Devon Book Club discussion
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Crime Week May 2020
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I’ll come along on Monday... hopefully meet some of you on Twitter.
Mod
Looking forward to chatting tomorrow William
I’m looking forward to some recommendations from Devon bookclub crime week. I've just read the review of William Shaw's The Birdwatcher and it sounds really good. I'm not really a crime fan, so shouldn't be contributing her, but have read a few books recently that might fit into that genre. I've enjoyed reading novels by three different English writers, and a Nigerian author, all women. I'm not sure whether they are mystery or crime or both.
Minette Walters: I've read one (The Sculptress), and I'm just starting another (The Shape of Snakes), she seems to write about very sinister perpetrators.
Val McDermid is probably the most notable crime writer out of these three and I've tried a couple of her novels. She uses very well described local English settings. I recognised a village I once lived in. I don't go seeking her novels out though. Not sure why.
Mary Stewart: 60s crime and romance, often set in idyllic locations abroad. Might be more romance than crime though and probably doesn't fit well into the crime genre, except that there is always a crime and a strong woman solves it.
I've just finished My Sister, the Serial Killer My Sister, the Serial Killer. This is different to the usual in that it's set in Nigeria. It's probably not very realistic, but it's a really good read and possibly my favourite.
Now, I'm looking forward to hearing more from the crime fiction readers this week and will definitely be reading a book by William Shaw.
Enjoy your twitter feed this evening. Please post some recommendations here.
I greatly enjoy true crime as well as fiction, and having worked in a court for 20 years, I think it's the psychology which fascinates me the most. I've always been interested in the question of why people do the things they do, and the crime genre, particularly true crime, gives you the opportunity to explore psyches which are very different to one's own. I'm researching historic French crimes at the moment and marvelling at the wonderful ingenuity of people prior to forensics, DNA etc. I've enjoyed a wide variety of crime authors - Mark Billingham, Louise Penny, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, CJ Sansom and Elizabeth Peters, among others - but am also fascinated by cases such as John Wayne Gacy, Ed Gein, Ted Bundy and the Wests.
Mod
Loads of really interesting insights and recommendations. Will take a while to digest and summarise but I'll get there.
More anon
To keep the crime week ticking over... crime books I've read recently that I really rated: The Recovery of Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel; MW Craven's Tilly & Poe series; Jane Casey's The Cutting Place; Abir Mukherjee's A Rising Man/Sam Wyndham series; Sarah Vaughan's Anatomy of a Scandal; John Lincoln's Fade To Grey; Lesley Thomson's Death of a Mermaid.
William wrote: "To keep the crime week ticking over... crime books I've read recently that I really rated: The Recovery of Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel; MW Craven's Tilly & Poe series; Jane Casey's The Cutting Pl..."Great, thanks for the recommendations.
Mod
Fantastic titles William - I saw some other detail about Stephanie Wrobel's debut - looks great
Mod
Author of the critically acclaimed Marjorie McClelland and Tish Tarragon mysteries, Amy is a native of Long Island, NY where she cut her teeth on classic films and books featuring Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown.
After stints as an Operations Manager for a document imaging company and a freelance technical and copywriter, Amy left the bright lights of New York City and headed north to pursue her creative writing career amidst the idyllic beauty of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Now residing in Bristol, Amy spends her time writing mysteries with a humorous or historical bent. When not writing, Amy enjoys travelling, testing out new recipes, classic films, and exploring her new home. Amy is a member of Sisters in Crime and The Crime Writers Association. As part of exploring the SW, Amy says she loves Devon and hopes to be a regular visitor once these strange times allow.
The Christmas Fair Killer
The third instalment of the critically acclaimed Tish Tarragon mystery series is currently available in UK hardback and is released as an ebook on 1 June. The fist two titles are Cookin' The Books and The Garden Club Murder
Christmas, cookies and a corpse: Tish Tarragon is drawn into a deadly puzzle when a young actress is murdered at the Hobson Glen Holiday Fair.
Tish Tarragon has themed her appetising offerings for the Hobson Glen Holiday Fair around the festive performances by a local theatre group. In the Christmas spirit, she volunteers to deliver breakfast to the cast, but is horrified to discover the star actress dead in her trailer. Can Tish expose a cold-blooded killer before the fair is over?
