Lee Allen's Blog, page 21

Writing News!

I am very excited to announce that I will soon be delivering a brand new short story to my readers!

While researching and plotting Book 6, this tale kept pushing its way into my head and clamouring for attention, insisting it get written first. I'm never one to resist a mystery on a dark autumn night, so took little persuading. I finished the first draft several weeks ago and this week turned to redrafting it in earnest, which I hope to complete by the end of next week.

It will be released this Hallowe'en, and I hope you will find it a gothic treat for the spookiest night of the year.

I will be revealing more details, including the title, synopsis and cover, very soon! Keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram.

🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉

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Patricia Cornwell's Spin - Review

Spin by Patricia Cornwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Captain Calli Chase returns in the second in Patricia Cornwell’s space-science thriller series.

After averting disaster following a NASA rocket launch gone wrong, Calli is finally returning home when she is diverted to an isolated location and finds herself targeted by an assassin. Coming face to face with her twin sister Carme, Calli is about to discover that they have unknowingly been part of a top-secret programme that is now in jeopardy.

While adjusting to newfound technological advancements, Calli finds herself both pursued by and in pursuit of a dangerous and powerful adversary, who will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. Calli and everyone she knows are in danger – yet, she fears she knows too little to be able to prevent personal and potentially international catastrophe.

As the true extent if their foe’s scheme becomes clear, Calli discovers she may have to undertake her own perilous mission in order to prevent a terror event with ramifications for the entire planet and beyond it.

Picking up in the immediate aftermath of the events of ‘Quantum’, ‘Spin’ continues the story of NASA cybercrime investigator and Space Force pilot Captain Calli Chase, who faces personal demons and family skeletons while unearthing a criminal conspiracy on a political scale. Calli is highly skilled and knowledgeable, as one would expect in her field of expertise, and her work is both her life and her passion. As with the first novel in the series, the story is told from her perspective, the reader plugged into her internal monologue, experiencing her thoughts and feelings as she blindly navigates a path others have chosen, kept largely in the dark by those around her, including those whom she trusts.

Cornwell brings her forensic attention to detail to this series, which is impeccably researched, including detailed insights into procedures and technology (some of which we hope is entirely fictional and/or firmly rooted in the research phase of such a project). Cornwell’s fascination with technology has been evident throughout her Scarpetta series – in recent novels, technological advancements having taken centre-stage alongside the detailed forensics and procedural details. The Calli Chase series feels like the natural evolution of Cornwell’s passion and research.

This is on some levels a crime thriller, on others a political thriller, with elements of sci-fi at its core. The beauty of the advanced technology of sci-fi is how it expands on concepts which may or may not be based in reality, while being highly sought after by governments and large corporations, either to further human civilisation and/or the planet, or for pure financial gain. The Machiavellian schemes and aspirations of the central villains can become chillingly realistic, psychologically if not always technologically. Cornwell plays with those concepts in this novel, crafting realistic scenarios playing alongside the sci-fi elements to create a thriller that may be more plausible than we care to be comfortable with.

Culminating in an intense launch into space, we are left with many answers to questions raised throughout both ‘Quantum’ and ‘Spin’, but, with the conspiracy at play seemingly far from resolution and justice not yet done, left hanging as if in the vacuum of space for more to come.

While a third novel has not yet been confirmed, the narrative feels as if it will run to at least a trilogy. In the meantime, we have the highly anticipated return of Kay Scarpetta to look forward to in ‘Autopsy’ – which, as well as a return to the sharp-edged forensics, promises more crime and intrigue in space.



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Carrie Dalby's Fortitude - Review

Fortitude by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A Southern Gothic coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Spanish-American War.

Claire O’Farrell craves a life beyond her hometown, one that will allow her to serve and help others. Her best friend, Loretta, urges her to volunteer with her as a nurse caring for sick soldiers, wounded, in recovery, or otherwise unable to fight.

Claire, white, has never been one to observe the laws of racial segregation, and insists she remain with Loretta when they arrive, assigned to the camp for the Buffalo Soldiers. The work is tough, but fulfilling, and Claire finds herself building a camaraderie will the soldiers.

