Deadly Encounter by M.A. Comley @melcom1 #SallyParker #review

Wooo hooo!!! Sally Parker has returned to my reading sphere! Since it was released, I’ve not had chance to catch up with Sally and the team until now!

A massive thank you to the lovely Mel Comley for my copy of Deadly Encounter

The Blurb

Fifteen years after her deadly encounter, Anne Gillan’s remains are finally found. Her husband, who has maintained his innocence, has spent those fifteen years in prison–and the case’s investigating officer has been found guilty of corruption. Could Anne’s murderer still be free?

DI Sally Parker has just been chosen to lead a cold-case squad–and Anne Gillan’s murder is their first case. The case brings Sally face to face with a criminal from her own past, who has set out to destroy Sally’s relationship with her soon-to-be husband.

Will Sally and her team solve the case before Sally has a deadly encounter of her own?

What Did I Think?

I’ve returned to Wymondham Station and the investigations of DI Sally Parker.  But this time it’s slightly different! Following on from her successful investigation in Cold Case, Sally has been invited to head up a new team reviewing the convictions of former DI Falkirk.  I say invited, she’s basically told that if she doesn’t take on the role and her team come with, they are looking at being deployed elsewhere….. what a choice!  Of course our Sally isn’t one to shy away from a challenge!!

The first case they look at is Craig Gillan, convicted of the murder of his wife Anne.  This is a dodgy conviction from the off.  Craig is convicted without any witnesses or a body.  Sally’s gut instinct tells her he’s innocent but she needs to find the real killer before she can get Craig released! And what an investigation it is!!

This story properly tugs at the heartstrings with emotive storylines of soulmates with a young family ripped at the seams.  Not only that, Sally has more personal issues to deal with which rear their ugly heads as she’s trying to prove Craig’s innocence.

Once again, Ms Comley has written a cracker of a story that kept me tapping my kindle and I so didn’t guess who Anne’s murderer was!!  I won’t tell you who I thought it was but put it like this, I was way way off the mark this time.  I really enjoyed Sally’s first Cold Case and I’m hoping this new team has a way to go reviewing these cases from the past.

Who is M.A. Comley?

New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that’s when I turned my hobby into a career. When I’m not writing crime novels I’m either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex. I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too. My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE. The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT and IN PLAIN SIGHT (published by Bloodhound Books) I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention. I’ve also written a couple of standalone novels – EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU. As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons. And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.

Advertisements

Godsend by J.A. Marley @jamarleybooks @bloodhoundbook #blogblitz #guestpost

Well look what we have here.  As part of the #blogblitz for his new release Godsend, I’ve got an interesting guest post from the author himself J.A. Marley.

Big thanks to the lovely Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me to join the #blogblitz.  First the bookish stuff!

The Blurb

It has been eighteen months since Danny Felix pulled off the robbery of his life.  His plan brought London to a standstill, but at a heavy price.

Now, living a quiet life running a charter fishing business in the Florida Keys, Danny is trying to come to terms with the death and destruction he had unwittingly unleashed. However, the low profile is beginning to wear thin and he soon starts to crave the adrenalin rush of his former criminal ways.

Little does he know that three very different women are about to enter his life and turn it upside-down. Soon Danny finds himself right back in the action.

But why has he been chosen? And does he have the appetite to pull off another job where the stakes are so lethally high?

Guest post – Where do you write?

I’m sitting in a little Italian coffee shop in Rickmansworth typing away like a madman (as usual). Where authors write is something that seems to fascinate people. Friends ask, readers ask, bloggers ask and yet to me it’s something that is almost coincidental. It’s a bit like that internet cat meme…”if I fits and I sits”. If I have light, I can write!

I have an office at home, full of books (of course), movie posters, football memorabilia, and little blankets on the floor that have been turned into quasi-nests by my two dogs. I write the bulk of stuff in there but that is not necessarily the best place for me creatively all of the time.

