S.C. Cunningham's Blog: AUTHOR S C Cunningham's BLOG
November 16, 2025
Murder Mystery chapter sample. CRIMELLA.
A few book blogger ladies kindly asked for a sample chapter from CRIMELLA 1, a not-so-cozy murder mystery novella. So, sent them this, where one of our female sleuths, ex glamour girl Anna Wilde, attends a local tea party. Hope it wins them over🙃Siobhan x
‼️ CHAPTER 4
Manor House Estate, Nettleacre Village, UK.
Loathing the boring pompous functions she had to endure, which was the downside to raising monies for charity, she scanned the ballroom full of screechy hooray Henrys and Henriettas, wondering how quickly she could politely get out of there.
Then she spotted him across room.
A tall dark handsome scruffy-haired male in expensive tuxedo, open necked dress shirt, and loose-hanging bow tie draped around his neck, leaning against a stone pillar as if he owned the place… fuck!
With legs crossed, hand in pocket, a near empty champagne flute resting thoughtfully on his lower lip, his clever brown eyes peered over the rim of his glass and stared directly at her.
She looked over her shoulder to check it was her he was looking at. Yep, it was her… double fuck!
That lower part of her inner tummy leapt as he unashamedly took his time to scan her body from top to toe… the cheeky sod!
But she couldn’t look away.
She hadn’t felt that twinge in a long time. It was a nice reminder that at fifty-something she hadn’t lost the inner-smile flutter of hot chemistry.
She loved men, she’d gotten through a few in her time, both good and bad. They used to be the center of her universe, but if she was honest over the past decade it felt like she’d grown up and out of them. They’d become hard work. She sensed a few of her male friends felt the same way, and so they should, women could be a nightmare.
Truth be told, it was a bit sad. She wondered if she getting old, bored, or just peopled out? But seeing Mister Tux proved that she may still be in the game.
Chemistry was a powerful thing, and this guy had it by the bucket-load… what the hell, who is he?
Nettleacre was a small village, she knew everybody, so he must be new, a visitor, or someone’s plus one.
She scanned the guests milling around him. He was getting furtive glances from both men and women, but he didn’t register any of them. He seemed to be alone.
He was still staring at her, and from his narrowing eyes and dimpled half grin, clearly thinking about sex… fuck!
And now, so was she… fuck, fuck, fuck!
The same grin crept over her face.
A nearby couple stepped over to him, trying to start up conversation, she recognized them as local swingers. But he ignored them. Keeping his eyes firmly on her, tilting his head with an I’m-gonna-have-you stare.
The couple gave up and turned away. The woman, clearly incensed, mouthed the word ‘rude’ to her partner.
Anna decided to have some fun, she was leaving in a minute and would probably never see him again… what the hell!
Brazen, she turned and faced him full on, chest-out, feet apart, arms held out in question, giving a do-you-like-what-you-see raised eyebrow.
He caught the challenge and nodded, holding his open hand up in front of him, twisting it backwards and forwards, scrunching his face with a meh-you’re-okay-I-guess reply.
They both laughed.
She liked his smile.
She bit her bottom lip.
He bit his.
She looked away then looked back, so did he.
With a what-are-we-going-to-do-about-this shrug, they stared at each other keeping eye contact for way longer than was necessary. Each refusing to turn away, each knowing what the other was thinking.
It was no longer if, it was now where, when, how, what would it feel like? She sighed, getting hot under the collar.
Guests were beginning to notice them and started to watch the beautiful couple staring at each other across a ballroom. They didn’t care.
He raised beckoning fingers at her, mouthing the words ‘come here, now’.
Her heart leapt.
She thought about stubbornly mouthing ‘no, you come here,’ but couldn’t wait… fuck it, life’s too short.
Just as she stepped forward to join him, her shoulder was tapped from behind, ruining the moment.
Annoyed at the intrusion, she spun round to find the party’s host and owner of the Manor House Estate, Lord Hughie Taggard, fawning over her… ugh!
Hiding her irritation, it took all she could muster to smile at him. Mister Tuxedo’s fawning was sexy, Taggard’s was creepy.
