M.K. Turner's Blog: M K Turner, page 4

Making stuff up & reviews

Good Morning,

I’ve been struggling getting any writing done recently. For the best part this is due to external pressures – Holidays (got to have a break now and then). Grandchildren (There always seems to be a holiday from school, not that I’m complaining on that front) Admin – It’s okay writing books, but you have to edit them, promote them, work with designers, editors, proofreaders, narrators etc. (Again no complaints, it just takes hours out of the day) Houseworky stuff (A flick round with a duster takes time.) And around all that, you have to find time to sit down and get your head back into what world you’ve left on the laptop. For most of this that’s been Little Compton.

I like it there, but for the last month or so, it’s been difficult to explain to Tom and Liz what they should be doing to solve the conundrum of The Burglar. It was all in my head, but could I get it out in a way that made sense? No! But, I’m happy to say, that’s all changed, although I don’t know why, and as soon as I open The Burglar, I’m off and running with but a mere glance at what’s been going on.

I have however managed to read. I always read in bed, then I can only think about that particular story. If it’s a good book, for far too long. Goodreads informs me I’ve already read sixteen books this year, and yesterday, despite the fact I should have been writing I got my reviews up to date. Because authors need reviews. It raises the profile of their books on various sites, and in particular Amazon, and it provides the author with useful feedback. Most of the time. So, if you’ve read a book you enjoyed please do review it. (Especially if it was mine).

I personally only review books I enjoy. But I try to choose wisely. There are many reasons you don’t enjoy a book. Maybe it’s your mood, not you genre, or the storyline doesn’t grab you. Those books I just delete from my kindle and move on. I check reviews on my books every month or so, and I’ve had some crackers from people who didn’t like them. That’s fair enough, but I sometimes think that people forget that I’m making stuff up. I thought I’d share a couple of the one star specials with you.

Misplaced Loyalty:  “What a misogynistic piece of crap” – I’ve had quite a few comments in this vein. Meredith is not everyone’s cup of tea. Also had comments like “I can’t believe a woman wrote this” and an email from a reader that told me I should be “ashamed of myself” for promoting sexist behaviour. (No mention of the grisly serial killer). I responded politely, and explained it was fiction, although, men like Meredith do exist, and was told I was obviously a “man pleaser”. I don’t think my husband agrees.

Web of Deceit (M & H Book 12) “Stories would have been good – If left wing politics didn’t come into each book. Even talking about right wing extremists when we all know it’s the left that causes trouble , also hating on President Trump, what a shame.” The right wing extremists were in The Wrong Shoes (M & H Book 3) I did wonder whether they went on to read the Error of Judgement.

Bearing Witness (Boxed set) – “I enjoyed all the stories, but never would have read them if I’d known witchcraft was involved.” I can’t remember writing about witches.

I’m happy to say that the majority of the reviews I receive are positive, Thank You, if you’re one who takes the time to review, and it seems that readers are enjoying The Little Compton Mysteries. Which is just as well as I’ve almost finished, The Burglar. And, on that note, I’d better get back to it.

Happy reading,

Not only that, but also . . .

Good Evening All,

My last email was sent to you from very sunny, hot, Spain. My hubby and I had a few days away. We’ve returned to much the same temperature, which is amazing, usually when we get home it’s pouring with rain. So I won’t complain . . . except about the lack of air conditioning here!

But then just when I think I’ve covered all bases having been daft enough to book a break when The Abduction was due out, I get a message from the very talented Lee Beddow, advising that finally, the audio version of Error of Judgement has gone live on Audible.  I have been allocated some FREE codes, so if anyone would like one, please shout and I’ll get off to you asap. While on the subject of audio books, I’m also really chuffed to tell you, that Lee will be narrating the Little Compton Mysteries with the lovely Perdita Lawton, and they begin recording The Murder in a week or so. I’ll keep you posted on that.

That’s it, other than to say, the reviews of The Abduction have started to trickle in, and it’s going down well. I’m a relieved and happy bunny.

Happy reading,

What a week- everyone’s a winner!

