The Awkward Squad
A Readers' Group by Michael Campling
Hello
“Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.”
― A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Anticipation can be a glorious thing, but I think A. A. Milne artfully points out the sense of poignancy that comes alongside anticipated events.
I'd been looking forward to finishing my last book, Lawful Duty, and now that it's out in the world (more on that below), it's crunch time. Will people like it? Will they enjoy it enough to tell their friends and family? Or will it flop?
Time will tell.
And then there's the anticipation of my next project. It's exciting to start out on a new venture, but the anticipation must soon give way to industry. Otherwise I'd be one of those writers with a crate full of unfinished manuscripts under the bed and nothing more.
I do love to start a new book, but the road to a completed novel can be a tricky one to navigate. I'm not much of a planner or an outliner, so when I'm typing away, it's as if my fingers set problems for my mind to solve.
In those moments when I'm stuck, I usually take a step back and do something else. When our Labrador Lottie was still with us, walks with her were a good way to untangle the threads of a plot. These days, I find a run frees the mind.
One way or another, the story will come to life. One word at a time.
In the meantime, read on for the featured photos and a snippet from Lawful Duty. But first, here are some words of thanks:
Cheers!
A heartfelt thank you to these lovely people who have sent me a mug of tea. I'm raising a mug of Darjeeling in honour of these recent supporters:
Heather, Lesley and John
plus regular supporter: Lara.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
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Featured Photos
DC Spiller’s books, The Devonshire Crime Thrillers, and Dan and Alan’s adventures in The Devonshire Mysteries are all almost all set in the local area, and I sometimes like to scout out locations.
In Exeter the other day, I was thinking about the grittier world of DC Spiller and decided to look for the seamier side of the city.
Heavily bombed in WWII (as you’ll know if you’ve read Accomplice to Murder) Exeter is a city of contrasts. Beautiful old buildings and picturesque streets of small shops are surrounded by hastily built, and rather boxy, concrete and brick buildings.
As we walked through the area known as Sidwell, I thought back to Dan and Alan’s first story in A Study in Stone. The area and the legend of Saint Sidwell figured in the story, and I thought how great it would be to capture a picture of the woman herself.
I looked up and there she was, portrayed on the side of a building.
The above are taken from a larger collection on my website, and the images there are larger, so they're worth a look.
Snippet
The First Devonshire Crime Thriller:
Lawful Duty
Set in the 1990s, this book features a much younger Tim Spiller, the detective from the Devonshire Mysteries.
I hope this snippet will whet your appetite.
Excerpt From Chapter 2
1992
With an effort, Lynsey opened her eyes. The blindfold was tight, the fabric pressing hard against her skin, its edges digging into her cheeks and forehead. It flattened her nose and made breathing difficult, so she opened her mouth and gasped for air.
Lynsey tried to free her arms, but the ropes had left her wrists and ankles raw, and struggling only made the pain worse. She was tied to some kind of bed, and she could hardly move a muscle.
She thought of calling for help, but she’d tried that before, and he’d pushed her down and threatened to cut her throat. His voice had been little more than a whisper: a low, guttural growl intended to frighten her. Lynsey had tried not to react, but it hadn’t been easy. The man’s sinister, soft voice had sent a shudder of revulsion through her whole body. She’d been tempted to provoke him, to make him shout and yell. Anything would’ve been better than his insidious whispers. But she hadn’t dared. She’d heard the anticipation in his voice. He hadn’t been making idle threats; he wanted to cut her throat.
Lynsey almost wept, but she’d run out of tears some time ago. She had to make herself strong and focus on surviving. It was the only way she was going to come out of this alive.
--
To read a longer snippet, please visit my site.
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When you preorder, you get the ebook as soon as it is released on April 26.
Alternatively, skip the wait and buy it from my new store:
The paperback is available on Amazon now
amazon.com/Lawful-Duty-Devonshire-Thriller-Mysteries/dp/1915507146
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What's Next?
While working on the next Devonshire Mystery, I'll be tinkering with my new store. I'd like to offer signed copies, and I'm also looking at creating hardbacked books and special editions.
Dan and Alan's next adventure will, I hope, be taking them back to basics, so it won't be as long as A Must-Have Murder. I'm proud of that book, but it is something of an epic.
Whatever the future holds for that unlikely pair of friends, there'll come a day when I get to type the last sentence of the story. Then I'll sit back with a smile, and I'll think about treating myself to a celebratory beverage.
I'm rather looking forward to it.
All the best.
Until next time, happy reading and take care.
Mikey C
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