Friday 1 March 2024

A good start for another crime novel.

  The village was in darkness, just a string of pearl like roadside lamps leading the way through a single narrow street.  He drove carefully as the road ahead was in darkness and wet from an earlier shower.  In the hills above the village a deluge had flooded the road but here the weather had been kinder. 

            Daniel had spent a few nights staying at a hilltop hotel, which offered breathtaking views across the Derbyshire countryside.  A favourite haunt for artists, they seemed to fill the place leaving just a few rooms for Daniel and his business colleagues.  The hotel itself was pleasant enough but Daniel was not happy about the treatment he and the other guests had received.  The staff, although very young lacked what he would have expected from a luxury hotel.  Senior staff members were not much better, in fact he had witnessed a receptionist being very rude to one of the elderly artists and Daniel himself had suffered curt comments from a manager.  It was then that he decided that once home he would make a complaint to the head office of the chain who owned the hotel.  He was not supposed to check out until the following morning but he was missing Clara so wanted to return home as soon as possible.  He made the decision to drive through the night.   

            Following the gentle curve in the road, he pushed the gear stick forward slowing the car even more.  His sat nav told him that once on the motorway the journey time would be just under four hours.  He doubted that, closer to five he thought, but at least at this time of night there was less traffic to contend with.

            As he approached the last house in the village, his eyes flicked to the darkened space to his left.  This was a water meadow, open fields with a river running through the valley.  He imagined the view on a summer’s day.  Suddenly movement caught his eye and before he had time to react, a car shot out of a small side turning in front of him.  It bounced across a narrow pathway completely out of control before disappearing into the darkness.  Braking hard, Daniel brought his car to a stop and threw open the driver’s side door.  Climbing out he stood in the road hardly able to believe what had just happened, then running to the spot where the car had left the road, he peered out into the night.  There was a vague shape in the darkness so moving swiftly over the sodden ground, he approached the car now resting on its roof.  Out on the meadow he could see very little so searching his pocket, he found his mobile phone and turning on the torch directed the beam into the car.  Air bags had deployed but were now deflated, the limp material filling the space where the driver should have been.

            “Hello,” he called out and reaching for the handle, pulled open the door.

            It was a small sports car, just two seats but luckily, it had a hard top.  A soft top car would have collapsed completely crushing the driver.  Leaning in he found a body squashed into the foot well.

            “Are you hurt?”  He leaned in and reached out.

            Strands of dark hair covered the face that peered fearfully back at him and assessing the damage he played the light over the interior.

            “We need to get you out,” he said shuffling further into the car.

            Taking her carefully by the hand he helped her to wriggle from the cramped space.

            “Can you stand?”

            “Yes I think so, please help me.”  She was struggling with her emotions as shock threatened to overwhelm her.

Daniel supported her gently and groaning with disbelief she collapsed against him.  He could feel her heart racing, her body trembling then he caught the aroma of expensive perfume.  They stood like this for several moments before he suggested they move.  Lights from his car were a welcome beacon in the darkness as they made their way slowly towards it. 

            “You are hurt,” Daniel said as he helped her into the passenger seat.  “I should call for an ambulance.”

            “No please.”  Alarm filled her face.

            “At least let me take you to the nearest hospital.”

            “There is no need, please do not concern yourself, it’s only my pride that is injured.”

            He doubted that, but doing as she asked he climbed into the driver’s seat.

            “My name is Daniel.”

            “I’m Sophia,” she replied and laying her head back against the rest she closed her eyes.

            “Where would you like me to take you?  We should call someone to take care of your car.”

            “No please, tell no one.  Will you take me with you?”

            Looking at her, he frowned.  “Surely someone will be worried about you.”

            “There is no one.”  Pain masked her face but she hid it well then she opened her eyes.  “Will you take me with you?  I will explain everything later.”

            “Is there anything that you would like me to fetch from your car?”

            “No, I have everything that I need.”

            Daniel hesitated, uncertain about what to do next.  What would the consequences be if he did as she asked?  Clearly, he had to do something, he could hardly throw her out into the night.  He told her where he was going and she simply nodded her head then closing her eyes again, she sighed.

            Daniel drove slowly away leaving an overturned sports car in a field on the edge of a village somewhere in Derbyshire.  


I woke up one morning with this running through my head so I wrote it down.  It turned out to be the beginning of a new novel.  My intention was to write in a different genre, but this book soon turned into another crime novel featuring my usual characters.

It is now finished and should be published later this year.


1. Who is Sophie?

2. Who/what is she running away from?

3. Has Daniel done the right thing or should he take her to a hospital or police station?

4. What would you do in the same circumstances?


These are some of the questions that I considered when developing the plot.


             

 

Sunday 25 February 2024

The Torc Trilogy

 

 The Torc Trilogy is an action adventure historical/modern day tale, (not fantasy), which consists of three books.

1) The Belgae Torc
2) The Gordian Knot
3) Cutting the Gordian Knot (The Final Solution)

The Gordian Knot is known as an insurmountable problem faced by Alexander the Great, but with one stroke of his sword he cuts the Gordian Knot thus solving the problem.
This is where the titles of my books came from.