But when she finds her head turned by a black soldier, who may claim her young heart, Claire may be putting herself and all around her in grave peril. For what is coming, she must summon all the fortitude she can muster if she is to survive.

‘Fortitude’ is told from the perspective of the novel’s protagonist Claire – a headstrong, yet somewhat naïve young white woman, at times impulsive, a kind-hearted and caring soul who feels things deeply. Throughout her story, we witness her naivety chipped away, as the injustice and the impact of prejudice and violence horrify her, while tragedy threatens to break or harden her heart.

This story also has links to Dalby’s ongoing saga ‘The Possession Chronicles’, making this novel a prologue to sorts to the series, but maintains its own identity as a standalone novel.

Rarely have I read Young Adult fiction, so I will not venture to consider the novel from that perspective, though I was impressed with the way the novel does not shy away from conveying pain and suffering, albeit told from the sidelines of battle, thus handling it in a way that is appropriate for younger readers. This is well-researched historical fiction, building a true sense of time and place. Dalby skillfully weaves Claire’s story with that of several secondary characters, creating a sense of living at the time from multiple perspectives, building a picture of the harsh reality they suffer, while never losing hope.

Racial prejudice is one of the core themes of the novel, dealt with both delicately and in stark detail. It is difficult and emotive subject matter with a dual perspective – in one sense we can witness how much has changed, in another how little has changed. But, despite being difficult, it is vitally important that such themes are dealt with both truthfully and realistically and that we continue to do so. We cannot change history, but we continue to have the opportunity to learn from it, and stories remain one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal. This novel is a great example of such fiction.

‘Fortitude’ is a moving tale of courage, bravery, young love and the horrors that humanity inflicts upon itself, be that through the carnage of warfare or the social discrimination that bleeds into hearts and minds.



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David Wilson's Signs of Murder - Review

Signs of Murder: A small town in Scotland, a miscarriage of justice and the search for the truth by David Wilson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


July 1973. In the small Scottish town of Carluke, Margaret McLaughlin was brutally murdered, stabbed a total of nineteen times on her way to catch a train one evening. Local man George Beattie was convicted of her murder.

Yet, behind closed doors, many of Carluke’s residents were dubious about Beattie’s guilt. Despite providing a confession to police, Beattie maintained his innocence throughout his trial and subsequent prison sentence.

Leading criminologist David Wilson, himself a resident of Carluke as a child, reexamines Margaret McLaughlin’s murder and the evidence against George Beattie. Uncovering new evidence and exploring different perspectives of the evidence in the public domain, which suggests Beattie’s conviction may have been a devastating miscarriage of justice – for Margaret, for George, for their families and the wider Carluke community, Wilson pursues lines of enquiry that should have undoubtedly been explored more by the police at the time of the murder, which may lead to the true perpetrator of this horrific crime.

I first encountered Wilson’s work when I, with much excitement, spied ‘Hunting Evil’ on bookshelves – the definitive account of the case of the Suffolk Strangler and the serial murders in Ipswich in 2006. I’d followed the case in the media from the beginning (which had comprised a small single column, with no photograph, midway through the newspaper) and had become fascinated by it. Later, I was hooked by Wilson’s TV series on criminal psychopaths, and have since looked out for his documentaries in TV schedules, most recently ‘In the Footsteps of Killers’, in which he and Emilia Fox reexamine cold cases, as well as his published works. His autobiography, ‘My Life With Murderers’, was a fascinating insight into his time working in the prison system and latterly as a criminologist, exploring the criminal justice system and the psychopathology of violent criminals.

‘Signs of Murder’ is a natural successor to ‘My Life With Murderers’, exploring a case that is close to Wilson’s heart, one that took place in his hometown during his childhood. Reexamined in later years through the eyes of a criminologist, the concerns with the handling of the case and inconsistencies in the evidence become glaring, both the true murderer and corrupt officials protected by a veil of silence – something that, as a society, we are growing ever more conscious of, a discomforting issue that we must tackle again and again if we hope to overcome it.

