Skip to main content

Featured

Crow Moon by Suzie Aspley#Extract #Giveaway #AMarthaStrangewaysInvestigationBook1

  I am delighted to introduce the first in a new series by debut writer, Suzie Aspley . The atmospheric thriller, Crow Moon was published by Orenda on March 14th. Today I have an extract for you to read and the chance to win a print copy of Crow Moon . Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back... When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes

The Development by Jackie Kabler ** Author Interview & Giveaway**

Today's post features Jackie Kabler's The Development, a Cora Baxter Mystery. Jackie has come along to answer some of my questions. There is also a great International Giveaway. You can be in with a chance of winning a full set of Jackie's Cora Baxter Mysteries. Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.

First, a little about The Development...



After a stressful week, TV reporter Cora Baxter is ready for a quiet weekend. But what she hadn’t counted on was witnessing the shocking death of a young woman on her way home. She discovers seventeen-year-old Leanne had been protesting against a new housing development, angering the powerful establishment. Leanne’s death is ruled a suicide, but when puzzling information comes to light, Cora decides to investigate further. 


She doesn’t know what an unscrupulous businessman, a suspended police officer and hate-mail sending neighbours have to do with the case – but she knows there is a news story there.

With her eccentric camera crew on hand to help, can Cora tie the strands of Leanne’s case together – or will other forces interfere? 

The Development is the third in the Cora Baxter Mysteries series.


Welcome to Books, Life and Everything, Jackie.


Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself and how you started as a writer?


With pleasure! I’m Jackie Kabler and I’m a journalist, TV presenter and author. I worked as a TV news reporter for twenty years for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, but gave up news a few years ago to work as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and write books! I started writing during my last few years as a news reporter, mainly to de-stress and find an escape from my all-consuming career. I was spending long hours on the road, on planes and in hotels all over the world, so started using some of my downtime to write down some of my television news experiences. That eventually became the basis of my first novel, The Dead Dog Day. I was very fortunate that, after several years of rejection, I eventually signed a deal with Accent Press for a series of murder mysteries set in the world of TV news. I live in Gloucestershire with my husband.



What is it about the crime / mystery genre which attracts you?


As a news reporter I covered many high-profile crime stories, including numerous murders, and I always found them incredibly interesting, from the police investigation process to the reasons behind the crime – what makes some people commit terrible crimes, when most of the population does not? The psychology is fascinating. When I started writing I initially began writing a rom-com set in a TV newsroom, but it wasn’t really working for me. When I decided to add crime into the mix, it all came together. 


The Development is the third book in your Cora Baxter series. Could you tell us a little about Cora as a character and how did you create her? Was she based on anyone you have met during your professional life?


 Well, many people who know me and then read my books are convinced that Cora is based entirely on ME, but that’s not strictly true! OK, she works for a breakfast news show, loves Earl Grey tea and has an eccentric group of colleagues and friends, all of which is based on my life as a reporter, as are many of the odd stories she ends up working on. So there are definitely bits of me in her. But I certainly never had as exciting a love life as Cora, or got personally involved in murder investigations like she does. I do like Cora though and I love writing about her and her antics! She’s part me, part other reporters I knew and part imagination. 


Without spoiling the plot, could you let us know a little about the story?


Cora is driving home from work after a stressful week when she witnesses the horrific death of a young woman. The death is ruled a suicide, but when some puzzling information comes to light, Cora decides to investigate further. She’s not sure what a new housing development, angry neighbours and a suspended police officer have to do with the case, but she’s convinced something isn’t right…so was it suicide after all, or something else entirely?





What are your writing routines and where do you do most of your writing?


I have no routine whatsoever! I work in London four days a week, but every week it’s different days – I have no fixed shift pattern. That technically leaves me three days a week at home in Gloucestershire to write, but sometimes life gets in the way. I can go weeks without writing a word, then write frantically on every day off for the next few weeks. I took a couple of months off writing this summer, but now I’m back at it again. I do prefer to write early in the day though – I’m a real early bird, and struggle if I have to work in the evening! I can write pretty much anywhere, but my ideal is in my lovely dressing room/study at home. I converted the spare bedroom last year as a birthday gift to myself, and it’s my perfect writing spot now.



What do you like to read when you are not writing?


 I always have at least two books on the go, one by my bed and one in audiobook form in the car for my long commutes! They are nearly always crime novels, or psychological thrillers. I also love fitness and fashion though, so there’s generally a pile of magazines around somewhere too!


If your books became a film, who would you like to play Cora and why would you choose them?


I’d love Sheridan Smith to play Cora. I think she’s a wonderful actor who can play both serious and comedic roles brilliantly. There’s a lot of humour in my books as well as the serious stuff so I think she’d be perfect. 

Finally, have you three words which sum up The Development?
 
Witty murder mystery. (Well, that’s how my publisher describes it!)

Thank you, Jackie for giving us an insight into your writing life. Great choice of Sheridan Smith- she'd be perfect!

My Thoughts
This is an enjoyable read especially if you prefer the 'cozy crime mystery' end of the crime continuum. You feel quite secure reading this story. You know that even though there may be some violent aspects, there won't be really gruesome descriptions. Cora and her colleagues are likeable people to spend a some time with and I enjoyed the little insights into Cora's homelife as she prepared for Christmas. 

     Jackie's experience in the media gives Cora's working week an authentic feel and the banter between her crew never jars. The clues appear at a steady pace and you will Cora on to pull all the strands of the story together. Bring on book no.4!
 
About the Author


Jackie Kabler is a journalist, TV presenter and author. She spent twenty years as a TV news reporter for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, and now works as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and is author of the Cora Baxter Mysteries, a series of  murder mysteries set in a television newsroom. The Development is her third novel. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, who is a GP.



You can follow Jackie here: Website | Twitter| Facebook 
 | Instagram 
Book links: Goodreads | Amazon UK 
Thanks to Jackie Kabler and Jenny of Neverland Blog Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Giveaway (International)

 To win a signed bundle of Jackie Kabler's entire Cora Baxter series of books, follow the link below and good luck!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

Popular Posts