Murder in Gilmerton is a re-release of the book originally called Hunter’s Revenge. I believe I’ve read all the other books in the series, but I somehow missed this one, so I was delighted to be invited by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines to take part in the blog tour for the new version.
The beautiful city of Edinburgh, the setting for the whole series, shines out in this brand new cover.
Blurb
Behind Edinburgh’s genteel facade, a killer is settling an old score . . .
An elderly man is shot dead on his own doorstep in the leafy suburb of Gilmerton.
One bullet. Point-blank range. A professional hit on a harmless old man who lived a simple life collecting rare books.
Detective Hunter Wilson knows the victim. George Reinbold was once head of Crime Scene Investigations. He’s one of their own.
What Hunter can’t understand is why George’s modest flat is fortified with reinforced doors, bomb-blast curtains and a Cold War pistol under the bed.
That same morning, a young woman vanishes from a luxury car showroom. No struggle. No witnesses. Just a discarded coat and a missing blue Volvo.
Two cases. One killer?
In a city where everyone guards their secrets, the past has come knocking.
Detective Hunter Wilson must catch a murderer who has waited a lifetime to strike.
Author BIO
Val Penny’s crime novels form the bestselling DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.
She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.
My Review
Anyone in the business of story writing will tell you that the first line has to hook the reader, and Val Penny has definitely achieved that with this one. From there on, this fast-paced story takes the reader on an intriguing journey, solving several puzzles that arise.
DI Hunter Wilson, whose full name is the source of some embarrassment in one of the lighter themes of the book, thought he knew George. But while investigating George’s murder, he discovers that he didn’t really. The other murder victim doesn’t seem to have had any connection to crime, so why was she targeted?
I enjoyed reconnecting with familiar characters, on either side of the law, although this book can also be read stand-alone.
I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for A Right Cozy Historical Crime. This is an anthology of short stories compiled by Wendy H. Jones including cosy mysteries written by contributing authors:
Step into the comforting fog of time with A Right Cozy Historical Crime, a deliciously diverse anthology of cozy mysteries that span centuries and continents. From ancient alleys to a Victorian medical school, American towns to Scottish glens, these tales take you on a gentle stroll through history – where murder hides behind lace curtains and secrets linger in candlelit corridors. Perfect for fans of clever sleuths, rich historical detail, and mysteries solved with more brains than knowledge.
International Award Winning Author Wendy H. Jones lives in Scotland, and her police procedural series featuring DI Shona McKenzie are set.Wendy has led a varied and adventurous life. Her love for adventure led to her joining the Royal Navy to undertake nurse training. After six years in the Navy she joined the Army where she served as an Officer for a further 17 years. Killer’s Countdown was her first novel and the first book in the Shona McKenzie Mysteries. Killer’s Crew won the Books Go Social Book of the Year 2017. The seventh book in the series. Killer’s Curse will be released early august 2020. The Dagger’s Curse, the first book in The Fergus and Flora Mysteries, was a finalist in the Woman Alive Magazine Readers Choice Award Book of the Year. Turning to humorous crime the Cass Claymore Investigates series was born. She is also a highly successful marketer and is currently in the process of rereleasing her completely updated marketing book Marketing Matters. This will be part of the Writing Matters Series following the release of Motivation Matters. She is also the author of the Bertie the Buffalo picture book and associated soft toy and colouring book. Wendy is delighted to be one of the authors in two anthologies aimed at empowering women – The Power of Why, and Women Win Against All Odds. She is proud to be the President of the Scottish Association of Writers and is the host of The Writing and Marketing Show podcast, a writing and marketing coach. and CEO of Writing Matters online writing school, Authorpreneur Accelerator Academy.
My Review
These stories cover a wide range of historical periods and various topics and locations, though Scotland is well-represented. All are well-written and well-crafted. I enjoyed every one of them.
If I were to choose one over the rest, it would be the story by Wendy H. Jones: Cadavers and Conspiracies. That’s because it made me laugh and I need humour, especially in these trying times.
I’m delighted to take part in the blog tour for Queen of Grime by Helen Forbes. The tour is organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines.
About the Book
The Queen of Grime is about to pay. Big time.
Erin Flett is used to clearing up the sad debris of forgotten lives and tragic deaths. A crime and trauma scene cleaner from a deprived Edinburgh housing estate, she’s made a good life for herself and her daughter. But a secret from the past is about to catch up with her.