I find that when I get stuck, and all writers get stuck at some point, if they tell you otherwise they are lying, I need to decamp. And at that point, all bets are off. I can literally write anywhere.

One spot I like is at the end of the bar at my local pub, the Land of Liberty in Chorleywood (if you haven’t been there and you like real ale, you really should visit). But that only works when it is during a weekday afternoon. Otherwise it gets too busy and people want to chat. I find I can be very productive standing there (yes, I write standing up…much better for you). They indulge my habit there. Gill or Martin will serve me tea while I work. I think if I was to have a beer in those moments, all productivity would grind to a halt!

I have also been lucky enough to go abroad for writing bursts. Some friends have a house in the South of France and I wrote the entire middle section of my latest book, Godsend there on a balcony overlooking a valley that sweeps its way down to the Mediterranean. Cannes can be seen in the distance. It was Springtime, but the sun was already warm and the evenings temperate. The house is set back in the mountains and the silence is incredible. Only the buzz of bees and the swifts dancing in the air in front of me for distraction. I know, it sounds idyllic right? That’s because it is. I am very blessed to have the chance to use it. There are a few steamy scenes in Godsend. Unsurprisingly, in that sultry atmosphere, they were completed there!

I also did a research trip for Godsend to the Florida Keys (the book is set in the beautiful Islamorada) and Miami, but interestingly, I didn’t write any of it while I was there. Apart from my notes, I was simply too excited to actually write. I spent a week with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, shadowing their work and getting fabulous stories, dialogue and insights directly from the amazing men and women who work so hard to keep the public safe there. I was just too excited to be able to settle in front of my laptop. However, I did carry a pen and my trusty notebook with me wherever I went. I love small details in books, they are the things that give a story authenticity for me, so I wasn’t going to miss anything that caught my eye during that trip. Hopefully if you read the new book, you will spot the kind of thing I mean.

But my very favourite place to write in the whole world has to be New York City. I wrote part of my first book, Standstill, during a two week there. I don’t know why, but the atmosphere of the city just inspires me. The whole place feels to me like a movie set. The honking taxis, the throngs of people, the Noo Yawk accent that never fails to delight me. I have written in coffee shops, bars, on a bench in Central Park. I have to admit I feel very at home there, but I’m not sure that’s why it inspires me. I think it’s just an energy, an underlying excitement that seems to pervade the Big Apple, or at least my experience of it. Often when I’m writing, particularly if it’s an action scene or a vital plot point, I get that buzz in my own chest. So, to be in a city that promotes that feeling in me constantly means that I can churn out passages quicker than anywhere else.

There are more Danny Felix adventures to come. Number three is in progress as I write this and I already know I will working on it during a trip to Montana later this year. Who knows what the Big Skies and open landscapes will do for my writing process, but one thing I will promise is that wherever I type, I will do my level best to keep that excitement in my chest and pour it onto the page so that Danny can continue to entertain anyone who chooses to read about him.

Now…I’m off to the pub. I feel a cup of tea and a chapter coming on!

J.A. Marley April 2018

So there you go folks, an interesting insight into J.A. Marley’s place to write his thrillers. I’d heard that standing up to use a computer or laptop is good for your posture but I’ve never known anyone to do it in practice.  Thanks to John for dropping in!

Don’t forget to catch up with the rest of the #blogblitz!

Who Is J.A. Marley?

John A. Marley’s writing career started with a poem about two brothers who both liked sausages…their names were Butch and Dutch and his Primary School teacher Mr. Murray liked it so much it made the main noticeboard at the entrance to Holy Child Primary School in West Belfast.  A little older but none the wiser, he ended up as a film journalist in his native Northern Ireland, contributing to local newspapers, BBC Radio Ulster and latterly writing as the main film critic for the glossy magazine, Northern Woman.

John’s love of good stories came from the Irish predilection for telling a good yarn and the fact that there was nothing quite like sneaking away his Dad’s battered paperbacks to read even though he knew they were meant for adults and not kids. And so pulp fiction such as The Edge Westerns by George G. Gilman, the adventure novels of Alistair MacLean and the thrillers of Jack Higgins all served to whet his appetite for a good story told at pace.

