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Behind the scenes: Kenzie and Reid

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As an author, I’ve had the privilege of delving deep into the lives of my main characters, uncovering the grit, determination, and unwavering courage that defines them. Today, I invite you to step behind the scenes with me and get to know this dynamic duo who have become like family to me over the course of seven thrilling books.

Any questions, ask in the comments below and I’ll try to answer them for you. 

Kenzie Gilmore Biography

Kenzie Gilmore, a tenacious investigative reporter, has made a name for herself by delving into some of the most perplexing and dangerous cases in sultry southern Florida. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, she’s tackled everything from the mysterious murder of missing heiress Natalia Cruz in the treacherous Everglades to infiltrating the inner circles of loan sharks and unraveling the dark web of human trafficking. Kenzie’s fearless journalism has not only exposed the underbelly of Miami’s crime world but also put her in the crosshairs of those who’d kill to keep their secrets. Her partnership with ex-cop Reid Garrett has been unexpectedly fruitful, blending her investigative prowess with his law enforcement expertise to solve cases that seemed impenetrable. Kenzie’s stories, marked by heart-stopping moments and shocking revelations, resonate deeply with fans of gritty crime thrillers, earning her a place among the best investigative reporters in fiction.

Reid Garrett Biography

Reid Garrett is a dedicated detective with the Sweetwater Police Department, whose resolve and intuition make him a standout in the field of law enforcement in southern Florida. Despite the serene beauty of the Everglades that he considers his backyard, Reid is all too aware of the darkness that lurks within it, having investigated multiple murders and complex criminal operations that challenge the peace of his community. His unexpected partnership with investigative reporter Kenzie Gilmore has led him down paths he never anticipated, combining his policing skills with her journalistic tenacity to solve some of the most bewildering and dangerous cases Miami has ever seen. From unmasking human traffickers to unraveling the mysteries behind drug-related deaths and beyond, Reid’s commitment to justice is unwavering. His role is not just as an enforcer of the law but as a protector of the innocent, a pursuit that often sees him navigating the fine line between the letter of the law and the spirit of justice. Reid Garrett’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and an unyielding dedication to the badge he wears, embodying the true essence of what it means to serve and protect.

Storm Surge, Kenzie Gilmore Book 7, is out now. Available at Amazon. 

In the eye of the hurricane, lies a deadly secret.

A hurricane blasts the coast of Florida, unleashing mayhem and devastation. Amidst the chaos, a billionaire Miami philanthropist, Salvatore Del Gatto, is suspected of foul play when his yacht washes ashore, containing millions of dollars in stolen diamonds. Investigative reporter, Kenzie Gilmore, is assigned the case.

As the tempest rages on, Lieutenant Reid Garrett’s team discovers a corpse in a demolished coastal property. Initially thought to be a natural death, things take a dramatic turn when an uncut blood diamond is found on the victim. When it’s revealed the victim died six hours before the hurricane made landfall, Reid knows this was no accident.

As Kenzie and Reid piece together what happened, they uncover a sinister plot involving a network of dangerous criminals who will stop at nothing to keep their illegal activities under wraps. Even if it means murder. Suddenly, they’re hurled from the eye of the storm, into the path of the hurricane, as they race against the clock to catch the culprits and bring them to justice.

Purchase now on the links below:

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Behind the Glitz

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Unveiling Miami's Diamond Underworld in 'Storm Surge

Storm Surge, set against the backdrop of Miami’s sultry skyline, delves into the murky world of diamond smuggling. My latest blog post goes behind the scenes of the novel, revealing the depth of research and imagination that brings the narrative to life.

The Setting

Miami, a city known for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and lavish lifestyles, serves as the perfect backdrop for a tale of luxury and lawlessness. Storm Surge peels back the city’s glittering veneer to expose the criminal underworld thriving beneath. The novel’s setting in Miami is not just a backdrop but a character in its own right, reflecting the dual nature of beauty and danger.

