Title: CONFESSIONS OF A CRIME WRITER
Author: LOUISE MANGOS
ISBN: 9783952656402
Publisher: Mana Publishing
Pages: 318
Source: Review copy from the Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
A budding crime writer, a death at a literary festival and a sardonic peek into the world of publishing Handsome, debonair Nigel Inchcock is a talented crime writer working on the next global bestselling thriller. Or so he believes. In his early thirties and still living with his ageing mother, his writing career is taking time to kick-start, hampered by his warped sense of self-belief. From attempting to woo literary agents and library assistants, to becoming a victim of his own research, we follow Nigel on his turbulent journey through the bewildering world of publication.
While attending a series crime writing festivals, Nigel befriends octogenarian author Edith Sparrow, after which his writing career takes an unusual turn. An accidental murder, the unintentional theft of a manuscript and the devious misuse of intellectual property leads to some unexpected publishing scandals that will change Nigel’s world.
Official Summary
03 August 2026
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for the invitation to participate in this blog tour. I have previously read two of Louise Mangos’ books, so I was excited by the blurb for this one. If you pick up this novel, you can expect a fun, laugh-out-loud read that offers an entertaining glimpse into the world of publishing.
Louise Mangos has created an impressive, humour-filled story about a wannabe crime writer, an accidental murder, and the chaos surrounding a writers’ festival. Along the way, she explores just how difficult it can be for aspiring authors to break into the publishing industry, while also highlighting how easily plagiarism can sometimes slip under the radar. Rather than tackling these themes in a serious way, she wraps them in plenty of wit and humour, making this an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Nigel Inchcock believes he is a gifted writer and is determined to publish the next great crime novel. He lives with his mum, is colour-blind, and, unfortunately, has a name that nobody seems able to take seriously. During a visit to a writers’ festival, Nigel confronts a renowned publicist late one evening and accidentally kills him. In a desperate attempt to cover up his involvement, he leaves the festival early with copies of a manuscript that he believes is his own.
Although the story offers an amusing look behind the scenes of the publishing industry, it never takes itself too seriously. I loved the humour throughout, and the characters were absolutely delightful. Nigel’s unwavering self-confidence shines through on every page, even as it becomes increasingly clear that he may be vastly overestimating both his talent and his situation. Watching him stumble from one predicament to the next made for some genuinely funny moments.
Edith Sparrow is an equally memorable character who nearly steals the spotlight from Nigel. With her speech impediment and the little dog she secretly sneaks into hotels, she adds another wonderful layer of comedy to the story. She quickly became one of my favourite characters, and I looked forward to every scene she appeared in.
Having now read three of Louise Mangos’ books, I really appreciated how different this one was from her previous novels. It showcases her versatility as a writer while still delivering the engaging storytelling I have come to expect from her. This was a solid four-star read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted, entertaining mystery that is guaranteed to leave you smiling—and laughing out loud.
REMEMBER TO VISIT THE OTHER TOUR STOPS
Also by Louise Mangos
THE GILR IN THE DOORWAY
Will rescuing a homeless student be his greatest mistake? When bookseller James meets homeless student Emma on a London street, the attraction is instant. But after a magical Christmas break in the Swiss Alps, they return to find his flat has been burgled, and the police want to question James about the suspicious death of another homeless person.
As he and his friend Sally chase clues from the West End of London to the snow-laden mountains of Switzerland to solve the mystery of his stolen antique books and family heirlooms, James is forced to ask himself whether he has been desperately unlucky, blinded by love, or worse.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Louise Mangos grew up in the UK but has spent more than half her life in Switzerland. Her debut psychological suspense, Strangers on a Bridge, was a finalist in the Exeter
Novel Prize and long-listed for the Bath Novel Award. She has published three further psychological suspense novels – The Art of Deception, The Beaten Track (gold medallist in the Global Book Awards) and Five Fatal Flaws (shortlisted in the Page Turner Awards).
She lives in the foothills of the Alps with her Kiwi husband and two sons. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the cross-country ski trails or wild swimming in the lake by her home, depending on the season.
Louise also writes historical fiction as L.S.Mangos and short fiction, which has won prizes and been published in more than twenty print anthologies. She holds a Masters in Crime Writing from the University of East Anglia.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. This is the first one for August and there are plenty more to come this month. Let me know what you are currently reading by leaving a comment below. Until next time… Happy Reading!