Ten years ago, Erin told a desperate lie with serious consequences. Now, someone else knows, and they’re determined to make Erin and her loved ones pay.
Following a terrifying late-night attack, the tension mounts until Erin doesn’t know who she can trust. As she struggles to keep her family safe, little does she realise just how close the danger is…
Queen of Grime is the first in a new series introducing Erin Flett, crime and trauma scene cleaner, and a rich cast of characters, set against the backdrop of the city of Edinburgh. With an occasional undertone of dark humour, it is a tale of family lies and family ties, friendships, secrets and loss.
Helen Forbes is an author of Scottish crime fiction. She lives in her home-town of Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. Helen began by writing contemporary and historical fiction, with no intention of turning to crime. It was a chance remark at a writing group about one of her short stories that led to her debut police procedural novel, In the Shadow of the Hill, set in Inverness and South Harris, featuring Detective Sergeant Joe Galbraith. Madness Lies is book 2 in the DS Joe Galbraith series, set in Inverness and North Uist.
Helen Forbes is an author of Scottish crime fiction. She lives in her home-town of Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. Helen began by writing contemporary and historical fiction, with no intention of turning to crime. It was a chance remark at a writing group about one of her short stories that led to her debut police procedural novel, In the Shadow of the Hill, set in Inverness and South Harris, featuring Detective Sergeant Joe Galbraith. Madness Lies is book 2 in the DS Joe Galbraith series, set in Inverness and North Uist.
Helen has had two standalone crime thrillers published by Scolpaig Press. Unravelling, set in Inverness, was published in July 2021. Deception, set in Edinburgh, was published in January 2022.
Spoils of the Dead, a novella, was published in November 2022, and Queen of Grime, the first in a new series, was released in December 2022.
Helen would be delighted to hear from readers. Please contact her and join her mailing list on her website to get her author news and a free copy of the novella, Spoils of the Dead.
Family plays an important role in this novel. Even when family members have behaved badly or lied, even when relationships are kept secret and only revealed later in the story, loyalty takes precedence.
I learned plenty from this novel, especially about Erin’s job. I’d never considered that specialised cleaning could be necessary following a death. Queen of Grime is great name for it.
Danger builds gradually throughout the novel until the thrilling climax. I had to keep reading, hoping for a happy ending but worrying all was lost. Highly recommended.
I was a little wary of being part of a tour for Christmas stories, but I needn’t have been. See my review below.
But first, what’s in the book?
Blurb
Step into a world where twinkling lights and holiday cheer are accompanied by Christmas puddings and a dash of intrigue. A Right Cozy Christmas Crime brings together thirteen festive mysteries where annual traditions are intertwined with shadowy secrets. From a historic Scottish Castle hiding a chilling truth, to the bustling streets of Lagos filled with more than just Christmas shoppers, each tale sparkles with holiday warmth while unravelling a deliciously puzzling mystery. It’s time to put your feet up, sip hot cocoa and join our detectives as they ensure justice is served. Perfect for lovers of cozy mysteries with a holiday twist.
This anthology, which has been compiled by Wendy H. Jones, can be bought here.
A Right Cozy Christmas Crime features 13 short stories written by:
I’ve never reviewed a Christmas book before. I also haven’t read many. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrice Potter come to mind. But still I worried there might be things I didn’t understand.
I needn’t have worried. The stories were mostly about the run-up to Christmas, about getting the crime wrapped up and put away before the festivities were due to begin.
The book contains plenty of variety in various aspects: location, timeline, characters and plot. I enjoyed all the stories, some more than others.
I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for The Queen of Cups Murders by GB Williams. But…
I began to read this book and decided I didn’t want to read any more of it, and I want to stress that my decision to stop reading had nothing to do with the quality of the book, which is well-written, well-researched and has an interesting plot.
And yet the more I read the less I wanted to read it. It’s simply too much like the true horrific stories that I’ve heard and read over the past thirteen-and-a-half months since 7th October 2023. I only need to turn on the TV or radio to hear more stories from that dreadful day, or from the time since then, and I don’t want to add to those when reading fiction.
Unlike my latest novels, which fit into the cosy crime genre, this novel includes all the gory details. I have read and enjoyed similar stories in the past, but this is not the right time for me.
