Crucial Black by Colin Garrow (extract)

 

I'm thrilled to welcome Colin Garrow to my blog today.

Crucial Black

A brace of corpses. A bone-crunching machine. A new recruit.

Now employed by an Inverness organised crime gang, former petty thief Relic Black is teamed up with hitman Ali McKay, the man he almost killed a few weeks earlier. As the team tidy up the loose ends after the shooting, gang member and bent cop DI McKenzie must investigate the disappearance of two people, knowing Relic and Ali have already disposed of the bodies.

Meanwhile, Rebecca’s unpopular colleague DI Swinney, suspects her of involvement in the shooting. Knowing one of the bodies currently taking up space in the mortuary remains anonymous, he discovers the man’s identity. Can Swinney uncover the truth, dig the dirt on McKenzie and regain his former status with the DCI, or will the gang step in to stop him?

Warning - strong language and adult situations throughout.

Crucial Black is book #2 in the Relic Black Thriller series set in Inverness, Scotland.

NB book #2 is not a standalone – the series must be read in order.

 

Purchase Link

AMAZON https://geni.us/gXeQFS

SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1345380

Author Bio –

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate.

His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Word Bohemia, Every Day Fiction, The Grind, A3 Review, 1,000 Words, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. He currently lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also makes rather nice vegan cakes.

 

Social Media Links –

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

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

Website https://colingarrow.co.uk/ 

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

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

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

Extract from Crucial Black

Owing bent cop Rebecca McKenzie a few favours, barber Hughie McVitie finds himself agreeing to do some spying on her behalf…

The Twa Heids Barber Shop, Castle Street, Inverness 7:12pm

Hughie McVitie flicks the cigarette away and locks the shop door. Standing for a minute, he tells himself to calm down. After all, it’s not as if the bitch is calling him night and day for favours. He looks at the address she’s sent him. It’s only a ten-minute walk from where he is, so not massively out of his way. Walking down past the castle, he veers right onto View Place, then into Haugh Road. Turning left, he gets confused. Halfway along, the road goes straight on to a dead end but also leads off to his left. Both, apparently, are Gordonville Road. Not confusing at all. Taking the left one, he follows it along almost to the corner of Paton Street and realises he’s walked in a full circle. Backing up, he finds the flats on the right-hand side.

Gazing around, there’s no-one lurking in the bushes. In fact, there aren’t any bushes to lurk in. If anyone were spying on the place, as McKenzie seems to think, it’d be near impossible to do it without being spotted. Crossing to the opposite pavement, he continues along, ducking under the tree overhanging the house on the corner and promptly colliding with a man doing the same thing coming the other way.

‘Fuck’s sake,’ Hughie mutters.

The other man steps aside. ‘Aye, my fault, mate, sorry…’ Then he pauses. ‘Hang on…’

‘Oh, Christ,’ says Hughie. ‘What is it noo? Am I no even allowed to walk the fuckin streets on ma ain?’

Swinney mumbles something Hughie can’t hear and hurries off past the flats.

Hughie stands watching until the copper reaches the other end and turns the corner. Unsure what to do, he dithers for a minute, then follows the cop back down to the main road. By the time he gets to the junction there’s no sign of him.

Fine. Well, that’s me done, he thinks to himself. Taking out his mobile, he sends a text. A minute later, he gets a reply.

Hang around for an hour, will ye? See if he comes back.

Scanning the message, Hughie groans. ‘Fuck’s sake. Like I’ve no got onythin else to do.’

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams

 

"Just you be careful. I wouldn't want this to be some kind of hoax or, even worse, like an attempt to incriminate you in return or even kill you".

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams is an entertaining cozy mystery, with grips and twists until the very end.

This is the 7th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series. It reads as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some - or all - of the previous books in the series. (If you haven't discovered this series yet, I suggest you start with the 1st book. You will thank me later.)

Blurb:

A brand-new cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany... It's murder in paradise!

An ex-con...

Private investigator Dan Armstrong is no stranger to working with criminals, but when he's approached for help by Bianca Moretti, he's on high alert. Biance is intelligent and beautiful, and Dan likes her, but he also once sent her to prison...

A suspicious death...

Bianca explains that a guest has been found dead at her father's luxurious and private retreat on the beautiful Italian Riviera. The police are sure the death is accidental, but Bianca is convinced the man's been murdered. Dan's sure he can get to the bottom of things... as long as Bianca is telling him the whole truth.

A very revealing case!

But when Dan arrives at the resort, he's in for a shock. He finds that the place is a naturist retreat, and everybody is walking around stark naked! Dan is determined to discover the truth, but this is going to mean revealing a whole lot more of himself than he expected.