The Belgae Torc begins in Iron Age Britain where a magnificent torc is made from white gold.  Intrigue and torment surrounds this beautiful symbol of wealth which echoes down through the ages.
Two thousand years later it has lost none of its energy and falling into private ownership in the 1930s it mysteriously disappears.
All three books follow the archaeological and commercial search for the ancient artifact that holds the power of world domination.  Whoever owns the torc will achieve great things or fall foul of its influence.


 
For honest reviews of all my books see Amazon or Goodreads.

Happy Reading!




Cutting the Gordian Knot (The Final Solution)

 

Two months after their disastrous holiday, Orlagh and Jerry are at home in Ireland recovering from their terrifying ordeal. The Belgae Torc is at last on display at the National Museum and Orlagh is under increasing pressure to divide her time between her work at the museum and heading up an archaeological dig in County Meath. She is convinced that an ancient battle between Iron Age tribes took place here and is determined to prove her theory, but as archaeologists begin to unearth the truth, they are faced with some unexpected surprises.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Jack Harrington is making discoveries of his own and finds himself juggling personal and professional commitments.  His organisation is still recovering from recent events in the Mediterranean and is loathed to be drawn into another deadly conflict, but like it or not, there are unresolved issues that cannot be avoided.

The Phoenix Legion is about to implement the final phase of its master plan and this time Schiffer is convinced that nothing can stop him from realising his goal.

With the past merging with the present, the elements of a deadly conclusion are finally coming together. Will history repeat itself or can another worldwide catastrophe be avoided? 



 

The final part of 'The Torc Trilogy' where the story of the Belgae Torc comes to a conclusion.

As a special book launch offer there were four hardback copies made of this book.

These are very rare copies, the only ones printed.


This book is available on Amazon as a Kindle download at just £1.99 or $2.99


Happy Reading!



Sunday 11 February 2024

The Gordian Knot

The Gordian Knot, the second book in The Torc Trilogy


‘People had died because of the Belgae Torc and somehow she felt responsible’


Twelve months has passed since the traumatic events that almost claimed her life and Dr Orlagh Gairne is looking forward to a well-earned holiday.  With her partner, Jerry, they jet off for the Aegean coast where they plan to make the most of the Mediterranean sun and visit the ancient sites of Anatolia.

The Phoenix Legion, still reeling from a humiliating defeat, have re-grouped and are now planning the next phase of their quest.  They are in possession of the Belgae Torc, but this is not enough to ensure total power so they must rely on the druids and their connection with the spirit world.

Whilst searching for treasure in the Sea of Azov, Jack Harrington and his team make an unexpected discovery and with the past merging with the present are unable to avoid being drawn in to another deadly battle.

The Belgae Torc, Jack Harrington and The Phoenix Legion are far from her thoughts, but as Orlagh enjoys her holiday with the man she loves, these forces come together.  Will she manage to avoid another conflict or will she become a victim of circumstances that are beyond her control?


The Gordian Knot, continuing this exciting action adventure drama is available from Amazon on Kindle at just £1.99 or $2.99


Happy Reading!

 

Sunday 4 February 2024

The Belgae Torc

 The Belgae Torc, an historical/modern day action adventure story that begins in Iron Age Briton where a magnificent torc is made from white gold.  Intrigue and torment surrounds this powerful symbol of wealth which echoes down through the ages.

Two thousand years later it has lost none of its energy and falling into private ownership in the 1930s it mysteriously disappears.  


The Belgae Torc is the first book in a saga that spans three books.


The Belgae Torc

The Gordian Knot

Cutting the Gordian Knot (The Final Solution)


Each book follows the archaeological and commercial search for the ancient artifact that holds the power of world domination.  Whoever owns the torc will achieve great things or fall foul of its influence. 

In the 1920s the torc is unearthed by a team of archaeologists on what is thought to be the site of an ancient ritualistic killing.  Even though it has lain buried for 2000 years the torc has lost none of its resplendence or symbolic status.  Coveted by those who see it the torc enters a private collection and is lost to public scrutiny.  Years later it turns up on the inventory of a sunken ship and archaeologist Orlagh Gairne from the National Museum of Ireland is sent to assist a team of marine salvage experts to identify items of historical importance including the torc.

Here begins an adventure that spans three books and changes the lives of all those involved.


Read The Belgae Torc first and become lost in an adventure that will keep you entertained for hours.
Available from Amazon on Kindle at just £1.99 or $2.99 or buy direct from me a signed paperback copy for just £10.00 inc postage (UK only).  Simply message me.

Happy Reading! 


 


Sunday 28 January 2024

The Photographer.

 The Photographer is the second book in my crime novel series.

‘Suddenly he was there beside her.  She could sense him, his shadow a spirit come to claim her soul.  Blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear her vision she believed that if she could make eye contact with him she could appeal to his conscience – but she was mistaken.  He was no longer there…’



Drawn into an unimaginable nightmare professional photographer Matthew Cunningham is forced to make some very difficult decisions.

Would you sacrifice a friend for someone you love?

The Photographer is available from Amazon on Kindle for just £1.99 or $2.99

Alternatively I could send you a signed copy at just £10.00 inc postage (UK only).  
To organise delivery please message me.

Happy Reading!

First draft

Up at 6am on a wet and windy day working on the first draft of my new crime novel.


 All calm here in my study as my characters work hard to tell their story.
The trick is to listen to them.  I might think I know where the plot is going, but they often have other ideas!