Murder in Chianti by T.A. Williams

 

"As my four-legged friend and I walked up the hill between the never-ending succession of cypress trees lining the track, I breathed deeply and reflected on how my life had changed so radically in less than a year".

Murder in Chianti by T. A. Williams is an entertaining cosy mystery set in Tuscany. This is book 2 in Armstrong and Oscar cosy mysteries series. This book reads as a standalone, but you will understand the dynamics between the protagonists better, if you've read the first book. 

Dan Armstrong and his sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action.

Dan has settled in Tuscany after his retirement and divorce. He is considering himseld a budding writer, though the life of sleuthing proves too irresistible for him. 

His new best friend, Virgilio Pisano, is a police inspector in Florence, who values Dan's past experience as the DCI of Scotland Yard and his wise counsel.

This time Dan is asked his expert opinion on the latest murder in the area, that of a millionaire magnate Rex Hunter who has been found dead next to the eighth hole of the golf course of his Acquarosa Country Club, an establishment for people with deep pockets.

"Although the official line was that when he was dealing with English speakers he called me in as an interpreter, we both knew that I quite enjoyed keeping my investigative hand in, and he appreciated my help".

Hunter is known among the locals as a wealthy and successful businessman from Australia who has settled in Italy. He also appears to be a person who has many enemies. 

A loathsome womaniser, Hunter is despised by many, from his close family to wider circles, staff and business partners.

"The next step would be to establish motive for the killing; being a sex pest and not having many friends wasn't going to cut it".

Dan is wondering about the terms of Hunter's will, and who would inherit his huge estate. There is a very young widow, seemingly prostrate with grief; his son and daughter. Hunter's relationship with his children is strained and totally askew. 

Money "can be a powerful motive for murder".

As the police investigation develops further, it becomes clear that the list of people who disliked Hunter is getting longer and longer. He was a ruthless boss, and an obnoxious business person who enjoyed the power money gave him. As a family man, he was a failure too. 

On top of the investigation, Dan has to deal with his ex-wife having an emotional wobble, then there is an upcoming Montevolpone fair with a best-looking pet show. Despite his better judgment, Dan is roped into entering Oscar in the competition. You can bet it's going to be a riot.

Dan's future prospects are also uncertain. As much as he wants to be a writer, the call of the detective work is overwhelming. Is there a future for him as a private detective? or will his creative side win over? 

The murderer has being smart in covering up their tracks. Will Dan and Oscar duo succeed in discovering the truth and solving the murder?

Murder on the golf course will prove to be a very puzzling case indeed for Dan and Oscar.

Murder in Chianti is a delightful cosy mystery, with a stunning backdrop of the Tuscan countryside and plethora of memorable supporting characters, drawn vividly with a few master strokes. 

As with the previous book in the series, you will revel in the descriptions of the beautiful Tuscan landscapes and the most delectable food. Dog lovers will be smitten with the sweet, albeit rather uncontrolled Oscar. 

There is the third book to come, and I can't wait to read the next instalment in the enjoyable series.

This post is part of the blog tour for Murder in Chianti. 

Many thanks to T.A. Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3sOnfkv

Author Bio –

T A Williams is the author of over twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon with his Italian wife.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

A Notable Omission by Isabella Muir (Guest post: Who is Janie Juke?)

 

It is my pleasure to welcome Isabella Muir to my blog today.

 A Notable Omission

A 1970s debate on equality is overshadowed by a deadly secret...

Spring 1970. Sussex University is hosting a debate about equality for women. But when one of the debating group goes missing, attention turns away from social injustice to something more sinister.

It seems every one of the group has something to hide, and when a second tragedy occurs, two of the delegates – amateur sleuth Janie Juke, and reporter Libby Frobisher - are prepared to make themselves unpopular to flush out the truth. Who is lying and why?

Alongside the police investigation, Janie and Libby are determined to prise answers from the tight-lipped group, as they find themselves in a race against time to stop another victim being targeted.

