Jason Collings's Blog - Posts Tagged "thriller"

Okay, so I have a blog. Welcome.

Mainly I'm going to write about the books I write, their background, and maybe my process, and perhaps about the ones I read.

I hope you find it interesting. If not, sorry, hope you find what you're looking for elsewhere.

I write a series of novels called the Alaric von Trelow Mysteries. I've published three so far:

Prussian Blue
Prussian Blue

The November Criminals
The November Criminals


Red Berlin
Red Berlin: Alaric von Trelow: Book 3

What are they about? They're historical mysteries set during the early part of the German Weimar Republic, in fact the first one takes place in the last days of the First World War.
I'll talk about the 'hero' (he's often heroic, sometimes not) Alaric von Trelow, in other blogs, but for how, he's a German Intelligence Officer (then ex-intelligence officer), who ends up falling into detecting murders and other mysteries.

They're strong on the history, since that was my background, and they're based on about 35 years of study.

So, if you like the twenties, like mysteries that are a little bit noir, and want to see what Berlin was like before the Nazis... take a look.

I hope you like them, and if you do, drop me a review.

So, I've written a number of short stories that fill in gaps between my novels in the Alaric von Trelow Mysteries series, flesh out supporting characters, that kind of thing. I intend to bundle them up and publish them at some point.

They're fun to write, but a lot of effort, as although they're quicker to write, they take almost as long to plot as a full-length novel.

Do people like/read/value short stories in a series? Would people want a volume of short stories in a series they enjoy, or would they prefer another novel?

Interested in your opinions?

I keep being asked if I have more books coming out... oh yes, oh yes I do:


The Alaric von Trelow Mysteries

1. Prussian Blue
Setting: Brunswick. October 1918
Alaric von Trelow’s wife, Jana, dies. He’s told it was Spanish Flu, but when he hears the symptoms, he simply doesn’t believe it. Especially when he begins to learn the suspicious meetings that have been happening at her family home. Did she learn too much?
(Out now: https://amzn.eu/d/g8hkAkI)

2. The November Criminals
Setting: Berlin. November 1918
With the war over and Germany slipping into revolution, Alaric von Trelow is asked to recover elements of the Prussian Crown Jewels, held in a vault in the Imperial Palace in Berlin. Of course it was never going to be that simple, and the fact that revolutionaries hold the palace is only the first obstacle he must solve. The second is that the only person who can help him get inside hates him and wants him dead.
(Out now: https://amzn.eu/d/gD2QTlJ)

3. Red Berlin
Setting: Berlin. February 1919
Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht are dead. The question is not who killed them, but who betrayed them? Is there a traitor in the communist party? Forced to investigate, Alaric von Trelow must find new allies and repair old friendships if he’s to find the truth and keep the people he loves safe.
(Out now: https://amzn.eu/d/gDzXzz5)

4. Springtime in Paris
Setting: Paris. April 1919
At Versailles the victorious Allies are deciding the fate of the world. In Paris thousands of representatives of supplicant nations, and would-be nations, wait. Amongst them is someone who wants no part of peace, who wants to war to begin again, and is willing to not only kill millions, but to blame Louis Beck. Fortunately, Louis has a friend. His name is Alaric von Trelow. It looks like he’s catching a train…
(To be published: January 2026)

5. Golden Eagles
Setting: Berlin. Poland. Ukraine. August - September 1919
In the chaotic collapse of empires, new nations struggle to be born and to survive. Amongst them is Ukraine, fighting Soviets, Poles, Czechoslovaks, and Romanians. They have only one ally, a Germany unable to send men of weapons, only money. The only way to get it there is aboard the largest aeroplanes in the world, and someone is willing to sabotage and kill to stop them arriving. Enter Alaric von Trelow to solve a straightforward case of sabotage. Simple, surely…
(To be published: April 2026)

6. The Ngoni Princess
Setting: Tanginika Territory, East Africa. October 1919 - January 1920
Alaric von Trelow elder brother survived the war but never returned home. What happened in Africa and where is he now? Travelling to the newly seized territories of East Africa, Alaric von Trelow must negotiate unfamiliar terrain, cultures and wildlife, as well as deal with greed, treachery and the divided loyalties to discover the secret of the Ngoni Princess.
(To be published: July 2026)

7. Murder on the Adriatic
Setting: Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. February - March 1920
Voyaging back from Port Said to Trieste, Alaric von Trelow is miserable with seasickness. He soon finds uncalled for distraction in a death of one of the ship’s officers. Did he fall, or was he murdered? There are too many secrets amongst the passengers, one of whom may be a killer.
(To be published: October 2026)

8. Body Number Ten
Setting: Berlin. April 1920
Ten men are found dead in a railway yard after the disastrous Kapp Putsch. Nine of them are communists, one of them is unidentified. Who is he? Who killed him, and why? Alaric von Trelow, back in Berlin, must discover the truth and how deep the rot lies.
(To be published: January 2027)