These days, his reading tastes still focus on thrills, spills and good plot and he can’t walk by a James Lee Burke or an Elmore Leonard without pausing to read a few pages…even if it is in a busy bookshop.

John A. Marley is also a TV producer with a proven track record in creating and producing distinctive, original entertainment and factual programming and formats for both a UK and international audience. His eclectic portfolio of high-profile shows include Britain’s Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF, Britain’s Flying Past, Staraoke, Best of Friends, Skatoony, Noel’s House Party, Through the Keyhole, SMTV:Live/CD:UK, How Euro Are You? and live coverage of “The Oscars” with Barry Norman.

John runs his own production company Archie Productions which he launched in 2008. Prior to setting up his own indie, John enjoyed a wide and varied career in television will creative roles at Talent Television, Planet 24, Carlton Television and Walt Disney UK. John’s broadcast media career started in his native Northern Ireland as a radio host.

Godsend is the follow up to John’s debut novel, Standstill in which we first met master thief Danny Felix.

You can keep up to date with John either through his website www.jamarley.com or on Twitter @jamarleybooks

Dying Truth by Angela Marsons @writeangie @bookouture #FirstLook #KimStone #Extract

Well do I have a treat for you on what has turned into Bookouture Wednesday here at #AKnightsReads!!

I’m thrilled to be bringing you the prologue of Dying Truth, the forthcoming new crime thriller from the amazingly talented Angela Marsons!!!! SSSQQQUUEEAAALLLLLLL!!!!!

But first you need to know all about Dying Truth……

The Blurb

How far would you go to protect your darkest secrets?

When teenager Sadie Winter jumps from the roof of her school, her death is ruled as suicide – a final devastating act from a troubled girl. But then the broken body of a young boy is discovered at the same school and it’s clear to Detective Kim Stone that these deaths are not tragic accidents.

As Kim and her team begin to unravel a dark web of secrets, one of the teachers could hold the key to the truth. Yet just as she is about to break her silence, she is found dead.

With more children’s lives at risk, Kim has to consider the unthinkable – whether a fellow pupil could be responsible for the murders. Investigating the psychology of children that kill brings the detective into contact with her former adversary, Dr Alex Thorne – the sociopath who has made it her life’s work to destroy Kim.

Desperate to catch the killer, Kim finds a link between the recent murders and an initiation prank that happened at the school decades earlier. But saving these innocent lives comes at a cost – and one of Kim’s own might pay the ultimate price.

The utterly addictive new crime thriller from the Number One bestselling author – you will be gripped until the final shocking twist.

Has that whet your appetite for your next Kim Stone fix?  Are you ready for your Wednesday night treat now?

Prologue

Saturday 7.52 p.m.

Kim knew that her left leg was broken.

She pulled herself along the path on her hands as the stone bit into her palms, shards of gravel embedding beneath her fingernails.

A cry escaped her lips as her ankle turned and pain shot around her body.

Sweat beads were forming on her forehead as the agony intensified.

Finally, she saw the light from the building as three familiar shapes hurtled out of the doorway.

All three of them headed towards the bell tower.

‘Nooo…’ she cried, as loudly as she could.

No one turned.

Don’t go up there, she willed silently, trying to pull herself towards them.

‘Stop,’ she shouted out as they entered the metal doorway at the base of the tower.

Kim tried to still the panic as they disappeared from view.

‘Damn it,’ she screamed with frustration, unable to reach them in time.

She gathered all her strength and pushed herself up to a standing position, trying to drag her broken leg behind her as though it didn’t exist.

Two steps forward and the pain radiated through her body like a tidal wave and brought her back down to the ground. She gagged as the nausea rose from her stomach and her head began to swim.

She shouted again but the figures had disappeared from view and were now in the belly of the tower, behind solid brick, mounting the stone steps to the top.