Drawing on psychological analysis, investigative techniques and historical research, ‘Signs of Murder’ is an engrossing account of the unofficial investigation into a decades-old crime and exploration of how the system and society of the time may have enabled a miscarriage of justice. Reviewing the events and evidence in detail, while always sensitive to the pain caused to the individuals involved, this is gripping true crime and highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in detection, psychology and criminal justice.



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Bookstagram Author Interview

1) When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

I've been writing for as long as I can remember. My best estimate is that I was around five years old, but it may even have been sooner than that when I started committing stories to paper. I have always loved books and reading and wanted to be able to create my own too. So, in a way, it feels as if I've always known I wanted to be a writer and I can't point specifically to when it started. But I haven't stopped since.

2) What do you like most about your book?

I recently launched my new book, "Bitten", on Valentine's Day this year. It's the story of a police officer, Holleigh Ryder, and the pursuit of a vampiric serial murderer who strikes on Valentine's Day. It's an erotic thriller, a police procedural and a horror story entwined into one.

I worked very hard on this book and am very happy with the end result. As for what I like best, I'm not sure. I love vampires and I love police procedurals, erotic thrillers, gothic horror stories - so all these elements either separately or combined may be high on the list.

3) How long does it take you to write a book?

It varies from book to book. I was still in school when I wrote my first novel, which took me about two years to complete. My first novella took me just under a year to write around work, while my second novella took only six months (I was made redundant around that time).

I wrote my short story collection across a period of eighteen months. "Bitten" was already half written by the time I began working on it again just over a year ago, and I took a year to complete it. Both of those books were written around my day job, primarily worked on during evenings and weekends.

I would love to be able to work on writing full time in the future - which will then mean more books (or longer books) for my readers!

4) Where did you get your information ord ideas for books?

I find inspiration in many places. My stories usually start with a scene, a plot element, a character or a theme that begins flourishing in my mind, usually linking with other ideas that have come to me in the same way. I may start taking notes and developing the idea on paper at this stage, or I may just keep it in my mind for the time being and see if it can lead somewhere.

I read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction - books, magazines, articles and more; I also love film, television, music. Perhaps I may hear a song and the lyrics or music spark something or speak of an emotion I want to write about. Or I may overhear a conversation and take one sentence and let my imagination work on it. Many of these things may never reach the page or go beyond something that danced in my mind just for today, but others will link with existing ideas or inspire new ones.

Ultimately, a wide range of fragments coalesce to the point where I feel I have the beginnings of a story that I feel impelled to write.

I usually research the next book's themes in detail before I start, while continuing to research more minor elements throughout writing, often then double-checking details during redrafting. A lot of that research may ultimately have no direct impact on the plot or characters, or some research may only influence a small section - perhaps just a sentence. But I think context and authenticity are both very important to a story. Plus it gives me an excuse to order another pile of books for my non-fiction and reference library!

5) How would you review your book as a reader?

Now, that is a challenging question! I'm sure I would review it in much the same way as I do the books of others - highlighting the things that made the book enjoyable for me (you can subscribe to my Goodreads blog or follow me on Instagram @leeallenauthor for book recommendations).

For "Bitten", I'm sure I would be highlighting the same things as I reader that I like most about the book as its writer, hopefully with one notable addition - that the twists were well-plotted and that there was a shock or surprise or two.

6) What do you do when you are not writing?

I love reading, music, film and television. I have a keen interest in the topics and themes I write about, which makes research fascinating. I believe that's something that is key to writing - if a writer loves what they do, it bleeds into their work, and their readers will feel that enjoyment too.

I also enjoy going to the theatre and cinema, or eating out at a restaurant, at a time when we were able to do those things safely. But I'm frequently a home bird - it's where I feel most relaxed and most productive and my imagination is free to roam in my next book.

7) Have you ever received negative feedback for your book? How did you deal with it?

I actually just recently received my very first negative review. I'll admit I felt pretty disappointed by some of the comments and insinuations included in that particular review. Perhaps what cut the most about it was it felt as if the reviewer wanted to twist the knife, going out of their way to be negative.

But I try not to take it to heart. People don't all enjoy the same things. If you don't enjoy something, then don't read it. I write for the people who do enjoy my work.

On a lighter note, you probably haven't done an erotic horror thriller right if you don't manage to offend someone! Controversy can be as effective as glowing reviews in some ways I suppose.