Can Dan sniff out the truth about this case before Oscar's cold wet nose causes havoc?

Dan Armstrong and his loyal sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is a retired Met DCI, and also a published author with a bestselling book.

Dan loves Italy and he enjoys his job. "There was no doubt about it, my decision to settle in Tuscany two years ago was one of the best of my life..." 

When Bianca Moretti asks him to look into a death of a British tourist named Jospeh Beck at her father's private retreat, Dan is rather surprised. The last time he met Bianca was back in the UK, when he sent her to prison.

Bianca is a mystery figure. Can Dan trust her motives for approaching him? Is it some kind of a revenge plot to pay back? Why couldn't Bianca find someone else to look into the case of the dead Brit?

The police pronounce it the accidental death, yet Bianca is convinced that Beck has been murdered.

When Dan arrives at the resort on the Italian Riviera, he is in for a big surprise. This is the naturist retreat. To uncover the truth, Dan has to blend in with the guests. But where and how will he carry his notebook and phone?

The retreat welcomes guests from all over Europe. Finding the right information is rather tricky.

"I was feeling curious to know more about the mysterious Joseph Beck. Who had he been: a harmless, trilingual Brit with a penchant for letting it all hang out or somebody altogether less clear-cut?... had his death really been a simple accident or might there have been a more sinister reason behind it?"

This series combines all the winning elements of the genre, a clever mystery, a sympathetic main character, a gentle humour, dramatic and eye-catching locations (a new one in each book), wonderful descriptions of local cuisine, colourful supporting characters and much more.

And Oscar is truly a shining star of each instalment in the series.

I've said it before that there are many cosy mysteries with a token dog/cat/mouse, "helping" with the investigation, but Oscar has become a truly integral part of the series. He has a great personality, and his interactions with Dan and people he meets are a joy to observe.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is an intriguing puzzle with plenty of twists, red herrings and false leads. I've enjoyed all the books in the series, Dan and Oscar have become my friends, and I'm looking forward to each new mystery with great anticipation.

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

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

Author Bio –

I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn't possibly comment. Ask my wife...

I've written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I'm enjoying myself hugely writing romance and whodunnits. Romantic comedies are what we all need from time to time. Life isn’t always very fair. It isn’t always a lot of fun, but when it is, we need to embrace it. Murder mystery is all very well, but it needs to put a smile on your face, so that's why I like to inject some humour. I'm having a lot of fun writing the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series set in sunny Italy. They are all standalone books but if you really want to do it properly, start with the first one in the series, Murder in Tuscany. If my books can whisk you away to gorgeous locations, put a smile on your face and maybe give your heartstrings a tug, then I know I’ve done my job.

I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in many of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.

I've been writing since I was 14 and that is well over half a century ago. However, underneath this bald, wrinkly exterior, there beats the heart of a youngster. My wife is convinced I will never grow up. I hope she's right.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

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

April Box 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 April Box Degustabox?

Snatt's Green Pea Piselli Mediterranean style snacks (£2.20) are vegetable and spice flavoured baked snacks. Totally addictive! My guys loved them, and we're hoping they will be available in the local shops soon. Top marks for flavour and texture! 10/10

Ingredients: pea flour, corn flour, rice flour, sunflower oil, sugar, onion powder, salt, natural flavourings, tomato powder, garlic powder, spices, parsley etc.

Natural ingredients, not fried, no palm oil, gluten free, no added MSG, vegan.

Nutritional values: 477kcal and 1.6g of salt per 100g (one pack is 85g).

Available in major supermarket chains soon.

The Food Doctor Salted Caramel High Fibre Protein Bar (£2.20) is a high fibre lower carb snack bar. 

Recommended for those who follow a Keto or a low carb diet.

Nutritional values: 143kcal and 0.7g of sugar per serving; high protein 12.2g per bar Keto friendly, low sugar, vegan.

It has a slightly bitter, powdery aftertaste.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado and Amazon.

Ryvita Snack It Thins Sour Cream & Chime Flavour (£2.20) are a wonderful new addition to Ryvita range. 

Perfect for snacking, these wheat and rye flatbreads with sour cream and chive flavouring are great to eat on their own, or as part of the cheese or mezze board. Try them with cream cheese and sliced cucumber as a tasty snack.

Nutritional values: 38kcal and 0.08g of salr per thin.

Vegetarian friendly, British-baked, no artificial preservatives.

Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

Nature's Path Gluten Free Organic Mesa Sunrise Cereal (£3.50) is a delicate blend of corn, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and flaxseed, combined and lightly toasted to create crisp, whole-grain flakes.

This cereal is high in fibre, gluten free and vegan. Serve with dairy or plant-based milk of your choice, and a scattering of fresh berries for an extra flavourful breakfast.

