A Chart Hit, A New Release and A Christmas Preview

It’s a busy time for the STAC Mysteries. The Summer Wedding Murder was released about six weeks ago, and it’s proving one of the most popular in the series so far, maintaining a consistently high ranking on Amazon UK.

The next title in the series, Costa del Murder, is scheduled for release on Friday September 6th, and I confidently expect it to do as well as the other titles. We’re still waiting for a cover image for it, but as soon as it’s available, I’ll put it up here.

In the meantime, the STAC Mysteries are getting their own website. Early plans are with a designer as I write, and more on that as we get nearer to completion.

Nothing get on my nerves more than people yakking on about Christmas in the middle of summer. This year, I’ve decided, if you can’t beat them, join them, and here’s a taster for STAC Mystery #10. Relying on Joe’s usual brand of cynical humour, the working title is The Christmas Party Killing, and we’re aiming to release before Christmas.

Here’s an excerpt from the opening chapter. Called to Ballantyne Distribution where he will be catering for the office party, Joe has already been warned and reported for wandering round the company’s premises without a high-visibility vest or jacket. On entering the building, he meets with security.

***

Pushing his way in through the glass doors, he found himself confronted with a small security station, and two uniformed officers, one male the other female, monitoring CCTV images on a screen. The man stood up and crossed to his counter.

Joe announced himself. “I’m here to see Dave Kane.”

The guard, short but no less rotund than the one on the main gate, looked him up and down. “So you’re the one without a hi-vis vest?”

“Not you, too?” Joe tutted. “I am wearing vest, but it’s under my shirt and it’s plain white, not hi-vis. Right? Now can you show me to Dave Kane’s office?”

The guard took out his pen. “It’s a breach of health and safety regulations, and I’ll have to log it in my book.”

Joe glanced at his watch. “Now listen to me, sunbeam. I have an appointment with Dave Kane at a quarter to three. I’ve already had some little Hitler on the main gate giving me earache, and I’ve had arguments with two of your drivers, so I’m not really in a mood for your nitpicking. Now sign me in and show me to Dave Kane’s office.”

“But it’s a beach of regulations,” insisted the guard.

“I don’t care if it’s a breach of the peace or a breach of the nuclear proliferation treaty or breach of your britches. I am due to meet with Dave Kane.”

“I have to make a note of this.” The guard leaned on his counter. “Name?”

Joe took out his mobile. “I already told you my name. Joe Murray.” He called up the phonebook and dialled Dave Kane’s number.

“Department?” asked the guard.

“What?”

“What department do you work in?”

“I don’t work in any department,” Joe said, and his call was answered he spoke into his phone. “Dave? It’s Joe. Joe Murray. I’m at the entrance to the sort centre, and some muppet here is trying to get me fired.”

At the other end of the call, Dave Kane laughed. “Have you told him you don’t work here?”

“I have, but I might as well take out an advert in the Sanford Gazette for all the notice he’s taking.”

“I’ll be right down, Joe.”

Joe cut the connection and concentrated on the guard. “Dave is on his way.”

Poring over his incident report, the guard scratched his head. “It says here, I have to log your department, but if you don’t work here, how can I?”

“You seriously think I should give a toss?”

The guard turned away from Joe. “Sandra, this form’s all wrong. It’s only for employees. Don’t we have one for visitors?”

Sandra, who between periods of watching the CCTV, had her nose buried in a magazine on hair care, shrugged. “Dunno.” She did not stop reading to reply.

Using his pen, the guard dug out a chunk of earwax and aimed it at the waste bin. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to about this.”

“See your doctor. He’ll syringe your ears,” Joe suggested.

***

The Christmas Party Killing, STAC Mystery #10 is expected to be released in late November/early December 2013.

Costa del Murder, STAC Mystery #9 will be published by Crooked Cat Books on Friday, September 6th 2013 and will be available as a paperback and e-book download.