Veronica Heley and Free Books!

Some bored wives play a game of Murder, leading to a husband dying in the way one of the women had suggested . . . and in consequence they’re all thrown out of house and home!

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free e-copy of the spec-fiction novel, The Awakened, by Richard Spillman, is:

psalm103and138@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Veronica Heley, author of  Murder by Suggestion  (Severn House, June 2018), a story of "crime in the community – with a light touch."

Veronica Heley celebrated the publication of this, her 81st book, in June 2018. She is currently writing two gentle crime series, the Ellie Quicke Mysteries and the Abbot Agency stories, and every now and then contributes a short story about some retired friends to the Methodist Recorder.

She tries but doesn’t always succeed in keeping up with the newest technology, even with help from her friends. She is active in her local church and community affairs, likes to break off work for coffee with friends, and gardens when she can.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

I play Patience with real cards whenever I get stuck in my stories.

Despite having had a British mum, I had to look up that card game, Veronica! It looks like Patience is the same as our Solitaire. I've become somewhat addicted to the electronic version of the game on my phone. I play a few hands every night before I go to bed.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Murder by Suggestion.

Ellie Quicke is shocked when her daughter, Diana, turns up at her door with suitcases in tow. Bunny Brewster has died of an overdose and Diana’s husband, Evan, is convinced that she is responsible for his friend’s death. It seems that Diana and four other neglected, bored wives of Evan’s friends recently joked about ways to kill their husbands. Diana’s suggested method of murder involved muddling up pills – could this be how Bunny died, or was it just a tragic accident?

Chaos rules when the rest of the wives descend on Ellie, but a further distressing development confirms Ellie’s instinct that there’s more to this than meets the eye. With the safety of her nearest and dearest at risk, can Ellie work out who is responsible, and why?

I know we've featured Ellie here many times, but what would you say it is about Ellie that makes your readers care about her?

Ellie cares about people. She has no great opinion of herself, but has the knack of drawing others out.

Write one sentence for us that tells us something about Ellie as a child. 

She was taught as a child that a woman’s place was in the home and her job in life was to look after her family.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend? 

I love Anne Tyler’s books, and the latest, Clock Dance [image error], is no exception. It is beautifully written. It is not about anyone globally important, it thumps no tubs, but it enters into the life of a woman who has been given a second chance at having a useful life . . . and may or may not be able to take it. We understand the heroine completely, and identify with her. It is delightful, and sad, and glad . . . and I look forward to Tyler’s next book.

I couldn't agree more with you about Tyler's writing in general, Veronica. I've loved every book of hers that I've read. They're never about anyone who is, as you say, globally important, but they're always so realistic and intriguing, which is the reason I think many of us identify with her heroines.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on another Ellie Quicke story, called Murder for Good. Also I have to think up another short story about my retired friends for Christmas.

Where else can readers find you online?

My website is www.veronicaheley.com

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



What question would you like to ask my readers?

The story I’m working on now is the twentieth featuring Ellie Quicke. Should she not be thinking of retirement?

Thank you, Veronica, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Veronica has offered to give away free e-copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Veronica's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

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