Hello from a grey, damp and pretty miserable looking Bristol!

I got distracted! I subscribe to a lot of sites, and much as I want to read all the latest news from each, I tend to let them mount up in a file until I’m bored or I’m looking for something specific. Do you do that with my emails? Anyway, I digress. One of those sites is called Fantastic Fiction. Of course I follow myself, as you do if you’re an indie author. When Chance Encounters came out, they emailed me about the new release, and yesterday, I had a very unusual update on one of my favourite authors, Val McDermid, because she has a new book coming out. It’s called Lady Macbeth, it’s historical fiction, which is a change from her norm, and it doesn’t have a cover! I’m interested. So I click again. But it’s not available until May next year. I’m not sure if I’ll order it that far in advance. So a question for you:

Would you buy a book without a cover? A) Yes, if it’s a favourite author. B) Yes, I never take any notice of covers, or C) No.

Then I clicked over to my author page on Fantastic Fiction, and I liked what I saw. A lot. It is so much nicer and far easier to navigate an author’s work than Goodreads, or even Amazon. The only thing I would question would be the genre list at the end, but I’m guessing that’s what others have looked at who have followed me.

And here’s the thing that caused even more distraction. It’s given me some statistics that I’ve never worked out. Because having left the corporate world of stats and reports far behind me, I avoid stats unless absolutely necessary. Here’s what Fantastic Fiction told me, without having to do anything but scroll.

Misplaced Loyalty was the first book I published in 2012. There are 15 books, including the prequel, The Making of Meredith, in the Meredith and Hodge series. (I knew that, of course)

With Chance Encounters now live, I have published 25 books in 11 years (excluding boxed sets). That’s an average of 2 (and a bit) books a year. But here’s the one that amazed me. So far in 2023 I have written and published FIVE books. I thought it was four. (Yes, honestly.) I’d forgotten Error of Judgement came before The Little Compton Mysteries this year.

There are a couple of downsides to having clicked that link, apart from the distraction away from what I was doing. 1. As I’ve started writing two other novels, I’m now wondering if I can finish another one before the fireworks and bells herald in 2024. My sensible self says, ‘No, get real!’ My silly self says, ‘We’ll see. Why are you writing about stats when you should be writing the next one?’ and, 2. I’ve bought even more books from my favourite authors to add to the TBR pile. I think if I never bought another book and live to my mid-nineties, I might just get through them.

To conclude: I went to look for something, got distracted by new books and the dreaded statistics, then ended up writing this to recommend you to subscribe to Fantastic Fiction, so you can easily find everything written by your favourite author. I feel I should add a word of caution. Tread carefully, it might (read will) cost you. Result: Several hours later, and I have to go back to my emails to find what I was looking for.

I’d better dash. My silly self is calling because before all this distraction I was working on the latest M & H Enough … who knows, I might make six!

Happy reading,

Image 1 & 3 by yanalya on Freepik

Image 2 by wayhomestudio on Freepik

Good morning,

From a grey, cold Bristol. This is a flying visit as lots has happened while I was away – isn’t that always the case – and I have a list of ‘to dos’ to work through, the top of which is to go and pick up the dogs. I can’t wait to see them, so this is a quick update for you:

The Murder is with the editor, Sharon, and is available for pre-order. Some of the Beta readers have reported back, and they seem to be liking it, which of course was the correct answer. (Phew!) Once again some great suggestions about tweaks received and accepted.

Error of Judgement – we’re almost there! The edited version is with proofreader, Jill.  If you were a Beta reader on this, it would be great to get your feedback before it goes live on the 31st, and thank you once again to those who have already been in touch. Your feedback is invaluable.

The audio version of Web of Deceit has been released. Available on audible if you have it, if not, and you’d like to listen to it give me a shout and I’ll send you a code. Don’t forget if you like both ebook and audible, you can pick up the audio version at a greatly reduced price if you have the ebook.

That’s it. Two books on pre-order and a new audio available. I told you it was a quick one. Once I’ve picked up the dogs, unpacked, put the first load of washing on, and filled the very empty fridge etc., etc., I’ll be back with more news, but until then,

 

Happy reading,

 

 

Hello,

It’s been a busy, busy here. Writing, editing, trying to learn new techy skills, dog walking, grandchildren, etc., etc. But I’m loving it. Everything is flowing nicely.

My amateur sleuths, accountant Tom, and cleaner Liz, have only gone and solved the mystery! Yes, you heard correctly. In record time, what was my latest WIP is finished. It’s new, so all the usual concerns about whether it will work for you, the readers, are bumping around, and there is still the issue of a title. I have several ideas on a series name, (if I ever get that far), but I’m still stumped on the title. I’ve sent it off to three trusted friends, all of whom will tell me if it’s any good, and hopefully get the inspiration that I am lacking on what to call it. I’ll keep you posted on that.

Here’s a little taster for you taken from Chapter Two after Tom has stumbled across a dead body. I hope you like it, let me know what you think.

*****

“So, tell me what you want, what you r . . . Argh!” Her, singing interrupted, Liz Thorne’s scream was shrill, and she jabbed her feather duster at Tom. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” She pulled one of her earphones out. “What are you doing in there?”

Heavy eyes looked at Liz. “Taking a shower. What does it look like I’m doing? I was sleeping. Why are you here so early? Is it even your day?”

“Yes. Wednesday. And I’m not early, I’m late. It’s ten-thirty. Had to go into . . . I won’t bother you with that. Then they had the top of the road taped off. I hope it’s not another unexploded bomb. That took an age to deal with last time. I thought you’d gone out, although that would be strange. Have you not got to work today? You usually just grunt from behind your screen.” Liz Thorne waved the duster as she spoke.