‘Please, someone help,’ she screamed, but there was no one to hear. She was a good eighty metres away from the school, and she had never felt so helpless in her life.

She glanced at her wrist and saw that it was three minutes to eight.

The bell was due to be rung bang on the hour.

The fear started in the pit of her stomach and grew like a cloud to fill her entire body.

She struggled forward another agonising step, dragging her useless leg behind her.

Torchlight illuminated the top of the tower.

Damn it, they were already there.

‘Stop,’ she cried again, praying that one of them would hear her even though she knew her voice wouldn’t carry that distance.

The shafts of light moved furtively around the tower balcony ninety feet up in the air.

She saw a fourth figure amongst the three that were familiar to her.

The watch on her wrist vibrated the top of the hour. The bell didn’t ring.

Please God, let them get down.

Her prayer was cut off as she heard a loud scream.

Two people were hanging from the bell rope, swinging back and forth, in and out of the torchlight that darted around the small space.

Kim squinted, trying to identify the two silhouettes, but they were too far away.

She tried to regulate her breathing in order to shout again, even though she knew no kind of warning would help them now.

Her worst fears had been realised.

‘Please, please…’ Kim whispered as she saw the bell rope swing back and forth once more.

One figure was snatched from the bell rope as the second continued to swing.

‘No,’ Kim screamed, trying to carry herself forward towards them.

The fear inside had turned ice cold, freezing her solid.

For a few seconds time stood still. The saliva in her mouth had gone leaving her unable to speak or shout.

Kim felt the ache that started in her heart when the remaining figure and the swinging bell rope disappeared from view.

Her ears suddenly filled with a blood-curdling, tortured scream.

But no one else was around.

The scream came from her.

So are you as excited as me?? Kim Stone and Alex Thorne back together again?!!?!? Eeeeekkkk!!!! Dying Truth is out one month today on Friday 18 May but you can pre-order it right now:

Amazon Buy Link: myBook.to/DTSocial

Deadly Secrets by Robert Bryndza @robertbryndza @bookouture #ErikaFoster #review

This book needs no introduction. Robert Bryndza is back with his latest Erika Foster novel!

I love Mr Bryndza’s writing! I’ve even dipped my toe into his Coco Pinchard series which I need to read more of! I can’t wait for his new series featuring forensic profiler Kate Marshall to hit my kindle next year!

The Blurb

To commit the perfect murder, you need the perfect cover.

On an icy morning, a mother wakes to find her daughter’s blood-soaked body frozen to the road. Who would carry out such a killing on the victim’s doorstep?

Straight off her last harrowing case, Detective Erika Foster is feeling fragile but determined to lead the investigation. As she sets to work, she finds reports of assaults in the same quiet South London suburb where the woman was killed. One chilling detail links them to the murder victim – they were all attacked by a figure in black wearing a gas mask.

Erika is on the hunt for a killer with a terrifying calling card. The case gets more complicated when she uncovers a tangled web of secrets surrounding the death of the beautiful young woman.

Yet just as Erika begins to piece the clues together, she is forced to confront painful memories of her past. Erika must dig deep, stay focused and find the killer. Only this time, one of her own is in terrible danger…

What Did I Think?

There are only so many words I can use to describe Robert Bryndza’s crime series: amazing, brilliant, fantastic….I adore being reunited with Erika Foster.  The author can do no wrong in my eyes!

It’s Christmas in Erika’s world just after the  events of Cold Blood. On the way to Christmas lunch, she passes a rather snowy crime scene and Erika being Erika has to stop and get involved even though it’s her day off.  And what a can of worms she’s about to get herself involved in! It is not the season for good will to all!!

The whole gas mask disguise is totally sinister. It reminded me of the episodes of Doctor Who The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances where Christopher Eccleston with companions Billie Piper and John Barrowman encounter individuals with gas masks fused to their faces in Blitz ridden London. They freaked me out and this creepy guy tormenting people sent shivers down my spine because of that!