Mod
Red Desert
Desperate to escape the past, Tom swaps a safe life in London for a spell in the desert of Iraq, providing therapy to the staff of an isolated oil concession. But his new job quickly becomes dangerous, especially when he starts to ask too many questions about a series of deaths. A lethal attack on the camp sends him back to the UK, but he’s determined to keep investigating. Iraq is coming home with him, in more ways than one.
Paddy was born in the Middle East, educated in England and has lived in Florence, New York and London. After graduating with a first from art school, he moved to New York, working as an assistant to an abstract expressionist. Returning to the UK, he was an artist for ten years, before becoming a copywriter and journalist, penning pieces for the Guardian, Observer and Telegraph. Paddy has travelled widely, but loves returning to his birthplace, the Middle East. He visited Syria before the civil war and, more recently, worked in Israel and the West Bank.
Paddy's first two crime novels are Disorder and Denial. You can find out more here http://www.paddymagrane.com/
Mod
I asked Victoria to tell me about the book and she told me that it is a modern take on the classic whodunnit, inspired by the Golden Age murder mysteries but set it in the modern day. There’s a faded country house in the middle of nowhere. The guests are a book club on a weekend retreat and when they find they are snowed in, the murders begin. The narrator, Ursula, has gatecrashed her mother’s book club and their spiky relationship leads to sharp and sometimes dark humour. It’s the first in a series of crime novels that will be The Smart Woman’s guides which follow the exploits of the women who survive this book.
Victoria told me that she has always been an enormous fan of Agatha Christie and many other Golden Age crime writers such as Joshephine Tey, Ngaoi Marsh and Margery Allingham.
She loves the sense of being drawn into their world for the duration of the book and has an overwhelming need to solve the puzzle of ‘whodunnit.’
Victoria has a background in crime. After studying law at Cambridge, she went on to be a criminal defence barrister for many years. After some success with short fiction, she turned to writing full time. She is now an award winning short story writer, having won the Gothic Fiction prize 2019 awarded by Go Gothic.
She has had short fiction published in many journals and magazines. This is her debut crime novel with more planned in the series very soon. She lives with her family near Burgh Island which she says is very much a spiritual home to her with all the wonderful Agatha Christie associations.
Mod
As you know, I take great pleasure in introducing you to debut publications but I take as much pleasure in sharing the work of more familiar local writers, especially those who have been a big part of this community from the start.
Bernie Steadman is the very talented author of The West Country Crime Mysteries (Bloodhound Books), a trilogy set in the city of Exeter and the surrounding Devon towns, coast and countryside. The books follow DI Dan Hellier and his team of detectives as they dig beneath the picturesque scenery to expose murder, revenge and obsession.
The most recent of the trilogy, published in 2018, is Death On The Coast:
"One for the cleansing, one for the power, one for the purification
Can DCI Dan Hellier decipher the twisted mind behind the ritualised burning of homeless men on Devon’s beaches before more people are sacrificed?
When images from the burning appear all over social media, Hellier realises that he is dealing with the cult of the ‘Fire Goddess’, a mystery that will lead him back to the Irish Troubles and into the bitter mind of a man who has plotted revenge for more than twenty years without a care for the lives he will destroy."
Bernie lives in Axminster with her husband and two cats. When she’s not writing she is a trustee of a local animal sanctuary and a fan of yoga, walking, gardening and reading.
Bernie is currently editing her next novel, ready for publication in November. It is a story of trust, betrayal and reunion set in Crete (she told me that the research was a huge strain but essential and, fortunately completed before the lockdown). I can't wait to read that one
She is also plotting a new crime series based around two women who run an Art gallery in Lyme Regis. A bit closer than Crete but a fantastic location for a novel all the same.
Mod
Buddhism, Art, Love and Murder... welcome to the intriguing world of The Mindful Detective, a crime series like no other.
In the first of the series, Art of Death we are introduced to Vincent Caine, a Buddhist detective, who often feels too much for his own good!. All he wants is to be left to meditate in his secluded cabin on the Undercliff at Lyme Regis. But his colleague, wisecracking feminist single mum, DI Shanti Joyce has other ideas. With their symbiotic skills, the unlikely duo becomes the go-to team for solving weird crimes in the West Country.
Art of Death has been described as ‘Broadchurch meets Fargo’.