Hello,

As promised I’m back, and for those of you who are fed up with seeing my name in your inbox, fret ye not, it’ll be weeks until I appear again. But something important has happened.  The Murder, a new book is out there and I offered signed copies of it (and an acknowledgement) in exchange for characters, for the third in the Little Compton Mysteries – The Burglar. What a great response, I really wish I could use them all. For those of you who have given me character profiles who were not chosen for The Burglar, you never know I may use them in another book, and you’ll get your just reward.

Thank you to all those who have contacted me about this new series, I’m so chuffed you’re enjoying it.

If you want to order either The Murder or The Abduction simply click on the covers to order.

And the characters you will be meeting in The Burglar are:

From Carol Frank – Nine-year-old Axel Wagner  is obsessed with Lego, he watches everything and everyone, but hates speaking to strangers. He also dislikes his neighbour, Michelle Neil, who spends most of her day in the garden smoking and talking on her phone, and therefore disturbing him when he’s trying to build his latest model. If it wasn’t for the fact her eight year old son, Jack, took Axel under his wing when they moved to Greater Compton, he’d probably report her to the police. He knows a lot about Michelle.

From Pippa Domitruk – Single mum, Michelle Neil. Mother of two children who she adores, and a party animal. Now free of her abusive spouse, and confident enough to leave her children with babysitters, she intends to have some fun. She’d have more if she could, but money is tight, and those kids just won’t stop growing.

From Geoff Turner (relative!) – Grumpy Geoff O’Brien.  Widower who has lived in Little Compton all his life. He’s grumpy about getting old, grumpy about people who park on the pavement, grumpy about queueing to spend his money. Generally grumpy about most things, except finding out he has relatives all over the world as he searches the internet to find his true origins.

Once again, thank you for all the entries, I liked them all, I’ve kept them and I promise I will be revisiting them at some point.

Happy reading

 

Da Daaaa

Good Morning,

It’s HERE!

The first in The Little Compton Mysteries  –  The Murder  – is live! Thank you, to those who pre-ordered. I do hope you enjoy meeting Tom & Liz, I certainly did. For those of you who have been waiting for the big day, click HERE.

I look forward to hearing what you all think.

As promised, the second in the series – The Abduction – is now available for pre-order . . . . and here’s the cover in its full glory. Another fabulous job by Lindsay.

Student, Rhianna Chow is snatched off the street outside her home. Tom & Liz are in the thick of the investigation to find her. No enemies, no ransom demand, no anything. The ametuer sleuths know they must first find out why, before they can work on the who, and the where!

Click here to pre-order your copy.

I’ve had some great characters to use in  the third in the series, The Burglar, winners of signed copies of The Murder will be announced on 4th May, so I’ll be back next week to give you an insight into them.

Happy reading

And the winners are . . . .

Good Morning,

I’m back, but it’s a flying visit to announce the winners of signed copies of The Murder which goes live in e-book tomorrow.

The answers to the question: Who were the two new members of Meredith’s team in Error of Judgement?:

Daisy Pinner & George Davies, although as some of you have pointed out, Loopy Linda Callow had never been a member of his team before either. Therefore the first three out of the hat with any of those combinations were:

Lorraine Miles   –   Jack Kelly   –   Angela Turner (no relation)

Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you for confirmation of your postal address, keep your eyes peeled on your inbox.

That’s it for now, in case you hadn’t heard, I’ve got a new book out tomorrow, a cover to reveal, and another one to write. I’ll be back tomorrow.

Happy reading

Last shout for entries

Good evening from a grey and drizzly Bristol,

Spring has sprung as there’s plenty of colour shooting up and out all over the place, but April is going to do its job with those showers right until the very end. I wouldn’t be surprised if it hijacked May too. But enough of the weather (well, I am British) I’m here to remind you of two mini-competitions to celebrate the launch of my new series The Little Compton Mysteries, starting with The Murder on 29th April 2023.

Competition 1: To win a signed copy of The Murder simply email me the names of the two new members of Meredith’s team in Error of Judgement by no later than 30th April 2023 – the three winners will be drawn at random and announced on the day.

