#Blogtour The Rapunzel Act by Abi Silver

It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Rapunzel Act by Abi Silver.

 About the Author

Abi Silver is an author and lawyer who grew up in Leeds in a traditional Jewish family. Watching Granada TV's 'Crown Court' in between lessons led her to study  Law at Girton College, Cambridge. Abi then worked in London at international law firm, Allen & Overy and at RPC, before spending five years in Israel, where her husband, Daniel, was posted. 

During her time there, alongside raising her three young sons, Abi completed an MBA by distance learning, learned Hebrew and pottery on the wheel and began to write fiction, usually late at night. On returning to the UK, she went back to law before quitting a permanent position in 2015 when she decided to try her hand at writing again which led to publication of The Pinocchio Brief. Based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, Abi works part-time as a legal consultant and author.

Follow @abisilver16 on Twitter, Visit abisilver.co.uk

About the book

When Breakfast TV host and nation's darling, Rosie Harper, is found brutally murdered at home suspicion falls o her spouse, formerly international football start, Danny 'walks on water' Mallard, now living out of the public eye as a trans woman, Debbie. Not only must Debbie challenge the hard evidence against her, including the blood-drenched glove at the scene of the crime, she must also contend with the nation's prejudices, as the trial is broadcast live, turning it into a public spectacle.

For someone trying to live their life without judgement, it might just be too much to bear. Legal duo Judith Burton an Constance Lamb are subjected to unyielding scrutiny as they strive to defend their most famous client yet.

Review

When Debbie's ex-wife is killed she doesn't expect to have all the fingers pointing at her and more importantly how guilty she makes herself look with her initial gut reactions to the news. legal team Lamb and Burton are put under a microscope when they decide to represent Debbie. It's fair to say they are shocked by the reactions to their client.

It's good to see some diversity in fiction, but perhaps more so when it comes to LGBTQ plots. Debbie is not only a transgender character, she also represents the fears of many transphobes, because before she transitioned she was a sport hero worshipped by many in a sport which is the definition of male stereotypes. Football hero - national treasure. How can the embodiment of masculinity and testosterone suddenly be a woman?

The author delves into these misconceptions and the way society seems to believe they own their celebrities and sport idols, and of course that means they also have the right to question Debbie's existence. It's easy to crucify what you neither understand or are willing to accept.

Anyone else get  O.J. Simpson crime vibes? Chased through the streets by the police, the nations favourite sport star and a glove at the scene of the crime. Combining that with an interesting transgender character, and the misconceptions and transphobia that go along with it unfortunately, and you have a compelling courtroom and crime read.

Buy The Rapunzel Act at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Lightning Books: pub date 15 April 2021 - Paperback Original - £8.99. Buy at Amazon com. At Hive.