In A Notable Omission we meet Janie at the start of a new decade. When we left Janie at the end of The Invisible Case she was enjoying her new found skills and success as an amateur sleuth. Here we meet her a few months later, stealing a few days away from being a wife and mother, attending a local conference on women's liberation to do some soul-searching...

Purchase Link

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Notable-Omission-Janie-Juke-mystery-ebook/dp/B0BQCLRYS6

US - https://www.amazon.com/Notable-Omission-Janie-Juke-mystery-ebook/dp/B0BQCLRYS6

Author Bio –

Isabella is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of family life in southern England in past decades – specifically those years from the Second World War through to the early 1970s. Researching all aspects of life back then has formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. It was during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing when Isabella rekindled her love of writing fiction and since then she has gone on to publish seven novels, six novellas and two short story collections.

This latest novel, A Notable Omission, is the fourth book in her successful Sussex Crime Mystery series, featuring young librarian and amateur sleuth, Janie Juke. The early books in the series are set in the late 1960s in the fictional seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, where we meet Janie, who looks after the mobile library. She is an avid lover of Agatha Christie stories – in particular Hercule Poirot. Janie uses all she has learned from the Queen of Crime to help solve crimes and mysteries. This latest novel in the series is set along the south coast in Brighton in early 1970, a time when young people were finding their voice and using it to rail against social injustice.

As well as four novels, there are six novellas in the series, set during the Second World War, exploring some of the back story to the Tamarisk Bay characters.

Isabella’s love of Italy shines through all her work and, as she is half-Italian, she has enjoyed bringing all her crime novels to an Italian audience with Italian translations, which are very well received.

Isabella has also written a second series of Sussex Crimes, set in the sixties, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi, who is escaping from tragedy in Rome, only to arrive in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, to come face-to-face with it once more.

Isabella’s standalone novel, The Forgotten Children, deals with the emotive subject of the child migrants who were sent to Australia – again focusing on family life in the 1960s, when the child migrant policy was still in force.

Find out more about Isabella and her books by visiting her website at: www.isabellamuir.com

Social Media Links –

https://isabellamuir.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IsabellaMuirAuthor

https://twitter.com/SussexMysteries

A Notable Omission is the fourth novel in the Janie Juke series and here Isabella Muir provides some insight into the novel’s lead character and what has led her to this point in her journey…

Who is Janie Juke?

Janie Juke is a young librarian, living in the fictional Sussex seaside town of Tamarisk Bay in the late 1960s.

The great thing about being a librarian is not just that you get to read all the books you could ever want, but also that you are at the heart of the community.  With people forever popping in and out of the library van, Janie is in the very best place to excel at her other little sideline, as an amateur sleuth.

Throughout her life Janie’s father, Philip Chandler, has been her sounding board. When Janie was just five years old Philip took her to the park one snowy day.  He crossed the road to buy her a doughnut and got knocked over by a bus.  Sadly, as a result, Philip is now blind.  But he hasn’t let that stop him from leading a full and busy life.  He has trained as a physiotherapist and has a long list of clients keen to visit him, grateful for his gentle nature and wise words.

As well as benefitting from her father’s wise words, Janie has a passion for Agatha Christie novels.  As a result, she is a devoted fan of Hercule Poirot and for the last year or two she has had a chance to put all she has learned from him to the test.

In the first book in the Sussex Crime mystery series, The Tapestry Bag, Janie’s good friend Zara goes missing.  When the police appear to be doing little to find Zara, Janie makes it her mission to track her down.  Zara’s boyfriend, Joel, has been killed in a hit and run accident and Zara goes missing on the one-year anniversary of his death.  As Janie explores the strange circumstances of Zara’s disappearance, she starts to question the truth about Joel’s death.  She turns to Agatha Christie’s crime novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, to help her untangle the web of lies and deceit.

