I have the blurb for ‘A Depraved Indifference’, the Delamere Files, Book Ten. The MS is with the proofreader, who has already attended to the blurb and author’s notes for me, and I am also talking to Scott about a map for the front of this one – so, as they say, it’s all go!
I also have another great collection of thrillers and mysteries to share with you, and I’ll put the link at the bottom of this post.
Meanwhile, here’s the blurb:
A Depraved Indifference The Delamere Files Book Ten
Jack Merrit longs for a case more challenging than burglaries and missing jewels, and when someone finds a skeleton inside a pipe organ, his wish comes true. At first, the strange discovery in the church of St Clement Danes seems like a prank, but when Jack’s next call is to a crime within earshot of the bells of St Martin’s, an uneasy pattern emerges.
Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clement’s You owe me five farthings, say the bells of St Martin’s
And then, the murders start.
If the first is chance, a second becomes a coincidence, but a third? That’s a pattern, and these are no ordinary murders. They occur in churches named in the rhyme, and they involve diabolical contraptions that kill seemingly random victims. Asked by both London police forces to investigate without being told why, Jack and his men embark on an investigation knowing where the killer will strike next, but not when.
When the killer invites Jack to join his game, a contest of intellect begins, and knowing failure will lead to disgrace, he pits himself against his most cunning adversary so far.
Thriller, Mystery & Suspense – Huge promo
You can click on either or both of these links; they will take you to the same place, but either James or Jackson will get the kudos (and score) generated by your click.
The 51 titles in this promo take us mainly into the world of straight adventure, mystery and thrillers. I had a look, and I think my ‘Finding a Way’ is the only gay and historical offering, but you never know, it might pick up some new readers.
The same goes for my ‘The Saddling’ which is in here. (Note: I must get Andjela to design me a new cover.)
I am very nearly at the end of editing ‘A Depraved Indifference,’ and will be sending it to be proofread and checked in a day or so. Meanwhile, I am waiting to hear from Adnjela about the cover ideas, and Neil is beta-reading it for me. His comments so far include, ‘This would make a great horror film.’ I know what he means, but it isn’t a horror story, though some of what takes place is horrific, as you will see. I have one major change to incorporate today, and about 30 pages to read through, but as I have very little else on my plate today, I should be able to round this one off and start thinking about the next one tomorrow.
It’s been an interesting ride. If I turn to my ‘A Depraved Indifference’ folder, I can see some of the research materials I have collected while writing the book. These include a cover of the Police Illustrated News from 1888, various articles from London newspapers of 1893, a map or two of the city with churches marked on it, a map of the Old Nichol rookery in Shoreditch, plans of various London churches, and a photograph of a now destroyed pipe organ.
I’ve shown you this before. It is where the investigation begins with the finding of something very unusual…
I hope to have a cover idea for you soon, and I am aiming to have the book out around the end of the month. Fingers crossed!
PROMO If you like a spicy MM read, then this promo is for you.
Spicy MM Books in Kindle Unlimited
All these titles fall under the ‘spicy’ heading, which means there’s nookie in them, and that’s fine. That’s what this promo of 55 books is focusing on. My Mentor of Wildhill Farm is in there, my spiciest novel outside of writing for the adult industry, and there are plenty of different niches, all with spicy MM romance involved.
I’m now onto draft two/three of this one, and Neil is about to start beta reading for me. I know I have some tidying up to do, and I must go through the entire thing again, all 100K words of it, before sending it to my lovely proofreader. Once that’s on its way, I will turn my attention to what comes next… Whatever that may be.
A Depraved Indifference has an open ending, as you will see, so it is definitely not the last Delamere File, but before I get to whatever comes next for Jack and Co., I was thinking about another small collection of short stories. My thinking cap is on!
Meanwhile, here’s a promo you can support:
Queer Romance Is Resistance
This promo is being hosted by the lovely Elle Keaton, who has appeared on my blog in the past. There are 45 titles to explore here, and covers suggesting firemen in love, daddies, dragons, mystical places, and good old MM romance.
