Category Archives: The Delamere Files

A Night of Opposites. Delamere Eleven.

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I have settled on the title, I have a deadline of Sunday to dispatch the MS to be proofread, and today, I’ll start chatting to Andjela about the cover. I have two more chapters to check through today, and then I will return to the midpoint of the book and go over the second half again. That’s because, as I write, I go back and reread, check, alter and improve the first chapters more often than I do the second half. I also do that to remind myself of what’s what in the story, and in the case of ‘A Night of Opposites’, it’s a very complicated case. Not for the reader, I hope, but I mean, when Jack and his men take on this private investigation, they are immediately faced with 12 suspects. Actually, as with most mysteries, the suspect list starts off as being everyone the victim knew, but you have to start from a smaller number of obvious, rather than expand to a huge number of could be.

As for publication date, that’s likely to be in early April.

I saw this in a search and it gave me an idea for a cover…

As for content and what to expect, well, this is, at first, an obvious case, but of course, it is not. It’s one of those where Jack & Co. need to interview a variety of characters, and they are all slightly odd because they are members of the Thirteen Club (see earlier posts), in a variety of employment and with a variety of lifestyles. I was able to have great fun inventing these people, like Mr Slack, the properties maker of Drury Lane, and Captain Garnet (retired), who, since leaving the army, has taken up a job stuffing animals and creating ‘freaks’ for fairgrounds.

Along the way, Bax and Charlie have a crisis, Will sets off on his own investigation of Jack’s case, the boys are growing up (it’s now January 1894), and Jack gets himself into and out of a bad mood… The usual instalment of mystery, bromance and friendship, a little love, and much history. The story also gives us a lead into Delamere 12, which may be the last in the series, but let’s get number 11 the best it can be before starting on that. On which note, I will return to my editing and leave you with a link to a set of books that are all part of series.

Promo

This promo offers titles that are at least the second in a series. Why? So that readers might be tempted to first buy the first, I guess. These are not necessarily LGBT-themed novels, though you’ll be able to pick out mine in the list. There are 33 titles, including novellas and full-length novels.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/crimesequelsmar26/undydgw1uw

WIP Update: Delamere 11

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Still with no definite title, Delamere 11 is progressing well. I have to admit, this is the first one where I have kept so much detail in my notebooks as I go. Not that the mystery is particularly complicated (no more than usual), but because there are backstories of minor characters which have to be accurate, believable and interesting, and yet, which have to be consistent.

Some books write themselves.

‘Snake Hill’ was one of these, where I started with an ending, and then started with the start, and the two seemed to meet logically along the way. This time, I have started in the same way and know where I am heading, but I have approached the first draft with a more critical eye than usual.

Because there are many tiny details to be sure of, and because some characters have altered the story for me along the way (mildly), I have had to go back, read again, change or update, and then carry on. Yesterday, for example, I reread five chapters of draft one, in effect turning them into a draft two, while also continuing draft one further along in the story. All the time jotting notes such as 24 years in an asylum, or, Remember the Spiritualist Magazine, and Mr Phinigan Slack, secretary and illusion maker, Drury Lane. They mean something to me!

As for word count, I am at 66,000 words, and am starting to build towards a climax of the main mystery, the backstory subplot (highly connected to the main mystery), and a subplot for Baxter, while hopefully continuing to keep the reader guessing while ramping up the tension. This appeared today in a review/summary of one of the series seen on a popular Facebook page: As always in these books, the fairly placid opening chapters begin to speed up, until the heart-stopping denouement brings everything to a climax.

I have been receiving several of these excellent write-ups of late, and on Saturday, I intend to share with you some pages on Facebook that have been more than generous in their praise and support of the Delamere Series (and Clearwater), so you might also join the groups and find more indie authors to read.

On which note, the end of the month approaches, and that means a last few departing book fares to advertise, and soon, some new ones to tell you about.

Promo

To end this month’s promotions, I will leave you to browse one of my favourites, and in this case, you have two options. Clicking one gives kudos to Jackson’s list, and the second, to James’ list, and you’re welcome to click and explore both, one, or neither. See you on Saturday.

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https://books.bookfunnel.com/mysthrillsus-feb/cciprg404k

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https://books.bookfunnel.com/mysthrillsus-feb/xvfkh39erq

The Thirteen Club

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My news this week is that I am now on chapter ten of Delamere Eleven with a working title of Thirteen. Funnily enough, this one isn’t about numbers, plural, but is inspired by the number thirteen.

