Character interview: DS Coupland talks to his author Emma Salisbury
I’m thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Absent by Emma Salisbury today.
DS Coupland from Salford Precinct station stepped out of the pages of the new book to have a chat with his author:
‘Hey Coup, what’ve you been up to?’
‘Never mind that, mine’s a pint.’
I signal to the bartender to bring another one over and a brandy and lemonade for me. Coupland rolls his eyes. ‘Since when did you turn into a big girl’s blouse?’
‘I can’t do the hard stuff straight anymore, makes me see double.’
‘So that’s where I’ve been going wrong all these years,’ he observes, gulping down the dregs in his glass as the bartender replaces our drinks, ‘and to think I’ve been blaming it on the cheap underpants Lynn buys me off her mate at work.’
‘So what have you got planned for Saturday?’ I ask, already guessing his answer.
‘Bugger all,’ he grins, ‘watching the footy on the box,’
‘And Lynn?’
‘She can watch it if she wants, as long as she doesn’t keep asking me bloody questions. Last time she watched United play Ryan Giggs had just been signed, she’ll want a running commentary on who’s playing for them now.’
‘Surely she’ll be too busy watching repeats of the wedding,’ I laugh.
‘Let’s hope so,’ he harrumphs, ‘She’s off buying enough prosecco for half a dozen nurses coming round after their shift. Told her Tesco’s stock isn’t big enough. She’s picking me up on the way home.’
‘Sounds like you’ll be outnumbered.’
Coupland shakes his head. ‘Nah, thought I’d treat the cup final as a team building exercise. Ashcroft, Turnbull and Robinson are coming over. Turnbull’s got a real girlfriend this time, one that’s not inflatable; she’s going to be the taxi.’
‘What about Krispy?’
‘Depends on whether his mam’ll let him out.’
‘And Alex?’
Coupland screwed up his face, ‘You should have heard what she said when I suggested this could be an away day. Says she’d rather spend the day elbow deep in nappies.’
‘Maybe she’s got a point.’
‘Charmed, I’m sure.’ Coupland says. ‘And you?’
‘It’s publication day,’ I remind him.
His face lights up. ‘I knew I’d put a knot in the DCI’s tie for a reason,’ he says, raising his hand to get the eye of the guy behind the bar, ‘Worthy of another tipple, if you ask me.’ He looks at me with a gleam in his eye, ‘How about I push the boat out and get us pork scratchings?’ he smiles.
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About the book
The worst things happen in plain sight.
When he stopped a serial killer in his tracks earlier in the year he thought that would be the end of it, but for DS Kevin Coupland his nightmare has just begun.
A child’s body is discovered hidden in a bag, kicking off a major investigation for Salford Precinct’s murder squad. Soon the National Crime Agency roll into town and Coupland is under strict instructions to play nice.
He’s got enough on his plate to worry about politics. A shock discovery in his personal life is starting to take its toll, causing him to make decisions that bring him to the attention of the powers that be for all the wrong reasons.
DS Alex Moreton returns from maternity leave to find her partner deeply troubled, but with a cold case to review she’s in no position to prevent him hitting the self-destruct button.
As he hunts down the child’s killer Coupland is forced to reflect upon his own life and find an answer to the question he’s been avoiding. Is it possible to accept the things you cannot change?
If this has made you want to read the book, it’s available in paperback £7.99 or ebook £1.99 here
[image error] About the author
Emma Salisbury writes gritty crime fiction that focuses on the ‘why’dunnit as well as the ‘who’. She’s worked for a housing association supporting ex-offenders into work which provided her with a lot of inspiration. Her novels have regularly been in the top ten Hardboiled chart and she’s been awarded an Amazon All-Star bonus for being one of their most read authors.
For more information – including author interviews and excerpts follow the blog tour
