Tribute by Madalyn Morgan

Recently, I was chatting with some friends and the novel Tribute, by Madalyn Morgan was recommended. I had read Morgan's work previously and enjoyed it, so I was keen to pick up a copy of her new novel.

The Blurb

London 1970…

The newly restored Young Albert Theatre is about to open. The project’s benefactors want to give the young, underprivileged men and women in London’s East End a chance to fulfil their potential through music and drama.

Its debut musical, Tribute, celebrates the life of Margot Dudley, her work with ENSA, and her rise to fame in The Prince Albert Theatre during the Blitz in World War II.

Two weeks before opening night, the sound system is stolen. While Natalie Goldman, part-owner of the Young Albert, organises a charity event to raise money to replace the system, Ena Green, nee Dudley, who is already investigating anonymous threats against one of the theatre’s staff, investigates the theft.

Can a catastrophic act that could cost the lives of six hundred people be stopped in time?

The Review

The novels I enjoy tend to be character rather than plot driven. Tribute is one of thase rare books that combines a depth of character development with a credible plot, although I did not predict the ending.

Morgan's characters, the Dudley sisters' continue in this 'Tribute' to Margot, the Musical Star of the World War II years.

The story is set in the 1970s, and sees the family come together to honour the famous member of the family at the opening of a new theatre, The Young Albert Theatre. It is planned to help underprivileged youngsters pursue their talents.

However planned opening does not go to smoothly. Anonymous threatening letters and a stolen sound system lead Ena Dudley to investigate.

Morgan writes convincingly of the family dynamics and criminal intent. The author is a master of her art and leaves no stone unturned to reach a gripping and unpredictable conclusion for her readers.

The Author

Madalyn Morgan was an actress for more than thirty years working in repertory theatre, the West End, film and television.

Madalyn was brought up in a busy working-class pub in the market town of Lutterworth in Leicestershire. She was Christened Madalyn Smith, the name she chose when she joined the actors union, Equity. Unfortunately, there was already an actress with that name, so with seconds to decide on another name Madalyn chose Morgan from a rum bottle. "The pub was a great place for an aspiring actress and writer to live. There were so many characters to study and accents learn." At twenty-four Madalyn gave up a successful hairdressing salon and wig-hire business for a place at East 15 Drama College, and a career as an actress.

In 1990, Madalyn gave up acting for love and love gave her up in 2000. Rather than start again in the acting business, Madalyn became a radio presenter, taught herself to touch type, completed a two-year creative writing course with The Writer's Bureau, and wrote articles for newspapers and magazines. After living in London for thirty-six years she has returned to Lutterworth, swapping two window boxes and a mortgage, for a garden and the freedom to write. And she is loving it.

Madalyn is currently writing her tenth novel.