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Kate Redman Mysteries #8.6
Valentine
A Kate Redman Mystery Novella
A respectable, middle-aged housewife. An ambitious young lawyer. A student burlesque dancer. Three women with nothing in common – except for the fact that someone has sent them a macabre Valentine’s Day gift; a pig’s heart pierced by an arrow.
Is this a case of serious harm intended? Or just a malicious prank? Detective Inspector Olbeck thinks there might be something more sinister behind it but his colleague Detective Sergeant Kate Redman is too busy mourning the departure of her partner Tin to New York to worry too much about the case. Until one of the women receives a death threat…
Valentine is a novella in the best-selling Kate Redman Mystery series by crime writer Celina Grace.
A respectable, middle-aged housewife. An ambitious young lawyer. A student burlesque dancer. Three women with nothing in common – except for the fact that someone has sent them a macabre Valentine’s Day gift; a pig’s heart pierced by an arrow.
Is this a case of serious harm intended? Or just a malicious prank? Detective Inspector Olbeck thinks there might be something more sinister behind it but his colleague Detective Sergeant Kate Redman is too busy mourning the departure of her partner Tin to New York to worry too much about the case. Until one of the women receives a death threat…
Valentine is a novella in the best-selling Kate Redman Mystery series by crime writer Celina Grace.
- GenresMystery ThrillerMystery
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2016
91 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Celina Grace
62 books454 followersI’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 31, 2016
A perfectly proportioned bite size addition to the Kate Redman series! I adore this series and really look forward to each instalment when it comes out.
This is a novella that is the perfect length for a train journey or an afternoon with tea and cake! In time for Valentine's day, Celina has given us a story of 3 women who wake up one morning to find pig hearts have been left on their doorsteps and its up to Kate and her team to work out who and why before the person escalates to something worse. Kate is on her own at the moment due to Tin being in New York so she has the time to give this investigation her all.
I loved the topical storyline and the twists and turns of the plot. Beautifully written as always bringing us a character we love despite her flaws.
I received a copy of this book from the author herself in return for an honest review. Many thanks!
This is a novella that is the perfect length for a train journey or an afternoon with tea and cake! In time for Valentine's day, Celina has given us a story of 3 women who wake up one morning to find pig hearts have been left on their doorsteps and its up to Kate and her team to work out who and why before the person escalates to something worse. Kate is on her own at the moment due to Tin being in New York so she has the time to give this investigation her all.
I loved the topical storyline and the twists and turns of the plot. Beautifully written as always bringing us a character we love despite her flaws.
I received a copy of this book from the author herself in return for an honest review. Many thanks!
January 30, 2016
Another crime for Kate Redman and her team to solve. It was lovely catching up with all the characters once more in this novella and as usual kept me guessing right to the end.
May 18, 2018
This is a novella which apparently follows book # 8 in the Kate Redman mystery series. However, it could be read at any point, except for the references to Kate's boyfriend Tin, who didn't appear until book 6. Three women receive a pig's heart stabbed with an arrow on Valentine's day. The police are not sure if it is just a prank or if something is badly wrong. When one woman's cat is killed and she later receives a death threat, Kate begins looking into the matter seriously, although she is distracted by the fact that her boyfriend has left for New York (that part got a little tiresome.)
February 12, 2024
Valentine: (A Kate Redman Mystery Novella), my first read from author Celina Grace. An 82-page thriller, part of the 14 book Detective Kate Redman series. “I received a free a free Kindle copy and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I own 16 of this author's works in this series and look forward to reading more. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 15, 2021
I adore the Kate Redman books and really liked this novella, Valentine. The writing is tight, the action is appropriately paced and it fits in the narrative of the complete series but can certainly be read and enjoyed on its own. Ms Grace is masterful at her craft and produces a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thanks go to the author for this novella to read and review.
May 2, 2018
I just preordered mystery #11 in the Kate Redmond series and realized there was one I had overlooked, i.e., this novella, #8.6. How delightful to find myself back with these characters and learn a bit more about them while reading a satisfying mystery. I love this series and can't wait for #11!