This will be just a very quick update to let you know the first draft of ‘A Depraved Indifference’ is now complete. Phew! That was a fun one to work through. You will be in for an adventure in mystery. There’s no angst or love story, and not much personal difficulty in this story, not with my main characters. However, the villain is the one who carries the emotional through line, and that’s about the first time I’ve written that way, so that was interesting.
I am now about to start on my reading back. I should point out that when I say the first draft is finished, I mean I have reached the end of telling myself the story. As I have been doing that, I have also been going back and rereading, making changes, improving, and second-drafting chapters, so really, I am about to embark on my third draft, which is mainly a case of fiddling with, improving, checking, and saying, ‘What on earth did I mean by that?’
Meanwhile, I will send Andjela some ideas for a cover and think about an illustration. Does it need one? I can’t put in an image of the villain because I don’t know what he looks like, and anyone else would seem out of place. We’ll see.
The monthly newsletter should be out this morning with a freebie kind of attached (you find the freebie via a link), and I’ll tell you more about the promos I am in later in the month.
Here’s a quick update on Delamere ten, ‘A Depraved Indifference.’
When I stopped work yesterday, I was at 92,000 words and halfway through a climax, if you see what I mean. I had two of my heroes just about face to face with the villain (whoever he is), and they had just discovered what is about to happen, with time running out, and now have an impossibly situation to resolve without loss of life. They are also in the belfry of St Mary le Bow church, Cheapside, London, in the middle of the night. Why has all this come about? Because the villain has a depraved indifference to human life caused by other people’s indifference to him. It will all be explained in the story.
Meanwhile, here is a plan of the church, which is the only image to have joined my research folder in the last few days.
In my folder so far, I have a rare photo of the inside of St Clement Danes church, a photo of Morley’s hotel from the late 1890s (Trafalgar Square), some maps and other church floorplans. All this is based around ‘Oranges and Lemons,’ but the nursery rhyme has been twisted by my villain, as you will see, hopefully before this month is out.
New Month, New Promos
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter if you want to get news on new promos. I have six this month, and will be sending out information about them on Saturday, when the newsletter comes out. Tell you what, I’ll give you a preview of the first one now.
MM Romance & Fiction
There are 22 MM titles here, some, like mine, you may already know, but there are others I’ve not seen advertised before. Plus, there are some new authors to explore and a variety of niches within MM romance.
Now, this is only an idea at this stage, but once I have finished ‘A Depraved Indifference,’ I may start on another volume of the Clearwater Tales. If I do, it will take the same format as volume one, with a few characters from Clearwater, Larkspur and Delamere meeting up en route to somewhere (Cornwall, probably, for Christmas), and each one telling a short story. The tales will then have to be linked by someone or something.
I made a start when I was between Delameres a few months ago, but then stalled because I wasn’t sure I’d chosen the correct five characters to meet by accident. I think I will have to ask readers which five they think should make an appearance…
Anyway, today, I thought I’d let slip a few words from this potential project so you can see what you think. Actually, see whether you can guess who the characters are. In this clip, Harry is the stationmaster, and there is a quiet lad alone in a corner of the station waiting room. The other two are big characters from one of the series, but can you guess who? (This isn’t complete or edited, it’s just a snippet, for fun.)
Chapter I
THE PROLOGUE, PART ONE
In which our players chance upon each other in a winter fog at a remote junction that was once a halt.
On Saturday, 23rd December 1893, the Morning Post reported: Exceedingly dull weather has prevailed at nearly every station, thick mist of fog being reported at a large number of them, both on the coast and inland…
(Later, in the remote, fog-bound station waiting room…)
One stood warming himself at the fire with his back to the room, and Harry was unable to see his face, though from his posture and clothes, he also took him to be on the young side. The other, on seeing Harry at his post, rose from the armchair he had taken and floated across the room. At least, that was how the approach looked, for the man was so… It was difficult to find the word at first, it hovered somewhere between captivating and frightening. Captivating because of his dark skin and eyes, his broad and open smile, and the precise manner in which he slipped off his gloves. He was frightening for the same reasons. The eyes held and refused to let go. Harry had not met many men with such tanned features, and the way he removed his gloves made him appear as if he was about to commit a strangulation. Despite all that, the word he settled on was regal.
