Book Extract: Then There’s Trust By Susan Gray

I am excited to be welcoming Susan Gray to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Then There’s Trust.

A forbidden love…a relationship in jeopardy…a tested trust

Darcy Dukas is fearless and feisty – but can she be trusted? Left bereft after a personal disappointment, her vulnerable mindset causes her to seize an opportunity to pursue her dream career. When Marcel Duval arrives in Durham to establish his detective agency, she agrees to work with him. But is she prepared for the risks she will encounter? Risks for her safety…risks for her young marriage…and risks affecting her family’s trust?

In 1952 Josh Smallwood, Darcy’s brother, returns home after completing his national service. Trying to sort his future, he begins working on the family farm and befriends Judy, a young nurse. He is baffled to discover any liaison with her is forbidden by her family. This mystery fuels an intense, secret relationship…can they overcome obstacles to be together?

A shroud of guilt clings to Chantal Martin – will she ever be free from its taint? As an unmarried mother, her once tenacious trait seems to have deserted her. Striving towards the final hurdle, an unexpected decision and an untimely event threaten to blight her resilience…can her trust be rewarded?

Then There’s Trust is a gripping, emotional story of love, fidelity and trust set in 1950’s northeast England.

Susan has shared an extract from Then There’s Trust with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

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

 Tom and Rachel Smallwood and their extended family are hosting a Frenchman, Marcel Duval for lunch. He is a friend of Tom’s nephew, Jonty, who lives in Lyon. Marcel is relocating from France to Durham to open a Detective Agency. The family, including Darcy, their married daughter, are keen to learn more – Darcy longs to be an investigative journalist.

 Northeast England 1952.

How is Jonty?” asked Josh, immediately warming to the French visitor.

“He is well and sends his love. He’s hoping to visit next summer. He has praised you all. He talks frequently about his English family. I am excited to get to know each of you.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t found himself a bride yet.” Josh smirked, knowing his cousin possessed a ‘roving eye’.

“No, he is still a free man and dare I say it ‘enjoying himself’!” Marcel grinned.

“Do you have a special woman, Marcel?” asked Darcy in her blunt, curious way.

“Darcy!” gasped her mother in rebuke,

Marcel was momentarily stunned by Darcy’s query.

“Non, madame…I am single. I enjoy female companionship, but my work is not conducive to family life.”

Darcy thought he looked sad.

“Why have you decided to move to Durham, Marcel?” enquired Henri.

The French guest looked thoughtful.

“Well, it is my birthplace. I was born in Durham and lived there as a young child. My mother is English. She and my aunt travelled to France years before my birth. My aunt was a lady’s companion, like your sister, Tom.”

Tom smiled. Jonty’s mother Peg had worked in France before marrying,

“My parents met when my father was a young medical student. His family disapproved of their proposed marriage, so my mother returned to her family home, which was why I was born in northeast England. They were married two years before the war, when he became a doctor in a little village near to Calais. I have lived there ever since and have dual nationality. But I am keen to return to Durham and find work.” Marcel put a spoonful of food in his mouth.

“We have something in common, Marcel,” commented Henri. “I also moved to northeast England from France, initially to work…but then I met my dear wife and settled here. I hope things work out for you.”

“What do you do for a living, Marcel?” asked Chantal, curious to know the reason behind his return to northeast England. Marcel took a drink of his water, then using his napkin, wiped his mouth, before replying.

“I am a private investigator.”

Darcy’s ears pricked up. “What do you investigate?” she asked with curiosity. Marcel smiled at Darcy. “Anything I can undertake without the situation requiring wider resources, as I work on my own.”

“Oh, are you a Sherlock Holmes type of detective?”

Marcel swallowed a mouthful of food. “In a way…yes, I guess that’s a good description…although I have yet to find my ‘Watson’.” He chuckled and Darcy lifted her eyebrows.

“I think we need to have a further discussion, Monsieur Duval. I am also an investigator, from a journalistic viewpoint.”

Marcel stared wide-eyed at Darcy.

“Really…that’s most intriguing. Yes, we must share notes sometime.”

A silence fell over the assembled group. A seed had been sown…two likeminded people…Marcel Duval and Darcy Dukas.

In the distance Rachel thought she heard a cockerel crowing…

“Let Marcel eat his lunch, everyone,” said Tom.

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

About Susan Gray –

‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her books in the Twentieth Century.

She lives with her husband in northeast England, setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee.

She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters.

She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written eight novels, but only four are published so far. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel. BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH, HOPE ON HOPE and THEN THERE’S TRUST are a series.

Say hello to Susan on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Then There’s Trust is book 3 in the Blossoming of Truth series and was released in March 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.