Deadly Secrets is yet another pacey crime thriller.  I was addicted to this read, devouring it rapidly! It hit my kindle Friday morning, I finished it as the sun was rising on Saturday morning (having finished my previous read and running round after two demanding….I mean adorable boys).  This chilling case is an excellent addition to the series and as the title suggests, secrets definitely can be deadly!

Who Is Robert Bryndza?

Robert Bryndza is the author of the international #1 bestseller The Girl in the Ice, which is the first in his Detective Erika Foster series.

The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath and Cold Blood are the second, third, fourth and fifth books in the series. The sixth book, Deadly Secrets is now available to purchase.

Robert’s books have sold over 2 million copies and have been translated into 27 languages.

In addition to writing crime fiction, Robert has published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels. He is British and lives in Slovakia.

Sign up to Robert Bryndza‘s New Release Mailing List here: http://eepurl.com/UITxz

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryndzarobert/?ref=br_rs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertBryndza

Website: https://robertbryndza.com/

Instagram: @RobertBryndza

Uncommon Cruelty by Liz Mistry @LizCrimeWarp @BloodhoundBook #blogblitz #extract

On this Sunday morning, I’ve got a little (ok not-so-little) treat for you.  I’ve got an extract from Liz Mistry’s brand sparkly new DI Gus McGuire novel Uncommon Cruelty.

Many thanks to the awesome Sarah Hardy at Bloodhound Books for inviting me to join the #blogblitz

The Blurb

DI Gus McGuire and his team are called in to investigate the disappearance of a teenage boy after his parents return from a weekend away, to find their home trashed and their son missing.

But that is just the beginning.

As the investigation unfolds, Gus must discover what links a violent bikers’ gang, a Muslim youth group and a fundamentalist American based Christian church.

Alongside this, two cases from the past come back to haunt DI Gus McGuire and his DS, Alice Cooper.

Gus has a lot to juggle, but will he cope?

Uncommon Cruelty is the fourth in the DI Gus McGuire series set in Bradford West Yorkshire and is a gritty, Northern Noir read.

The Extract

21:36 Cottingley

Jane Proctor didn’t know what had possessed them. Pulling into the woods had been a complete act of madness. In some ways, the perfect end to their long weekend break. It was even less typical of James than it was of her. He’d always been the more prudish, so when he’d driven off the road and cut the lights, tingling anticipation made her pelvis contract.

Like teenagers, they’d dragged off garments, manoeuvred limbs and giggled over the obtrusive gear stick. Last time they’d done this, it was in her Fiesta nearly twenty years ago. Today, even though the car was bigger, there seemed to be less room and their shagging was a peremptory tribute to their old life… the one before Simon… before they got all boring and predictable. Ah well, at their age she was surprised they’d managed to manoeuvre, never mind complete the act. It had been fun, though short-lived. Who’d have thought James still had it in him?

Leaning back, knickers discarded in the depths of the foot well, Jane laughed. ‘We should really share a joint now… just for old times’ sake.’

James, still red in the face from his exertions, grinned. ‘The most I’d manage these days would be a vape.’

Squeezing his arm, she grinned. ‘We’ve still got it, haven’t we?’

Eyes crinkling in that way she loved, James beamed, knocking ten years off his age as he shuffled back into his trousers. ‘With bloody bells on!’ He started the engine and reversed out of the snicket, still grinning.

Minutes later, driving into their quiet street, Jane leaned forward in her seat laughing. Their house stood like a beacon at the bottom of the cul-de-sac with every light on. ‘Simon has either forgotten to turn every electrical item off at night or he’s decided to illuminate the entire neighbourhood, so we don’t get lost.’

James pulled into their drive, yanked the handbrake on and grimaced. ‘Bloody boy! Bet the only thing he managed to switch off over the entire weekend was the fridge freezer. I warned you that this long weekend away wasn’t a good idea. He may be sixteen, however, he’s got all the maturity of a coked-up chicken.’

