WINNER and Runner-Up of the Mystery Thriller 2015 Book Award

The 2015 Mystery Thriller Golden Rose Book award went to

Rose Edmunds and her book Concealment

Meet Rose

Rose Edmunds lives in Brighton with her husband David. She gained a degree in mathematics at the University of Sussex and a PhD from Cardiff University, before qualifying as a chartered accountant and embarking on a successful career advising entrepreneurial businesses together with their owners. In 2007, after more than 20 years working for leading accountancy firms, she jumped off the corporate hamster wheel and now writes financial thrillers with a strong ethical theme. Her writing draws heavily on her considerable insight into the business world and in particular the uncomfortable conflict between individual and corporate objectives. Rose is also a trustee of Brightside, a charity helping young people to access career and education opportunities they might not have believed were available to them.

Catch up with Rose on Twitter @RoseEdmunds

Book Description

Amy is at the top of her game as a finance professional despite a traumatic childhood. But the higher she climbs, the greater her fear of falling.
Her new boss Ed sniffs out insecurity like a shark smelling blood. He’s trashed dozens of careers on a whim and has Amy lined up as his next victim.
When a young colleague is murdered, Amy’s fragile equilibrium is shattered. A client’s fraud may be linked to the killing, but no one seems to care.
Caught in a tangle of business and personal connections, and fighting for her sanity, can Amy find the moral courage to uncover the truth?

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The Silver Award went to

Robert Leigh and his book Any Man Joe

Meet Robert

After bartending his way around Spain and the West End of London, Robert Leigh returned to his home city of Liverpool and began writing. Leigh’s works include The Retribution Trilogy (third book currently in production) and From Lime Street to Yirgacheffe (a true story, of sorts…).

Find Robert on Twitter @ScreamingMagpie

Book Description

Before Shaun, there was Joe.
DI Edwards was called to the scene of a shooting. Four of the deceased were well known to him. The fifth man remained a mystery.
Until he woke up.
His name was Joe, a misfit shelf stacker living on the Forest Estate. As the investigation continues, DI Edwards finds himself being drawn deeper into Joe’s world of vigilante revenge. But will the truth of Joe’s actions ever fully be revealed?

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Final congratulations to all the Mystery thriller nominees.

Geoffrey West and The Jack Lockwood Diaries

Noelle Granger with Death In A Dacron Sail

Rob Sinclair with Rise Of The Enemy

Faith Mortimer with A Deadly Learning

 

 

 

The #MysteryNovember Book Tour Day 20 Geoffrey West @GeoffreyDWest #FREE download

Its Day 20 on the #MysteryNovember Book Tour.

Our Guest today is Geoff West and his book Sheer Fear

What happens when your brother is framed for murder, then dies himself? Just before he dies, David Hart tells his half-brother, Jack Lockwood, about the conspiracy to protect a famous public figure from allegations of historic child abuse by killing the (now adult) accusers and framing him for the murders.

Jack has to prod a hornets’ nest to get results, alienating some very important people. How can he find justice for his brother and avoid being killed himself?

At the same time, Jack has an unknown enemy who is playing vicious tricks on him, each one deadlier than the last.

Jack’s investigations take him to Copenhagen, Rome and Paris, where he’s nearly killed in a shootout on the funicular railway leading to Sacré Coeur.

And the closer he get to the truth the more dangerous it gets.

Where is your home town?

Coulsdon in Surrey, near to London, England.

What do you like about writing in the mystery genre?

I enjoy putting a ‘man in a mess’ and seeing him get out of it, whether the ‘mess’ is personal problems, helping out with someone else’s difficulties, or trying to do a job which runs into unexpected troubles. I like mysteries, and I like characters you can warm to, or alternatively thoroughly dislike. And I like solving puzzles, and delving into recent history for real life happenings against which to set plots.

What sub-genre of mystery does your book fit?

Detective/English.

Where is your book set?

All the Jack Lockwood mysteries are set around Canterbury, the famous cathedral town of Kent. But in Sheer Fear, Jack also goes to Rome, Copenhagen and Paris in the course of his investigations.

 

Can you introduce us to the main characters?

Jack Lockwood is a Behavioural Investigative Advisor to the police, also a writer of true-crime books. He has a soft spot for people in trouble, and tends to think the best of people. But he is tough enough to deal with the worst kinds of bad guy, or gal, when it’s necessary.

Where can readers find out more about you?

At my website www.geoffreydavidwest.com

Twitter @GeoffreyDWest

And my blogs www.jacklockwood.wordpress.com where there are regular short stories about Jack

And www.jamiedark.wordpress.com a new blog about my new character Jamie Dark, psychic investigator and architect, also with short stories about his life.

Where can readers find your book?

Sheer Fear is now free to download for 5 days, starting today!

viewBook.at/She

 

 

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT The Jack Lockwood Diaries by @GeoffreyDWest #wwwblogs

Today we have a review from team member Karen, she blogs at https://mytrainofthoughtson.wordpress.com/

Karen chose to read and review The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoffrey West

My Opinion

This awesome short story collection featuring Jack Lockwood is the 4th book in the Jack Lockwood Mysteries series; volumes 1-3 are full novels.