During our discussion on #devonbookhour last week one of themes we discussed was about how writers bring new interest through the characters of their main protagonists. Laurence's take on that looks to be highly original and I am really looking forward to reading it.
For more than 30 years, Laurence has been at the forefront of UK publishing, and consistently amongst the 150 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. His multi-award winning books span every age - from baby board books, through picture books and Young Adult fiction.
Like many authors, Laurence had a whole series of promotional events lined up to launch the book, which have all been cancelled. However he shared with me the exciting news that he has signed a TV option with World Productions creators of Line of Duty, Bodyguard fame and is hopeful that this may be filmed locally. Can't wait to see that.
Laurence lives and works in Colyton and The Mindful Detective series was published in July 2019.
You can find out more about Laurence here https://www.anholt.co.uk/the-mindful-...
Mod
Nell Dixon is a regular on our weekly #devonbookhour and has always struck me as a very gentle kind of person but, beneath that exterior, murder lurks.
Dartmouth, Newton St Cyre and Torbay are the settings for her novels:
The Miss Underhay Investigates series is set in 1930's Torbay.
Murder at The Dolphin Hotel is set in Dartmouth
Murder at Enderley Hall is set more in Newton St Cyre
Murder at The Playhouse is set around the Pavilion Theatre in Torquay
All the books can be read as standalone and are available as ebooks, Paperbacks and audiobooks
Helena's fourth book will be released in October with a working title of Murder on the Dance Floor
Her series has topped the Amazon charts in Canada and Australia and are very popular in the UK and USA.
Helena tells me that they are perfect for fans of Phryne Fisher or Agatha Christie
You can find out more about Helena and her work here https://curledupwithagoodbook.co.uk/m...
Mod
This evening I am delighted to share with you the work of Stephanie Austin, the latest of which is called From Devon With Death.
The third novel in Stephanie's Devon Mystery series is set in Ashburton and concerns the adventures of Domestic Goddess and amateur sleuth, Juno Browne. The first two novels, Dead in Devon and Dead on Dartmoor were published by Allison and Busby in 2019.
From Devon with Death:
When Juno Browne finds a life-sized effigy floating in the river Ashburn, a note attached claims it is the work of Cutty Dyer, Ashburton’s mythical blood-drinking demon. But despite Juno’s instinct that this is a sign of trouble ahead, the police dismiss her find as a practical joke. Then the body of a woman is discovered by the river and it becomes clear that the killer has taken on Cutty’s identity.
But as suspicion falls on someone close to her, Juno finds herself drawn into solving the mystery, desperate to prove her friend’s innocence. As the rain falls steadily and the level of the River Ashburn continues to rise, Juno must unmask the real identity of cutty Dyer or risk being swept away by a murderous tide.
From Devon With Death was published by Allison and Busby in May 2020.
I love to share with you some details of our authors as I think it helps bring their stories to life.
Stephanie told me that It was her own rather meandering career path which led to the creation of Juno and her friends. After a brief career in teaching she worked as an artist, astrologer, and trader in antiques and crafts (quite a mixture I'm sure you'll agree). More sensibly (her words not mine) she also worked for the Schools Library Service. When not writing Stephanie is involved as actor and director in local amateur theatre in Torbay and less successfully at home as a gardener and cook.
Stephanie moved to Devon from her home town of Bristol in 1986. Originally, the inspiration for her stories came from what she describes as her sometimes bizarre experiences in the world of theatre and antiques, but increasingly Devon is itself her source of inspiration: the towns and villages, the myths and legends and the rugged grandeur of the moor are endless sources of fascination and intrigue.
And that is something I know we can all agree with
You can find out more about Stephanie and her work here https://www.stephanieaustin.co.uk/books
Mod
In the early days of Devon Book Club I had the pleasure of meeting LE Willetts who is based in Dartmouth. In fact, I think our first meeting was at one of the early Tiverton Literary Festivals, where I had the pleasant task of interviewing the featured writers and discussing their books. LE Willetts was great fun to interview and has been an enthusiastic supporter of Devon Book Club. I am delighted to share her novel Cross Killer with you. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think you will too.
Recently described as ‘laugh-out-loud funny and the perfect read for lockdown,’ Cross Killer follows the story of Eileen and Malcolm Muldoon, whose twenty-five year marriage has finally grown stale.