So instead of a review, there’s an excerpt for you to read, after this:
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
GB Williams specialises in complex, fast-paced crime novels. Her works include the recently expanded Locked Trilogy, The Elaine Blake Novels and the stand alone, The Chair. GB was shortlisted for the 2014 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition with the story Last Shakes, now available in Last Cut Casebook. GB is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Crime Cymru, and part of the organising team for Gŵyl CRIME CYMRU Festival, as well as working as a writer and freelance structural editor.
BLURB
He’s determined to draw a better future. But his morning reading didn’t warn him about the muddy ditch of corpses…
South Wales. Detective Sergeant Madoc Palmer struggles to fit in. Committed to his job, the tarot reader hopes his transfer away from a sabotaging superior is a fresh start. Though he downplays his psychic ability as good instincts, the ploy is tested when two murders trigger strange visions.
As his abilities take an inexplicable leap forward, Palmer navigates the tricky task of guiding the sharp-eyed, evidence-following Detective Inspector Ruth Atkins to the identity of the decayed remains. With his suspicious new DI watching every move, the newcomer fears any slip of the tongue could get him laughed off the force.
Can he reveal his truth without destroying his life or letting a killer slip from their grasp?
Excerpt
From chapter 2, introducing Ruth Atkins and some of her situation.
“Ruth!”
Ruth Atkins had barely stepped through the door, her jacket only half off, and DCI Geraint Evans was already bellowing at her. Mind, being a big man, bellowing was his default. She just didn’t know why he was bellowing at her this time.
“Did I actually do it?” she asked.
Geraint frowned, his caterpillar eyebrows meeting in the middle. Those brows were her barometer to his mood.
“Do what?” he asked.
Good question. Oh, for heaven’s sake. I’m a Detective Inspector. Time to stop being a wuss and get a grip. “Whatever you’re shouting at me for, sir?” Her chin rose as she shrugged her leather jacket back on. He couldn’t know what was going on in her head.
“Sir?” The grey caterpillars stretched up towards Geraint’s thick thatch of salt-and-pepper hair, heavy on the salt. “Guilty conscience, Ruth?”
“No.” Maybe. “Sorry for being late?”
“It’s barely one-minute-past, even I’m not that tight.” His scrutiny sent a billion bugs squirming under her skin. The way he stepped closer could intimidate; his ex-prop-forward frame easily overshadowed her. Luckily, she’d known him long enough to be immune. Mostly. Though she’d known him so long the danger was he’d read her like a book. He thrust a buff file towards her. “Get up to the new housing development at Heolgerrig.”
Oh no. A new case was the last thing she needed today.
“Take Jackson,” he added.
“Sorry, Geraint, can’t.”
Geraint reared. His surprise surprised Ruth.
The door behind her opened but she wouldn’t let that, or her boss’s affront, stop her explanation. “Jackson’s due in court later,” she said. “Witness for the prosecution.”
Geraint grunted, then turned his attention to the new entrant as Ruth checked the scant detail in the file. A robbery. Pallets of valuable goods taken, easy-to-fence items. What had been left behind was a whole lot more worrying.
“Ah, good. You’re here at last,” Geraint said to the newcomer.
Ruth focused on the file.
“Everyone,” Geraint called. “This is Detective Sergeant Madoc Palmer. Madoc, this is everyone.” A murmur of welcome rumbled around the room. “Welcome to the Major Crime Investigation Team. Now go with DI Ruth Atkins, here.”
The familiar characters are back in Hunter’s Rules, the sixth in the series of DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers by Val Penny. I loved spending time with them again, albeit not a lot of time as I whipped through another page turner from this prolific author.
I also enjoyed meeting new characters, especially Eileen, who remains strong and positive, despite having suffered horrific injuries. Naturally, not all the characters are nice, and some turn out to be thoroughly bad. Will Hunter see to it that they get their just deserts?
Like all the other books in this series, the setting is Edinburgh, and I was happy to be introduced to new parts of this varied and colourful city.
Topics in the novel include drugs, blackmail, prison life, science, medicine and relationships. But a clue to the main theme is on the cover: “FOLLOW HUNTER’S RULES AND THE EYES HAVE IT…” I’ll say no more.
I received a free copy of this book for the Reading Between the Lines blog tour in return for an honest review.
Val Penny: BIO
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.
At the end of this post, there are bargains for you.
