When other people’s weird is your normal, what do you do when your life gets weird? For Jane Butterworth the paranormal is just a day job. She works at the Blue Moon Investigation Agency, a firm that specialises in cases that no one else will take, cases that start at strange and unexplainable and tier rapidly south from there.
Her boss is away dealing with a Yeti in France, but the enquiries keep coming so when Chief Inspector Quinn of the local police wants to hire the firm as special consultants, Jane signs them up and takes it on herself.
But a swamp monster? Really?
Bodies of dead cops have been showing up in nearby Biddenden Lake, the site of an unexplained death three years ago. Is there a link between that death and these? The whole area is steeped in ancient history, ghost stories are two-a-penny here but is she really cut out to be a detective?
Let's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.
When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.
At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.
Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.
The best word to describe this book is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Well written and fun to read, I really loved this story, and was surprised by the clever way the story twisted and turned. Blooming brilliant!
A well loved character from the Blue Moon Agency's series of books, decides to be play proxy detective.
James; or Jane as he calls himself; depending on which aspect of his personality he feels most like on a daily basis; is officially, the company administrator and secretary. Under normal circumstances, gathering the background information for the cases that Tempest Michaels and Amanda Harper use in their cases as the two detectives in the company. However, when an urgent case comes in that sounds relatively straight forward to deal with, James or in this case; Jane, decides to take it on and instead of just dealing with it as usual; by passing it on for Tempest or Amanda to deal with; Jane goes out to deal with the case herself
Telling herself that it will be a quick and simple case to deal with, and not to worry the bosses with it, she goes to find out a bit more background information.
As Jane begins to take a look at the facts that she has amassed on the case; there is a call from the local police station; a police officer wishing to talk tto Tempest concerning the recent death of a fellow officer. Jane explains to the officer that Tempest is out of the country and cannot take the case, but she decides to take the case herself due to it's urgency. As she takes down the details of the case, things take a turn for weird and thats how they stay. Weird!
This is a book I was utterly smitten by from the first page. It is witty and well written, with strange characters who are only vaguely on speaking terms with reality. Many mysteries to solve and crazy people doing strange and dangerous things to themselves and others for decidedly crazy reasons. With fast cars, and terrify violence, its a real page turner. It's definitely well worth a read.
This was a wild ride! Jane is left to cover the office while Tempest and Amanda’s are off to France on their Yeti adventure. Jane decided to take on a few “small” cases and the adventures just keep coming, from a swamp monster, the ogre under the bridge and a sandman. Poor Jane may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Tempest and Amanda are still in France working on the Yeti case, so when a police call comes in about an ogre under a bridge in a nearby park, Jane knows exactly what to do. She rushes to the scene with bacon sandwich in hand and promises of cake, because Arthur, the neighborhood eccentric, is once again entertaining himself by scaring the wits out of park visitors, and she has to get to him ahead of the coppers to prevent his arrest.
The next morning, however, Jane is stunned to answer a call from PC Jan Van Doorn on behalf of Detective Inspector Quinn, Amanda’s nemesis, seeking help with the Swamp Monster murders. They began three years earlier when a man drowned in Biddenden Lake — the same park Arthur patrols — while camping with his girlfriend, who was considered the prime suspect in his death, but charges were eventually dismissed for lack of evidence. However, two bodies have recently popped up, both officers involved in the original case, and Quinn is at his wit’s end. “What do I want from Tempest Michaels?” he asks Jane. “He specializes in weird. This is weird.”
The attractive Van Doorn is appointed police liaison for the case, and Jane looks forward to working the case with him. What she doesn’t anticipate, though, is her boyfriend Simon’s petty jealousy about her career replacing him as the center of her attention. When she leaves him in bed on Saturday morning to work on the Swamp Monster case, she meets a harried young woman haunted by what she thinks is a waking dream: an older man singing “Mr. Sandman” from a chair near her bed. Once again, Jane accepts the case, confident in her ability to handle both in the absence of Temple and Amanda.
Like the police, Jane finds herself at loose ends with the Swamp Monster case — the girlfriend, Jennifer Lasseter, offers no new insights, and nothing other than their profession and the case linked the two recent victims. Surprisingly, though, in steps Arthur, in possession of unanticipated assets, to help his favorite detective link seemingly unrelated incidents.
But who engineered that chilling vinyl delivery to Blue Moon headquarters?
From a vampire-wannabe to superb solo sleuther, Jane Butterworth has become a force to be reckoned with, as Steve Higgs delivers another spine-tingling adventure from Blue Moon Investigations.
To do list: 1. Solve big case while boss is away. 2. Have serious relationship dramas. 3. Jump a river with a car. What the heck did I get myself into? My name's Jane Butterworth. For me, the paranormal is just a day job. I work at the Blue Moon Investigation Agency, a firm that specialises in cases that no one else will take, cases that start at strange and unexplainable and tier rapidly south from there. My boss, Tempest Michaels, is away dealing with a Yeti in France, but the enquiries keep coming so when Chief Inspector Quinn of the local police wants to hire the firm as special consultants, I sign us up and take it on myself. But a swamp monster? Really? Bodies of dead cops have been showing up in nearby Biddenden Lake, the site of an unexplained death three years ago. Is there a link between that death and these? The whole area is steeped in ancient history, ghost stories are two-a-penny here but am I really cut out to be a detective? Time to put my big girl pants on. Crossdressing isn’t always glamourous.