Having shown her skills at investigating, Janie takes on her first paid case for a client in the second book in the series, Lost Property.  This time Janie enlists the help of her friend and local journalist, Libby Frobisher and between them they track down clues and piece together the facts. 

By the time Janie embarks on her third investigation – The Invisible Case - Janie is getting used to being a mum, with baby daughter, Michelle, just two months old. 

In this latest novel in the series - A Notable Omission – Janie has the chance to leave behind her responsibilities as a wife and mother to attend a three-day conference at Sussex University on the topic of equal rights for women. At this point in her life she feels conflicted.  She loves her husband, she loves being a mother to Michelle, but it’s as if there are different parts of herself that need feeding in different ways. She’s hoping these few days away from home will give her the chance to do some soul-searching. But when one of the conference delegates goes missing, once again Janie teams up with Libby and they both become embroiled in yet another mystery…

One Down by Diana Wilkinson

 

"I'm already shaking with the real or imagined threat. But these three clues are different. They're warnings. They conjure up my worst nightmares. I may be paranoid, but the threats feel real, and combined with the earlier clues, it all becomes too much".

One Down by Diana Wilkinson is a psychological thriller with a linguistic twist.

Blurb:

I'm not being paranoid! It's all there in the crossword clues... in black and white. There's no doubt the threat is real. Today, the answers spell out my murder.

May Third. Amanda. Silver Birch. Noontime. Assassination.

Is Nathan, my estranged crossword-setter husband, really planning to kill me? Or is it someone closer to home?

I check the door is bolted, slither to the ground, and count down the seconds to noon. There's nothing left to do, and no one I can call. who'd believe me anyway? The lady on the ground floor has already left the building, and my new boyfriend is on holiday. Or is he?

A tread of footsteps. A rap at the door, and I close my eyes, hold my breath...

Amanda is an alcoholic, who suffers with panic attacks when she tries to go out. She lives at Silver Birch, a once majestic home, which is now divided into several flats. 

Every morning Amanda is glued to a cryptic crossword in the local newspaper. She listens to the sounds from the flats below. Her nearest neighbout, Edward Heath, nicknamed Agaves by Amanda and her ex-husband Nathan, is her lover. 

Ever since Nathan has left her, the crossword clues have a sneaky theme weaved through the teasers. The clues are directed at Amanda, each one of them linked to her alcoholism, and her personal life. 

"I'm the target of an online stalker, a word-troll maniac, who's been methodically toying with my sanity for six months now, give or take".

Amanda knows her ex is "a smart-arse cruciverbalist", and most likely the linguistic abuse comes from him.

"The list of answers is a story told in shorthand. It's a story for me. A story to give me nightmares. I know it's meant for me because who else could it be for.

Amanda. Silver Birch. Noontime. May third. Sunday. Assassination. Slaughterhouse. Throttle. Death duties. Epitaph".

 As the clues become more and more menacing, Amanda is not sure, if more than one crossword-setter is involved in the bullying. 

Who can Amanda trust? Is it just her increasing paranoia of imagined warnings, or is the murder threat real? 

The premises of the story sounds captivating. The murder is being announced via a series of crossword clues.

Amanda is the most unreliable narrator. She often has no recollection of what's happened the evening before. She is trying to keep sober, goes to the AA meetings and has a sponsor, Joseph, who has access to her flat in case she needs urgent help.

The crossword clues and explanations on how the cryptic crosswords work make this mystery more creative and inventive, but they also slow down the pace of the narrative.

While the stalking via cryptic crosswords sounds intriguing, it also depends on the person doing them regularly. What if Amanda has given up on her hobby in the meantime? People can be obsessed with hobbies and then abandon them only never to return to them. So, all this careful planning could have been for nothing.

If you enjoy cryptic crosswords (or crosswords in general), you will have fun, following the progress of solving each sinister clue. If a wordplay is not your cup of tea, you might find the search for hidden meanings less riveting.