Competition 2: I’m after characters for the third in the Little Compton Mysteries, The Burglar. Might be a victim, or a witness, or a friend of a friend, anyone really – if I like the character I’ll write them into the storyline. Simply email me their name, age, description and any other details you feel relevant. I’ve already had some crackers in, so I might need to order a few more paperbacks! All entries in by 3rd May and I will announce the winners on 4th May 2023.  The creator of every character used will receive a signed copy of The Murder, and of course an acknowledgement in print.

Only four days to go and the e-book of The Murder will be flying through whatever it flies through, or perhaps dropping from that cloud, and arriving on an ereader near you! The lovely Lee Beddow is just finishing off the audio version of Error of Judgement, and will then be starting on The Murder with the very talented Perdita Lawton.

Finally, on the 29th I will be putting The Abduction up for pre-order on the 29th, so here’s your last tantalising glimpse before I reveal all . . . of the cover!

Happy reading,

email me:   mkturnerbooks@gmail.com

An Introduction to Little Compton

Good Evening,

I’ve been trying to create a map! It turns out I’m not very good at graphics either. I can’t say that shocked me. As The Murder, is the first in the new series, of Little Compton Mysteries, I thought I’d give you a flying tour. The map isn’t great, but it will give you an idea of the village layout. If I find myself with nothing to do (!!) I might try again. Here in Bristol we are surrounded by pretty villages, and it was one of these which inspired Little Compton. Not quite a one horse town, but small enough that everyone knows everyone else.

Little Compton is very close to Greater Compton, and between them you can get most of what you need, there are only a few things that require a trip into town. The villagers don’t mind for the best part, because that gives them the opportunity for a day out. Little Compton does of course have a pub, The Swan, a mini-market run by the lovely, Derek Vaswani, a posh delicatessen, or as village matriarch, Alice Green would call it, the cheese shop. There’s also a bakery, a cafe, a pizzeria, and of course the church and church hall, which houses the village’s library.  The map shows only Lower High Street, and a few of the roads which lead off it. But you can see where accountant Tom Large, and cleaner Liz Thorne live. An unlikely sleuthing duo, but it won’t surprise you to hear that they’re quite good at it. In the top right hand corner, is the area or woodland where poor old Denise Knight met her end, and in the bottom right, the Chow’s home, outside of which, Rhianna Chow was abducted. I’ve put the names of a few other residents on the map, all of whom you will meet either in The Murder or The Abduction.

Not long now until The Murder  is published (29th April) and The Abduction will become available for pre-order that day. Talking of The Abduction, here’s another tantalising glimpse of the cover.

If anyone would like a free signed copy of The Murder in paperback, I’m looking for characters for The Burglar, so please introduce me to a resident of Little Compton. Send me their name, age, and a brief description. The character will appear in the novel, and I will choose the winner on the 3rd May – who knows might be more than one – so thinking caps on.

That’s it for now, please feel free to laugh at my efforts with the map, and of course tell me where I should have gone to create it, but before I dash off, apologies to those who received two copies of my last email, that was my lack of technical skills kicking in! I do hope it didn’t cause too much inconvenience.

Now I really am going, happy reading,

 

 

How do you choose your books?

Good morning, from a drizzly, grey Bristol.

I finished reading my ninth book of the year last night, so this morning I popped on to Goodreads to review it, and then over to Amazon to check what was on my Kindle to choose what I’d read next. I’m ashamed to say I have nearly 100 books on my TBR pile. I don’t know about you, but I like variety in my reading. If I’ve just finished a dark thriller, I’ll choose something more lighthearted. Or, if it was a feel good book club type read, I’ll go for a mystery. Even if I find a brilliant series I haven’t read before, I rarely read them one after the other, although I’ll buy more books in the series to add to the TBR pile. The only exception being small boxed sets if they’ve really taken hold. That got me to wondering how you lovely people who have subscribed to my mailing list choose your books.

So, a few questions for you. Do you only read in one or perhaps two genres? If you read a good book that’s part of a series, do you then devour the complete series? How many books are on your ‘To be read’ pile? I’ve shared the books I’ve read so far this year, most were five star reads  for me. Have you read any of them? Did you like them? If you haven’t and you’d like to, simply click the cover.