Nutritional values: 120kcal and 3.9g of sugar per 30g serving (without milk). There are 12 servings in a pack.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Yogiyo Korean Hot Chilli sauce/ Korean Sesame Soy or Korean Chilli Sauce (£0.85 each) are made in Thailand, using only finest ingredients.

You should receive 2 items in your box. We got the Chilli sauce and Sesame soy sauce. Both could be added to stir-fry dishes. 

Chilli sauce could also be used as a marinade for chicken, beef, pork or fish. These authentic sauces will jazz up any noodle dish.

Nutritional values: 72kcal and 11g of sugar per serving (Chilli sauce), 84kcal and 11g of sugar (sesame soy sauce).

Available in Waitrose and Amazon.

E.Wedel Snack Popcorn (£1.30) is a milk chocolate bar with roasted salted corn and salted crispy cereals. We've tried several different E.Wedel chocolate treats in the past with Degustabox, and it's always a pleasure to discover new flavours and textures.

If you enjoy the combination of sweet and salty, this chocolate bar is for you. 

Nutritional values: 540kcal and 50g of sugar per 100g

Available in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's and Amazon.uk.

ManiLife Deep Roast Salted Peanuts/or Cocoa Dusted Peanuts (£2.80)

When it comes to peanuts, ManiLife are experts. 

You should receive 1 item of two in your box. We got ManiLife Deep Roast Salted Peanuts. Fab with a glass of cold white wine or cold beer, or as part of a cheese or mezze board. You could also add them crushed to noodle or curry dishes.

These peanuts are wonderfully crunchy, with a creamy smooth taste.

Nutritional values: 156kcal and 0.18g of salt per 25g serving.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado and Whole Food Market.

Lamb Weston Farmer's Mash (£1.69) is made from real British potatoes. A handy pantry staple for making a bowl of mashed potatoes when you don't have enough time to make it from scratch.

One packet contains 4 servings. Just add water.

Serve with bangers, coleslaw, top up Shepherd's pie, or use as an ingredient in making potato blini.

Nutritional information: 134kcal and 0.81g of salt per serving.

Available at Ocado.

Mixologist's Garden Zesty Limes (£2.75) are freeze dried lime garnishes for drinks. 

Adding a lovely fruity taste to a variety of drinks, these garnishes have no additives, no nasties, and no surprises. 

Nutritional values: 278kcal and 16g of sugar per 100g (one pack is 10g).

Available in ASDA, East of England, Co-Op and larger Tescos.

Teapigs Liquorice & Peppermint/or Peppermint Leaves organic tea (£4.60) is a blend of peppermint leaves with liquorice root.

This naturally caffeine-free tea is made, using only big, quality, whole leaves and no dust. 100% natural, with no artificial flavourings. All tea temples are plastic free.

I'm a fan of Teapigs tea (their Earl Grey, Everyday Brew and Peppermint are exceptionally good), but I'm not a fan of liquorice generally, and will pass this pack on to a friend who likes sweet tea.

You should receive 1 flavour in your box.

Available in all major supermarkets and online at teapigs.co.uk.

AquaLibra Blood Orange & Mango and Raspberry & Blackcurrant (£1.15) are lovely, refreshing summery drinks. We've had AquaLibra in some previous Degustabox deliveries, and enjoyed them.

You will find two items in your box. 

Contains no sweeteners, no sugar, no artificials. Just sparkling water, natural fruit flavours and a dash of lemon.

Best enjoyed chilled. And lovely as an ingredient for a white wine spritz too.

Nutritional values: 0.5 kcal per 100ml.

Available in single 330ml cans and multipacks of 4 cans in all major supermarkets.

And finally, the Products of the Month - Maggi Pan Perfect Gingery Teriyaki and So Juicy Cajun Chicken (£0.99).

Maggi Pan Perfect Sweet Teriyaki recipe mix could be used with chicken, salmon or tofu. 

Just mix the contents of the pouch with water to make a smooth paste, and pour over the protein of your choice. Serve with stir-fried vegetables, noodles or rice. 

Our favourite Teriyaki recipe is tofu, cooked with sweet peppers, carrots and sweetcorn, and served with rice.

Nutritional values: 233kcal and 4.7g of sugar per serving.

Maggi Aromatic'n'peppery Cajun is a seasoning mix. The pouch contains a cooking bag, where you place chicken drumsticks and vegetables. It's a quick and easy way to cook a flavourful chicken dish with the bold flavours of Louisiana cuisine.

No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Cajun chicken is available in all major supermarket chains. Teriyai mix is available in Sainsbury's only.

You should receive two items in your box.

What is your favourite product in the latest Degustabox box?