The ice beneath her

                                                                               

THE ICE
BENEATH HER

by Camilla Grebe

Published 8^th September 2016 / Hardback

£12.99 / E-book Available

Having drawn comparisons with Jo Nesbo and The Bridge, international anticipation is building for the publication of The Ice Beneath Her, a spellbinding and deeply disturbing story about love, betrayal and obsession.

What does love do to us, and what can love make us do?

Meet Emma Bohman, a timid sales assistant at Clothes & More, whose life is turned upside down by a chance encounter that leads to a love affair with the charismatic and controversial CEO, Jesper Orre. But almost as quickly as the passionate affair ignited, it was over when Orre inexplicably disappears. Then one frightening thing after another begins happening to Emma, leaving her certain that her runaway lover is to blame. Her confusion and heartbreak quickly transforms into anger. 

Fast forward two months and a young woman is found beheaded in an upmarket suburban home, a brutal crime made all the more disturbing by its uncanny resemblance to an unsolved murder ten years earlier. But this time there is a suspect: Jesper Orre, who owns the home but is nowhere to be found.

More overleaf….

More information overleaf…

In search of the suspect and a motive, homicide detectives Peter Lindgren and Manfred Olsson turn to brilliant criminal profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schon. Once a valued police asset but now dealing with early onset dementia, marooned in unhappy retirement and a crumbling marriage, she’s eager to offer Lindgren and Olsson a window into the secret soul of Jesper Orre.

Camilla is available for interview. For media and event enquiries please contact: Head of PR Emily Burns on Emily.Burns@bonnierzaffre.co.uk / 0207 566 58 98

Now, pursuing the same mysterious man for different reasons, Emma and the police are destined to cross paths in a chilling dance of obsession, vengeance, madness, and love gone hellishly wrong.

                                                                               

Camilla Grebe was born near Stockholm. She co-founded audiobook publisher Storyside. She has written four celebrated crime novels with her sister, Åsa Träff, about psychologist Siri Bergman, the first two of which were nominated for Swedish Crime Novel of the Year by the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy. Camilla has also written the popular Moscow Noir trilogy with Paul Leander-Engström. The Ice Beneath Her is Camilla's debut novel as a solo author and announces hers as a fresh new voice in suspense writing.

Reviews from the Danish publication of The Ice Beneath Her:

‘A captivating, thrilling, and frightening crime novel about failure, infidelity, and the ugliest of feelings.’

‘I’m still clapping my little hands with delight after having read this book. Camilla Grebe is spot on, and as a reader you’re quickly drawn into a story that might as well have taken place right before your eyes. You wouldn’t suspect any danger before it was too late. […] There’s something off, a bad feeling in your gut, you guess and guess and try to find clues in the book to work out the plot. I did not succeed, and I’m still not convinced everything was quite as it seemed in the end. […] I’m sure The Ice Beneath Her will delight many crime readers. It has everything it takes to stand out, and it's just not yet another crime novel in your bookcase.’

‘The stories of the three main characters melt together during the course of the novel. This structure is well-known, but I don't think I’ve ever before guessed so wrong as I did while reading The Ice Beneath Her. The book is so hard to figure out, which is why this is one of those crime novels that has kept me awake at night, thinking I might as well squeeze in an extra chapter in the hopes of bringing clarity to what on earth has happened.’

Reviews from Swedish publication of The Ice Beneath Her:

‘The Ice Beneath Her is a book that holds a lot between its pages. Apart from a few mysterious disappearances and extremely brutal murders, it’s about the power and betrayal of men. […] This is a story that holds the shadow-side of life. The protagonists are at a crossroads. Something simply must happen, otherwise they’re at risk of breaking apart. Perhaps they’ll break anyway, but before then they’ll want to fight for some kind of justice.’

‘You plow through this book at high speed; at times the suspense is unbearable! […] Very thrilling entertainment.’

‘I devoured it in one sitting.’

My Review

There is something about Scandinavian thrillers that pierces the soul; perhaps it's the darkness of the winter months that give them a blackness, snow and shorter days physically reflecting the psyche of the protagonists. Whatever it is, Camilla Grebe's 'The ice beneath her' does all that and more. it's a psychological thriller that doesn't need to go into graphic gruesome detail of murder to make its point. Nor is there a sudden twist that makes you think I never saw that coming! Instead we have a psychological analysis of several characters, each with their own demons. The book gathers pace as we red on, leaving us with a satisfying ending that is totally believable. Well-written, well-planned and well-executed, this book will hopefully be the forerunner of more to come. Thoroughly enjoyable if somewhat uncomfortable to read!

5/5

A convenient marriage

                                                                                 

The idea of two complete strangers getting hitched has always intrigued me, for one simple reason—why would they do such a thing? Could such a relationship succeed? By successful relationship, I understand not only the longevity of the marriage…but is it possible for the participants to actually fall in love with each other in such a strange arrangement? Love is found in the most unexpected places.

A Convenient Marriage grew over a number of years. The basic story was simple—a divorcee with two children, an ex-husband being difficult over visitation, as well as a fiancée unable to commit. Holly’s friends suggested that she needed a new husband, placing an advert in the paper for one behind her back. Joshua was struck by a simple plan when he saw the ad and responded to it.

Why would Holly marry a man she’d never met, and why would Joshua respond to an ad for a husband, then actually propose to a woman he had never clapped eyes on? So, in came the dawdling fiancée, Nicole. Both Holly and Joshua were justified in not planning the marriage to be a real one, because they each had an agenda of their own, but Nicole was the injured party. For their plan to succeed, they had to marry—the real kind, down to that all-important piece of paper married—and they had to seem to be totally in love with each other. That it is all a scam, only they would know.

And here comes the ‘but’. Holly and Joshua’s plans go awry from the moment they meet on the steps of the chapel where their fake marriage is to take place, when both recognize the immediate attraction. Back at Joshua’s wine estate—yes, he is a rich landowner where Holly expected him to be a pauper—Holly meets Joshua’s mother, his brother and sister-in-law, and Nicole, the fiancée, who found out about Joshua’s duplicity in a room full of people. No one can blame Nicole for being a tad upset. Or can they? To add to Holly’s woes, she seems to have acquired a ‘ghost’ demanding she tell a story.

Amidst Nicole’s shenanigans, Joshua’s mother’s disapproval, Holly’s ex’s aggression, and the ghost following Holly around, will these two accomplish what they set out to do? Or will life get in the way?

Joshua’s and Holly’s journey through the uncharted seas of a blind marriage, where no rules apply, is a stormy one. Place your order here:

 http://tinyurl.com/hqfmhcu

About the Author

Maggie Tideswell lives in Johannesburg—South Africa, with her husband, Gareth. She began writing when her kids were still very young, squeezing a few paragraphs at a time between the hectic schedule of raising three children, and working full time in the catering industry. She wrote many books before considering having them published. Now that the children have all made lives for themselves, there is more time for writing.

After much experimentation, Maggie writes passionate paranormal romance, of varying levels of heat. The paranormal, things that happen for which there are no logical explanations and ghosts are of particular interest to Maggie. What events in a person’s life would prevent that person from ‘resting’ after death? The ‘Old Religion’ is another special interest. And love, of course. Why do people fall in love? What keeps them together for a lifetime when so many relationships fail?

Maggie’s advice to aspirant novelists is two-fold. Never give up, and write every day. Writing is a craft that has to be honed with practice. And the only way to practice writing is by doing it. And a bonus, never stop reading your favorite genre. Reading it and writing it is the only training for a writer.

“Maggie Tideswell's latest novel, A Convenient Marriage, will have you turning pages as her characters cope with a marriage of convenience, well-meaning but nosy friends, a meddling ghost, jealous exes, and more. My advice: Make room on your Keepers shelf for this story!” (Loree Lough, best-selling author of 107 award-winning books, including Harlequin Heartwarming's "Those Marshall Boys" series.)

  

                                                                   

                                                                    

Death at the seaside

‘Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers.’

Daily Mail

DEATH AT THE SEASIDE

FRANCES BRODY

Published 6^th October 2016

Paperback Original | £8.99

Nothing ever happens in August, and tenacious sleuth Kate Shackleton feels like she deserves a break. Heading off for a long-overdue holiday to Whitby, she visits her school friend Alma who works as a fortune teller there. 

Kate had been looking forward to a relaxing seaside sojourn, but upon arrival discovers that Alma’s daughter Felicity has disappeared, leaving her mother a note and the pawn ticket for their only asset: a watch-guard. What makes this more intriguing is the jeweller who advanced Felicity the thirty shillings is Jack Phillips, Alma’s current gentleman friend.

Kate can’t help but become involved, and goes to the jeweller’s shop to get some answers. When she makes a horrifying discovery in the back room, it soon becomes clear that her services are needed. Met by a wall of silence by town officials, keen to maintain Whitby’s idyllic façade, it’s up to Kate – ably assisted by Jim Sykes and Mrs Sugden – to discover the truth behind Felicity’s disappearance.

And they say nothing happens in August . . .

Frances Brody is the author of the Kate Shackleton mysteries, as well as many stories and plays for BBC Radio, scripts for television and four sagas, one of which won the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award. Her stage plays have been toured by several theatre companies and produced at Manchester Library Theatre, the Gate and Nottingham Playhouse, and Jehad was nominated for a Time Out Award.

For more information please contact Clara Diaz on

Clara.Diaz@littlebrown.co.uk | 020 3122 6565 | @ClaraHDiaz

My Review

This is the first Kate Shackleton mystery I've read and I really enjoyed it. I loved the way that Frances Brody brought to life a bygone age and depicted Whitby at that time marvellously. It was a pleasure to read a book that didn't rely on graphic description or crudity - a real cosy murder mystery that delves into the relationships of a small close-minded town.
There are some wonderful characters such as Alma and Mr C and it is a tribute to the author that they seemed like real people; it would have been easy for them to end up as caricatures or stereotypes, a trap the writer skilfully avoids.
It would have been a five start review from me except for the fact that despite a wonderful start and an ending that tied everything together beautifully, the middle bit slowed down the pace and could have been slightly shorter. This is just my own observation and overall a very enjoyable read. I haven't read any of the others in the series but look froward to doing so in the future.

4.5/5

My husband's son

                                    

MY HUSBAND’S SON
By DEBORAH O’CONNOR
Published by Twenty7
Paperback, 6th October 2016, £7.99
Heidi and Jason aren’t like other couples.
Six years ago, Heidi’s daughter was murdered. A year later, Jason’s son – Barney – disappeared. Their shared loss brought them together.
The police investigation into Barney’s kidnap remains open, but after five years... it has lost momentum. Then, by chance... Heidi meets a boy she’s certain is Barney. But Jason is equally convinced it’s not him.
It’s Heidi mad? Or is Jason hiding something? And can their fragile marriage survive Heidi’s newfound quest for the truth...?
‘An ending that left my head spinning and wanting more from this superb author’
Jo Spain – bestselling author of With Our Blessing
For interviews, review copies and further information about the book please contact Carmen Jimenez, PR Assistant at Twenty7 carmen.jimenez@bonnierzaffre.co.uk

‘Staggering – I absolutely tore through it’
HOLLY SHELDON, bestselling author of Try Not to Breathe

                                                                                                      
YOU’D ALWAYS RECOGNISE YOUR OWN CHILD. WOULDN’T YOU?

                                                                                   

About the Author: 

Deborah O’Connor read English at Newnham College, Cambridge, before going on to become a television producer. Having worked on everything from The Big Breakfast to Big Brother, she produced the BAFTA award-winning poetry documentary Off My Heart and is currently the head of factual development at TV production company, CPL.

Born and bred in the North-East of England, she now lives in East London with her husband and daughter.

www.betteroffdeb.com 

My Review

This is an interesting debut thriller whose strengths lie in portraying the relationship of a man whose son has disappeared and a woman whose daughter has been murdered. It is not an easy book to read on account of the subject matter and I found myself checking up on my son more often than usual as a result. The skill of the book is enabling the reader to identify with the emotions the characters are feeling even if, fortunately, you have never had to experience a similar situation yourself.
On one level I understood the reasons that drive Heidi to stop at nothing to prove that the little boy she saw in the newsagent's really is her husband's son despite the fact that her husband is adamant that he isn't. Perhaps she really would have got herself into all those stupid scrapes, it's difficult to know, but I did find her antics becoming more and more reckless towards the end and less credible as a result.
The exploration of life after such a tragedy for both parties is well depicted. The twist at the end left me feeling 'What?' and even now I'm not sure if it was the right decision made for the wrong reasons or the wrong decision made for the right reasons but either way it left me feeling unsettled because it wasn't what I wanted to happen. Whether it was the right thing to do opens up a whole can of worms.

4/5

The secret letters

The Secret Letters By Catherine Law
                                                     

Published by Zaffre eBook, 6th October 2016, £4.99

Rose Pepper has kept her wartime past a secret for decades. Forty years ago, she fled communist Prague and left behind the love of her life.
Now in her sixties and with two daughters, Rose discovers a bundle of unopened letters sent to her by her lost love, hidden beneath her home.
Confronted with the possibility of facing up to her past, she decided it’s finally time to go back to where her story began and uncover the truth buried for so long in Prague...
From the author of Map of Stars comes a heartbreaking story of love, hope, secrets and lies. Perfect for fans of Kathryn Hughes and Leah Fleming
   

A truth buried over forty years. A love that lasted a lifetime.
                                                                    

About the author: 

Catherine Law was born in Harrow, Middlesex in 1965 and has been a journalist for twenty-two years, having trained first as a secretary at the BBC and then attending the London College of Printing. She now works on a glossy interiors magazine and lives in Buckinghamshire.

http://www.catherinelaw.co.uk/
@cathmarialaw

The story behind the story

By Catherine Law

 My first published novel A Season of Leaves (to be re-issued on 6 October 2016 as an e-book with the new title The Secret Letters) is based on the adventures of my great-auntie Ginge during and after the Second World War. I first heard her story when I was a child but it wasn’t until years later, after a decade of trying to get a novel published, that I decided to write a book inspired by it. But, as incredible as Ginge’s story is, I felt that I had to embroider the truth, add characters and change locations to create a better story arc. And I learnt many lessons about novel writing along the way.

Ginge was something of a legend in my family. During the war, while working as a Land Girl, she met and married Czech soldier Jan Chlebek, who was based nearby. After his enforced return to his homeland once peace was declared, she left on one of the first trains to travel across Europe to be reunited with him in Prague. However, as a captain in the Czech army and a supposed enemy of Socialism, Jan soon became a target for the new Communist government and it became imperative for them to return to England. Ginge packed a suitcase as if she was going on holiday so as not to arouse suspicion, taking her two young sons with her. Jan, meanwhile, escaped via a different route and threw himself off a moving train to make it to a refugee camp in Vienna. They were reunited in England months later.

For A Season of Leaves, my main character is Rose Pepper, (who, like my great-auntie, has lovely red hair) and I cheekily gave her the nickname ‘Ginge’. Rose, like Ginge before her, is a Land Girl, and she meets her own Czech soldier, Krystof, at a village hall dance. But, my Rose is already engaged to the completely fictitious and quite menacing Will Bowman, who, as the book’s villain builds up the tension and drama.

For my novel, I singled out critical events in the true story: Ginge’s journey to Prague across war-ravaged Europe, the hardships and tensions of post-war Czechoslovakia, and Jan hiding his gun in his coat pocket and calmly handing it over to Ginge while he is being arrested at Prague station. For me, these episodes were the most thrilling and most emotional to write.