With The Jack Lockwood Diaries, Geoffrey David West has created an excellent short story collection featuring Jack Lockwood. You get to know Jack Lockwood a little, just by seeing his approach on different occasions and often rather unusual events. The Jack Lockwood Diaries is a fast and gripping read with really short and intriguing stories, realistic characters and some surprising twists. Geoffrey David West provides an insight into the life of Jack Lockwood, takes the readers on his journey. I was drawn into the stories right from the start, feeling like an invisible friend. The stories are categorised as 1. Supernatural (eight stories), 2. Adventures/Mystery (eight stories), 3. Humour/Surprises/Twists (six stories). The Jack Lockwood Diaries is a great read for short story fans appreciating the paranormal and suspense.

I had such a great time reading – I already added Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (Jack Lockwood Mystery, #1), Doppelganger (Jack Lockwood Mystery, #2) and Sheer Fear (Jack Lockwood Mystery, #3) to my TBR list.

Highly recommended!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT The Jack Lockwood Diaries by @GeoffreyDWest #SundayBlogShare

Today’s team review comes from Cathy, she blogs at http://betweenthelinesbookblog.wordpress.com

Cathy chose to read and review The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoffrey West

A collection of short stories featuring Jack Lockwood, a Behavioural Investigative Advisor to the police. I haven’t yet read the full length novels which precede this collection but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment and I was able to get a real sense of Jack’s personality. He’s a good friend to have, trustworthy and reliable, especially in difficult situations and is well able to take care of himself.

The first batch of stories have a paranormal theme, one of my favourite topics. Cutting Your Losses, in which Jack is rescued from a precarious predicament by his friend. ‘Bloody, bloody fool! Why had I risked going so near to the roof’s edge?’ And Crash where a doctor shows Jack how to help some of the other victims. ‘Shortly after we’d got moving there was an incredibly loud bang and a splintering, tearing sound.’

Then we have several adventure/mystery stories which consists of, among others, The Confession about the man who confesses to past crimes when he believes he’s about to die. ‘It’s a bomb, yes. I’m sure it is. A wartime bomb.’ And The Waxed Jacket which shows appearances can be misunderstood and very deceptive. ‘Instinct made me put my hand in and take out the chunky brown envelope, and to slip open the unsealed flap, to see a thick wad of twenty pound notes.’

The Uncashed Cheque and The Ghost of Peter Cushing are two of my favourite stories showing what a very handy and thoughtful friend Jack can be.

The third and final section is Humour/Surprises/Twists which includes The Secret, showing how gossip can get totally out of hand with the potential to ruin someone’s life. ‘Would you believe it of a vicar? Long dark hair she had, short skirt, too much make up, and driving his car into the vicarage drive at two in the morning!’ And The Foursome where Jack’s motto should be ‘be careful what you wish for.’ He gets much more than he bargained for. ‘Susanne had long dark hair, a wonderful figure, sensational smile and an intelligent lively face,’

For such short pieces each of the stories are set up well, descriptively and visually, and each has a twist at the end. They are peopled by believable, sometimes humorous, characters and situations and are easy to get drawn into. I like Jack as a protagonist and have the first two full length novels waiting on my kindle. If I didn’t already have them I would be heading over to Amazon after reading the excerpts at the end of this collection.
4 out of 5 stars

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book review Team #RBRT Georgia Reviews The Jack Lockwood Diaries by @GeoffreyDWest

Today’s review comes from team member Georgia, she blogs at http://www.georgiarosebooks.com

Georgia chose to read and review The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoff West

Review of The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoffrey West

 

Having already read ‘Rock’n’Roll Suicide’ and ‘Doppelganger’ I am a firm Jack Lockwood fan and was delighted to see West release a book of short stories which all feature this favourite character of mine.

Jack is the mate everyone needs to have in their life, honest and dependable he’s always willing to help out a friend and as well as being able to take care of himself when faced with any kind of trouble he is good company and the type of guy you’d want to go for a drink with. There are 22 short stories in this collection which range from humorous tales with a twist to spooky supernatural stories when leave you with much to think about.

I was going to single out some favourites in this review but every time I picked out one to mention another popped into my mind and I decided I’d end up talking about them all and this would go on forever. Suffice to say this is an excellent introduction to this authors work packed full of all good things, strong writing and wonderful imagination.

There are also extracts for a couple of West’s novels at the back and in these West gets to torment Lockwood by putting him in all sorts of precarious situations but on a much grander scale than can be achieved in a short story and all for our enjoyment!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Terry Reviews The Jack Lockwood Diaries by @GeoffreyDWest

Today we have a review from team member Terry, she blogs at http://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

Terry has been reading The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoff West

The Jack Lockwood Diaries by Geoff West

4 out of 5 stars

Twenty-two stories from Geoff West’s jolly nice, slightly bumbling and Jonathan Creek-esque hero, Jack Lockwood, all set in a village near Canterbury in Kent.

When you start reading something by Geoff West you know it will be intelligently written and well edited with some clever turns of phrase, with no sentences that make you think ‘ouch!’ – and that’s always a good starting point.