A Storm of Chaos

The novel kicks off with a hurricane’s fury, a force of nature that mirrors the tumultuous events about to unfold. Salvatore Del Gatto, a billionaire philanthropist with a hidden agenda, finds himself at the center of suspicion when his yacht is destroyed and millions in uncut conflict diamonds washes up on the shore. This event sets the stage for an investigation that spirals into the heart of Miami’s smuggling operations.

The Characters

Kenzie Gilmore, an investigative reporter with a nose for the truth, and Lieutenant Reid Garrett, a seasoned law enforcement officer, find their paths converging as they delve into the case. From a corpse discovered in hurricane wreckage, a high-end jewellery thief operating in the Miami area, and the mysterious diamonds, their journey is fraught with danger and intrigue. 

A Web of Deceit

At the heart of Storm Surge is Salvatore Del Gatto, a man whose philanthropic facade masks his role in the criminal network. His character embodies the complexity of Miami’s smuggling underworld, where loyalty is bought, and betrayal is a currency. As Kenzie and Reid unravel the layers of deceit, they realize that all may not be as it seems. Could there be a different antagonist at play here, or is everything connected?

A Race Against Time

The novel thrives on a sense of urgency as Kenzie and Reid piece together clues amidst the chaos left by the hurricane. Their investigation reveals not just a single crime but a sprawling network of corruption that spans from the shores of West Africa to the glittering heart of Miami. The narrative is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where the storm outside is matched only by the storm within the city’s underbelly.

Research

Drawing from real-world insights into diamond smuggling and the dynamics of criminal networks, Storm Surge offers a glimpse into the intricacies of global crime rooted on the streets of Miami. There are various organisations involved in international diamond smuggling, and I’ve only referenced some of the main ones in this novel, however, the path the diamonds take, the general procedures and the background are very authentic. 

More Than a Crime Thriller

Beyond its thrilling plot, Storm Surge explores themes of morality, greed, and the fine line between right and wrong. The characters, from Kenzie’s relentless pursuit of the truth to Reid’s dedication to justice, reflect the novel’s deeper questions about the cost of uncovering secrets and the nature of corruption.

Storm Surge is not just a novel; it’s a journey into the heart of darkness that lies beneath the surface of paradise. Set in a city where danger and beauty go hand in hand, it’s a story that entwines the fate of its characters with the pulse of Miami itself, delivering a heart-pounding narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the eye of the storm to its devastating path.

What’s in Store for 2024?

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On the 2nd of January 2024, I sat down and began writing the next Kenzie Gilmore book. Book 7 in the series, STORM SURGE. Yesterday, I wrote the last line. That’s exactly 6 weeks, although to be fair, I put down a lot more words in the last two weeks than in the first four, but that was because I ran into a couple of sticky plot issues that needed resolving and got behind schedule. Some books are like that. 

I’m branching out this year into the brave new world of direct selling. For the new series of books I have planned, you will now be able to buy them early, before anyone else, via my website. I will also be selling special editions, book bundles and large print versions from my online store. If you’re like me, and your eyes are not as good as they used to be, the large print editions will be a welcome option. 

Speaking of new series, ROUGH JUSTICE, which is releasing mid-year, features a heroine unlike you’ve ever seen before. Gritty, tough, and damaged, she operates in the shadows and will stop at nothing to see justice served. “A female protagonist unlike any you’ve seen before,” was one remark I got from an editor, and “Hugely relatable and filled with pathos,” was another. I can’t wait to bring her to you.

DCI Rob Miller is back for more in the next instalment in the series later in the year. Once again, set along the Thames, this case takes him back to a previous investigation that he’d rather forget, but makes him question whether he caught the right guy the first time round. Stay tuned for more on that. 

Who doesn’t love a good spin-off, right? The latest Dalton Savage book, THE FROST KILLER, introduced a young, FBI agent, Avril Dahl, who now becomes the focus of her own series. Be sure to sign up to my mailing list or follow me on the socials for more about her, and when the first book in the series, COLD RECKONING, is coming out. 

