A new crime thriller...DEATH by GLASGOW

If you like to read light, whimsical prose then hit your 'Back button' now. If you have a penchant for gritty, raw crime with a heavy dose of thriller and a splash of blood, then read on. My new crime novel has just been published.

Quite a departure from the style of my previous two books, this latest one is set in Scotland. My wife and I divide our time between Key West and Glasgow, so it was about time that I write something about Glasgow. It's a great city, from its history to its parks, to its architecture and of course the people, so when I decided to write a crime thriller I knew it had to be based in Glasgow. It's a cliche to say that the city has so many faces, but it is patently true of Glasgow and I love them all. Even the ones with scars on them. The city serves as a vibrant, pulsing backdrop for my characters and I hope that I bring it alive in this first in a series of crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Sharkey.

If you've never been to Glasgow then you have to put this city on your next tour list. If you know the city, I hope you'll enjoy walking the streets with me. But, keep looking over your shoulder.

Here's a quick blurb:

Detective Inspector Sharkey has a new partner to fight crime, problem is the new partner wears Gucci suits and Dolce and Gabbana 3-inch heals. Now his daughter's dead and he has to hit the mean streets of Glasgow with a fashionista side-kick to find the killer.  

And what he doesn't know, just might kill him: his new partner is involved in his daughter's death.

The book is published by Gallowgate Press and is now available  as an eBook via  Amazon, Kobo or Nook. It is also available in paperback via your favourite bookstore virtual or otherwise..
For readers in the U.S.:
For readers in the U.K.: 

 

I've turned to a life of crime

For the past year, along with writing the sequel to KEY WEST, I've been writing a gritty crime thriller. I knew right off that I wanted to base the novel in Glasgow, Scotland. The city has such a rich tapestry of villains and heroes to draw from. The city, itself, is a living, breathing character of its own. The result is DEATH BY GLASGOW. A 21st-century story of revenge.

I finished the novel and was thrilled when it was short-listed this summer for the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Award. The manuscript is currently making the rounds of publishers so keeping all appendages crossed. Stay tuned for more updates on this.

In order to improve my crime writing skills -- which as any crime writer knows is not easy keeping the pace fast and furious, but, at the same time, slowing down to let the reader catch his or her breath -- I was taken under the  incredibly talented wing of crime writer Alison Bruce. Ms Bruce was kind enough to read my novel despite being under serious time limits to finish her fourth crime book THE SILENCE (which was just published by Constable & Robinson). Alison gave me insightful feedback, suggesting story changes, and helped me shape the book for the commercial market. I'm now indebted to her and owe her many a bottle of Shiraz, as thanks.

Have a peek at Alison's website here

Debut Dagger Shortlist 2012

We interrupt these proceedings...

I received a letter in the post today - didn't recognise the sender's address.

It wasn't my credit card company changing my APR again.
It wasn't the Save our Snails from endangerment charity.
It was from the Crime Writers' Association.
Well, I had entered the Debut Dagger competition months ago with my first 3000 words from my new crime book Death by Glasgow. So I figured they were writing to tell me I hadn't made the list.
I couldn't find my reading glasses so my wife had to read out the letter.

I did make the shortlist.

Holy shit was all I could say to my wife. I am so thrilled.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the CWA, Peter James and the judges who put me on the shortlist.

Here's a link to the list. Some amazing other writers here too - good luck to everyone.
(It will open up a new page for you): Debut Dagger Awards Shortlist.
I'll be on cloud nine for a while.