Jane punched him on the arm. ‘What do you know about the maturity of chickens, coked-up or not? We’ve had a glorious weekend.’

He leaned over to kiss her. ‘Yeah, we had a wonderful time and an extra few quid on the old electricity bill is a small price to pay for your undivided attention for four days.’

Grinning, Jane straightened her skirt. Her time away with James had been fantastic. Just enough to re-charge their batteries before autumn set in. They’d been so busy over the past few months and this time away had allowed them to reconnect as a couple rather than as business partners or parents. Thoughts of long walks along cold beaches faded as she opened the car door and she hoped her tone didn’t betray her reluctance to get back to reality. ‘Come on then, grab a bag and let’s survey the damage.’

Overnight bag in hand, she paused to savour the view of Heaton Woods lit by the rest of the city. Lister Mills towered behind; a tall tribute to Bradford’s textile history. Straight ahead was Saltaire village, rows of sandstone terraced houses, each one cleaned to within an inch of its life, were testament to Sir Titus Salt’s benevolence in the area. To the left was Cottingley, with Bingley further afield. It was this panoramic view that had compelled them to buy this house when Simon arrived. A home on a hill for their new family in a quiet cul-de-sac. James came over to her and swung his arm round her shoulder. They stood together: two tall silhouettes against Bradford’s backdrop.

She shivered and James pulled her tightly to him whispering, ‘That’s what comes of leaving your knickers off.’

She punched him on the arm, ‘Couldn’t find them, could I? God knows where you threw them.’ Linking arms, they walked towards the front door.

James blew out a puff of air that steamed in front of his face, ‘Look at that, it’s going to be a frosty night. Hope he’s had the heating on.’

Jane tried to turn her key in the lock. ‘Silly bugger hasn’t even locked the door. Hmph, you can’t trust him with–’

As she spoke, James pushed the door open. Her final words drifted away and her heart thudded in her chest. She struggled to make sense of the scene before her.

James brushed past, his breath a series of grating gasps. ‘What the bloody hell has gone on here?’

Eyes wide and uncomprehending, Jane shook her head, speechless for a second, then, ‘I’ll bloody kill him!’ Chest tight, she stepped into the hallway and yelled, ‘Simon, get down here right now!’ When there was no reply, she turned in a circle surveying the damage.

The small table at the bottom of the stairs where they all had, at one time or another, sat for lengthy phone conversations, lay smashed to bits, the phone lying broken amidst its ruins. The wall paper was spattered with a brown sticky substance. Flung carelessly on the floor was the framed photo of the three of them at Harry Potter World. She lifted it up and turned it over only to find the glass was broken and the photo inside damaged. Stifling a sob, her eyes moved along the hallway. The kitchen door hung off its hinge and the glass panes were smashed. Beyond the door, broken crockery and furniture were scattered. God only knew the state her living room was in. She gagged as the acrid stench of vomit assaulted her nostrils. Vomit, stale booze and sweat. She retched again and a rush of foul liquid sprung into her mouth. She was going to be sick. Closing her eyes, she swallowed it down and breathed in through her mouth.

Her lips tightened and a tingle spread from the top of her nose back to her eyes. Blinking away the tears, she turned to James and as their eyes met the tension she’d left behind on holiday surged into her shoulders. James moved to her side and took her hand, his grip strong and reassuring. Simon had promised no parties and, like fools, they’d believed him. He’d been so damn convincing. He hadn’t even had the courtesy to clean up after himself. That’s what really pissed her off. This was his mess and like the irresponsible teenager he was, he was either hiding at Matty or Jake’s, hoping it would all blow over, or he was upstairs, sleeping it off. Oh, she could murder him!

‘Simon!’ Her voice reverberated round the hallway. there was only silence.

Jane took a step forward and gripped the bannister. ‘Bet he’s up there drunk as a skunk.’

Placing a hand on her shoulder, James halted her. ‘Maybe I should go, love. I think it’d be better for me to deal with this.’