'Hughie, darling, how are you,' she faked. ‼️
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crimella-Mys...
Crimella: Not-so-cosy Murder Mystery
‼️ CHAPTER 4
Manor House Estate, Nettleacre Village, UK.
Loathing the boring pompous functions she had to endure, which was the downside to raising monies for charity, she scanned the ballroom full of screechy hooray Henrys and Henriettas, wondering how quickly she could politely get out of there.
Then she spotted him across room.
A tall dark handsome scruffy-haired male in expensive tuxedo, open necked dress shirt, and loose-hanging bow tie draped around his neck, leaning against a stone pillar as if he owned the place… fuck!
With legs crossed, hand in pocket, a near empty champagne flute resting thoughtfully on his lower lip, his clever brown eyes peered over the rim of his glass and stared directly at her.
She looked over her shoulder to check it was her he was looking at. Yep, it was her… double fuck!
That lower part of her inner tummy leapt as he unashamedly took his time to scan her body from top to toe… the cheeky sod!
But she couldn’t look away.
She hadn’t felt that twinge in a long time. It was a nice reminder that at fifty-something she hadn’t lost the inner-smile flutter of hot chemistry.
She loved men, she’d gotten through a few in her time, both good and bad. They used to be the center of her universe, but if she was honest over the past decade it felt like she’d grown up and out of them. They’d become hard work. She sensed a few of her male friends felt the same way, and so they should, women could be a nightmare.
Truth be told, it was a bit sad. She wondered if she getting old, bored, or just peopled out? But seeing Mister Tux proved that she may still be in the game.
Chemistry was a powerful thing, and this guy had it by the bucket-load… what the hell, who is he?
Nettleacre was a small village, she knew everybody, so he must be new, a visitor, or someone’s plus one.
She scanned the guests milling around him. He was getting furtive glances from both men and women, but he didn’t register any of them. He seemed to be alone.
He was still staring at her, and from his narrowing eyes and dimpled half grin, clearly thinking about sex… fuck!
And now, so was she… fuck, fuck, fuck!
The same grin crept over her face.
A nearby couple stepped over to him, trying to start up conversation, she recognized them as local swingers. But he ignored them. Keeping his eyes firmly on her, tilting his head with an I’m-gonna-have-you stare.
The couple gave up and turned away. The woman, clearly incensed, mouthed the word ‘rude’ to her partner.
Anna decided to have some fun, she was leaving in a minute and would probably never see him again… what the hell!
Brazen, she turned and faced him full on, chest-out, feet apart, arms held out in question, giving a do-you-like-what-you-see raised eyebrow.
He caught the challenge and nodded, holding his open hand up in front of him, twisting it backwards and forwards, scrunching his face with a meh-you’re-okay-I-guess reply.
They both laughed.
She liked his smile.
She bit her bottom lip.
He bit his.
She looked away then looked back, so did he.
With a what-are-we-going-to-do-about-this shrug, they stared at each other keeping eye contact for way longer than was necessary. Each refusing to turn away, each knowing what the other was thinking.
It was no longer if, it was now where, when, how, what would it feel like? She sighed, getting hot under the collar.
Guests were beginning to notice them and started to watch the beautiful couple staring at each other across a ballroom. They didn’t care.
He raised beckoning fingers at her, mouthing the words ‘come here, now’.
Her heart leapt.
She thought about stubbornly mouthing ‘no, you come here,’ but couldn’t wait… fuck it, life’s too short.
Just as she stepped forward to join him, her shoulder was tapped from behind, ruining the moment.
Annoyed at the intrusion, she spun round to find the party’s host and owner of the Manor House Estate, Lord Hughie Taggard, fawning over her… ugh!
Hiding her irritation, it took all she could muster to smile at him. Mister Tuxedo’s fawning was sexy, Taggard’s was creepy.
'Hughie, darling, how are you,' she faked. ‼️
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crimella-Mys...
Crimella: Not-so-cosy Murder Mystery
October 30, 2025
New Murder Mystery out now! KU.
