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The Games People Play #1
If When
It’s a game
he has to play…
But for his victims it means death…
When Sylvia steps onto the bus, she isn’t expecting to find a naked body of a young woman in the aisle.
Nor is she expecting to become involved in finding a crazed serial killer. But that’s what happens after a weekend trip to Monte Carlo.
Old she may be, but with age comes knowledge. With fellow retiree Harry by her side, Sylvia steps into the world of detection. As we delve into the mind of a killer… Because this far from being a game.
‘IF WHEN’ is a brilliant start to a gripping new series ‘The Games People Play’… Pre-order now
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Gaskell Denvil
43 books62 followersI 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2019
This is the first time I have read a modern crime/thriller from Ms Gaskell Denvil, and it didn't disapoint. In fact it was a page turner. A psychopath is on the loose and he appears invincible and unstoppable. One wonders what make such people tick, but there are people like this amongst us, and the character of the murderer was most believable. It is an excellent read and had me sitting on the edge of my chair. Well recommended
March 28, 2019
This is a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller, but with a couple of twists. Firstly the amateur sleuths are elderly (well, let's be honest, old) people, but they are very real believable characters who engage in a very realistic, and close, relationship. Secondly, this scenario is normally associated with a 'cosy' mystery, but this definitely isn't a cosy, there is bad language (not excessive and entirely appropriate to the characters) and there are some rather graphic depictions of the 'games' the killer plays with his victims.
The main highlight of the book for me were the characters, they are superbly described, have some fantastic idiosyncrasies (including a pyromaniac) and all knit together to produce a very convincing population, the residents of the Manor, some of whom are getting rather eccentric are especially convincing.
The story is very well told and has a satisfyingly complex plot leading to an exciting climax. The only thing that I found a little disappointing was a 'cliffhanger' at the end leading into the next book, this stopped the book being a stand-alone, which is quite important for me.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
The main highlight of the book for me were the characters, they are superbly described, have some fantastic idiosyncrasies (including a pyromaniac) and all knit together to produce a very convincing population, the residents of the Manor, some of whom are getting rather eccentric are especially convincing.
The story is very well told and has a satisfyingly complex plot leading to an exciting climax. The only thing that I found a little disappointing was a 'cliffhanger' at the end leading into the next book, this stopped the book being a stand-alone, which is quite important for me.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews