News and Reviews

Newsletter

DECEMBER - 2024

Hi - and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Fingers crossed for a more peaceful 2025 and, preferably, with a proper summer half way through it. I hope you had a good Christmas or whatever else you may celebrate at this time of year. We had a great Christmas Day with the family, and some nice restful days afterwards. This after a hectic December with a village Christmas Fair, (once postponed due to bad weather) a carol singalong and various other events, in addition to a full programme of book signings. All totally enjoyable, but not exactly relaxing. Thankfully, we hadn't planned any snowball fights or sledging for the holiday, being treated as we were to four days of mist and fog followed by something akin to a monsoon. Whatever happened to 'Where the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even'?

Speaking of the book signings, I must say a big thank you to W H Smith who have opened their doors to me throughout the year, and previous years, even when, during the Christmas crush, they could hardly find space to squeeze me in. They have been just great. And it was such a treat meeting up with so many of my readers during the past couple of months who have got all my books but called in just to say 'Hi'. 

And if the sight of the four books at the top of this newsletter is feeling a bit samey, the front cover of The Moorstone has been finalised and will very soon be attached to the few hundred pages of my new book'

I have no doubt that some people living in or around Bury in Greater Manchester will recognise the above image. And, as a taster, below is a copy of the Additional Information released to the book trade ahead of its publication.

'Detective Inspector Jo Carter’s latest assignment takes her to the birthplace of her husband, Seb, in Bury, Greater Manchester. She is to lend her expertise to investigating the wave of drug trafficking taking place there, but shortly after joining the team,  and two days before Christmas, a local 19-year-old woman, Phoebe Wright, goes missing. She was last seen at night, heading out across the deserted and desolate Holcombe Moor. With no evidence of a crime, but no reason why she should abscond, Jo’s team begin to unravel a complex life behind Phoebe’s apparently normal existence.

As the investigation unfolds, Jo receives a series of mysterious text messages, each a single numerical digit. But where are these messages coming from? Are they linked to the missing person? And is there a connection to a local legend from a quarter of a millennium ago?

When developments take a fatal turn, Jo finds herself in a struggle for control with her hostile second-in-command, Detective Sergeant Andy Mills, whilst wrestling with doubts about the stability of her relationship with Seb. And events will eventually lead her to a terrible truth, and into personal danger.' 

Just a reminder that the official publication date is 28 February 2025, but we are in the final stages of its journey and I will let you know if it becomes available before then. Many thanks again for staying in touch through the medium of the newsletters, but if you do not wish to receive them in the future, please let me know and I will remove you from the list.

Stay safe and well

Best regards

Michael .

Recent NEWS AND Reviews

‘I really enjoyed reading this debut novel from Mike. I was captured immediately & found the book to have a thought-provoking theme. It kept me interested throughout, so much so that I spent a whole day around the pool on holiday with my head immersed in the book! (Only surfacing for a cool beer.) Now I am looking forward to a sequel...or there will be a riot!’ - Amazon Reviewer

'I've just finished your first book, Catalyst, and can't wait to get hold of the next book. Very difficult to put down. I'm an avid reader of murder mystery novels but found this one so different. The balance of story, dialogue and description is brilliant. Well done you for a super novel!' - Sheelagh Taaffe