Tag: police procedural

Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Author Q&A: MUIR’S GAMBIT and the Spy Game Trilogy by Michael Frost Beckner

Rebecca Millar
Michael Beckner’s MUIR’S GAMBIT
is out now.

When I worked at Penguin Random House, I was privileged to meet some pretty cool people, but never did I actually brush with Hollywood!

That was until Hollywood scriptwriter Michael Frost Beckner, most famous for his film Spy Game, starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, emailed me about his latest project! Having been savvy enough to retain the novelisation rights to the blockbuster hit, he wanted me to work with him on his project of publishing the Spy Game story in book form as he expanded the world of Nathan Muir and Tom Bishop. The result, a set of riveting and compelling espionage thrillers that will have you gripped!

Out now all three books in the trilogy, the first being Muir’s Gambit, are perfect for the espionage reader (or film buff) in your life! And I’m excited to say that Michael took time out of his busy publishing schedule to sit down and chat about his new project the challenge of taking the big screen down to the written page.

Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with below!

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Author Showcase, Book Review, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: ALL IN by Jeff Smith

Rebecca Millar
Jeff Smith’s debut novel ALL IN
is out today.

🥳📚Happy Publication Day to ALL IN, the debut crime novel by Jeff Smith.

When Jeff first approached me, I knew I had to work on his manuscript when he told me he was a crime scene investigator based in Las Vegas. One of the reasons that I work in crime, suspense and thriller fiction is because, as children, my sister and I were essentially brought up on crime television programmes, whether that be Midsummer Murders, Poirot, Jonathon Creek, but every Saturday night at 9pm was the holy grail: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Of course, there were the spin-offs, but none were as compelling as the original series set in Las Vegas. Its The Who soundtrack brings back so many memories!

Anyway, when Jeff, Grissom-like in his wisdom, approached me, saying he’d written a novel using his CSI knowledge, I just had to be involved. And his main character, Kailyn Logan, an embalmer by trade, is a sassy and strong-willed lead with far too in-depth a knowledge of how long a body takes to rot! With characters that intrigue and plots that grip, this a new series that you just have to dive into!

Jeff was brave enough to offer his time to answer some burning questions about making the leap from CSI to published author, so scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author!

ALL IN by Jeff Smith

Kailyn Logan is an embalmer who spends her days preparing the dead for the last leg of their journey through this world. Even though she loves her job, she’s become disgruntled with it. But she’s about to discover that caring for the departed is simpler than wrestling with the living.

Seeing an opportunity for something different when a long-time friend makes a chilling request for her help, she starts down a path that turns out to be very different from what she was expecting.

Helping her friend exposes Kailyn to a dangerous legion of men who would have no remorse for killing them if their business is compromised. Kailyn’s personal and work life are turned upside down as she tries to figure out who is on her side and who wants to kill her.

Available now in ebook and paperback!

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Author Showcase, crime reading month, Writing Tips and Tricks

Crime Reading Month: Author Q&A: BAD FOR GOOD by Graham Bartlett

Rebecca Millar
BAD FOR GOOD by Graham Bartlett is published by Allison & Busby on 23 June 2022 in hardback at £16.99 and is also available as an eBook

Now, you may have heard me mention Graham Bartlett before, and yes, that’s because Graham is is the former DCI turned crime-fiction advisor, who is is the fountain of knowledge for all things police procedure – my go-to for all my authors who’ve got procedure problems! However, although he spends his days advising authors, he’s not a stranger to putting pen to paper himself, having a couple of non-fiction titles under his belt, but I can’t believe that it’s only recently that Graham thought he’d give fiction a try.

I am utterly honoured to have received an advanced copy of Bad for Good, Graham’s debut crime fiction novel. Set in Graham’s own old haunt of Brighton and Hove Police, we meet DI Jo Howe as she tackles a city poised on the edge of a vigilante takeover and corruption disaster. Hooked already, aren’t you?

Well, Graham was kind enough to take some time out of his busy publication preparation to chat to me about the move to fiction and how his knowledge as a former police officer himself helped him. Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author, and I’m also giving away an advance proof copy of the book over on my Instagram, so if you want to get your hands on a copy BEFORE pub day, be sure to check it out!

Bad for Good by Graham Bartlett

 How far would you go? 

The murder of a promising footballer and, crucially, the son of the Brighton’s Chief Superintendent, means Detective Superintendent Jo Howe has a complicated and sensitive case on her hands. The situation becomes yet more desperate following devastating blackmail threats. 

Howe can trust no one as she tracks the brutal killer in a city balanced on a knife edge of vigilante action and a police force riven with corruption.

Bad for Good by Graham Bartlett is published by Allison & Busby on 23 June 2022 in hardback at £16.99 and is also available as an eBook 

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, and be in for change to win an advance copy!

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Author Showcase, Book Review, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: NEVER TOO LATE (Sebastian Clifford #3) by Sally Rigby

Rebecca Millar
Sally Rigby’s latest novel NEVER TOO LATE
is out today.

🥳📚Happy Publication Day to NEVER TOO LATE, the latest in the Sally Rigby’s Sebastian Clifford Private Detective series.