The real Ginge and Jan met in the countryside near Northampton. However, as sentimental and fond as I feel about this Midlands town (it is where both my parents grew up), I relocated Rose and Krystof’s story to Cornwall - another place I know and love. The windswept cliffs, crashing waves and pretty fishing villages seemed to lend themselves far better to a sweeping romantic novel.

My Review

I just knew I was going to love this book as soon as I saw the cover and the blurb. It took me a little while to get into it but it was definitely worth it. The author takes us on a journey to wartime Cornwall and the attention to detail is incredible - the reader can easily imagine being a Land girl and enduring the horrors of war. Then, cleverly intertwined is Ruth's sojourn in Communist Prague, again written in meticulous detail to evoke the period. Finally, we are brought into the present as Ruth discovers letters that have been kept from her. I wondered how the story would come together and it was both slightly shocking and incredibly moving at the same time. I must admit that it brought a tear to my eye as I read the final paragraph. A wonderfully moving story that will say with you alongside some skilfully drawn characters.

5/5

Watercolours in the rain

What happens to the future when past and present collide?

JESS:  Six years ago Jess’s relationship with Talún Hansen was torn apart by one night of deception. He disappeared from Lynbrook village and she headed for university vowing never to let anyone break her heart again. Now a teacher, Jess returns from holiday to an unexpected phone call and life changing news which will eventually bring her back home once more.

TALUN: Six years on Talún Hawkeswood, as he is now known, is heir to his grandfather’s Norfolk farming empire. When he hears of trouble in the village due to Lynbrook Hall being put up for sale, going back is the last thing on his mind. But staying away is not an option either, not when someone he owes so much to is about to lose their home and their livelihood.

LILY: Splitting with her husband after her son Josh’s birth, Lily now works as part of an estate agency sales team.  She has always held onto her dream of finding a wealthy husband and a life of self-indulgence. When the sale of an important property brings her face to face with Talún once more, she realises despite the risks involved, the night they spent together six years ago may be the key to making those dreams come true.

As Jess, Talún and Lily return to Lynbrook and the truth about what happened that summer is gradually revealed, Talun finds himself in an impossible situation. Still in love with Jess he is tied into to a trade off with Lily: his name and the lifestyle she craves in exchange for his son. And when a child is involved there is only one choice he can make…

About Jo Lambert

Born and raised in rural Wiltshire, Jo Lambert grew up with a love of books and a vivid imagination. As a child she enjoyed creating her own adventure stories similar to Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. Writing always stayed with her, but college, work and eventually marriage found it was kept very much in the background. However in 2009 she finally had her first novel – When Tomorrow Comes – published. Three other connected books – Love Lies and Promises, The Ghost of You and Me and Between Today and Yesterday followed. They became collectively known as the Little Court Series.

In 2013 she decided to give up full time work to concentrate fully on her writing. Two other books have been written since – The Other Side of Morning which is the final book of the Little Court Series and Summer Moved On, a love story set in South Devon. Jo is about to publish, Watercolours in the Rain, and plans to begin work on her new book in early November 2016. She describes her writing style as drama driven romance.

Jo is married and lives in a village on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT.  She loves travel, red wine, rock music and has a passion for dark chocolate…

MyReview

It was lovely to catch up with some fabulous fictional characters that we met for the first time in 'Summer moved on' and now get to meet again a few years down the line. As the fates of Talun, Jess and her arch-nemesis, Lily, are set on a collision course, this book has the reader inwardly screaming at all three of them at times rather like kids at a pantomime. As if it wasn't bad enough that Talun left Jess heartbroken when he left before, his return is set to have even more dire consequences and Lily reveals her true colours yet again. Carefully constructed and elegantly narrated this book will have you holding out for a happy ending whilst despairing that such a thing is possible. I found myself holding my breath at the outcome. Some wonderfully crafted sub-characters too make this a book to remember.

5/5