The Other Half

Mark Billingham; My Darling Clementine

ISBN 10: 1405533935 ISBN 13: 9781405533935

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group, 2015

Synopsis

The Other Half is a unique collaboration between the leading lights of mystery fiction and country music. An original story by bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham, soundtracked by the powerful and poignant songs of internationally acclaimed Americana duo My Darling Clementine. Pain, loss, violence. The lifeblood of crime fiction, but also the dark seam that runs through the very best country music. With her best years seemingly behind her, a former Las Vegas showgirl works double shifts in a rundown Memphis bar. Alone and estranged from her daughter, Marcia lives life vicariously through her customers and the everyday tragedies of people falling in and out of love. These are moving tales of grief and heartbreak, lust, murder and domestic horror. Serving beer and burgers as these very different stories unfold, Marcia reflects on her single doomed shot at happiness. Then one day, she receives a phone call that changes everything...

About this title

About the Author:

Mark Billingham has twice won the Theakston's Old Peculier Award for Best Crime Novel, and has also won a Sherlock Award for the Best Detective created by a British writer. Each of the novels featuring Detective Inspector Tom Thorne has been a Sunday Times bestseller, and Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat were made into a hit TV series on Sky 1 starring David Morrissey as Thorne. Mark lives in north London with his wife and two children. My Darling Clementine are leading lights of the British Americana/Country music scene who have, to date, released two highly acclaimed albums: "How Do You Plead?" (2011) and "The Reconciliation?" (2013). Comprising of husband-and-wife duo Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish, they have a growing legion of fans, including such famous figures as Graham Norton and Bob Harris. My Darling Clementine mine a rich seam of country classicism, in particular the "countrypolitan" sound of late '60s Nashville

Review:

As Precious As The Flame (taken from the album) is one of The Alternate Root's top ten songs of the week -- The Alternate Root It's a superb collection of stories and songs, and would make Johnny and June proud, while giving the rest of us plenty to cheer about as well. * NoDepression.com * Brilliant * the Sun * Country romanticism and hard-boiled crime come together in a story that perfectly emphasizes the drama contained in the music * What's On * A convincing world of barflies, peeling paint and characters on bar stools with very dark secrets * BBC Radio 4 Front Row * It's well worth setting aside an hour to share the bruised, broken and eventually redeemed lives the words and music so engagingly evoke * Folk Radio UK * Brave and imaginative * Maverick, four stars * The songs of My Darling Clementine always have an interesting story to tell, and to base a work of fiction around them is inspired. * Country Music People, 4 star review * An engaging listen, perfect for a car journey or to savour at home * Blabber 'n' Smoke *

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1405533935
• ISBN 13: 9781405533935
• Binding: Audio CD