Exhaling a long breath, she gave a curt nod. James was right. She’d lose it big-time and that would just set Simon off on one of his moods. It was so frustrating. They’d been through so much and things were looking rosy for them … now this. James was the calm one. The pragmatist. It was best if he made first contact with their son. ‘Okay, you go. Just don’t be soft on him. He’ll be cleaning this mess up and paying for the damage.’

‘Hell, yeah. This is his mess. He’ll damn well fix it … when he’s sober, okay?’ James’ smile was cheerless, ‘Remember that party you had at your folks’ house when you were seventeen? The whole neighbourhood could hear it and yet your parents never said a word.’

Her shoulders relaxed and her lips tugged up in a reluctant grin. James always knew exactly how to make her put things into perspective, ‘Okay, okay, I get what you’re saying. There wasn’t this mess at my party, was there? Bloody teenagers, huh?’

‘Wait here, I’ll check upstairs.’

Swallowing hard, she agreed with him. One last tight hand squeeze and he was off up the stairs yelling, ‘Simon’, in the voice he reserved for mega misdemeanours.

Regardless of the sticky surface, Jane, legs like jelly, lowered herself onto the stairs. James banged through the upstairs rooms, yelling for Simon as he went. Spent, she rested her head in her hands and sobbed. By the sounds of it Simon wasn’t upstairs which meant he was cowering away at his mates’ houses. Not a smart move. He’d be better to ‘‘fess up’’ and deal with the backlash now than allow her temper to fester.

Hearing James behind her on the stairs, she looked up. The brief moment of hope that flared in her eyes disappeared when she saw his face. His skin looked grey and in the last few minutes he had aged. She jumped to her feet, arms outstretched, ‘What is it? What’s wrong? Is Simon hurt?’

Shaking his head, he barged past her, hand over his mouth. He pushed open the front door, jumped the steps and fell to his knees on the crazy paving. Before she could reach him, he’d leaned over and puked into the flower beds.

‘Christ, James! You’re scaring me! What’s wrong?’

He pulled out a Kleenex from his pocket, and wiped his mouth, pulled out his phone and dialled.

‘Who are you calling? Are you phoning Simon?’ Jane grabbed his arm and shook it hard.

James sighed. ‘No, not Simon … the police.’

Before Jane could ask more, James turned and, his voice hoarse, spoke into his phone, ‘I need to report a murder’.

 

Well I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely whet my appetite to find out what’s happened!! If you fancy getting yourself a copy, you can click on the links below.

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQVLGNQ/ 

Amazon S https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Cruelty-McGuire-case-Book-

And before you get stuck in to the investigation, why don’t you check out the other posts in the #blogblitz.

 

Who Is Liz Mistry?

Liz writes crime fiction books set in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The DI Gus McGuire series is gritty Northern noir with a bit of Scottish thrown in.  She is currently researching for a Ph. D in creative writing at Leeds Trinity University. As part of her Ph.D she is researching how the teen killer’s voice is portrayed in the adult crime fiction novel with specific reference to the influence of  teen social media usage, with a view to writing a crime fiction novel around these issues.

Liz also teaches creative writing, specialising in crime fiction and is a regular panellist at literary festivals throughout the UK.  She enjoys reading her work at Open Mic and Noir at the Bar events. She was chosen to be one of the spotlighted authors at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival in 2016.  She is the lead blogger for the well renowned crime fiction blog The Crime Warp which reviews contemporary, mainly UK based, crime fiction, comments on current issues around the genre and creative writing in general and interviews authors on a regular basis.

She is available to comment on current issues around creative writing in general and crime fiction in particular and to speak at local and national festivals and conferences

Liz is contactable on:

Facebook: @LizMistrybooks

Email: LizMistryAuthor@yahoo.com

Twitter: @LizCrimeWarp

Blog: https://thecrimewarp.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: https://lizmistrycrimewriter.wordpress.com/

Too Close To Breathe by Olivia Kiernan @LivKiernan @riverrunbooks @annecater #blogtour #randomthingstours #review #TooCloseToBreathe

Welcome to my stop on the Too Close To Breathe blog tour.