Most of what I know about Christmas comes from singing Christmas carols at school. The one I liked best (for the tune and the change of tune for the third verse) is called Three Kings from Persian Lands afar.
This carol was also useful when I studied music, because its first interval is a major sixth.
That was when I heard (and sang) about three kings who brought gifts to the “newborn king of the Jews”.
Now I hear that this took place on Twelfth Night, and that’s why Ocelot Press is holding a Twelfth Night Sale of ebooks.
Style and the Solitary is just one of those books, all of which can be found on Amazon – individually or by searching for Ocelot Press. Here are the others:
As soon as I saw this title, I thought of this song:
and I couldn’t help singing it as I read the novel.
Beautiful as it is, I’m not here to talk about the song or Rod Stewart, but about the novel, The First Cut by Val Penny, published by Darkstroke Books and officially launched today. Like all Val’s novels, it’s crime fiction and this is the first of a new series. Jane Renwick has appeared in previous novels, but she now has her own series and we discover her roots.
Jane’s unfortunate early years are related so poignantly that the reader can’t help being drawn in and touched by the story. On top of that, there’s a dangerous killer at loose, and the police are working hard to find out who the killer is, but sometimes they’re misled.
There are stages in the process of writing a novel:
Formulate ideas.
Plot the story.
Write the first draft.
Write more drafts.
Edit.
Each of those stages contains various steps. Clearly, the author put a lot of laborious work into most of them. That’s what made the novel so easy and quick to read. And enjoyable, too. There must have been a lot of thought about how much information to reveal and when to reveal it. The hints at facts unknown to the police make this story a thrilling one to read, as the reader watches the police following the wrong paths.
There’s a lot involved in editing, too, and unfortunately it feels as if, for this novel, that stage was rushed. In particular, I was bothered by one sentence I didn’t understand. I’m not sure whether that was because of a typo, but I didn’t follow why it caused Jane to burst out crying and then decide she had to explain her tears by relating part of her childhood. Very possibly, I’m to blame for that. Also, there were places where I didn’t understand the use of italics, first/third person, tense and repetition.
But I want to stress that most of the novel is excellent, and probably other readers wouldn’t notice these small things. So do read it; it is what it promises: “fast-paced, gripping police procedural…set in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.”
About the Book
Sometimes it’s hard to escape a brutal past. That’s the case for DS Jane Renwick, who learns via DNA a serial killer could be a family member.
This gripping police procedural is set in Edinburgh and Glasgow. A vicious killer is on the loose and victims include an academic and members of Edinburgh’s high society. But Jane is banished to the side-lines of the case and forced to look on impotently when the hunt for the killer ramps up, because the Murder Investigation Team believes the killer is related to her.
Has someone from Jane’s estranged birth family returned to haunt her? Could one of her relatives be involved? Where will the killer strike next?
This exciting novel is the first in Val Penny’s new series of Scottish thrillers.
About the Author
This is the first in the new series of novels, The Jane Renwick Thrillers. Val Penny’s other crime novels, Hunter’s Chase Hunter’s Revenge, Hunter’s ForceHunter’s Blood and Hunter’s Secret form the bestselling series The Edinburgh Crime Mysteries. They are set in Edinburgh, Scotland, published by darkstroke Her first non-fiction book Let’s Get Published is also available now and she has most recently contributed her short story, Cats and Dogs to a charity anthology, Dark Scotland.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.
In just five days, it will be launched into the world. My first venture into crime fiction. Fortunately, it has some wonderful people to help my baby emerge from the womb.
No, I didn’t mean Nathalie and Asaf. They carry the story through from start to finish. But I’m talking about the lovely, real people who have helped in many ways, and to whom I will always be grateful.
People like Melina Kantor and Shoshana Raun, whose prompts and other writing suggestions helped to craft the plot much more than I’d expected. Joan Livingston, who read and commented on my draft, and also wrote the cover line and the brilliant foreword. And Stephanie and Laurence Patterson of darkstroke books whose editing and cover design were magnificent.
Also to all those who have opened up (or will open up) their blogs for me:
You can come to the Facebook Launch on Monday. Click now and press Going. There will be information about the book in text, photos and music, and plenty of interaction.
You can come to the joint online launch event called Ladies Who Launch, where three darkstroke authors will introduce our new books with readings and answer questions. It’s on 6th May. Click now to secure your free ticket.
Miriam Drori, Author 