Jul 24, 2024 | Bonus Content, Members Only
This is a very early draft and the book doesn’t have a title.
Most writers don’t share first drafts at all, but I’m happy to share it with members of the site, and that means you’ll need to register or sign in.
In case you missed it, the snippet I shared earlier is here: Snippet 1
Prologue
The Reverend Gregory Southgate stood alone in the Parish Church of St Raphael, the sole place of worship in Embervale. This parish is only one of the four that he serves as vicar, but he often lingers here when his regular duties are done for the day. Of course, all of God’s houses are equally splendid, but there’s something about this small but elegantly proportioned church that speaks to his heart.
Outside, the sun had set at last, the pale light of the evening finally fading. The days were growing longer as spring tightened its grip on the landscape, but the day had been a cold one. There’d been talk of a storm, and though the ancient stone walls had stood firm against the elements for centuries, the roof was a different matter, and the wind was already whistling and whining through the rafters high above him.
Sign in to keep reading or register if you haven’t already
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Jun 21, 2024 | Bonus Content, Members Only
This is a very early draft and the book doesn’t have a title.
Here we have a character from Valley of Lies making another appearance.
Most writers don’t share first drafts at all, but I’m happy to share it with members of the site, and that means you’ll need to register or sign in.
Excerpt from Chapter 1
Her trusty trug in the crook of her arm, Marjorie Treave let herself into the chicken run and securely fastened the door behind her. Her bantams were a feisty bunch, and there were one or two who’d make a dash for freedom given half a chance.
But today, they obediently gathered around her, gazing up expectantly.
“Here you go, my lovelies,” Marjorie cooed, dipping into the trug to dispense a generous handful of freshly pulled weeds from the garden and offcuts of vegetables from the kitchen. The chickens set to, clucking excitedly as they pecked away. A few of the dandelions were complete with roots, and the soil clinging to them harboured slugs and insects or even, if the chickens were lucky, a worm or two.
Sign in to keep reading or register if you haven’t already
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Apr 16, 2024 | Bonus Content, Members Only
Lawful Duty – The new crime novel set in Devon
Set in the 1990s, this book features a much younger Tim Spiller, the detective from the Devonshire Mysteries.
I hope this snippet will whet your appetite.
Preorder Lawful Duty now to read it as soon as it launches on 26 April, 2024
or buy direct and read it now at: mcamplingbooks.com – my official store
Find it on all retailers at: books2read.com/lawfulduty
Excerpt From Chapter 2
1992
With an effort, Lynsey opened her eyes. The blindfold was tight, the fabric pressing hard against her skin, its edges digging into her cheeks and forehead. It flattened her nose and made breathing difficult, so she opened her mouth and gasped for air.
Lynsey tried to free her arms, but the ropes had left her wrists and ankles raw, and struggling only made the pain worse. She was tied to some kind of bed, and she could hardly move a muscle.
She thought of calling for help, but she’d tried that before, and he’d pushed her down and threatened to cut her throat. His voice had been little more than a whisper: a low, guttural growl intended to frighten her. Lynsey had tried not to react, but it hadn’t been easy. The man’s sinister, soft voice had sent a shudder of revulsion through her whole body. She’d been tempted to provoke him, to make him shout and yell. Anything would’ve been better than his insidious whispers. But she hadn’t dared. She’d heard the anticipation in his voice. He hadn’t been making idle threats; he wanted to cut her throat.
Lynsey almost wept, but she’d run out of tears some time ago. She had to make herself strong and focus on surviving. It was the only way she was going to come out of this alive.
Sign in to keep reading or register if you haven’t already
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Feb 9, 2024 | Bonus Content, Members Only
The new crime series set in Devon is on its way.
Set in the 1990s, this isn’t an adventure for Dan and Alan since the duo would’ve been far too young to go chasing criminals. But this book will give a starring role to a character from the Devonshire Mysteries.