Hello there fellow booklovers, am excited to share that my latest novella, CRIMELLA of the Nettleacre Murders is out now! Kindle Unlimited.
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Crimella: Not-so-cozy Murder Mystery
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Crimella: Not-so-cozy Murder Mystery
September 7, 2025
5⭐The Penance List. Review
Thank you Alice Oliver for taking the time to write these lovely words. Reviews help us authors keep going, very much appreciated. David has now crossed over to cause chaos in the new CRIMELLA murder mystery series, would love to send you an eBook copy when released, if I can track you down✨ Siobhan.
5⭐- 'Wow. This book absolutely sizzles from start to finish. It's bold, intense, and completely unafraid to dive into the raw and real sensual, emotional, and psychologically gripping all at once. The writing is sharp, vivid, and daringly original, and the characters are so alive you feel like you know them.'
The Penance List
5⭐- 'Wow. This book absolutely sizzles from start to finish. It's bold, intense, and completely unafraid to dive into the raw and real sensual, emotional, and psychologically gripping all at once. The writing is sharp, vivid, and daringly original, and the characters are so alive you feel like you know them.'
The Penance List
August 28, 2025
THE PENANCE LIST review
5⭐ THANK YOU!... (am shouting!). It took time to write this. You have no idea how much your words mean to creators, am grateful.
The Penance List
"5.0 out of 5 stars And all I can say is what a fantastic find! I was gripped from the very first...
Wow! What a read! I didn’t research the book and delved into it blindly, only having the summary to go by and not completely knowing what the book was about.
And all I can say is what a fantastic find!
I was gripped from the very first chapter! It was dark, sexy, provocative, thrilling and oh so exciting! The characters were deep and brought a lot of great reading material to the book.
This story made ’50 Shades’ look like a tame children’s book. It was so raunchy, and I loved every word of it and lapped it up enthusiastically. The pages turned quick and fast as I hurried to see how the story would end. I was not disappointed when i did finally get to the last page; instead, I wanted more!
I was so pleased to find out that there is more to this book; and that the story isn’t over yet. The books in this trilogy have already been put into my TBR list.
There is a big part of me that understands why David is the way he is and I feel sorry for the person that is lost and who could have been, but damn he is a evil-dark-sexy-man. To say that he is ‘hot’ is an understatement. Yes, he is troubled, yes he is angry and at times very scary, but there is something about the character that draws me in. The whole story got me hot under the collar more than once.
This is a really great read! Would recommend!"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
The Penance List
"5.0 out of 5 stars And all I can say is what a fantastic find! I was gripped from the very first...
Wow! What a read! I didn’t research the book and delved into it blindly, only having the summary to go by and not completely knowing what the book was about.
And all I can say is what a fantastic find!
I was gripped from the very first chapter! It was dark, sexy, provocative, thrilling and oh so exciting! The characters were deep and brought a lot of great reading material to the book.
This story made ’50 Shades’ look like a tame children’s book. It was so raunchy, and I loved every word of it and lapped it up enthusiastically. The pages turned quick and fast as I hurried to see how the story would end. I was not disappointed when i did finally get to the last page; instead, I wanted more!
I was so pleased to find out that there is more to this book; and that the story isn’t over yet. The books in this trilogy have already been put into my TBR list.
There is a big part of me that understands why David is the way he is and I feel sorry for the person that is lost and who could have been, but damn he is a evil-dark-sexy-man. To say that he is ‘hot’ is an understatement. Yes, he is troubled, yes he is angry and at times very scary, but there is something about the character that draws me in. The whole story got me hot under the collar more than once.
This is a really great read! Would recommend!"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
August 15, 2025
FOR MY SINS review
THANK YOU... (am shouting!) ... for this wonderful Amazon review, very much appreciated ✨Siobhan x 💋
4.0 out of 5 stars Darkly compelling psycho thriller.
FOR MY SINS part of the standalone David Trilogy by S C Cunningham
- For My Sins: The David Trilogy, Book 3
🔸''For my Sins is a darkly compelling read with a fast pace that is often quite funny alongside the twists and darkness. A great combo and very different, A book that you don’t realise you’re speeding through as it’s holding your attention intensely throughout.