February 15, 2024
Avid Reader
This was a bittersweet story of a damaged young woman who requires attention, no matter who she hurts, but Kate Redman got to the bottom of the mystery. The fact that a cat was involved seemed to make her work harder.
This was a bittersweet story of a damaged young woman who requires attention, no matter who she hurts, but Kate Redman got to the bottom of the mystery. The fact that a cat was involved seemed to make her work harder.
February 25, 2024
Very interesting novella
Such a great addition to this series. I love these characters and the way the story flows. This may be a short book, but it is jam packed with a really great story.
Such a great addition to this series. I love these characters and the way the story flows. This may be a short book, but it is jam packed with a really great story.
January 6, 2018
An intriguing Kate Redman mystery.
October 7, 2018
This is not a review. I’m just trying to remind myself that I don’t want to read more of this series
August 31, 2020
Although only a novella, it slotted nicely between the other books in the series and added well to the underlying story.
February 14, 2021
Goog short story
This is a good short story from the Kate Redman series. And it's one that clearly highlights that things are not always what they seem.
This is a good short story from the Kate Redman series. And it's one that clearly highlights that things are not always what they seem.
February 16, 2021
Good mystery
Easy and interesting read . Definitely left you guessing until the end ,which was a little bit of a let down .Overall it was a good book.
Easy and interesting read . Definitely left you guessing until the end ,which was a little bit of a let down .Overall it was a good book.
February 14, 2024
Kate may get side-lined but she always finds her way back and then look out world. Wonderful story, interesting characters. Enjoy this read, I know I did. Highly Recommended.
February 15, 2024
always a good read
January 28, 2016
I enjoyed Celina Grace's Valentine, which is a Kate Redman Mystery Novella.
I especially enjoy this book, because it's an easy and fast read. It took about 2 hours from beginning to end. One reason I liked the book, is it's not got tons of description of what people wear, or drive, or eat or drink, on every other page.. Ms Grace just jumps in and tells an interesting story. She's given the story some twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end.
This is a story about a female police officer in London, by the name of Kate Redman. Kate is given what seems like an unimportant mystery to solve. Three women have received a pigs heart with an arrow through it. Her fellow officers think it's just a prank. But as Kate does her research, she discovers that a poor guy who signed up on a dating website, using someone else's photo, had sent the three women the pigs hearts, because when the women went to meet him, they'd discovered they'd been duped and left without meeting him.
Then Kate discovers that the younger of the three women is lying about her cat being killed, about a death threat she says she got. Iit takes Kate a while to discover why. But being a woman (and a good officer), she leaves no stone unturned and at the last minute figures out that the girl who insists she's been raped, is trying to frame a guy she had a short affair with.
Read the story and discover for yourself why KiKi Dee is lying, and what a great writer Celina Grace is. She keeps you interested from the beginning to the end.
I especially enjoy this book, because it's an easy and fast read. It took about 2 hours from beginning to end. One reason I liked the book, is it's not got tons of description of what people wear, or drive, or eat or drink, on every other page.. Ms Grace just jumps in and tells an interesting story. She's given the story some twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end.
This is a story about a female police officer in London, by the name of Kate Redman. Kate is given what seems like an unimportant mystery to solve. Three women have received a pigs heart with an arrow through it. Her fellow officers think it's just a prank. But as Kate does her research, she discovers that a poor guy who signed up on a dating website, using someone else's photo, had sent the three women the pigs hearts, because when the women went to meet him, they'd discovered they'd been duped and left without meeting him.
Then Kate discovers that the younger of the three women is lying about her cat being killed, about a death threat she says she got. Iit takes Kate a while to discover why. But being a woman (and a good officer), she leaves no stone unturned and at the last minute figures out that the girl who insists she's been raped, is trying to frame a guy she had a short affair with.
Read the story and discover for yourself why KiKi Dee is lying, and what a great writer Celina Grace is. She keeps you interested from the beginning to the end.