The narrative jumps from the present to the past (the first meeting of Nathan and Amanda three years earlier, the tragedy that happens during the birthday party etc). And all this time you think Amanda is such an objectionable character, she's ego-centric in the extreme. It's hard to feel sympathy for her predicament. She is the kind of person you would try to avoid to socialise with. Amanda is flawed, awkward and unhinged when she starts drinking.

To be fair, it's not just Amanda, it's impossible to relate to any of the characters. Nathan is an intimidating buffoon whose great joys in life are doing cryptic crossword clues and controlling his wife. It's when his wife is at her lowest, that he feels empowered. "He enjoyed the role of carer, minder, saviour of my soul. It was like a hobby, one he embraced with vigour". Nathan belives himself to be brilliant, a genius of the crossword world. 

Then there's a revolting editor Hunter, and loathsome Joseph, and manipulative Bagheera. The list goes on. 

There is probably one exception - elderly Mr Beckles, a widower who lives on his own with his cat in the house next door.

Potential triggers: alcoholism problems, voyerism, rape, death of a child, murder, abuse of power over the vulnerable adults.

One Down is a slow-paced twisty tale of addictions and revenge, tense and incisive. A gripping psychological thriller. This is a convincing portrayal of an out-of-control obsession.

This review is part of the blog tour for One Down.

Many thanks to Diana Wilkinson, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

3

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3DoDE45

 

Author Bio –

Diana Wilkinson is a graduate of Durham University, spending a short spell in teaching before taking up a full-time career in tennis development. A former Irish international player, she finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiKennett

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiWilkinson2020

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianakennett37/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DianaWilkinsonNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diana-wilkinson

The Flame Tree by Siobhan Daiko (#giveaway)

 

The Flame Tree

Based on a little-known true story, from award-winning author Siobhan Daiko comes a tale of love and survival against all the odds set in Hong Kong at the start of the Pacific War.

In the spring of 1939, dashing young William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from London on the same ocean liner to Hong Kong.

Romance blossoms while they enjoy games of deck quoits and spend sultry tropical evenings dancing under the stars. Connie is intrigued by Will’s talent for writing poetry, and she offers to give him Cantonese lessons to help him with his new job— a cadet in the colonial service.

But once in Hong Kong, Connie is constrained by filial duty towards her Eurasian parents, and their wish for her to marry someone from her own background. She can't forget Will however and arranges to meet him in secret under the magnificent canopy of a flame of the forest tree—where she fulfils her promise to teach him to speak Chinese.

Before too long, trouble looms as Japanese forces gather on the border between Hong Kong and mainland China. Will joins a commando group tasked with operating behind enemy lines, and Connie becomes involved in the fight against local fifth columnists.

When war breaks out, they find themselves drawn into a wider conflict than their battle against prejudice. Can they survive and achieve a future together? Or do forces beyond their control keep them forever apart?

Perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies, Ann Bennett and Victoria Hislop.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/TFTHK

Author Bio –

Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a rescued cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK—where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh comprehensive school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and enjoying her life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://siobhandaiko.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/siobhandaiko

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsolandoBooks

https://www.facebook.com/siobhan.daiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-daiko-74993651/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siobhandaiko_asolandobooks/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.it/SiobhanDaiko/_saved/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/siobhan-daiko

Amazon Author Page: author.to/SiobhanDaiko

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7091256.Siobhan_Daiko

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@siobhandaiko_asolo

 

Giveaway to Win a signed copy of The Flame Tree (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –

Worldwide entries welcome.  

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. 

If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. 

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. 

This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Please note that this giveaway will appear on several blogs taking part in the blog tour. 

Chez Maximka is hosting the Rafflecopter gadget for free for the purposes of the book promotion. I do not have access to any data collected, have no involvement in the choosing of the winner or sending off the prize.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Out for Revenge by Tony Bassett

 

"You didn't need to use the shooter," the car passenger complained as they sprinted along the alley and entered the street. "I'm sure he got the message. You didn't have to go and kill him".