Classed as a psycho thriller that does tackle some topics that some may find triggering so take note of the warnings. I however found it epic and wished I had known about the series before. There is violence and plenty of swearing but it absolutely does belong in a story of this nature. Dark, gruesome, intense, funny and most of all superbly engaging.''🔸
4.0 out of 5 stars Darkly compelling psycho thriller.
FOR MY SINS part of the standalone David Trilogy by S C Cunningham
- For My Sins: The David Trilogy, Book 3
🔸''For my Sins is a darkly compelling read with a fast pace that is often quite funny alongside the twists and darkness. A great combo and very different, A book that you don’t realise you’re speeding through as it’s holding your attention intensely throughout.
Classed as a psycho thriller that does tackle some topics that some may find triggering so take note of the warnings. I however found it epic and wished I had known about the series before. There is violence and plenty of swearing but it absolutely does belong in a story of this nature. Dark, gruesome, intense, funny and most of all superbly engaging.''🔸
August 6, 2025
NETTLEACRE MURDERS
Am having fun working on a new murder mystery series, and bringing David and few of the Fallen Angel characters with me.... watch this space!
CRIMELLA of NETTLEACRE MURDERS
Crimella: Not-so-cosy Rom Mystery
In the peaceful quintessential village of Nettleacre three bored neighbours play detective. Although complete opposites; ex-policewoman, ex-glamour girl, and a wannabe white witch, they share a common disregard for bullies, a cheeky sense of humour, a penchant for burning romance, and a taste for the odd glass of wine.
Their skills are put to the test as they try to help under-resourced local police whilst oblivious to the redeeming serial killer, witness-protection crime boss, and unseen entities that have descended on their patch.
A perfect escape to the beautiful English countryside for fans of 'Midsomer Murder' and 'Murder She Wrote' with a wicked otherworld twist.
CRIMELLA of NETTLEACRE MURDERS
Crimella: Not-so-cosy Rom Mystery
In the peaceful quintessential village of Nettleacre three bored neighbours play detective. Although complete opposites; ex-policewoman, ex-glamour girl, and a wannabe white witch, they share a common disregard for bullies, a cheeky sense of humour, a penchant for burning romance, and a taste for the odd glass of wine.
Their skills are put to the test as they try to help under-resourced local police whilst oblivious to the redeeming serial killer, witness-protection crime boss, and unseen entities that have descended on their patch.
A perfect escape to the beautiful English countryside for fans of 'Midsomer Murder' and 'Murder She Wrote' with a wicked otherworld twist.
February 7, 2025
Thank you @Becksbookview 🙏💗
‼️Your book is a thrilling, genre-defying masterpiece that grabs hold from the start and never lets go! The mix of gritty crime, supernatural intrigue, and sizzling chemistry creates a world that’s both raw and electrifying. Your storytelling is bold, addictive, and packed with twists that keep readers on edge. A truly cinematic and unforgettable experience!‼️ BecksBookview
The Deal by SCCunninghamThe Deal
https://www.amazon.com/Deal-Fallen-An...
The Deal by SCCunninghamThe Deal
https://www.amazon.com/Deal-Fallen-An...
Thank you @Becksbookview 🙏💗
‼️Your book is a thrilling, genre-defying masterpiece that grabs hold from the start and never lets go! The mix of gritty crime, supernatural intrigue, and sizzling chemistry creates a world that’s both raw and electrifying. Your storytelling is bold, addictive, and packed with twists that keep readers on edge. A truly cinematic and unforgettable experience!‼️ BecksBookview
The Deal by SCCunninghamThe Deal
https://www.amazon.com/Deal-Fallen-An...
The Deal by SCCunninghamThe Deal
https://www.amazon.com/Deal-Fallen-An...
February 6, 2021
February 4, 2021
THE DEAL Optioned for Film
Producer Daniel Blake Smith
"As an author it is daunting when a film scriptwriter adapts your book. But have to say it is awesome! Quite selfishly, my voice is in tact and the story has come to life. Excited and grateful to all involved."
Author S C Cunningham
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