8) What is the next topic you will choose for another book?

I'm not quite ready to share too much about what I'm currently working on yet.

But what I will say is that it's another horror thriller that will appeal to fans of my previous books "Whispers from the Dead of Night" and "The Jack O'Lantern Men". Something dark and unexplained is lurking in the shadows!

9) Words to all the book readers.

Thank you to everyone who has read my books and to everyone who is planning to pick up my latest book, "Bitten". I hope you will enjoy it!

Interviewed by Karma Book Blog - see the post on Instagram.

Order Bitten from Amazon, Lulu.com, and Barnes & Noble.

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Stephen King's Under the Dome - Review

Under the Dome by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An immersive, thrilling epic from a master of the craft.

It was just an ordinary autumn day when the dome suddenly appeared around the town of Chester’s Mill. Invisible, impenetrable, unbreakable. Dale “Barbie” Barbara, on his way to departing Chester’s Mill, is amongst the first to witness the devastating impact of the dome’s presence, the borders with the neighbouring towns becoming the sites of carnage on both sides of the dome.

This is only the beginning. As the residents begin to realise the full extent of their predicament, the media and military response in the outside world heightens. But, despite the scrutiny, they are isolated and alone. As tensions escalate, some take advantage of the situation for their own ends, while others strive to do what little they can to help. Divisions are setting in and becoming more fraught, threatening not only the stability of the town but also the chances of survival.

For James “Big Jim” Rennie, all of this is just collateral damage as long as he emerges as the town’s saviour. Barbie, local newspaper editor Julia Shumway, and a small group of others, know they are rapidly running out of time. Striving to uncover the mystery of the dome’s existence, their quest becomes a fight for survival against a ticking timebomb of greed, power and corruption.

‘Under the Dome’ is sheer brilliance. It sucks you in from the first page and refuses to let you go until the very last. Bursting at the seams with a large cast of characters, criss-crossing plotting, descriptive detail, action-packed scenes and emotional moments, it has all the ingredients you would want from a sci-fi fantasy thriller, exploring the personal struggles against the canvas of the epic scale of a crisis.

This novel is, first and foremost, a character-driven story. There are many of them to keep track of, the core cast each with their own evolving sub-plots, that soon begin to cross, merge and combine as the dome’s invisible but constant presence proves a catalyst for the best and worst of human behaviour. Trapped, with no chance of escape, the residents of Chester’s Mill are all potential prey to the slow trickle of fear that spreads throughout the town. This is a story of a community under a microscope, exploring the dangers of a culture of fear and deprivation, and the compounding pressures posed by a crisis, characters emerging as either heroes or villains.

Amongst the many themes the novel explores – including the human relationships; resilience in the face of adversity; the abuse and corruption of power – is an awareness of the natural environment and our impact on it, as well as the use and availability of natural resources. Giving the novel a fable-like quality, the dome is the equivalent of a petri dish in a psychological, sociological and environmental study of concepts and issues that are often discussed on a scale that may be difficult to relate to.

Ahead of its crucial and thought-provoking themes, this is, most importantly, a gripping fictional narrative – an epic tale that hurtles relentlessly through every one of its almost nine-hundred pages. Rich in detail and imagery, be prepared to not want to put this book down for many days. Within its pages, you will become one the residents of Chester’s Mill and live this experience alongside them and through each of their stories. Stephen King has mastered many forms of storytelling, the epic amongst them – most notably with ‘The Stand’ – and once again he demonstrates his storytelling ability, the history of what occurred under the dome of Chester’s Mill standing resolutely alongside King’s masterpieces.

Intense and deeply engrossing, ‘Under the Dome’ is a superlative high-concept thriller, an epic with a beating human heart.



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Martina Cole's Broken - Review

Broken by Martina Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gritty, disturbing thriller that follows the hunt for a group of paedophiles and a serial killer.

Kate Burrows is facing the most harrowing case of her career. A young boy abandoned at a building about to be demolished is only the beginning, as more children begin to go missing and meet harm, with evidence suggesting their mothers are culpable in their abandonment.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Patrick Kelly is under intense strain. Despite his assurances that he has gone legitimate, unknown to Kate he is a silent partner in a strip club, where one of the staff is found murdered. It soon becomes clear that another, more ruthless, gang is moving in on his turf.

