HOT READ

Blood Defense (Samantha Brinkman Book 1) by Marcia Clark:

Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious, hard-charging Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, is struggling to make a name for herself and to drag her fledgling practice into the big leagues.

Sam lands a high-profile double-murder case in which one of the victims is a beloved TV star - and the defendant is a decorated veteran LAPD detective. It promises to be exactly the kind of media sensation that would establish her as a heavy hitter in the world of criminal law.

Though Sam has doubts about his innocence, she and her two associates (her closest childhood friend and a brilliant ex-con) take the case.

Notorious for living by her own rules - and fearlessly breaking everyone else’s - Samantha pulls out all the stops in her quest to uncover evidence that will clear the detective. But when a shocking secret at the core of the case shatters her personal world, Sam realises that not only has her client been playing her, he might be one of the most dangerous sociopaths she’s ever encountered.

FESTIVAL OF HOUSE

Festival of House has been cancelled.

Organisers pulled the plug ahead of a special licensing meeting and full refunds are now being given for the open-air event, which was due to be held on June 10/11 in Angus featuring dance legends Underworld, Rudimental and Leftfield.

Festival director Craig Blyth said: "It is with much regret we are announcing this year’s Festival of House will not go ahead. We are extremely disappointed to have reached this decision.

“The gap between all parties in terms of key plans is such that it is incapable of resolution in the time left before the event and that to go forward with tomorrow’s licensing hearing would be harmful to the relationship between the parties involved.

“We have proposed a formal debriefing to Angus Council, presenting an opportunity to look forward to planning another event timeously for next year.

“Lessons can be learned by all parties from such an exercise.

“We would like to thank the many thousands of supporters who have unequivocally voiced their desire over the last twelve months for the festival to take place.

“This includes residents, local businesses and fans, many of whom were travelling to Angus for the first time from across the country, and who were looking forward to enjoying a weekend of world class music in a beautiful part of Scotland.

“The festival would have brought significant benefits to the region and generated a much needed, long lasting economic legacy.

“Most of all we would like to express our disappointment to the thousands of fans who have bought tickets for the festival and offer them our sincere apologies.

“We would like to reassure fans who have bought tickets a full refund will be swiftly administered.”

TOMB RAIDER

Tomb Raider has found its new Lara Croft.

According to Variety, Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl, Ex Machina) is the lucky lady who beat Star Wars' Daisy Ridley to take on the iconic role in Warner Bros. and MGM's upcoming reboot.

OMERTA

Sylvester Stallone will make his television debut in Antoine Fuqua's adaptation of Omerta.

Omerta is the last book in Mario Puzo's mafia trilogy, which began with The Godfather and The Last Don.

The Hollywood action-man is expected to play the boss the story is centred around.

Although a network is not yet attached, this will be the first scripted television series for the Rocky and Rambo star.

JET OUT TO THE SUN

Want to get out of this sleet and into the sun?

Following another successful year, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have now launched their biggest ever holiday programme for summer 2017 from Scotland - with more flights and more seats to exciting sunshine hotspots plus brand new destinations from both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

Key programme information:

Edinburgh Airport

-27 destinations including two brand new hotspots; Costa Brava (Girona) and Naples plus the return of Murcia.

-More than 620,000 seats will be available, a 36 per cent growth year on year.

-Even more flights to popular destinations including Alicante, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma and the three Croatian gems Dubrovnik, Pula and Split.

-Extended flying programme to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Menorca, Paphos, Reus, and Rhodes so customers can really maximise the summer at the start and the end of the season.

Glasgow Airport

-26 destinations including brand new and first ever Croatian destination, Dubrovnik.

-A total of 800,000 seats will be available, a nine per cent growth year on year.

-One million seats for 2017 overall, including expanded winter programme.

-Even more flights to popular destinations including Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Malta and Palma – the largest route out of Glasgow.

-Extended flying programme to key destinations including Crete, Menorca, Paphos, Tenerife and Zante.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “This is going to be our biggest and best summer programme yet, giving Scottish customers even more choice and great new places to visit.

"With our continued expansion, we’re thrilled that even more people will be able to experience our great value holidays and award winning flights. Roll on next year.”

For more info, go to jet2.com or jet2holidays.com

SUMMER DAYS

Summer Days – the UK’s newest boutique music and food festival – has unveiled Echo & The Bunnymen as its Saturday night headliner.

The iconic alt-rock band will be joined by the likes of Everything Everything, Circa Waves, Mystery Jets, and Ian Broudie’s legendary Lightning Seeds along with Britpop favourite and former Cast frontman John Power.

The festival, held in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle, will take place on Wednesday 6, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July.

Other acts set to appear include Simply Red, Gabrielle, Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, and cult indie popsters Shed Seven.

Summer Days organiser John Tyrrell: “There are some incredible artists across the three days and there really is something for everyone.

“We’ve still got some surprises up our sleeves with more acts and experiences to announce so watch this space. Summer Days is going to be truly spectacular.”

General access tickets are available from £59.50 per day. A limited number of daily VIP tickets are available at £149 each.

For more info, go to summerdaysfestival.com

SAMM HENSHAW

Multi-talented UK artist Samm Henshaw will be bringing his sweet sounds to King Tut's on Monday, May 30.

His seven-track debut release The Sound Experiment began at university, where Henshaw is currently in his third year of studying Popular Music Performance.

Late nights jamming with his housemates formed the foundation of a free-flowing EP: one that snakes through old school hip-hop, blues and neo-soul.

Displaying the depths of his musical abilities, Henshaw turns his hand to both singing and rapping while also playing guitar, keys, drums and a smattering of bass.

He said: “At the time I didn’t know what I wanted to be as a musician. I just wanted to try loads of different sounds on and see what we came out with, but as we’ve developed with the whole process of The Sound Experiment, things have become a lot clearer.”

For more info and to buy tickets to catch him live, head to facebook.com/SammHenshaw