Tom sometimes thought he should have a word with her about the lack of respect. But he liked her attitude, her zest. Liz was never rude, not really, she simply told it how it was. She was refreshing, if somewhat irritating.

“I have, yes. Ten-thirty, bloody hell.” Tom threw the duvet back. “I’ll jump in the shower. Don’t suppose you’ve made tea, have you?”

“Nope. Because you weren’t there to ask for one. I’ll go and put the kettle on and do downstairs first. I only came up out of habit. Don’t you get moaning at me for doing it first. Did you have too much?”

“Too much what?” Tom flicked his hand back and forth indicating she should move out of the way. He knew exactly what she meant.

Leaning around him, she pointed at the glass. “Too much.”

“No, I haven’t, and I resent the accusation. If you must know, last night I . . .” Tom’s hand flew to his mouth, and he mumbled into it. “You knew her.”

“What? Knew who?” Liz grinned. “You dark horse. Have you been on a date? Is that what you’re really doing on that computer, dating sites, not boring old accounts?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I found Denise Knight’s body, she was dead. I’m so sorry.”

“Dead. Denise? Oh my God. She’s been murdered, hasn’t she? That’s why the tape’s there? How did you find her, were you meeting her?”

“I know it’s a shock, Liz, but really. You’ve met Denise, you’ve met me. Why would I be meeting her?”

“Well, I don’t know. Stranger things have happened, like you being out and finding dead bodies. Dead bodies belonging to people who have been stalked.”

“Stalked? Have you told the police?”

“I’ve only just found out she’s been murdered. Oh God I need a drink. I’ll put a drop of this in our tea.” As bold as brass she opened his bedside drawer and took out the almost empty bottle. She held it up as though inspecting how much had been imbibed. “Hmm.”

“Hmm! How did you know that was there? Have you been going through my things?” Tom’s hands were on his hips.

“No I have not! And I resent that accusation. I clean for you. Properly. Behind stuff. On the first Wednesday of every month I do the bedrooms, properly. I move stuff to clean behind them. That cabinet always chinks. Glass on glass. I didn’t need to look to know what it was, I also see your recycling.” She was jabbing the feather duster at him again. “It’s obvious you have an issue.”

“What? Liz, you have just overstepped the mark. I might have issues, but drink isn’t one of them, and even if it was, you are not the person to tell me. I’m going for a shower.”

“And I haven’t got an issue with it either, but I’m having some of this in my tea. Hurry up. I want the detail, then we must call the police.” Liz was already on the stairs. “Don’t stand there gawping. Get in the shower.”

“Even my wife didn’t speak to me like that. You are overstepping the mark. Again.”

“So you keep saying, hurry up, Mr Large. I’ve got to do Harry Burnham after you. I don’t know what he’s going to say. He was her neighbour, he liked Denise.”

*****

The ink’s barely dry, it’s got a long way to go yet, but let me have your comments. Would you like to read it?

In other news: The first beta comments are back in for Web of Deceit, and HURRAH! it’s gone down well, we did miss a few issues, but my eagle eyed betas are catching them. Thank you.  M & H had a bit of a shake up at the end of Web of Deceit (but panic not, no one died!) and so far they seem to have liked that too. If you’d like to order your copy before it goes live, you can do so here.

“But what was the number 13 stuff all about?” I hear you shout.

Brace yourselves . . . Meredith & Hodge are already working their next case. Yes, already! I had an idea on the next storyline, it’s mentioned at the end of Web of Deceit, and I had to get it written down. The story then ran away with me. Unlike poor old Tom & Liz, M & H 13, at least has a working title. “Error of Judgement”.

I won’t say much more, because as I say there’s been a bit of a shake up. I’ve just started chapter four, and I’m thoroughly enjoying watching the new dynamics.

That’s it for now, hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.

 

Happy reading,

Good Morning,

A quick email as we’ve had a blip with An Unexpected Gift.  When it was uploaded to Audible, an error occurred and the unedited version of Chapter 33 was uploaded. I’ve now corrected this, but it might take up to ten days for audible to approve the new file and send out updates to those of you who have already downloaded it. If you would like just Chapter 33 rather than wait, please shout and I will email it over to you. If you would like the new version, drop me a line and I’ll send you a new code once the new version goes live.  If you haven’t yet requested a copy or not used your existing code, please wait until I confirm that all is well.  Sincere apologies for this blip, although as most of you know it’s just one in many techy hiccups at this end. The ebook is still 0.99 until 27th, so click HERE if you haven’t yet read it.

In other news, Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness is still going strong. I’m really enjoying writing it, I know ‘whodunit’ and how that will be revealed, so it’s just a case of getting it out of my head and onto the laptop! As mentioned last time, it is available to pre-order for 15th December 2021, although I might bring that date forward. Click HERE to pre-order.

Finally, I’ve been doing a little BETA reading myself of a non fiction book: Murder Investigation Team – How Scotland Yard Really Catches Killers, for a recently retired, DI, Steve Keough. Steve was part of a Scotland Yard Murder Investigation Team. It’s a factual book about the how’s and why’s, and is written in a conversational fashion that makes it an interesting and enjoyable read. It’s due to be released in the next few weeks, and will be of interest to those of you who enjoy True Crime. I’ll keep you posted.

That’s it for now, busy weekend ahead so I’d better get on with the writing.

Happy reading