‘Good evening.’ The dark man greeted him with a calm tip of the head, and in a voice as smooth as his skin. ‘May I trouble you for coffee? I see no menu.’
‘Evening, Sir. That’s right. The menu is whatever I have brought to share, but I always have tea, coffee and cocoa to warm my passengers.’ Now realising the man was a gentleman, Harry took him into his confidence. ‘I also have something a little stronger for the menfolk, but we mustn’t tell the magistrate.’
The stranger smiled. ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘You have my silence on the matter, Sir. Myself, I was brought up in a faith that forbids me from taking alcohol.’
‘I see.’
‘However, just because I was brought up beneath it doesn’t mean I allow myself to remain smothered. Therefore, if you have a shot of whisky, feel free to drop a splash in my cup. The largest you have, as I feel we may be in for a long wait. Correct?’
‘That you are, Sir,’ Harry sympathised. ‘I will make you as comfortable as I can for the evening. Take your seat. I will bring it across, and if there is anything else, just say. I have some hampers made up if you’re on a long journey, and I only charge cost price.’
‘You are kind,’ the swarthy stranger declared, and Harry preened at the compliment.
The new arrival at the fireplace had turned and now stood with his hands on his hips, parting his long overcoat and revealing a slim, some would say athletic body that was made statuesque by the not-quite-fashionable tightness of his clothing. Harry took no offence. He had once had such a physique, and comparing his now to his guest’s, decided the blond man was not yet married. What he was, however, was inquisitive, because he stared at the silent boy for some time before sighing, as if disappointed at not being noticed. From there, he watched the swarthy man at the counter, and all the way back to one of the fireside armchairs, before deciding where to sit.
He chose the opposite armchair, and as he sat with his coat and legs thrown open, his eyes never left the darker man. Harry raised an eyebrow at the provocative behaviour, while the other man smiled politely, and produced a newspaper from his luggage.
The samovar water had come to temperature by the time the two spoke, and with no other sound than the clock, the flames and the water burner, it was no trouble to hear their conversation, which Harry listened to out of concern for his passengers, and not to learn gossip. On a night such as that one, when there was a long wait, it also helped to pass the time.
‘Excuse me, mate…’ The younger, blond one opened the discussion. ‘Yeah… Hello?’
‘Good evening. May I be of assistance?’
‘Just passing the time, really. Fancy a chat?’
‘I am not averse to a conversation, Sir, but I may not be very interesting. Would you like a newspaper instead? Or a book?’
‘No thanks. Unlike you, I’m not a very good reader.’
‘Oh? You can tell how I read?’
‘I can tell you read fast, and you’re heading towards Cornwall, like I am.’
The darker man looked around his feet where his luggage stood, and then back at the blond.
‘I have no labels on my luggage… How?’
‘You’re reading last week’s copy of the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser,’ the other replied. ‘Now, I got to admit that London’s my gaff, but I’ve been in this business a few months now, so I’ve got me nose in and out of a few riddles. From what I remember, that newspaper’s only printed in Truro. I dare say a few copies find their way to London and other places, but not immediate, like, if at all. I say that, ’cos if there’d been one out today, you’d have had a copy. Maybe. Just a guess, ’cos I don’t know where you’re coming from. Like I said, I’m passing the time.’
The second stranger seemed entertained and impressed. ‘Your deducement is correct, Sir. I am, indeed, on my way home to Cornwall.’
‘Yeah, alright. We’re going to be here for some hours, mate, so maybe we can do away with the Sir, business?’
The darker man was probably of Arabic extraction, Harry mused as he added whisky to the man’s coffee. The lighter one was from London, or nearby, south certainly, and yet, the Arab was better spoken. A prince, perhaps, he thought as he made up the tray, adding, for good measure, two glasses, some water, two slices of his wife’s fruit cake, and the half bottle of scotch. They could have it; he had plenty more. By the time he delivered the tray, and his guests had gratefully accepted his offerings, the men were on surname terms and chatting quietly.