Tim Spiller, the world-weary detective inspector you’ve met before, is a fresh-faced detective constable starting his first job in CID. He’s done his time in uniform, but he’s ready to do some detective work, and he’s moved to Exeter to take up a post. Tim is young and full of zeal, and he’s only been married to his wife Sheila for a year.
He’s keen to impress, but how will he get on with his first case?
This is a crime novel of the kind often called a police procedural, and it’s a shade darker than the Devonshire Mysteries. The villains tend to be nasty pieces of work. There are violent crimes, although I’m not interested in going overboard with blood and gore, so I don’t think it will keep anybody up at night (unless they’re eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next). Fans of Ian Rankin or Anne Cleeves will, I hope, find something to enjoy in this book.
If you’ve read my work, there are elements that you’ll recognise. There’s a little wry humour in almost everything I write, and I’m always very interested in characters I create. The story takes place over a few days, and I think it’s fairly pacy. I’ve found it quite quick to redraft, mainly because I’ve enjoyed racing through the chapters, and that’s a good sign.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this snippet which is an early draft. I will be looking for beta readers soon, and the book will be edited after that.
I’m not revealing the title just yet, but that will come soon.
At this point in the story, Spiller has arrived early for his first day, and the only other person in the CID office is Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Boyce. Spiller is somewhat in awe of his new boss. They’ve exchanged a few words over a mug of tea, but DCS Boyce is quite a reserved and formal officer, so the pair quickly run out of things to say. It’s about time the other detectives show up, so let’s dive in!
Excerpt From Chapter 1
1992
The door opened, and both men breathed easier as a besuited man strode into the room.
The new arrival greeted Boyce, then acknowledged Spiller with a nod. “You must be my new DC. Tim Spiller, am I right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tim was here early, raring to go,” Boyce said. To Spiller, he added, “This is Detective Superintendent John Chisholm. He’ll set you on the straight and narrow. You’ll be seeing more of him than you will of me, although…” Boyce looked from Chisholm to Spiller. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Tim. I’m not going to hold your hand; if you need that, you’re in the wrong job. But I can see your potential, and I’ll be having a chat with you now and then, just to see how you’re doing.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
Boyce nodded. “Gentlemen, I’ll leave you to it.” He took a sip of his tea and then marched across the room, disappearing into a corner office and closing the door firmly.
Chisholm strolled over to his own large desk at the far end of the room, then he shrugged out of his jacket, hanging it on the back of his chair.
“First things first, Tim,” Chisholm said. “Milk and two, and leave the bag in. I can’t stand weak tea in the mornings.” He sat down and frowned at Spiller. “When you’re ready, in your own time.”
“Sorry, sir. I’ll get right on it.” As quickly as he could, Spiller made a mug of tea. He’d kept a keen eye on Boyce earlier, so he found everything he needed without difficulty. But when he splashed milk on the counter, he searched in vain for something to mop it up.
“Leave it,” Chisholm called out. “You can get a paper towel from the loo later. Bring my tea over, will you? I’ve got a tongue like the bottom of a budgie cage.”
Mumbling an apology, Spiller hurried over to Chisholm’s desk. He felt the colour rising to his cheeks, but Chisholm didn’t seem to notice. He was rifling through the stacks of cardboard folders cluttering his desk.
“Pull up a pew,” Chisholm said. “Any one will do, but that purple one is good.”
Spiller hesitated. The only purple chair in the office was noticeably newer and smarter than the others, its upholstery pristine.
“Go on,” Chisholm went on. “I haven’t got all day.”
Sign in to keep reading or register if you haven’t already
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Dec 16, 2023 | Bonus Content, Members Only
The new Devonshire Mystery, A Must-Have Murder, is currently available to pre-order.
The next adventure for Dan and Alan is finally here, so as it makes its way into the world, here’s another snippet to give you a flavour of the book.
A Must-Have Murder – Snippet 2
If you’d like to see an excerpt from the previous chapter, the first snippet is here.
