Between

by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

This is a most unusual crime mystery, and the twists are not as you would expect them. Many crimes go misunderstood and unpunished. But not forever. It is these consequences which we do not always comprehend, or are not around to judge. The young man is not sure how he died. Nor is he sure who to blame. But he is most certainly dead and not enjoying it, so he blames himself. He won’t allow those wretched shining do-gooders to tell him what he should be doing, but the flying gangs from the lower planes are no longer his friends either. Heaven is not the paradise he might have supposed, and now simply wishes to be left alone. After all, once dead, recriminations seem to bring small benefit. There are many others and they all have their hopes, their histories and their failings to overcome. There is a great deal to see and the freedom to see it, but the young man chooses a life with the birds and shuns humanity. Until he meets Daisy. Yet as soon as he is comfortable with Daisy, Wilmot arrives and unravels his composure all over again. He must, after all, face the circumstances of his death and the surprising truth of his life, leading to the final twist at the end.

394 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2016

About the author

I was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.

My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books

Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.

I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.

After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.

My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.

Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.

I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.

Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).

Reviews

[Katie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is one of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Barbara Gaskell Denvil, incredible story telling skills shine through in this work. She’s unmatched with her word crafting. This book has so many different layers. It is entertaining, intriguing, deep, thoughtful, philosophical... There’s a fabulous mystery that unravels beautifully, as well as a happy ending for a long life lived for a kind and loving woman. The unique take on what might happen in the afterlife is just stunningly written. The tale has gorgeous characters that show tremendous amounts of growth.

[Gill Trewick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly her best book yet, it was totally unexpected and original. Not sure what genre to put it in, crime, mystery, but most of all literary fiction. It is so well written and keeps you turning the page until the last. And then you wish you could start again, but by then you know what happens so it's impossible to relive the tension!