I wanted to share some news and, as always it seems, there is good and bad!

Let me get the bad news out of the way first. I’m afraid that my optimism got the better of me and Dead Level will not now be released before Christmas. I know that will disappoint a great many of you but there are two very good reasons for the delay. Firstly, Christmas is not a good time to release a book, I’m told, for the simple reason that there is so much else going on. And, secondly, the contractual niceties took longer to resolve than I had hoped, but therein lies the good news, I am delighted to say

My publisher had an option on book 5 in the series, i.e. Dead Level. But, instead of simply exercising that option, they have offered me a new two book deal, which I am pleased to say that I have accepted. Needless to say, the two books will be Dead Level and book 6, which now has a working title of Death Sentence.

So, although there will be a delay in the release of Dead Level until March (actual date in March to be confirmed), the deadline for Death Sentence is such that 2016 will be a ‘two book year’ with Dead Level in the Spring and Death Sentence in the Autumn.

I’m not sure I’ve explained that very well but I hope it makes sense. I really am delighted, not least because it demonstrates a commitment to the series on the part of my publisher, and this may very well extend beyond book 6, of course.

Sorry about the wait for Dead Level but I hope it will be worth it!

Regards to all,

Damien