Mate you have outdone yourself with this one! Some twists and turns as expected and of course the humour! Absolutely stunning plot and story line with an ending that suprised me. Love, love the characters as they are just wonderful and enjoyed Jane being center stage with this one. Can't wait to see what antics we have coming in the next one! Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
This is my favorite out of the series. I love James/Jane, a gay cross-dresser - who easily fills the role of may/female to fool many suspects. Here Jame takes on a couple cases and almost loses her life, but with her new friend, (homeless? guy), she finds her life not only saved, but things seem to be going in a much better direction for her. I think I prefer this 'edition' because Jane is some-what non-politically correct and there wasn't so much fussing over the dogs. I do recommend this one, over all the others; but to understand all the dynamics, it's best to read in order. ARC
I've read several of the Blue Moon books but this is the first with Jane as the lead. I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to more. She's clever and dedicated and asks herself a lot of WWTD (what would Temest do?) questions to keep on track. There's a lot of humor and a few sad spots, and the end will surprise you.
I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Night Work is the twelfth book in the Blue Moon Investigations series. Jane, the cross-dressing administrative assistant at Blue Moon Investigations decides to take on a few cases while Tempest and the rest of the team are in France looking for a Yeti. Follow the fun as Jane fumbles her way through with dubious success and definite danger.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Humorous story told from Jane/James POV. Mysteries to be solved, rescues to be made, James Bond moves, a swamp monster, giant ogre, all mixed in with murder. Stinky fish death threats, and other surprise events keeps Jane on her toes. Tempest and Amanda are out of the country, so what is an administrative assistant to do when cases keep rolling in? Jump in feet first and hope for the best, of course! Very satisfying read.
What a great story! I loved reading about Jane solving cases, instead of just doing the research and answering the phones. The hilarious situations Jane gets herself into had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to read more stories with her (him depending on the mood of the day) involved in cases.
Book12 of Blue Moon Investigations. With Tempest & Amanda/Hotstuff away in France tracking down a Yeti, Jane steps up & in to crack some cases. CI Quinn calls for Tempest but gets Jane instead to help with a so called "Swamp Monster" who has surfaced again after 3years.
Jane seems to have everything under control, even if shes lost control of her love life.
Making a new friend who comes to her rescue leaves her speechless.
Loved the story, loved the characters, Sir Arthur is a gem!!
Another hit by Steve Higgs. Now a new paranormal investagator-was the office adminiastrator Jane/James has taken on the office load, while the rest of team is off on another case. One is from a frenemie Detective Inspector Quinn has stated that a former Detective Amanda is not to be close to the old cold case, the other mystery is how a woman has someone/spirit?is getting in to her bedroom at night singing an old song "Mr. Sandman... sorry no spoilers the team comes at the end of Jane/James investigations to help..... Read the books in order,so you have the who is who how they got together as a team. This is a good read you will enjoy.
Night Work by Steve Higgs is the 12th book in the Blue Moon Investigations series. Jane/James Butterworth is manning the offices of the Blue Moon Investigation agency while Tempest and Amanda are solving the Yeti case overseas. When dead policemen start showing up in nearby Biddenden Lake allegedly killed by a swamp monster, the agency is hired as consultants by Chief Inspector Quinn. A great mystery. Jane does a great job on her own until the cavalry arrive. A bit over the top but lots of fun and I love that she ends up with a James Bond car at the end. I'm looking forward to how it will be inccorporated in their next investigations. A crazy and fun cozy mystery.
While Tempest and Amanda are away, Jane/James takes on three cases. He is ready for more challenges in his/her life. A horrible husband who would rather believe his wife is possessed than that she is pregnant. A 3 year old cold case, by request of DI Quinn, and the Sandman stalker. As if his plate isn't full, there is an ogre under a bridge in the park and someone threw rotten fish at the shop and his car got torched. So the question is, can Jane go beyond her great research skills and solve the cases?
This book was such a joy. Adult entertainment, gobs of raucous hilarity and could make a great humorous movie. The characters, especially Gran and the Blue Moon central stars make this one not to be missed. You actually almost feel sorry for Chief Inspector Quinn. Almost, but not quite. Jane/James was superb and has really come into her/his own as a new investigator. Well done, Higgs. More please.
This is the best one yet. I couldn't put it down. This is Jane/James first story, with J/J as the main focus and hero. I laughed out loud at some things and was on the edge of my chair at others. Mr. Higgs out did himself with this one!
Looking forward to seeing more of Jane/James. Hopefully we will not have to wait to long to see what happens with the Sandman case. Will there be a new love interest on the horizon for Jane/James? Can't wait to find out.
I liked Jane as an investigator more so than Amanda. This was a really interesting story. New characters Sir Arthur and Grandma are a hoot! I'm glad she's decided to do both the research and the investigation.
In this edition of the Blue Moon series, the gang continues to hunt for cases that are paranormal. They have yet to find a real paranormal case! Such fun trying!
Couldn't put it down. Read in one sitting . Mr. Higgs is turning into my favorite authur. You get so involved with the what iffs, and trying to figure who done it, you just can't put his stories done. 10 plus
An excellent addition to the Blue Moon Investigation series…the best so far. I hope to see more of her and the other characters she introduces (Jan & Sir Arthur). Thank you, Steve Higgs.
This was a fun read with the view point from Jane. Changing from admin and research to being the new third investigator for Blue Moon. Lots of twists and turns that made this enjoyable to see where and how it was going to end.
An entertaining read as Jane/James takes on their first big case. The ogre is an interesting character. A bit more sexual description than I like in a read, but the ending is exciting.
Jane/James gets another chance to show what their abilities as a detective. C. I. Quinn features in this story and is gradually becoming a slightly nicer person. This is a great series!