The indominable Dalton Savage will also be back later this year, with his next small-town investigation. There are some changes coming for his team, which he doesn’t see coming, which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Keep a look out for CRIMSON MOON, already available for preorder on Amazon. 

If you’re especially interested in the audiobook versions of my books, please let me know here, via email, or getting in touch via my socials, or hitting reply on my monthly newsletter. There are special deals and promo codes available that you might find useful, as well as trailers, and behind the scenes sneak-peaks. 

2024 promises to be an exciting year, and I’m so grateful to be sharing it with you. 

 

Summer of ’23

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This summer saw a lot of changes, both in my personal and in my professional life. As I was flying over the North Atlantic on my way to Boston, taking my eighteen year old to college in the States, I thought about how lucky I am to be able to do this for a living. Of course, it doesn’t come without hard work, a gruelling schedule, and dedication (those early mornings can be hell!), but at the same time, I am grateful to be able to do what I love. 

Armed with my laptop, I explored the USA’s East Coast after helping my son get settled in. I wrote in coffee shops, libraries and book stores all over New England. I met some amazing people. I went sightseeing, did tours, and walked. A lot. 

It was a fantastic summer, and apart from the rather strange sensation of returning home without my son, I enjoyed every single minute of it. I do realise that I wouldn’t be able to do this without my readers. So if you’ve read one of my books, subscribed to my newsletter, supported me in anyway, or left a review, I’d just like to say a huge THANK YOU. You make my dream possible, and allow me to continue to write about heroes like DCI Rob Miller, Kenzie Gilmore and Sheriff Dalton Savage. I hope to continue to thrill you for many more years to come! 

National Crime Reading Month

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June was National Crime Reading month, a concept created by the CWA (Crime Writers Association) to encourage readers to get to the library, bookshop or local community centre and meet an author, read a new book, be introduced to some new characters. 

I participated in two such events. The first was  an author discussion and signing at West Barnes Library in Motspur Park where I met local readers and sold autographed copies of my books. It was a great way to interact with readeres, and I will endeavour to do more library events in the future. 

The second was a crime writing workshop with author Joy Kluver. Hosted by Wimbledon Bookfest at Wimbledon Library, we taught a hall of beginner crime writers the basic concepts needed to craft your own crime novel. What a great afternoon! 

Thanks to the CWA for coming up with the initiative and to Joy Kluver and the other brilliant local authors who took part. 

 

Soho style

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The Soho Killer. Sounds ominous, right? Well, it is. The fifth book in the DCI Rob Miller series (Joffe Books) is one of the darkest yet. Set in the heart of the capital’s West End, it starts with a brutal murder that sends the local community reeling and law enforcement scrambling to understand what happened.

Rob Miller is nearby on personal business, so gets the call to attend the scene, and what he finds both shocks and horrifies him. Set in August 2022, London is about to enter the most intense heatwave in history, and tensions are running high both at the precinct and on the streets. Tempers flare along with the temperature, and the police are inundated with call outs. Still battling the negative press, the Met are desperate to raise their image and rebuild trust, however, the nature of the brutal crimes is making it very difficult for them. The public expect answers, and they can’t give them any.

Who is killing seemingly random homosexual men on the streets of Soho, and why? The killer is clever, illusive, forensically aware, and seems to know the location of every camera in the area.

When I was researching this book, I took my partner with me to Soho and stood in the centre of Soho Square where the first body was found. “Can you see me?” I shouted.

He glanced at the CCTV camera mounted to the lamp post in the south corner and nodded. “Yep.”

I shifted several paces to the left, under the beady eye of the statue of King Charles II. “What about now?”

“Sort of.”

More shuffling left.

“That’s it!” he called.

And that’s where I placed the body.