"That's just the point," said the driver. "We did have to. Customers have to know the consequences if they don't pay for their stash."

Out for Revenge by Tony Bassett is a crime novel/ police procedural, based around Birmingham and West Midlands.

This is the 4th book in the DCI Roscoe and DS Roy series, and the second one I have read (see my review for Murder on Oxford Lane). It can be read as a standalone, but as often happens in mystery/crime series, you will understand the dynamics of the relationships between the main protagonists better, if you are already familair with them).

Blurb:

When notorious gangland boss Tadeusz Filipowski is released from prison, several people start looking over their shoulder.

A volatile character, not shy of picking fights, Filipowski plans to expand his drugs empire and put his competitors on a backfoot. That's until he turns up dead. Very dead.

DS Sunita Roy of the Heart of England police is handed the case but it's a challenge to find the killer of a man with so many enemies.

DCI Gavin Roscoe would lend more support but he is busy nailing down suspicions of corruption plaguing the force.

Soon, however, the investigations will bump into one another. And unless Roy and Roscoe can get to the bottom of the mystery, they could well become the next victims.

The book starts with a dramatic murder two years before the main story develops. A local artist is ruthlessly killed in his own house for owing money to the organised crime group. This murder sends a clear message to anyone who deals with the gang that they mean business and won't tolerate any refusal to obey their rules. 

Two years pass. The head of the OCG, Tadeusz Filipowski arrives to Birmingham after a short spell in Spain. His sidekick Tyrone Blake warns him that the cops will be on the look-out for him. But according to Filipowski, business is business, and he cannot supervise his empire from abroad properly. The "trade"'s going well, and he wants to expand his drugs empire.

Short-tempered and known for his fearsome temper, Filipowski goes nuts at the merest whiff of provocation. There is no reasoning with him. When another driver overtakes their car and makes a two-fingered gesture, Filipowski sees red. The offender's vehicle is rammed and damaged, which brings the incident to the attention of the police. 

The police immediately realise that the drug baron is back in the country. Filipowski's nickname is Tiff, because "he's got a temper like a deranged fishwife".

DCI Roscoe receives the news from Chief Superintendent that his suspicions towards the end of the previous year have proved correct. One of their detectives has gone rogue. Now that they've got clear evidence of this, they understand they deal with a serious case of police corruption.

"This concerns a detective inspector at Summerstoke who, for all intents and purposes, is involved in running an OCG linked to the drugs trade". That's the same CID who investigated the death of the artist, and there's a strong suspicion that there was a miscarriage of justice, when wrong people were convicted of the crime.

A new taskforce is set up, with a codename Operation Temple.

DS Sunita Roy and DCI Gavin Roscoe make a formidable team, complementing each other's strengths. As they pursue different cases, tension escalates.

They find out that the corrupt police officer is aiding the drug baron's operations and tipping him off about police activity. There's a suggestion, he may be taking a percentage of the drugs profit.

Rival drugs gangs are targeted if they pose any threat to the 101 Crew's sphere of influence. "The situation's got the potential to turn into a gang war on the streets of Brum".

As Roscoe says, "We want to crack down on them before a gang war breaks out. Senior officers are concerned people are going to get killed and untold damage will be done to the reputation of the police unless we act quickly".

Filipowski's death heralds a change in the echelons of power among the local OCGs. The drug baron has had many enemies. Involved in both drugs and prostitution, he has become a target in the world in which he operated.

Inter-gangs wars, police corruption, infiltrating the OCG to gather information, all these elements of the investigation come together and meet at the crossroads. 

Roscoe and Roe are well-developed characters, with background stories enhancing the main plotline. 

The organised crime gangs are portrayed convincingly. 

Out for Revenge is a fast-paced thriller. I can easily see this series televised on BBC, as there is plenty of drama, unexpected twists and completely absorbing plotlines. Once again, Tony Bassett has created a riveting and credible police procedural story. Intelligent, gripping and engrossing.