Many thanks to riverrun books and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for my copy of Too Close To Breathe and for inviting me to join the blog tour!

The Blurb

Detective Frankie Sheehan is recovering from a violent knife attack and dealing with the first awakenings of post-traumatic stress disorder when she’s called back to work. At first, Eleanor Costello’s death looks like suicide but soon the perfect pieces of Eleanor’s life begin to fracture, sending Sheehan and her team into a complex murder investigation for Dublin’s deadliest killer. The case deepens as does the body count and Frankie is forced to confront her own demons as the lines between victim and killer become increasingly blurred.

Perfect for fans of Tana French, Jane Casey and Gillian Flynn, Too Close to Breathe is a claustrophobic crime thriller that will keep you gripped and leave you gasping.

What Did I Think?

“Nothing’s a coincidence”

I saw this book advertised some months ago and fell in love with the cover – it’s such a striking yet simple cover to greet you on the bookshelf.  So I knew I needed to read this book when it came out.

I have to admit, I struggled a bit with the first half of the book; I can’t quite put my finger on why though. But then suddenly out of nowhere, I was hooked.  I didn’t want to let the book go, reading late into the night or to the last possible moment before I had to get out the car to go to work. I was desperate to find out who was the killer. The tension grabbed me and would not let me go!

As the story went on, I warmed to Frankie.  To begin with, I questioned her capabilities. She’s struggling to return to work after a serious attack on the job.  She’s trying to slip back into the job whilst coping with the onset of PTSD, the looming court case arising from her attack not to mention the concern from her work colleagues.  This girl has a lot on her plate to deal with. But she’s got that killer instinct and doesn’t like to give up on a case.

Overall I did enjoy Too Close To Breathe and I’ll be looking out for The Killer In Me when it is released next year!

Don’t forget to catch all the other stops on the blog tour!

Who Is Olivia Kiernan?

Olivia Kiernan is an Irish writer living in the UK and author of crime thriller, Too Close to Breathe. She was born and raised in County Meath, near the famed heritage town of Kells and holds an MA in Creative Writing awarded by the University of Sussex. Olivia’s second book, The Killer In Me, will publish in April 2019.

You can find out more about Olivia by visiting her website at www.oliviakiernan.com
Follow Olivia on twitter @LivKiernan
Join in the conversation using #TooCloseToBreathe

The Annual Bloggers Bash Awards – Best Newcomer @bloggersbash #bloggersbash

• 

I am well and truly honoured to have been nominated for the Best Newcomer category at the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months since I hit that Publish button on 1 February with my review of Graham Smith’s Past Echoes.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the support I’ve received from the bookish community, it’s been amazing.  But there are three people who I really hold dear to my heart, Noelle, Sarah and Jo. They’ve been super supportive and believed in me since I’ve met them both virtually and in person.  I’ll admit they’ve all made me buy books #bookfeeders but then again what are friends for if its not feeding a passion which we all share. Love you ladies 😘😘

Anyway I’d love your vote but I know there are some other fabulous contenders in my category. As I said at the beginning, I’m honoured to be nominated. It’s an achievement for my wee blog in its infancy.  But if you are voting, I’d love it if you have a look at the other categories and vote for some of the fantastic bloggers nominated!!

You can vote by tapping on the link below! Choose wisely as you can only vote once! Voting closes at midnight (BST) on 30 April 2018 and the awards are announced on 19 May 2018 which is also FA Cup Final Day and the Royal Wedding…..

http://sachablack.co.uk/2018/04/06/voting-is-now-open-for-the-annual-bloggers-bash-awards-bloggersbash/

Enough rambling! Good luck to all the nominees at the awards!! 🍀🍀

#allbloggersarewinners #bloggerlove