I’m surprised we didn’t get called in for questioning ourselves, so furtive was our behaviour. 🙂

I also had a very interesting chat to a guy in a fetish shop about bondage gear, harnesses, colour codes and things that I was not even aware of prior to writing this book. Store owners, street vendors, council clean up workers, bar staff and cafe managers all contributed to my research – and a huge thanks goes out to them.

Soho is a busltling community with a diverse community and I absolutely love it. Having only been in a couple of times in the past, for theatre shows or jazz concerts, I’d never really explored it properly. I can now confidently say I know it extremely well, right down to every CCTV camera , back alley, sex shop and green space.

So if you’re in the area, I highly recommend a panini and coffee at Bar Italia, followed by a lazy early evening visit to ‘Ain’t Nothing But, a local blues bar with a colourful line-up that won’t fail to entertain. Soho has become my new favourite haunt, until the next book, anyway…

Bar Italia in Soho

Meeting my hero

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I’ve been reading Michael Connelly’s books since I was about twelve, so it was with great excitement that I sat in the front row at the Theakston Peculier Crime Festival to listen to my hero speak. Michael was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award for 2022, an honour well deserved, in my opinion.

Harry Bosch is a familiar name in crime fiction, and now even more so with the well received television series on Amazon Prime. Micky Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is almost as famous, and once again, the excellent TV series has brought our favourite somewhat damaged, justice-seeking attorney into our living rooms.

The auditorium was packed, and the audiece breathlessly waited to hear what Michael had to say about his crime novels, his life, how he got into writing and what he plans next for his characters. Mark Billingham set the scene, and the audience settled in for a comfortable chat. Right from the start I was impressed with Michael’s humility and lack of arrogance. I’ve listened to several “big name” authors and Michael is the real deal. He’s not in it for the money, he doens’t co-write (was quite horrified at the thought of someone else writing Harry Bosch), doesn’t sell out to the highest production company (but rather chose the one where the producer used to be a laywer and as a result truly understood what it was like to stand in a court room, even though they were offering much less) and loves the act of writing. A true author who’s in it for the love of the game. I suppose if we were being cynical, we could say, well, he can afford to be, however, I get the feeling that even if Michael hadn’t made a bucket of money, he’d still be sitting in his study writing day after day.

Once a reporter on the crime beat, it was clear that Michael has lost none of his journalistic instinct. He has a nose for delving into crimes, and I found it so interesting that he sets each novel he writes in the year in which he writes it. That’s why they’re such a great commentary on our times, on the lives we’re living and what’s actually going on in the world. Riots, presidential shifts, pandemics, cost of living crisis – he includes it all. Not directly, of course, but incorporating it in the novels so that we hardly notice it’s there, but it’s enhancing the story none the less.

What’s next for Harry Bosch? Well, our favourite crime-fighting cop (or ex-cop as he is now) is getting on, and won’t be able to do what he does for much longer. I had a lump in my throat when I heard that at some point, Harry’s going to have to come to an end. Whetehr it be a graceful bowing out or a sudden, violent death, I have no idea. Either way, his days are numbered. Maddie, Harry’s daughter, has taken the reigns, now becoming a police detective in her own right, while the Bosch and Ballard combination has allowed Michael to extend Harry’s character arc for some time longer.

I walked away feeling exhilirated, inspired and a little bit in awe. What a legacy. What a guy.

Here I am with my hero, Michael Connelly and fellow Joffe author, Linda Mather.

CrimeFest

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CrimeFest in Bristol is always a highlight in my calendar and this year’s was no different. It was a fun weekend of author discussions, panels and talks, and I met some interesting people, made new friends, and caught up in person after two long years of no face-to-face meetings. Long overdue. Thanks to the CrimeFest team who did a brilliant job at organising everything, and my publisher, Joffe Books, for the wonderful gettogether on Friday night.

The Ampersand Agency

I’m delighted to announce that I recently signed with Jamie Cowen of The Ampersand Agency. My Debut Dagger shortlisted book, Rough Justice, will be out on submission very soon.