This book review is part of the blog tour for Out for Revenge.

Many thanks to Tony Bassett, The Book Folks and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BK9PJLHK/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK9PJLHK/

Author Bio –  

I am a semi-retired journalist who was born in West Kent. While growing up, I spent hours reading and writing, and, from an early age, nursed an ambition to become first a journalist and then novelist. My theory was that, in order to write novels, one had to have life experiences to colour one’s writing and one could obtain those experiences through journalism.

 

I was fortunate enough to be named Time-Life Magazine Student Journalist of the Year in 1971 in a competition organised by the National Union of Students. At the time, I was editing the student newspaper at Hull University, where I gained a BA Honours degree in History and Political Studies.

 

After six years working on provincial newspapers in Sidcup, Worcester and Cardiff, I became a freelance journalist in London. For 24 years, I was a reporter on the staff of the Sunday People (now part of Reach plc, formerly Trinity Mirror). Over the years, I sold tens of thousands of stories to the national newspapers, including the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Telegraph and London Evening Standard. I helped cover the Jeremy Thorpe trial at the Old Bailey for the Evening Standard. I broke the news in a Sun newspaper exclusive in April 1989 that Bill Wyman, the Rolling Stones guitarist aged 52, was to marry 18-year-old Mandy Smith. I bought 200 blank MOT forms to expose a trade in fake certificates.

 

My speciality was tracking people down. For instance, I found evidence about Rod Stewart’s secret love child Sarah Streeter by tracing a retired adoption agent through a library ticket. On one occasion, I took an escaped gangster back to prison. Some of my stories can be read on my website (see below); others are generally available online. For thirty years, I was also employed as a birth and marriage researcher mainly for the Mail on Sunday, Sunday Mirror, Sunday People and The Sun.

 

I have a grown-up son and four grown-up daughters who all live in South Wales.

Social Media Links –   www.tonybassettauthor.com

www.twitter.com/tonybassett1

www.facebook.com/tony.bassett.92505 

www.instagram.com/tonyba1

Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow by Colin Garrow (guest post)

I'm thrilled to invite Colin Garrow to my blog today!

 Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow (book 3 in the Rosie Robson series).

A dead body. A hoard of forged banknotes. A gangster out for blood.

Newcastle, December 1955. Returning home after a weekend away, singer and amateur sleuth Rosie Robson discovers a man lying on a baggage trolley with his throat cut. After the police get involved, an attack on Rosie and her boss prompts Inspector Vic Walton to find a safe house for the pair. But the bad guys seem to be one step ahead of them and Rosie is forced to track down a possible witness to the murder in a bid to learn the truth. Can the canny crooner solve the mystery before a Newcastle gang boss catches up with her? 

Set on Tyneside, Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow is book #3 in the Rosie Robson Murder Mysteries series.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/3PKXkN

Author Bio:

True-born Geordie Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland and has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor. He has also occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. Colin’s published books include the Watson Letters series, the Terry Bell Mysteries and the Rosie Robson Murder Mysteries. His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including: SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, The Grind, A3 Review, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. These days he lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland.

 

Social Media Links –

Website (Adults) https://colingarrow.org/

Website (Children) https://colingarrowbooks.com/

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B014Z5DZD4

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/colingarrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/colingarrowthewriter

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

It's alwayas fascinating to have a glimpse on the writing process, and today Colin Garrow talks about his writing methods, and what he thinks of the concept of the first draft.

Guest Post – What’s All This First Draft Nonsense?

 

Whenever I read blogs or Twitter posts by an author who’s just finished the first draft of their WIP (work in progress), I always wonder if I’m the only person in the world who thinks first drafts are just another way of saying, ‘what I’ve written is crap so I’m going to do it all again.’

