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Today I review The Tattoo Thief by Alison Belsham. A real highlight of my 2018. Published by Orion Books.
💫Back of the Book
A policeman on his first murder case
A tattoo artist with a deadly secret
And a twisted serial killer sharpening his blades to kill again…
When Brighton tattoo artist Marni Mullins discovers a flayed body, newly-promoted DI Francis Sullivan needs her help. There’s a serial killer at large, slicing tattoos from his victims’ bodies while they’re still alive. Marni knows the tattooing world like the back of her hand, but has her own reasons to distrust the police. So when she identifies the killer’s next target, will she tell Sullivan or go after the Tattoo Thief alone?

💫Review by Kelly Lacey
Format – Physical Copy
Pages – 373
Genre – Crime Fiction
Rating – 💫💫💫💫💫
Sometimes a book comes along that is so clever that when you finish it you feel like you have been hit on the head with a brick, like in the cartoons you watched as a child. As you exhale a WOW and sit for a few minutes in the stunned awe. Replaying your favourite parts over and over in your head. A fantastic place to be may I say, it doesn’t happen a lot. So when it does, the book is truly magnificent.
The Tattoo Thief is a debut novel by Alison Belsham. Set in Brighton, England. We meet two key characters Marni Mullins and Di Francis Sutton. When Marni discovers a murdered victim, their life’s become entwined in a way neither could imagine.
The plot is genius and I don’t think I am giving much away, the clue is in the title. It includes a killer who is a thief of tattoos. A tattoo, something so personal and of course you would think once it was on your body, that was it a permanent addition. But this killer has other ideas.
I loved the gory gritty descriptions and the unpredictability of the storyline. I was never bored and it was an extremely enjoyable read.
Marni Mullins is my new favourite crime fiction crush. She is ballsy, tough, strong and underneath all that hard exterior has a beautiful heart of gold. It was refreshing to read about a female character who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and who wasn’t feeble and girlie.
I was as very lucky to hear the talented Alison Belsham read from The Tatto Thief at the Noir at the Bar Edinburgh event and hearing an author read from their own book is always special. But having Alison Belshams voice bring it to life was so delicious and moreish. I wanted to read it again.
I loved The Tattoo Thief, if you are looking for something different to tantalise your crime fiction taste buds then buy it today. Let Marni Mullins into your life, you will be so glad you did.
Delighted to announce that book 2 in the series Poison Ink, is out in September 2019. The pre-order link is below.

My Star Ratings Explained:
💫💫💫 Good, worth adding to your TBR.
💫💫💫💫 Excellent, really enjoyable.
💫💫💫💫💫 AMAZING, buy it today, I loved it.


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Brilliant review!! As much as I love the genre, I find it hard at times to find unpredictable novels so I’m reeeaalllyyyy happy to know this one is so good! I must read it!
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Thank you so much Meggy, you would LOVE this one. It is pure genius, Alison Belsham arrives into the crime fiction world with a BOOM.
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I’ll make sure to get a copy as soon as I’m back in the UK! You’re bad for my TBR 😉
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Kelly, thank you a million times for such a wonderful review! Bowled over by it! xoxoxo
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You are welcome, I really loved it. Can’t wait do Poison Ink. 🐙 xx
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