                        

Whilst on, I’ve received quite a few entries to the Error of Judgement competition. The dedication from one entrant really made me laugh. There’s still time if you fancy a signed copy of the paperback. Simply email me at mkturnerbooks@gmail.com by the 30th April 2023, the names of the two new members of Meredith’s team, and the dedication you require.

Finally, I’ve received so many lovely comments about the cover of The Murder, I wanted to pass on my thanks, and how much Lindsay the designer appreciates them. The Murder will be published on the 29th April. Amazon is currently processing the paperback and hardback and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

Back soon, with news of The Abduction. 

Happy reading

 

My books are getting a bit like Buses

Hello, one and all, and welcome new subscribers,

It’s actually sunny here in Bristol today, and earlier the weatherman assured me that spring has finally sprung. After rain of biblical proportions over the last few weeks, I’ll wait and see. But to be fair, the daffodils are out, the tulips in bud and the hyacinths are positively blooming. All this and the promise of an Easter egg too! It’s not only Easter eggs that are promised either. (Can I hear a drum roll…) My lovely editors Sharon & Jill have almost finished working their magic, their wands must be worn out, and The Murder will be released a month early. HOORAH! If you have, or wish to pre-order, the release date is now 29th April 2023.

What’s that got to do with buses? I hear you shout. Well, this. In the past I have tried to release at least two books a year, most years I’ve managed, but there were a few that were barren. I’m not sure what’s happened recently, but the stories seem to tell themselves. Meredith & Hodge Bear Witness (M&H #11) was published on 15th December 2021, and then it was almost a whole year until Web of Deceit (M&H #12) on 1st December 2022. Then came Error of Judgement (M&H #13) on 15th March 2023, and we’ll have The Murder (#1 Little Compton Mysteries) on 29th April 2023. And do you want to know a secret? I know you do. The Abduction (#2 Little Compton Mysteries) is almost there. I think another few weeks and it will be off to the editors. I am therefore predicting a June/July release date. All this means that in an eight-month period, I will have published four books! Not only that, but I already have the basis of The Burglar (#3 in the Little Compton Mysteries) bubbling away, and yesterday Meredith & Hodges’ next storyline (#14) appeared unbidden in my mind. I will definitely get The Burglar written and hopefully make a good start on M & H #14 this year. So, nothing for ages, then they arrive all at once. I hope that lasts.

COMPETITION TIME

Thank you to everyone who has purchased, read and or taken the time to review, Error of Judgement. It has certainly been well received. To celebrate its success, I’m going to give away three signed copies of the paperback with a dedication of your choice. All you need to do is email me at mkturnerbooks@gmail.com, the answer to who the new and unexpected members of Meredith’s team are, and of course, give me your preferred dedication. I will put all answers into a draw and the winner will be chosen at random on the 30th April 2023. Good luck!

I’ve selected a selection of images of The Murder, because . . . well, simply because I love the cover! That’s it for now, back soon,

Happy reading

 

A flying update . . .

Good morning,

From a grey, cold Bristol. This is a flying visit as lots has happened while I was away – isn’t that always the case – and I have a list of ‘to dos’ to work through, the top of which is to go and pick up the dogs. I can’t wait to see them, so this is a quick update for you:

The Murder is with the editor, Sharon, and is available for pre-order. Some of the Beta readers have reported back, and they seem to be liking it, which of course was the correct answer. (Phew!) Once again some great suggestions about tweaks received and accepted.

Error of Judgement – we’re almost there! The edited version is with proofreader, Jill.  If you were a Beta reader on this, it would be great to get your feedback before it goes live on the 31st, and thank you once again to those who have already been in touch. Your feedback is invaluable.

The audio version of Web of Deceit has been released. Available on audible if you have it, if not, and you’d like to listen to it give me a shout and I’ll send you a code. Don’t forget if you like both ebook and audible, you can pick up the audio version at a greatly reduced price if you have the ebook.

That’s it. Two books on pre-order and a new audio available. I told you it was a quick one. Once I’ve picked up the dogs, unpacked, put the first load of washing on, and filled the very empty fridge etc., etc., I’ll be back with more news, but until then,

 

Happy reading,