First of all, I’m aware that many writers create a first draft to get the basic story down on paper and develop ideas. It’s also likely that this first version of the book hasn’t undergone any kind of editing and will be stuffed full of clunky dialogue, rambling sentences, grammatical gaffs and hundreds of typos. So, then they write the second draft, working on the structure and sorting out stuff like conflict and resolution and fixing any plot holes. Those who write murder mysteries, for example, might want to make sure they’ve given the reader enough clues to allow them to work out who the killer is while creating a puzzle that will still leave a surprise at the end.

But I don’t do any of that.

Why? Because I practice my craft with a slightly obsessive attention to detail.

In the past, I’ve tried those techniques where you start writing and ignore typos, gaffs and anything else that might distract from the story, and power on to the end of the book. And yes, that would be great if I could do it. But I can’t. My need to correct my work as I go comes from the same place that screams at me when I read an email or a text message with misspelled words or missing capital letters. Instead of concentrating on the message, I want to respond to the writer with suggestions on how to improve their grammar.

In place of writing a first and second draft, I write the final draft, correcting and rewriting as I go along. Admittedly, there will still be typos and grammatical blunders that depart from what is true, right, or proper. But luckily those will usually be picked up by my editor. I don’t seem to suffer from problems with the plot, which I suspect is due to my habit of rereading everything from the beginning before I start each writing session (obviously I don’t this this so much when the book has reached thirty or forty-thousand words).

Being a pantser (an author who writes with no plan or outline), I detest any hint at knowing how the story will end. Sometimes, of course, I have a sense of how a particular character or scenario might work out, but often the ending is as much a surprise to me as to my readers.

The only problem with this method is that sometimes my lack of planning ties me up in knots, such as with Terminal Black, the first book in my Relic Black Thriller series, where I became totally confused by the plot and the ridiculous number of characters I’d created. But usually, it works out fine. If there comes a time when it doesn’t, I might have to reconsider, but being a control freak, I probably won’t.

New Year & Enjoyable Moments Degustabox

 Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in the New Year & Enjoyable Moments Degustabox box?

Plantastic Sweet Apricot & Ginger Flapjacks with almonds (£2.25) combine tasty oats with sweet apricot chunks and a little kick of ginger. Topped off with almond nibs for a crunchy texture, these plant-based flapjacks are a good source of fibre and contain no artificial colours or flavours.

A lovely start to your day, if you want to keep up your Veganuary resolutions going.

Nutritional values: 135kcal and 11.7g of sugar per flapjack.

Available at Tesco and on Amazon.

Dorset Cereals Dark Choc & Hazelnut Muesli Crunch happens to be the Mystery product of the month. This cereal is a combination of signature muesli grains, crispy granola pieces, deluxe dark chocolate curls and caramelised hazelnuts.

Nutritional information: 208kcal and 4.7g of sugar per 45g serving.

High in fibre, suitable for vegetarians and non-GO. It doesn't say Vegan on the box but I don't see any dairy ingredients.

This cereal makes an excellent ingredient for making cookies too.

Kit Kat Bites (£1.59) are bite-sized pieces of the classic milk chocolate bar, with a smooth chocolatey centre and crispy wafer bits.

Working with Rainforest Alliance, Kit Kat proudly displays the badge to show their support for the cocoa farmers and their communities.

Open the pouch and share with your family or friends. You can reseal the pouch to treat yourself later, if there's any left. 

Nutritional information: 100kcal and 10g of sugar per 10 sweets.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Munchies Caramel and Biscuit Sharing Bar (£1) is a chocolate treat which combines gooey caramel and crispy biscuit inside a milk chocolate shell. Perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The bar has mysteriously disappeared after I took the photo, and nobody has confessed as to who's eaten it. So much for sharing. :)

Nutritional information: 89kcal and 9.1g of sugar per 2 pieces.

Available at B&M, Booker, Spar, Iceland, Aldi, Poundland, Home Bargains and NISA. 

