Book Extract: The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffery
I’m so delighted to be welcoming Diane Jeffery to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Crime Writer.
2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of Exmoor. It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer. He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?
Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona and her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their two daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.
2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago?
Journalist Gabriela Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriella hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.
There is a chance to win a copy of a previous paperback by Diane Jeffery below but first, she has kindly shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy.
*****beginning of extract*****
The following extract is taken from Chapter 6.
Leona Walsh, a local counsellor and mother of two, has gone missing. Volunteers are helping police to search for her around Wistlandpound Reservoir, where she was last seen. Journalist Gabriela Conti approaches Matthew, Leona’s husband, a renowned crime writer, in the hope of getting an interview.
I have chosen this extract because it is the moment where the two main characters in my book meet for the first time.
by 
Book Review: The Shadow on the Bridge by Clare Marchant
I’m so excited to be welcoming Clare Marchant back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Shadow on the Bridge.
‘You must forever watch your back,’ I spoke the words clearly, though he could not hear me. ‘Come what may, I shall avenge my brother’s death.’’
Now: When Sarah’s summoned by her godmother to remote Norfolk, she doesn’t want to go. Crossing the bridges where the two rivers meet, said to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy, a large Tudor house looms in front of her. And Sarah’s instantly reminded her of the summer when she last visited. The summer she would like to forget. Which left her unable to ever move forward… Can a person ever recover from the loss of a sibling?
1571: Anne Howard, newly-made countess of Arundel, has also lost a sibling. And been dragged from the relative safety of her home in remote Norfolk to London, by her overbearing, manipulative, new father-in-law Thomas Howard; the very person she suspects of killing her beloved only brother. The Howards have greater secrets than this though. Secrets that will lead Anne to a tragedy that will echo down the ages…
When Sarah finds a mysterious book of poems in a hidden chamber of her godmother’s house, she is drawn into Anne’s story. Perhaps the mystery will take her mind off her own loss? But – as the flood waters begin to rise under the bridges – is Sarah laying ghosts to rest, or bringing truths to the surface that should stay beneath?
A completely haunting, gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River.
*****
It’s 1571. The 4th Duke of Norfolk has ordered Anne to marry his eldest son in order to gain land and fortune. Anne however, is focused on revenge and her new father-in-law is in the firing line.
2025, Sarah has been invited to Norfolk by her godmother. She’s not been there since a family tragedy made her estranged from her parents.
Sarah soon finds a book hidden in a secret chamber. She is also feeling a presence. Is this a connection to Anne or something else?
by NK Chats To… Abbey Hicks
Hi Abbey, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me a little about your latest book, Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove and what inspired it?
Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove is a heartwarming novella, book 1 in the Cosy Cove series, set in the enchanting seaside town of Cosy Cove and its charming residents. The story centres around Beth Williams, a lively and kind-hearted local who runs an artisan candle shop, ‘Harbour Lights,’ and Jacob Lawson, a charismatic and adventurous travel journalist visiting the town to write a feature for a popular travel magazine.
The inspiration for Cosy Cove came from the beautiful coastal towns and beaches near where I live on the south coast of England. I wanted to create a ‘perfect’ seaside retreat—somewhere I’d love to visit (or even live!)—so I took little details from my favourite places and wove them together to create this idyllic, fictional town. The result? A picturesque setting filled with golden sands, a cosy café, quaint shops, and a welcoming community that I hope readers will fall in love with as much as I have.
From first draft to final, how long does the process of writing a novel take you. Also, how do you approach the research and editing processes and how do you know when you’ve done enough?
Every book I write is different. Some stories flow effortlessly, and I can plan, outline and write a 25k novella in two to three weeks, while others take many, many months to complete. It really depends on the story, the characters, and how cooperative they decide to be!
When it comes to research, my stories are completely fictitious. However, I do love adding authentic details to bring the world to life—whether that’s researching traditional seaside festivals, learning about different crafts like candle making or floristry, or even checking what flowers bloom in which season, which is surprisingly easy to get wrong! Or maybe that should be unsurprisingly since I am absolutely hopeless at gardening!
Editing is where the real magic happens, but I’ll be honest—I NEVER truly feel like I’m done! I could tweak and adjust forever, but at some point, I have to step back and trust the story.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
by Book Review: The Quiet Sister by Alex Stone
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alex Stone back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Quiet Sister.
Keep your enemies close… your sister closer 🩸 Pulse-pounding thriller for fans of Sue Watson, Shalini Boland and Freida McFadden!
To outsiders, twins Mia and Chloe have always been close, like good sisters should be. But in private their relationship is one of jealousy, resentment and bitterness.
Popular and attractive Mia is always the centre of attention, loved by all. Quiet and reserved, Chloe is overlooked and underestimated, and has tried to build a life away from Mia and her manipulation. Finally she is happy and content.
But then Mia returns and makes it clear that she wants to be part of her sister’s life again, to have everything Chloe has…including her new fiancé Scott.
Chloe can’t allow Mia to ruin her life again. She’s done this too many times in the past – always taking things that don’t belong to her.
As old tensions, secrets and lies return, tragedy strikes. And one sister will use the opportunity to live the life she has always wanted…the life she has always deserved.
*****
Twins Chloe and Mia are outwardly identical in every way. That’s where the similarities end. Chloe is the introvert. Mia is the extrovert who has always taken everything her sister has. Now she wants Chloe’s fiancé.
It’s so lovely to be invited onto a blog tour hosted by Alex Stone. I am such a big fan of her novels, I couldn’t wait to get started on her latest release, The Quiet Sister.
Being from and living in Bournemouth, I love the fact that Alex Stone’s novels are based in this area. It allowed me to have such a clear picture of the setting. That’s not to say that this isn’t painted superbly for anyone not familiar with the seaside town.
by Book Review: Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter
I’m very pleased to be welcoming Michelle Salter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Murder at Mill Ponds House.
When murder hits close to home, Iris must fight to clear her name…
Spring, 1924. Reporter Iris Woodmore plans to move to London to avoid a shocking hometown scandal. Longtime enemy Archie Powell has been threatening to reveal her darkest secret – and she’s desperate to flee before he does.
But when he’s found murdered after a violent argument with her, there’s no escape. Iris must stay and clear her name even though the truth could ruin her reputation.
With the police closing in, Iris has to find the real killer if she’s to keep her secret. Can she prove her innocence without revealing the identity of the one man who can provide her with an alibi?
A gripping new mystery for fans of Verity Bright, Clara McKenna, and Helena Dixon.
*****
It’s 1924 and the residents of Walden are gathering to see Mill Ponds House opening as a hostel for men. Iris Woodmore is fine with this concept. What she isn’t liking as much is her ememy, Archie Powell, being tasked with running it.
When there’s a murder in the town, Iris herself becomes a suspect. Can she figure out what happened in time?
by Book Club