Things are heating up. The crimes are becoming more baffling; someone’s not saying something for some reason (there’s a cover-up), but Jack and Bax are determined to put a stop to someone’s evil game before it’s too late. It’s already too late for some, and the pressure is on from both London police forces. To top it all, I think I have invented Jack’s ultimate sparring partner, the evil genius who will hound him for the rest of his career, and probably afterwards. Someone who may appear in the next story, or who may vanish for a while, only to resurface later…
As you might gather, ‘A Depraved Indifference’ is really taking shape, and I am now into the final reel. There are still roughly 25,000 words to go (at least) to bring the story to whatever conclusion it will have, but I am up to 73,000 words and, at last, Jack and his men finally have some information they can work on. The next big clue will be an invitation, but before I get there, I need to investigate something that has happened at St Dunstan’s Church, Stepney.
‘When will that be? Say the bells of Stepney.’
That will be as soon as I have posted this and made another cup of tea. Then, I will continue with chapter twenty-four. Soon, I’ll have to set about writing the blurb and thinking of a cover. Gosh, this being a full-time author thing makes for a great life!
PROMO
As for a special promo this week, maybe you could throw some attention and love to a set of:
LGBTQIA+ Historical Romance novels from various authors.
The promoters say that the kind of Historical romances that qualify will be: – a book that ends in a HEA or HFN – set before 1950 – main characters are LGBTQIA+
Well, made for Clearwater or what? I’ve entered Deviant Desire and Finding a Way into this one. I couldn’t add the Larkspur Series, because I could only put in two books, but Larkspur runs on from Clearwater, so people will find it on their own – if they make it through the 10 Clearwater stories, which I hope they do.
First, let me say thank you to everyone who has taken the time and trouble to post a review of any of my books on Amazon. They really do make a difference, as do rates. I’m pleased to say that Snake Hill has already attracted some lovely words of praise, such as:
The writing is lyrical with visuals. The story at the end had me misty-eyed. He captures the depth of male friendships and love perfectly.
This one especially touched me in a way that left me happy and sad at the same time.Every book in this series, along with the original series, is an excellent and exciting read.
I’m not here to hear my praises sung, although it is very rewarding to do so, and it’s always a boost when you read a positive review; it’s moving, too, and boosts self-esteem. The star ratings also help, and although I seem to have a mysterious reader who relishes dropping in one, two or three stars about half an hour after a book comes out, my star ratings are usually four or five, I am pleased to say. Finding a Way, which came out in August 2023, has 199 already, and Deviant Desire, published in 2019, has picked up 322 so far, as well as some excellent reviews. (Plus one which reads like a disgruntled author trying to trash a book because it was better than he could have done, while giving away some of the plot.) That is a no-no in the review world; you never give away twists or plots, but some people can’t help themselves. Ah well…
So, the message of today, folks is, please don’t hesitate to leave reviews whenever you can. Even if it’s only one or two lines, the more reviews and stars a title has, the more chance there is of Amazon recommending it – the same goes for Goodreads, I believe, and other publicity sites. My ‘Follow me’ list is towards the top of the right-hand column, if you use any of those platforms and want to follow me.
Meanwhile… Promos!
Banyak & fecks was taken out of a historical fiction promo for some reason. Either they didn’t like the gay aspect (boo), or it wasn’t bodice-ripping enough for them, and there was no busty wench on the front cover falling out of her clothing and into the arms of a swarthy lord of the manor, I don’t know, but there you go. Still, there are more to indulge in, such as today’s recommendation, which is:
Fall In Love: MM Romance in Kindle Unlimited
If you simply hanker for good, old-fashioned MM Romance, and you’re on KU, then this is the one to check out. You can add up to 30 new titles to your library.
You can do so by clicking the banner, as always, and having a browse. I’ll be back on Wednesday with an update on ‘A Depraved Indifference,’ which is coming along very nicely (well, it’s a bit gruesome in places, but otherwise, it’s quite nice).
The work in progress news this week is that I am now up to 63,000 words of the first draft of A Depraved Indifference. The mystery has thickened, and finding a solution has become more urgent because there have now been two major incidents to which Jack and Baxter have been called. So far, they have visited four churches around London, and if you want a clue as to why, then take a scroll down to Saturday’s post. We have also met a couple of new characters from the City of London Police who may survive the story or who may not, and we have also met our villain. Sort of.