Lee Kum Kee (Europe) Limited Sachet Sample Box (£4.99) is packed with small sachets of umami flavours which will allow you to explore the authentic Chinese cuisine.

I'm a frequent visitor to Lee Kum Kee site, and have quite a stash of their sauces and oils in my pantry. Their Hoisin sauce is delicious, and Teriyaki sauce is exceptionally good, probably our top favourite Teriyaki sauce, and we've tried many brands.

The sample box includes Premium Oyster sauce (40g), Chiu Chow Chilli Oil (3g), Sweet Soy Sauce (20ml), Chilli Garlic Sauce (30g), Hoisin Sauce (30g), Yellow Bean Sauce (40g) and Lee Kum Kee cooking guide.

It's a great starter pack which allows you to sample products without buying full sized ones. 

Try drizzling the chilli oil over noodles, pizza or soup to add a little kick of heat.

Available at Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, CO-OP, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado & Chinese and Oriental supermarkets.

Knorr Organic Chicken Stock Pot (£2) is a handy addition to the pantry to bring a rich flavour into your dishes. Made with quality organic ingredients, slowly simmered with authentic flavours, this stock is great in risotto, soup, pasta dishes and one-pot dishes.

Free from artificial preservatives & colours, gluten free, made with sustainably grown herbs and vegetables. 

Nutritional values: 8kcal and 0.93g of salt per 125ml.

Available in the major supermarket chains such as Tesco, ASDA and Sainsbury's.

Heinz Made for Veggiez Balsamic & Rosemary sauce (£2.50) is an expertly crafted sauce from the new range.

A couple of months ago Degustabox has introduced a different sauce from the range - Chilli & Miso - which we absolutely loved. It was perfect for roasted vegetables. I was very pleased to find another flavour from the range.

Balsamic & Rosemary is another sauce, great for cooking vegetables with. It is made with Balsamic vinegar of Modena, Bramley apple puree, olive oil, a selection of vegetables, herbs and spices. Inspired by the Mediterranean flavours, it works perfectly with grilled or roasted courgettes, peppers and tomatoes. 

Add a generous dollop, when making a tomato-based sauce for pasta. You can also use this sauce as a dip.

Available at Morrisons and Ocado.

Odysea Harissa Houmous/Spicy Ajvar dip (£2.75) - a popular side dish to serve with a variety of snacks, like crisps, crackers, slices of chunky bread. Either dip goes well with roasted vegetables and cheeses, as well as cold meats.

You will receive one item of two. We got Spicy Ajvar dip, made with roasted red pepper and aubergines, garlic and spices. This is a traditional recipe from the Balkans. Rich and spicy, this vegetable-based dish is suitable for vegans. 

Nutritional values: 124kcal and 5.5g of sugar per 100g.

Available at Sainsbury's and on odysea.com.

Vandham Turmeric Sampler (£5) contains four sachets of best-selling turmeric teas infused with superfoods and packed in pyramid-shaped tea bags.

Flavours include: Turmeric Moringa, Turmeric Ashwagandha, Turmeric Ginger and Turmeric Spiced. All these teas are caffeine-free and 100% natural, certified Plastic Neutral product and Climate Neutral.

1% of revenue is directed towards the education of their farmers' children.

Available only online at www.vandham.com, and the full range products at Holland & Barrett.

You can make a chai latte with a turmeric tea and milk of your choice.

Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine (Alcohol free Mulled or Alcohol free Merlot) (£3.25) is another product to help you with new year's resolutions, if you are taking part in the Dry January.

Available in Sparkling, Whites, Rose and Red as well as the Limited Edition Mulled alcohol free, these drinks are lower in calories and are vegan. Perfect for parties, when you don't fancy alcohol, or/are a designated driver, but don't want to stick just to lemonade or iced tea.

We received a bottle of Mulled wine, which is rich and fruity, and full of flavour.

Available at Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-Op, Ocado, Nisa and on Amazon.

What was your favourite product from the latest Degusatbox?