Note: At this point in the story, Dan and Alan have arrived at the house of a potential client, Zadie Barrington, where they were met by Zadie’s assistant, Natalya. Natalya was a favourite with early readers of the book. From Ukraine, Natalya is decidedly feisty, and I hope you enjoy meeting her.
Excerpt From Chapter 2
“Zadie is in her studio. Upstairs is much better, it has been…” Natalya gestured impatiently at the uncarpeted staircase.
“Renovated?” Alan suggested, and Natalya nodded gratefully.
“Yes. Renovated. Exactly.” Natalya sighed and her expression softened. “Forgive me, gentlemen. It has been a hard day, but please, come up, and everything will be explained. Do not stand on the fifth stair. It isn’t safe. The man was supposed to fix it, but…” she shrugged.
“We’ll mind our step,” Alan said with a smile.
Natalya gazed at him. “You’re making a joke.”
“Sort of,” Alan admitted. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologise. Follow me.”
Dan and Alan did as they were told, making their way up the stairs in silence. The fifth tread was badly split, and Dan stepped over it with exaggerated care. When he reached the landing, Dan said, “I see what you mean about that step. It can be hard to find good tradespeople. We met your decorator outside. How are you finding him? Is he reliable?”
Natalya grunted in disapproval. “Very slow, I think. He drinks tea instead of working. I tell him this, but he doesn’t listen.” Natalya drew a long breath, flaring her nostrils, then she added, “You should know that Zadie does not like to be kept waiting. She has a livestream at four, and we must fix her hair and make-up before then. She cannot be late. Do you understand?”
“Yes. We’ll be as quick as we can,” Dan replied. “We also have a schedule to keep.”
“Okay,” Natalya intoned. “Follow me.”
Sign in to keep reading or dive right in and grab the book:
Find it online at: books2read.com/amusthavemurder
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Oct 12, 2023 | Bonus Content, Members Only
Well, it’s taken me a long time to get the next Devonshire Mystery ready.
It’s been a long road, and it’s a long book. Very long.
Today, I’m sharing the first part of chapter 1. This is just between us, so you’ll need to be a member of the site and logged in to read it in full.
The woodland pictured is one of my own photos, taken on a local walk, and I think it gives you an idea of the setting for this chapter.
I hope it gives you a flavour of Dan and Alan’s next adventure, and maybe it will whet your appetite.
A Must-Have Murder – A Snippet
Chapter 1
Alan ran through the forest, his thigh muscles cramping, sweat slicking his back, his chest, his scalp. The crisp air of early spring did nothing to cool him, and his breath rasped in his throat, every exhalation a low moan of pain. But he couldn’t stop to get his breath back, couldn’t slow down.
Ahead, a shadowy figure raced into the distance, sometimes vanishing in the shadows or hidden by a curve in the trail. He was getting away, and Alan couldn’t allow that. He had to catch him.
Alan threw back his head and gasped for air, pouring everything he had into a headlong dash. Arms pumping, feet pounding the dirt, he urged his tortured body onward. I can do it, he thought. I’m gaining on him.
The trail was rougher here, the path littered with loose stones and fragments from broken branches. Alan scanned the ground as he ran, but the dappled shadows made it hard to see, and the sweat from his brow stung the corners of his eyes. He blinked, lifted a hand to wipe his eyes, and that was all it took.
In mid-step his left foot caught on something, and he almost fell, but he spread his arms and twisted his body, keeping his balance. His momentum carried him forward, but his next stride was clumsy, and his right foot hit the ground at an awkward angle. A jab of pain jolted through his calf. He ran on, but each time his right foot met the trail, the pain in his calf intensified as if the muscles were being torn apart.
“Oh hell!” Alan had no choice but to stagger to a halt, wincing with every step. He pressed his hand against the nearest tree trunk, and took the weight from his right leg, staring down at it, half expecting to see the signs of some terrible injury.
There were footsteps on the trail, growing closer, slowing as they approached, and Alan looked up to see the man he’d tried so hard to catch. This was it: the moment he’d been dreading. He’d failed, and now he’d pay the price. (more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