9. Dark Inheritance
Setting: Elbe, Prussia. August 1920
Called to a remote castle on the Elbe where an aged Baron still rules like it was the Middle Ages, Alaric von Trelow and his friends must discover who is trying to kill him. It may be easier to ask, who isn’t. Everyone seems to have a motive, death is in the air, and even the trees seem to be waiting…
(To be published: April 2026)

10. City of Vice
Setting: Berlin. August – September 1920
Cocaine is flooding the city. It’s in every bar, nightclub, and café. The dealers, supplied by a network marked by a red rose, seem unstoppable. Called upon by his friend, Kriminalkommissar Dietz, Alaric von Trelow must try to solve the case, whilst trying to discover the identity of the person trying to ruin his life.
(To be published: July 2026)

11. The Snow Queen
Setting: Berlin. December 1920
Alaric von Trelow is on the run, wanted for murder. The Snow Queen lost a battle, but appears to have won the war. Can von Trelow recover health, position, and liberty. How can you defeat someone who knows no rules or limits, who is driven by madness and a relentless vengeful fury? And if you do, what price will you have to pay?
(To be published: October 2026)

12. At the Brandenburg Hotel
Setting: Berlin. February 1921
Petty thefts are escalating in the Brunswick Hotel and Alaric von Trelow is called upon to investigate. It’s not long before theft becomes murder. With a cast of interesting, complex, and mysterious characters staying in the hotel and having motive, it becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse in one of Berlin’s grandest hostelries.
(To be published: January 2027)

13. The Baltic Refugees
Setting: Berlin. May 1921
Two years after the death of a young noblewoman in Estonia, her father calls together everyone who was there. He wishes them to tell tales, in the manner of Goethe’s The German Refugees, to honour his daughter’s memory. It is more than a parlour game—Alaric von Trelow has been invited, because somewhere within these stories is the clue to who killed her, and someone is preparing to kill again.
(To be published: April 2027)

14. Dangerous Jade
Setting: Berlin. June 1921
Rescuing a young man and his sister from mysterious Chinese killers, Alaric von Trelow is plunged into a new mystery. Returning from Tsingtao, the lost German protectorate in China, the siblings have brought not only trouble, but a treasure more than one person is willing to kill for.
(To be published: July 2027)

FREE! 1 Nov - 5 Nov.
Since it's November, it's seems only fair the The November Criminals is free on Kindle for the first five days, then you get if for a 'steal' and read it for the rest of the month.
I ask only a nice review if you like it.
Get is here: https://amzn.eu/d/4lFU43I

FREE! 1 Nov - 5 Nov.
Hi everyone,
The November Criminals is free right now on Kindle.
Get is here: https://amzn.eu/d/4lFU43I
Standalone title, although it follows the events of my first book, Prussian Blue.
Pick is up, and if you like it, please leave me a nice review - that's all I ask.
Have a great November!

I finished my latest book today!

Hooray!

Book 13 in the Alaric von Trelow Mysteries is complete.
It's called 'The Baltic Refugees'.
It was my most complex challenge yet, and I loved writing it. As usual, it took a lot of prep, but once I started writing it came together well. I started typing on the 20th October - so just over three weeks, which isn't the fastest, but it's up there. Once I get an idea in my head I just have to get it down.
It's about 70,000 words, so not huge, but intricate, with layered stories told by the characters revealing their psychology using period correct psychoanalytical methodology to interpret.
Really fun to write.

Now, of course, I have to do all the proofreading, editorial passes etc. So, still a way to go. However, I think I scheduled it for a 2027 release, so I have time.

Maybe I should just publish them quicker.

I also have to do final edits on the next book I'm publishing just after Christmas - 'Springtime in Paris', book 4 in the series.

And, as always, there's another book to write. This one will be called 'Dangerous Jade'. I already have the plot and research done. Fine tuning before that one starts - I just have to have a book on the go.

Anyway, take a look at the currently published ones. I'd love to get your feedback:

Prussian Blue
The November Criminals
Red Berlin

Okay. I have finished the editing of the fourth book in the Alaric von Trelow Mysteries series:

Paris in Springtime

It's a big novel, 115,000 words, give or take, which makes it the longest one to date, but I really think it pays off. I love the story, it's one that I think will make people want to reread it to catch the details they miss the first time.

As the title suggests, von Trelow is out of his element, no longer in Berlin, but in Paris, during the Versailles Peace Conference, and obviously there's murder, he's in the middle of it, and there's hell to pay.

The plan is to get the book formatted and out to advance reviewers this week. If anyone wants to be a reviewer (get a free early copy - on the understanding you'll read it over the month, let me know if you spot any issues, and give it a review when it's launched) - drop me a line jason.collings@berolinabooks.com

The book will be published just after Christmas, so not long to wait. I'm really excited to see what people make of this one.