopsis

Delia Maxwell is an international singing sensation, an icon of 1950s glamour who is still riding high on the new 60s scene. Adored by millions, all men want to be with her, all women want to be her. But one woman wants it maybe a little too much...

Lily Brooks has watched Delia all her life, studying her music and her on-stage mannerisms. Now she has a dream job as Delia's assistant - but is there more to her attachment than the admiration of a fan? Private investigator Frank is beginning to wonder.

As Lily steps into Delia's spotlight, and Delia encourages her ambitious protégée, Frank's suspicions of Lily's ulterior motives increase. But are his own feelings for Delia clouding his judgement?

The truth is something far darker: the shocking result of years of pain and rage, rooted in Europe's darkest hour. If Delia thought she had put her past behind her, she had better start watching her back.

Thank you Quercus for this beautiful review copy, it was a delight to read.

My Review

The story is told over three narratives, Delia, Lily and Frank the private investigator.

Set in the late 1950s/early 1960s we meet Delia, she is a singing sensation and on an evening out to dinner one day with a friend she finds herself surrounded with a following of fans who all want an autograph. One young lady stands out the most named Lily, she manages to get all the fans to leave Delia alone and as a thanks Delia invites her to have dinner with them both. This is the start of Delia and Lilys toxic relationship.

From that point on the two women become inseparable much to the chagrin of others.

On the day of an important contract signing Delia goes missing. It's a big awards ceremony and huge opportunity for her so everyone who knows Delia would not miss out on this opportunity so Peter, Delias musical director, hires Frank the private investigator to find out where she is.

Lily persuades Delia’s musical director to let her take Delia's place. Which makes Frank and Celeste, Delias friend suspicious of her motives, they can see that something isn't quite right about Lily but in Delias place she puts on quite the show and makes a big unexpected announcement at the end which changes everything.

The story takes you back into Delias past and when she eventually comes back she supports her new friends rise to fame, even if it is detrimental to her own stardom.

Frank finally confronts her with evidence that Lily is not who they think she is, Delia is adamant that it doesn’t matter and she tells Frank about her past and then swears him to not tell a soul.

Delias character is so glamorous and delicate on the outside but so fragile on the inside. She is haunted by something that happened to her a decade ago and she finds herself still trying to make up for it all these years later. Even as it starts to affect her life that she has built now.

Lilys character is quite coniving and manipulative. When you get further into the story you kind of understand why she is the way she is but it doesn't make her any more likeable. Her relationship with Guy, her co star in the film she is starring in is quite horrible, he is a nasty character.

The story mainly centres around two main things, the identity of Lily, a teenage fan who seems to have sweet-talked her way into Delia's life despite the disapproval of her friends; and the question of who Delia was before she became famous.

This is such a great read, one that I found myself totally lost in. Lies, deception and huge doses of manipulation make this quite the read.

Why I Loved It

I found this quiet the atmospheric read. I love the old movies and this one gave me those feelings of watching them play out.

The characters in this story are extremely captivating, I had mixed feelings about Lily, I hated her but sympathised with her at the same time. Delia I found to be a fragile thing who was tormented by her past. I loved it when it all finally came together and the characters all entwined to a great end.

This is a must read this summer.