Convinced that Eileen wants him dead, and encouraged by the unlikely friendship he has forged with his new friend Rita, Malcolm knows what he must do… Kill his wife before she kills him!
Unlike some of the more traditional crime novels, Cross Killer is a refreshingly light-hearted read with humour intertwined throughout the plot.
One review of Cross Killer said that it "blends humour and suspense nicely. This is a mysterious comedy of errors. You enjoy all the characters, you say to yourself... 'he did what'... 'no way.' Then you giggle. You find yourself at times even chuckling at the serial killer. Honestly, who does that??? Looking forward to more from this author".
I agree and can't wait for the next book.
L.E. Willetts runs Channel View Guest House in Dartmouth, Devon. When she isn’t busy cooking breakfasts, cleaning (or procrastinating), she likes nothing more than to write.
She is currently working (although she uses that word loosely) on her second novel. Cross Killer is available from Amazon or by contacting the author direct at: https://lewilletts.com
Mod
Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a feature writer on national newspapers including the Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
She writes the Death in Dulwich cozy crime series for Darkstroke/Crooked Cat as Alice Castle, and psychological thrillers for HQDigital under the name A.M. Castle.
Death in Dulwich was published in September 2017 and has been a number one best-seller in the UK, US, France, Spain and Germany. A sequel, The Girl in the Gallery was published in December 2017 to critical acclaim and also hit the number one spot. There are 7 books in the series altogether with the latest, The Slayings In Sydenham, published at the end of 2019.
"The Perfect Widow":
Louise Bridges has the perfect life.
A loving husband, Patrick. Two adorable children. A comfortable home.
So when PC Becca Holt arrives to break the news that Patrick has been killed in an accident, she thinks Louise’s perfect world is about to collapse around her.
But Louise doesn’t react in the way Becca would expect her to on hearing of her husband’s death. And there are only three plates set out for dinner, as if Louise already knew Patrick wouldn’t be home that night…
The more Becca digs, the more secrets she uncovers in the Bridges’ marriage – and the more she wonders just how far Louise would go to get what she wants…
Is Louise a loving wife – or a cold-hearted killer?"
More about Alice:
You will also find Alice on Twitter as @AliceMCastle, or on her website http://www.alicecastleauthor.com. She lives in south east London with her two daughters and two cats.
Alice's latest publications are The Perfect Widow, HQDigital, MyBook.to/PerfectWidow and
The Slayings in Sydenham, MyBook.to/Slayings
Mod
Crime Writer Turns For Home
Devon author Elizabeth Ducie spent more than thirty years working in the international pharmaceuticals industry, so it’s no surprise that when she started writing fiction, that was where she turned for inspiration.
Her Suzanne Jones series of thrillers are set in Southern Africa (Counterfeit!), Latin America (Deception!), and the former Soviet Union (Corruption).
However, in her new series, Elizabeth has turned much closer to home.
The Coombesford Chronicles will be set in a small fictional village near her home town of Chudleigh. And the first in the series, Who Killed The Squire?, is a cosy murder mystery.
I asked Elizabeth to sum up her new series - “Think Midsomer Murders in the Haldon Hills,” she replied. But for fans of her earlier books, there is a treat promised: some of the central characters from the Suzanne Jones books are now living in the South West and will play a major role in the new series.
The new novel will be out later this year. In the meantime, all the Suzanne Jones books are available to download for free to Kindle Unlimited members, either as individual stories or in one box set.
In addition to her writing Elizabeth makes a major contribution to the writing community in Devon, including the Exeter Literary Festival, and frequently appears on BBC Radio Devon.
You can find more about her work here: http://elizabethducieauthor.co.uk/
Devon Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Corruption! (other topics)Counterfeit! (other topics)
Deception! (other topics)
The Perfect Widow (other topics)
Cross Killer (other topics)
More...
For now - this post is a call to all lovers of crime (both fiction and non-fiction) to join in with a discussion of books you have loved to read or have written
I'd love to hear from you about why crime books speak to you - what do you enjoy about them? What makes a great story? If non-fiction what is it about reading real crime that calls to you?
Who are the great crime writers?
What do you think about the format that so many crime writers employ?
Whatever you'd like to talk about, post here.
I'm actually launching the week on our Twitter feed on Monday from 8 so if you have Twitter then I hope you'll join us on #devonbookhour