Book Extract: The Other Woman by Jane Isaac

Happy Saturday everyone. I am pleased to be welcoming Jane Isaac and the blog tour for her latest book, The Other Woman (previously published as After He’s Gone.) 

The grieving widow. The other woman. Which one is which?

When Cameron Swift is shot and killed outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer. Her role is to support the family – and investigate them.

Monika, Cameron’s partner and mother of two sons, had to be prised off his lifeless body after she discovered him. She has no idea why anyone would target Cameron.

Beth can understand Monika’s confusion. To everyone in their affluent community, Monika and her family seemed just like any other. But then Beth gets a call.

Sara is on holiday with her daughters when she sees the news. She calls the police in the UK, outraged that no one has contacted her to let her know or offer support. After all, she and Cameron had been together for the last seven years…

Until Cameron died, Monika and Sara had no idea each other existed.

As the case unfolds, Beth discovers that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has secrets. Especially the dead…

Previously published as After He’s Gone.

To celebrate the book’s release, Jane and Aria have shared an extract. Enjoy.

***** beginning of extract*****

Residents of Collingtree Park were just taking their waking breaths when the roar of a motorbike broke their Sunday morning reverie.

At high speed, the rider took the bends effortlessly, radiating a cool calmness in dark leathers. He passed houses with curtains drawn tightly, manicured lawns, driveways adorned with estate cars and people-carriers screaming out for their weekend wash.

Exhaust fumes dispersed into an air thick from a sun already flexing its muscles, reigning supreme in the clear blue sky. Summer was in full swing, the recent heatwave showing no signs of abating. In a few hours, paddling pools would be refilled in back gardens, the sound of children’s shrieks and laughter filling the area.

At precisely 7.05 a.m., Cameron Swift emerged from number sixteen Meadowbrook Close, pulling the door to a gentle close behind him.

The bike dropped a gear, rounded the lip of the close, and pulled up the incline.

Cameron was loading his golf bag into the boot of his Mercedes when the motorcyclist swerved and stopped a couple of yards from the end of his driveway. The rider tipped his head to attract Cameron’s attention. An intimate gesture, as if this rendezvous was expected, had been arranged for weeks.

Cameron frowned, checked his watch, and looked back at the house. For a split second, he considered calling for Monika, but she wouldn’t welcome the interruption to her early morning slumber, especially if it woke the baby. He sighed and started down the driveway, step by curious step, then paused at the kerb, angling his head to see the face through the tinted visor.

Their gazes locked. ‘Can I help you?’ he said.

The motorcyclist ignored the question, unzipped his jacket and reached inside.

At the sight of the gun, Cameron’s eyes widened. He swallowed, shook his head. Opened his mouth and closed it again. Arms flailed out as he made to turn. Not quickly enough. His body jolted with each impact, sending sprays of red leaping into the air before he folded to the ground. Ribbons of blood curled and coiled on the tarmac.

The motorcyclist replaced the gun in his jacket and pulled out his mobile phone. He switched to camera, clicked three times, then slipped the phone back in his pocket, revved the engine and sped off down the street.

***** end of extract*****

About Jane: 

Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers.

Say hi to Jane on Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor and via her website: www.janeisaac.co.uk

The Other Woman was released on 9th January 2020. Click to view on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play.

Follow Aria at www.ariafiction.com or via Twitter: @aria_fiction

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.