As the investigation becomes one of child murder, with more children in danger, while she finds herself drawn into an increasingly volatile gangland disagreement, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Uncovering evidence of a highly organised paedophile ring, Kate is determined to bring all those involved to justice, by whatever means necessary.

Martina Cole’s police detective, Kate Burrows, following her investigation into the crimes of the Grantley Ripper in ‘The Ladykiller’, returns to investigate an even more horrific case of serial murder and once again lift the lid on the dark side of the sex industry. Martina Cole is never one to shy away or sugar-coat, her style effortlessly lending itself well to the telling of this emotive story. It covers many angles in stark detail – the mothers (rarely is a father in evidence) who struggle with their own children as they are barely able to look after themselves, this seemingly never-ending cycle of neglect and abuse through the generations; those who try to help and those who exploit, exploring a level of societal responsibility as well as the sheer horror that some of these people are in the care of young children.

In comparison, the predicaments of the gangsters pale and you feel little sympathy for them, though the subplot is, relatively, light relief from the main storyline of the police investigation. It also complements the main plotline from a different perspective – you often hear a lot of justification for pornography and defence for those running the sex industry, yet corruption, exploitation and abuse are never far away, often the dark truth behind its lucrative existence.

Kate is a tough character, uncompromising in her beliefs and steadfastly the moral heart of the story. Here we see her at her most vulnerable. Her relationship with Patrick is touching, their love for each other evident despite their differing experiences and views of the world, and we witness their relationship at both its most challenged and its strongest as the novel develops.

‘Broken’ is an intense read that explores difficult subject matter - including descriptions of abuse inflicted on children - though these subjects are handled respectfully; a detailed exploration of the tragedy of broken lives.

Harrowing and gripping in equal measure, ‘Broken’ is a masterfully plotted police thriller that swims through the murky underworld of organised crime, one that will stay with you long after you finish reading.



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L.B. Stimson's Gaston Hall - Review

Gaston Hall by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A haunting gothic tale of penance and retribution.

Fleeing from the horrors of war and the suffering of horrific assault, Elsie finds herself at Gaston Hall, a home for orphaned and abandoned children, dying in the basement despite the attempts of her rescuer to save her.

As the years go by, Elsie watches over the children of Gaston Hall, helping to sooth their woes and dry their tears where she can. Presided over by the formidable Della Rayburn, Gaston Hall is a harsh home in even harsher times.

But even from beyond the grave, justice is always calling. When even the dead won’t remain silent, there is only so far you can run from your sins. Once this particular song has ended, these may very well be the final days of Gaston Hall.

This novella is a delight for fans of gothic ghost stories. A sweeping tale set across several years, it builds a sense of creeping unease throughout. At its centre is its setting – the vast, haunting edifice of Gaston Hall itself; home to many abandoned and bereaved children, both living and dead; along with a host of other character archetypes that abound in gothic fiction, while each being their own developed characters. Reminiscent of films like ‘The Others’ and gothic novels like ‘Rebecca’, this is an enjoyable first entry in L.B. Stimson’s standalone anthology series ‘Tales from the Parlor Room’.

The ghostly group of children were a particular highlight for me, as solving the mystery of their deaths becomes an obsession for Elsie, building to a tragic, heart-wrenching revelation. I also very much liked the character of Della, who, despite her brittle hard exterior and shades of darkness, nevertheless remains a sympathetic character.

Atmospheric and ghostly, ‘Gaston Hall’ is a short and fast-paced read, perfect for dark nights at the fireside or around the campfire.

N.B.: L.B. Stimson’s second book in this anthology series, ‘The Farmhouse (at Peace and Plenty)’ is out now.



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Louise Candlish's Those People - Review

Those People by Louise Candlish

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gripping domestic thriller that explores an escalating crisis of neighbours from Hell.

Lowland Way might just be the most idyllic neighbourhood in which to live. Beautiful properties and gardens, friendly neighbours, a popular B&B at one end of the street, a weekly initiative to ensure the children are able to play in the street safe from the dangers of traffic; this is the sort of community that seems to have been lost to time.