The first few in this collection are ghost stories, followed by crime/mystery and finishing up with a few of a lighter type. I thought the crime/mystery ones were the most well put together, and by far the best is Leaving It All Behind, which I thought could have been very nicely developed into at least novelette length. The author is very good at creating atmosphere, so much that I actually wouldn’t have minded being holed up in that little country pub during the snow storm…. his characters are very clearly defined, sometimes in an almost pantomime like way, but this is all in keeping with the whole Jack Lockwood scenario of not too serious crime solving in an idyllic part of England that comes straight from a BBC Sunday evening drama.

Some stories I felt could have been developed more; they were more situations than proper stories, and I’d turn the page thinking there was more to come only to find the beginning of the next one, but the writing was still entertaining and on the whole I’d say that if you’re a short story fan of these genres, reading The Jack Lockwood Diaries is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

The book ends with the first chapter of Geoff West’s latest novel, Sheer Fear – a better opening for a crime drama you couldn’t find!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

February editions of Magazines I review books for are now delivered and on-line

February 1st and the latest editions of the local magazines I wrote book reviews for have now been delivered locally and are also on-line.

This month’s books featured in Fleet Life are;

After The Evil by Cary Allen Stone

Marlin Darlin’ by Margarette Langstaffe

Deceived by L.A Starkey

Secrets Of The Heart by Adrienne Vaughan

and Dreaming Of Love by Melissa Foster

Go to http://www.fleetlife.org.uk, click on the online directory and turn to page 6

Books featured in the February issue of Elvetham Heath Directory are;

The Parrot Told Me by Rachael Rawlings

Hawk’s Gift by Mary Forbes

Sheer Fear by Geoffrey West

Stories For Feelings  For Children by Hilary Hawkes

Stable Mates by Zara Stonely

Go to http://www.ehd.org.uk, click on the online directory and turn to page 6

Sheer Fear by Geoffrey West

Sheer Fear by Geoffrey David West

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sheer Fear is a Jack Lockwood mystery. A very British police themed storyline which has a host of characters who all have a connection. We meet Jack high up on a crane attempting to stop a man committing suicide. David Hart is a wanted man for murder and rape, but Jack believes he’s been set up and vows to do all he can to prove his innocence.

Ex-police office Stephen Romsey contacts Jack with details which could help him prove David’s innocence, but he also opens up a whole new can of worms. Meanwhile Jack’s girlfriend Mary Doyle has gone missing and Jack finds a trail of danger follows him where ever he goes. High end criminals, politician scandals and a mad woman all play their part in this mystery which covers both topical issues and unsolved ones.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Good Deeds Challenge, Year 2 Week 35

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I am into my second year.

This week I’ve been doing the following;

December 14th – Big push today to get some more reviews for books on the review team list. I’m reading After The Evil by Cary Allen Stone.

December 15th – No school this morning as it was dress rehearsal for the school nativity play. Instead went to see a friend and took cakes.

December 16th – A lovely sunny day, walked into town and picked up litter on my way home.

December 17th – Today I read and reviewed Baby Girl Book 3; City By The Bay by Elle Klaas

December 18th – Just trying to make a big inroad in my book review request pile. Today I read Marlin, Darlin’ by Margaret Langstaff. Gave the postman a box of chocolates for all this year’s deliveries.

December 19th – We have friends coming over for tea today. Schools have now broken up for the holidays. Am reading Sheer Fear by Geoffrey West.

December 20th – Helped share the news of Nicky Wells’ two Christmas books and went out for a lovely walk, bringing home litter for the bin.

Good Deeds Challenge Year 2, Week 29

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I am into my second year.

This week I’ve been doing the following;

November 2nd – Day 2 of Mystery November saw Della Connor’s book Spirit Warriors: The Scarring, second book in her series and definitely getting into the mystery role. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5LW

Poppies are still being sold all over and I donated more money to the appeal this afternoon.

November 3rd – My morning at school helping children learn to read. Day 3 of the mystery Tour, The Singing Bowl by Roy Dimond the epic journey around the world that a monk takes to find a lost book. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5LU

November 4th – Day 4 of the Mystery book tour and it The Ties That Bind by E.L. Lindley. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5QS Sorting out a pile of book reviews for the December issues of the magazines I write for.

November 5th –  A Single Step by Georgia Rose is our Day 5 book on the mystery tour. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5UJ Spent all day inside in the warm reading like a demon to get another book read and reviewed.

November 6th – Off shopping, saw our oldest child still at the bus stop, picked her up and made a detour to college, spotted the bus broken down in town, picked up a second child on route. Did the embarrassing parent thing, wound down the window to tell other students that the bus had broken down, was only allowed to do this once!  Day 6 on the mystery tour Terry Tyler and Nobody’s Fault. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5ST

November 7th – Mystery Book Tour Day 7 and it’s the turn of Carol Hedges with her book Diamonds & Dust http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Pt

November 8th – It’s the turn of Geoffrey West today on the Mystery November tour with his book Doppelganger http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5LK

This week my good deeds have all been around the book tour as I’ve been really busy promoting it, but of course I’m always reading books in the back ground for authors.