February 14, 2016
Somehow, I think I enjoy these Kate Redman shorts/novellas even more than the novels; I always wonder how Celina Grace manages to cram a crime, an investigation and a fitting conclusion into so few pages so succinctly, but seemingly without losing any of the impact or detail of her longer works. I have a hankering suspicion it might be because they feature characters we're all now familiar with an love, but who knows.
A great little gruesome insert in time for Valentine's day. A good few twists and turns to keep one guessing, and a great conclusion.
Still hanging on in there to see what Kate decides to do about Tin and the potential American adventure though! Well done keeping us hanging there, Ms Grace!!
A great little gruesome insert in time for Valentine's day. A good few twists and turns to keep one guessing, and a great conclusion.
Still hanging on in there to see what Kate decides to do about Tin and the potential American adventure though! Well done keeping us hanging there, Ms Grace!!
February 23, 2016
I have enjoyed all the Kate Redman novels and this novella proved to be just as good as her other books. I like Kate Redman and the team she works with and feel like if I walked into a room where they were, I could probably point them out, pull up a chair and have a chat with them.
Typically I don't quite know whodunit until I reach the end of the book and this time I wasn't quite as surprised with the ending, but the book was a very good read and while short, quite worth my time. It was nice to have a book to read before the next Kate Redman is published.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review, but it wouldn't make a difference whether I'd paid for this or not, I just full on enjoy the Kate Redman novels.
Typically I don't quite know whodunit until I reach the end of the book and this time I wasn't quite as surprised with the ending, but the book was a very good read and while short, quite worth my time. It was nice to have a book to read before the next Kate Redman is published.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review, but it wouldn't make a difference whether I'd paid for this or not, I just full on enjoy the Kate Redman novels.
February 2, 2016
Great story, Kate Redman has another mystery to solve. One that seems to be about Valentine gifts. At first, this didn't appear to be a case for the police. As the story moves and one of the women's case accelerates into a case for Kate to become involved. This story is fast paced and Kate appears to be onto the motive. Then a surprising ending, not one I saw coming.
I really like this book, Celina Grace does an excellent job keeping her books interesting.
I have read several of her books and will continue to read more.
I really like this book, Celina Grace does an excellent job keeping her books interesting.
I have read several of her books and will continue to read more.
January 31, 2016
A nice quick read. This is great for those who love the Kate Redmond series, or it can just be read as a standalone. I really recommend the whole series to get to know the recurring characters, but you could read this on its own. The detectives investigate what seems to be an unrelated harmless prank. It is intriguing as they track down the connections and what really happened.
February 1, 2016
Great short story to add to a fantastic series. DI Kate Redman is back, after seeing her boyfriend off to the USA Kate dives back into work to distract herself. The case she begins working on with Olbeck and Theo doesn't seem to be much of a case in the beginning but becomes a mystery that Kate finally puts together.
October 5, 2018
Three women are left real hearts on their doorsteps, what is the connection between these 3 different women. Then it becomes more serious when a death threat is found.
An enjoyable well-written, re-read of this novella as I continue reading/re-reading this Sergeant Kate Redman series
An enjoyable well-written, re-read of this novella as I continue reading/re-reading this Sergeant Kate Redman series
January 29, 2016
Love me some DS Kate. What a great little novella to hold us over in the series. Had a great case to solve. My only wish was I was hoping we find out more about Kate and Tin. Guess we will have to keep reading!
January 30, 2016
I love Celina's stories & this novella was no different. Beautiful quick read about my favourite detective Kate Redmond & well written as always with not a superfluous word in sight.
It was a perfect morsel to sit down with have a cup of tea.
It was a perfect morsel to sit down with have a cup of tea.
January 29, 2016
Celina Grace is a great storyteller. I love the Kate Redmond series.
January 30, 2016
Too short but great read
I really enjoyed reading this book and as usual it has unexpected turns. I would definitely recommend it. Bought it so I can reread it to my heart delite.
I really enjoyed reading this book and as usual it has unexpected turns. I would definitely recommend it. Bought it so I can reread it to my heart delite.
January 28, 2016
Enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews