I recently  had the pleasure of diving into 'So Now Go Tell' by Susan Sachon, and what a thrilling ride it was! From the very first page, this book had me hooked. It's a true page-turning thriller that delves deep into the realms of darkness, crime and mystery.

Sachon's writing is nothing short of spectacular; it's beautifully crafted and intricately complex. the way she weaves Shakespearean codes into the narrative adds an intriguing layer to the story that kept me engaged and guessing until the very end.

One of the standout features for me was the use of thought-provoking quotes at the beginning of each chapter. these snippets of wisdom added depth and resonance to the tale, making it even more captivating.

I must applaud Susan Sachon for her brilliant debut novel. It's evident that she's a talented storyteller with a knack for creating interesting and multifaceted characters. the plot twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and it's a testament to her skill that she managed to maintain my attention throughout . . .

I highly recommend giving it a go; you won't be disappointed!

Thrillers are one of my favourite genres and this one stands out as being very different. At the heart of this tale is a character who loves shakespeare and wants to put on a controversial play at the spooky pub she manages in a new village . . . 

Whilst there were some aspects of the book that I didn't enjoy from a personal point of view, there were more strengths than weaknesses. The book was intelligent, it stands out as being different and was very fulfilling because of the very strong ending. The relationships between characters provided a sense of comfort at the end, albeit relationships were tested throughout and this was a good page turner. finally, there was beauty to be found in the concluding tale and it was highly satisfying to look back and appreciate the many layers which were skilfully created to tell the story.

If you enjoy Shakespeare this is the perfect book for you.

Obviously I know who Shakespeare is but I'm not massively knwledgeable about him, so some parts I didn't really get. But regardless of that I still really enjoyed it! I felt Jenny made her decision too quickly and didn't really think about it enough, with moving in and taking the job, but then to be fair, it was pretty much a job made for her, a perfect fit.

She I thought was a really sweet character though, I did like her.

A perfect read for this spooky season, this book abounds with secrets and mysteries, and it even features an isolated pub with a resident skull! These two are characters in their own right, just like our main protagonist, Jenny. A woman with a difficult past, you can't help but wish her some good luck at last.

the novel's many plot twists kept me on my toes, and I was fascinated by all the Shakespearean and theatre references. It's clear that the author knows exactly what she's writing about, and her great storytelling skills make me already look forward to her next work.

Three words to describe it: Captivating. Thrilling. Gripping.

My thoughts: apart from all the terrible things Jenny encounters doing her dream job, I'd happily do the same. I am a huge Shakespeare nerd, theatre kid and I studied Titus Andronicus at uni (Hamlet is probably my favourite).

Gripping and at times shocking, I was enthralled with Jenny's story and the research she was doing. I love history and as a literary material culture buff, this was right up my street. I think Jenny and I would get along famously. She's a real survivor and what she has been through is heartbreaking. But there's so much hope and good will for her, that it left me feeling upbeat and pleased. Shakespeare's incredible way with words guides Jenny, and even saves her life. A real treat of a book, in many ways.

Beautiful, Effortless read. What a story. Highly Recommend.

I really enjoyed Shakespeare at school and the blurb for this one piqued my interest straight away.

It's a brilliant debut by Sachon and the concept clever. there are many references to the Bard throughout - each chapter starts with a Shakespearean quote header and the story is intertwined with many counterparts of Shakespeare's works.

Tasked with running a Shakespeare Festival at a Tudor public house, Jenny has no idea what awaits her and soon finds herself the leading lady in her own nightmare.

Moderately paced, with well developed characters and a brilliant plot,. The Tudor public house, complete with 400 yr old skull lurking in the cellar added to the atmosphere, givin gme a sense of unease and chill. 

Brilliant book, definitely one to recommend and Sachon an author I'm already looking to read more from.

This started out as one thing and then became another, Poor Jenny is at a loss, divorced, and now made redundant. Then she collapses, and when she wakes up she can't see. It used to be called 'hysterical blindness' I think, which sounds like the kind of nervous disorder that got women locked up in an asylum 100 years ago. It's now referred to as a 'conversion disorder'. Yes, I googled it.

Surprisingly, she's soon offered a job managing an old Tudor pub in the middle of nowhere, but it comes with other responsibilities. the pub used to put on plays a part of its Shakespeare Festival every summer. Now I am a massive Shakespeare fan, ever since I was taken to my primary school to see A Midsummer Night's Dream, performed by the Oxford University Players in the grounds of Alveston Manor, Stratford-Upon-Avon, when I was about eight years old. I was mesmerised.

Anyway, moving on. Jenny moves into the pub (against the advice of her best friend, Mags, who thinks it's al a bit suspicious). The pub is dark and spooky, needs massive renovation, and then there's Henry. But undeterred, Jenny decides to hold auditions for Hamlet and quite a few people are interested. Unfortunately, her new boss and owner of the pub insists on Titus Andronicus and interest wanes.

But I will say one thing. My son has been involved with a professional touring company for over ten years. I once asked them if they ever put on Hamlet. They said no-one would come. Their audiences only want to see the comedies like Dream, As You Like It, Twelfth Night etc. Titus is a no-goer, obviously. Especially when you are eating your picnic on the grass. Ox tongue sandwich anyone?

Part-way through the book, when Jenny joins a self-help group called Speak Out, we begin to learn about her past. And it's harrowing. If I'd been writing this review on paper, the ink would be smudged with shed tears.

What a fabulous book. I adored it. Jenny is such a sympathetic character. She doesn't believe in herself, but others do and so do we. Bravo Jenny. You have friends and I wish I knew you personally. And don't be put off by the Shakespeare stuff. You don't have to love that bard to appreciate the book, whatever some reviewers may say.

Susan Sachon is a bit of a Shakespeare devotee. Her vast knowledge of the Bard, his world and his writing, informs and illuminates this ambitious debut novel. 

This is a richly descriptive, beautifully written story, with a vast and well-drawn cast. The characterisation throughout is Shakespearean in depth and bursting with empathy. The plot is complex and enriched substantially with parallels within Shakespeare's tragedies and historic plays. Reading this mystery thriller was an emotional roller-coaster; tears were shed; at times it was subtle and subdued, and then violent, vivid and visceral. I absolutely loved Jenny's back story and her journey of self-discovery. I look forward to the next novel in the series.

Jenny Watson takes on the job she's always dreamt of, bringing an old pub back to life. What better than a Tudor pub for a Shakespeare Festival. Auditions are set up, but nothing is going to be as easy as she first thought. Trying to convince a small place that a Shakespeare play will be fun and bring everyone together. But it's not just the people that she's finding hard, she also got a feeling that someone is watching her every move, and what's with the skull in the cellar? Nothing is what it seems, as Jenny so finds out. I did find it a bit slow at the beginning but I still enjoyed reading this story. There are Shakespeare quotes at the beginning of each chapter, some I remember from school.

So Now Go Tell will appeal to anyone who loves creepy thrillers, but fans of Shakespeare will especially enjoy the many references to his work. This book has an almost gothic feel as Jenny is invited to work in a deserted pub by a mysterious stranger. The Pub, The Old Bell, is as much a character and a suspect, a house with hidden secrets and danger.

Jenny's overall arc is a study in how people's life can be affected by childhood trauma, and it was good to see Jenny begin to embrace life towards the end of the book. There are many suspects to keep us guessing and all loose ends are tied up by the end of the book.

The mystery of the skull found in the cellar forms an interesting subplot. 

There is a lot of Shakespeare and references to Shakespeare, so this might not be a book for people who don't like his work.

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.

Content warning: childhood abuse, references to rape.

What an incredible debut novel for Susan Sachon. I had the great privilege of receiving an advance copy of So Now Go Tell and was totally hooked before the end of chapter one. The rest of the book certainly did not disappoint. Every character was so believable; Susan's descriptive attentiveness bringing the all to life. the plot with all its twists and turns kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat, to the very end. I love a good book and this is one of the best I have read in a long time. What a talent Susan has. I have known her as a first class director of Shakespeare, and now as a gifted author. Well done, Sue, I can't wait to see this on the top seller list and look forward with great anticipation to book number two.