I was so thrilled to be asked to work with Sally on this project, not only because it’s set in my home county of Leicestershire, but also because Sally’s a smashing writer!

Whether you’re new to Sally’s writing, or a die-hard fan, this is a fantastic crime read. And if you’re fan of Sally’s Cavendish and Walker series, you’re in for a treat, as your favourite duo make more than just a cameo in this novel. But fear not, if you aren’t familiar with the series, this is just as gripping a detective novel, all the same!

Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author!

NEVER TOO LATE: A Midlands Crime Thriller (Detective Sebastian Clifford – Book 3) by Sally Rigby

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Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: LET ME SLEEP by Laura J. Sillett

Rebecca Millar

I am privileged to work with some well-established authors, but one of the most exciting parts of being an editor is working with debut authors with debut authors on their first novels, helping them to launching their writing careers. There is nothing that beats the excitement around a debut, especially when they are as gifted a storyteller as Laura J Sillett.

It was a privilege to work on Laura’s debut, LET ME SLEEP, a psychological dystopian thriller that is laden with pace and twist at every turn.

I was delighted to get the chance to ask Laura some questions ahead of publication day – today – discussing what inspired her to write crime and thriller, and why the Victorians knew how to do crime right!

Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author!

Let Me Sleep by Laura J Sillett

23rd September 2021

He would do anything to remember. And even more to forget.

Tormented by nightmares of a screaming woman, Nico Jakes opens his eyes to an unfamiliar world.

Forced into hiding by war, a society has made its home underground. Suffering from psychological trauma, Nico learns that his lost memories hold the key to the survival of the entire community. Frustrated, confused, and under the watchful eye of his protective brother, Nico submits to an unconventional drug treatment to unearth a crucial secret, before an escaped traitor can exploit it. 

But the descent into his mind also opens the flood gates to Nico’s past, bringing back forgotten lovers, enemies, and tragedy. With dreams warped by drugs and memories tainted by lies, Nico soon realises that he cannot trust anything, not even himself.​

Let Me Sleep is out today – grab your copy here.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, Laura J Sillett.

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Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Author Q&A: Brona Nilsson – THE SOUND

Rebecca Millar

Crime, suspense and thriller is a genre that I’ve always loved, but sometimes it takes a little while for authors to find their way to the dark side, if you will. Brona Nilsson is a long-time author but a debut crime novelist, and I was delighted to work with her on her first mystery: The Sound.

So, it was a privilege to be invited to work with Brona on this new path on her writing journey.

 A man overboard on a ferry. A shooting in a cinema. Is ex-policewoman Lyra Norton’s best friend next?

When her best friend’s father-in-law dies in the Sound between Sweden and Denmark, Irish forensic linguist Lyra Norton rushes to Sweden to comfort her. When Olive’s own father is murdered, Lyra realizes that the case is much bigger than anyone anticipated and nowhere near solved.

Piecing together clues with the help of a local policewoman, Lyra establishes several twisted motives for the murders. When the authorities lose interest, she must choose between the quiet life of an academic or a return to solving crimes.

Can Lyra find the murderer before Olive becomes the next victim?

The Sound is available now.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, Brona Nilsson.

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Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: Karen Dodd – EVERYBODY KNOWS: A Nicoló Moretti Crime Thriller

Rebecca Millar

After the past year, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m really craving a holiday. However, with travel rules up in the air and my partner starting a new training contract, who knows when I’ll be jetting off next.

However, I’m not too worried, because I had the delight to work on Karen Dodd’s latest crime mystery, Everybody Knows, set on the beautiful island of Malta. Although there is a lot more action and dark deception in the novel than you’d want on your own holiday break, it’s the perfect summer read that will have you gripped and taken on a wild, thrilling ride, even if it’s from the comfort of your own sofa.

Karen is no newbie to the writing game and has a few mystery titles under her belt, but check out the exclusive interview below to find out what fascinating discoveries she made whilst researching for the novel, not only about the true story the narrative is based on, but also about herself as a writer.

Everybody Knows by Karen Dodd

30th June 2021

A shocking murder. Globe-spanning greed.

Can one man untangle the brutal truth before he meets a gruesome end?

Calabria, Italy, 2019. Special Prosecutor Nicoló Moretti is reeling from the news he has a five-year-old son. And when he realizes his former lover is only coming clean because her high-profile anti-corruption campaign has provoked death threats, emotions flare and he never learns where she’s hidden him. Nico is overwhelmed with guilt when she’s slain in a horrific blast, vowing to hunt down the killers… and find his little boy. 

Traveling to Malta to track down who ordered the hit, Nico battles ruthless power-mongers desperate to keep their secrets buried. And as he closes in on unscrupulous CEOs, government officials, and foreign despots laundering their dirty money, the callous assassination of a whistleblower has the determined investigator fearing he’s next on the list.

Everybody Knows is out today – grab your copy here.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, Karen Dodd.

Continue reading “Publication Day! Author Q&A: Karen Dodd – EVERYBODY KNOWS: A Nicoló Moretti Crime Thriller” →