We still don’t know who he is, but we know why he is doing what he is doing. I wanted a subplot for this story; otherwise, it’s simply a mystery, and wouldn’t have enough depth, so I thought the subplot could be the villain’s backstory, and the explanation for why he is doing what he is doing. I want the reader to feel sorry for him, yet not. To empathise with him, but wish they didn’t, because of the things he does. That’s the idea I am playing with, yet I still don’t know his name. Maybe we never will. Maybe I will save that for a future story.
That’s the joy of ‘making it up as you go along’ aka writing; you can do what you want because, after all, you are writing a novel, and it is meant to be novel.
So, I shall get back to it and keep you up to date in future posts.
Meanwhile, my Wednesday suggestion for additional reading has to do with stories where characters start off as friends and end up as lovers. Your kind of story or not? Why not check out these:
MM Friends to Lovers. This much-loved and classic MM genre is getting an airing at this promo with 24 cute titles where mates become more than mates. Included in there are my Students and Mentors of Barrenmoor Ridge, one of my best-selling titles (Mentor), and, with Students, I think my only F-to-L book… Then, I just remembered ‘The Blake Inheritance’ and ‘The Stoker Connection,’ which are also F-to-L, so maybe I should consider adding them next time.
This nursery rhyme has been in my head since I started writing ‘A Depraved Indifference’, and for a very good reason, which will become clear when you read the book. (Maybe next month, certainly by November.) I’m excited to tell you about the action through the story, but I can’t, of course, so I will just have to get on and finish it, so we can then discuss it, but I will say that it is definitely a mystery, and it has something to do with the nursery rhyme, ‘Oranges and Lemons.’
A letter from a publication of 1891, noted that beadles and porters of St Clement’s Inn (London) handed out oranges and lemons at New Year, so it wasn’t just children who knew the song. It is sung to the melody of certain church bells, St Clement Danes being one.
The melody of the sung rhyme is always the same, but the couplets can vary, and it always starts with St Clement Danes.
South-west view of the church of St Clement Danes
There are various versions of the lyrics, and it’s not unheard of for people to add their own, as happens in my story. I have gone for the standard version as written in The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, although I notice that the ending can also vary. In some modern versions, they have changed the bit about having your head cut off to something less violent. I can’t think why. It’s only a nursery rhyme, and I grew up with a chopper chopping off my head and ‘the last man is dead’, and I haven’t grown up to be a head-chopper-offer.
Below is the version I grew up with, and I remember playing the Oranges and Lemons game on the field in summer at primary school. We would have two children stand making an arch with their arms, and as we sang the rhyme, we took turns to walk beneath the arch. On the last line, the ‘chopper’ came down, and whoever was caught had their head chopped off. (Not really. It was a rural school, but not barbaric.)
Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St Clement’s. You owe me five farthings, Say the bells of St Martin’s.
When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey. When I grow rich, Say the bells of Shoreditch.
When will that be? Say the bells of Stepney. I do not know, Say the great bells of Bow.
Here comes a candle, To light you to bed. Here comes a chopper To chop off your head. Chip chop chip chop the last man is dead.
St Clement Danes is top right (You will also notice Holywell Street.)
There is also a debate, or several, about which churches are referred to in the rhyme. Some say St Clement’s isn’t the church in the Strand, but the one over at Eastcheap, and so on, but there are probably as many arguments for each one as there are additional lyrics.
Bull’s eyes and targets, say the bells of St Margaret’s, for example; I’ve never heard that one before.
Anyway, Oranges and Lemons features in the story and so far, and so do some other interesting ‘props.’ At the moment, I am asking myself, ‘What do the following have in common?’
A church organ, a medical skeleton, graffiti, a charitable organisation, and a ring? The answer? A Depraved Indifference – coming soon.
PROMO
This Saturday’s ‘please give these books some attention’ promo is the one I take part in every month because it is organised by Book Mojo, and they never send me unsolicited AI emails about book promotions.
MAYHEM & MOTIVES: Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense Reads – September Edition The M&M, Book-Mojo collection this month includes my three series starters. There are 45 titles to check out, all various kinds of thriller or mystery, and not necessarily MM related, but still, a good read.
You know how it works, click the banner to reach the page of books…