But all of this tranquility is abruptly disrupted with the arrival of new neighbours Darren and Jodie. Fond of loud heavy-metal music and home improvements, whilst building a collection of ramshackle vehicles to fill the street to begin a potentially illegal used-car business, they make a sour first impression and care little for the community established by their neighbours.

As tensions escalate, a group of neighbours become determined to do whatever it takes to rid themselves of those people. When a tragic accident rocks the street, the general consensus is clear that this was bound to happen. Only, the police suspect malicious intent and are intent to uncover the truth that lurks behind the doors and windows of Lowland Way.

‘Those People’ hinges on a largely universal experience – no doubt, the vast majority of people will encounter the problem of nightmarish neighbours during their lifetime, if not in their own homes, but in the homes of family or friends – thus making the concept immediately relatable from the beginning. The everyday experiences of ordinary people no doubt drive the popular appeal of the domestic thriller and this novel is a fine example of the sub-genre.

Told from the perspective of several of the established group of Lowland Way, this is a twisty thriller that compels you to keep on reading to find out what happens next. The full extent of the central tragedy is slowly revealed throughout each of the character’s narratives. Each of them not entirely reliable narrators, often coming across as a little entitled and at times pompous, they may not be the most endearing group, but this is perfectly juxtaposed with just how dreadful the new neighbours are – loud, obnoxious, selfish and disruptive.

There are moments of black humour throughout as we can also experience with the luxury of being an observer of such a situation; these hilarious moments jutted up against the true tragedy that unfolds as the plot uncoils and culminates in a neat conclusion.

Gripping, fast-paced and humourous, ‘Those People’ is an entertaining read that peels away the veneer of respectable, middle-class neighbourhoods.



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Peter James' Not Dead Enough - Review

Not Dead Enough by Peter James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another gripping investigation for Detective Superintendent Roy Grace.

The discovery of Katie Bishop murdered in her own home launches a new murder inquiry for Grace and his team. Suspicion immediately falls on her husband, Brian Bishop, though it appears he was in London at the time of his wife’s death and couldn’t possibly have committed the crime.

Grace struggles not to feel distracted from the case – he has a new lodger in the form of friend and colleague DS Glenn Branson, suffering marriage difficulties; while an old friend contacts him believing he and his wife have seen Grace’s long-missing wife, Sandy, in Munich. But Grace’s determination to find answers to old questions runs the risk of causing strife in his relationship with Cleo.

When a second woman is murdered, press and public scrutiny builds into a frenzy, with fears that they are witnessing the beginnings of the work of a serial killer. Yet Grace continues to focus his attention on Brian Bishop, convinced he remains the key to unlocking the case. But, with two women dead, the truth may prove to be more sinister than at first believed, the pursuit of which may come at a devastating cost.

The first two books already quickly cemented this series amongst my favourite police procedurals, and Peter James is firing on all cylinders with this third novel – an intricately plotted mystery layered with authentic procedural and forensic detail, multiple strands criss-crossing and coalescing into perfectly-realised revelations, while the ongoing arcs of Grace’s personal relationships continue from the previous novels. The mystery of Sandy’s disappearance goes up a gear; while Grace’s developing courtship with Cleo is a joy to experience, also now facing the challenge of Grace’s ghosts continuing to haunt him.

Gripping from the very first page, the novel builds to a thrilling, action-packed climax, which leaves you breathless for more. Peter James has created a superb detective in Roy Grace, continuing to build on his character in each successive novel as he focuses on a new, independent inquiry. I particularly enjoy the subtle serialised elements – in Grace’s personal relationships and references to previous cases, and Grace’s fascination with the paranormal, all of which will no doubt build to exciting heights as the series continues (though it’s worth noting each book can be read as a standalone). With seventeen novels, and a Quick Reads novella, and counting, there is a lot more to look forward to and I’m already excited to delve into Grace’s next case in ‘Dead Man’s Footsteps’.

An engrossing detective story and intense psychological thriller, ‘Not Dead Enough’ is the work of a master at the top of their game.



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