After my Christmas and New Year break, I turned my mind to the next Delamere mystery, and found I was looking at an empty folder. When this happens, when I know I must write something but don’t have the ‘hook’ that starts the flow of inspiration, I turn to the news of the time. In this case, January 1894. (A couple of weeks after the events in the Clearwater Tales Vol. Two, ‘1893’, if you haven’t discovered that yet.)

It was while browsing the National Newspaper Archives that my eyes fell upon an article that appeared in The Sketch on January 17th, 1894, and an idea began to form. I had been looking for something else, but as I read the article, I became more and more intrigued with what I was reading, and, by the time I’d finished, I had found my ‘hook.’

This is the word that I use when I mean background, setting, or gimmick. For example, as ‘Follow the Van’ was set among London music halls, so Number Eleven could be set among the Thirteen Club. Rather, it could begin there, and I could build a mystery around their ethos to ridicule superstitions in the way ‘Acts of Faith’ was built around martyrdoms.

The Holborn Restaurant (Edwardian photo), where the Thuirteen Club held their dinners.

That’s what I am doing, and I have started with a rough draft of the action plot, which will change as I go through, because I tend to set my detectives mysteries without knowing myself the who and why of the crime. I also have an idea for an emotional subplot into which I want to weave some erotic or more graphic scene, because it’s been a long time since we’ve seen any of that on the Delamere pages.

While doing this, I have also had an idea for a ‘How To’ set of articles to assist new authors in my genres, which may or may not turn into a publication. Watch this space.

So, I am definitely back into creative mode and plodding on. Meanwhile, I am also taking an active part in various promotions to hopefully boost not only my readership, but also that of other indie authors. I have a few ongoing promos this month, as you might have seen from the recent newsletter, and I’ll drop them here along the way.

Let’s start with this one, which is only running until February 19th:

MM ROMANCE BOOKS $4.99 and UNDER

Genres: Romance, Romance / Active/Erotica, and Romance / LGBT I have my Mentor books in this promotion of 28 books. These are all MM Romance themed, and as the title says, they’re all on offer and priced under $4.99.

Who is Jack Merrit?

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This was a question I posed to a search engine the other day, simply out of interest. I guess I wanted to check whether AI had naughtily rummaged inside any of my books, but was pleased to see that all the information gathered came purely from my own blurbs and website. It’s an interesting summary, and here’s what it said, with a few notes from me.

Jack Merritt is a central character in The Delamere Files series of gay romantic Victorian mysteries by Jackson Marsh. He is portrayed as a 24-year-old carter and [ex-] labourer at the East India Docks who becomes involved in investigative work with the Clearwater Detective Agency. [Carter = cabbie, I guess.]

Here are the key details about Jack Merritt: [Misspelt, I note, but not by me – I hope.]

  • Background and Personality: Originally from a humble, working-class background, Jack [initially] lives in Limehouse with his grandparents, Reggie and Ida Merrit. He is characterised by a “bewildered look of innocence,” deep thinking, and a sense of vulnerability that contrasts with his, at times, dangerous investigative work.
  • Role in the Series: Jack is one of the key investigators, working alongside Will Merritt and with the guidance of characters like Jimmy Wright. He matures throughout the series, evolving from a labourer into a dedicated, albeit sometimes insecure, detective.
  • Relationships: A significant aspect of his character is his romantic journey, particularly his relationship with Larkin Chase.
  • Key Storylines: In A Case of Make Believe (Book 5), Jack takes charge of the agency’s new staff and a difficult missing person case. In A Fall from Grace (Book 2), he learns detective skills and navigates his professional and romantic life. 

Jack Merritt is often depicted as having a “charming and innocent” perspective, often serving as the reader’s lens into the complex social and criminal world of Victorian London. 

Not bad. He is my MC, for sure, closely followed by Will Merrit (left), and, later in the series, Benjamin Baxter. The cast list for Delamere seems to grow with each new book.

We started with Jack, Will and Larkin, then added more of Max the butler, then Baxter, and as the Clearwater characters began to take a back seat (Jimmy Wright, Mrs Norwood), so came along Mrs Sparks, Simeon and Ronny Felman, and more recently, Charlie Inning. Around them, we’ve started to see more of the police connections, including, in the last book, Tom Bradley of the City of London Police.

Now then. A few people have hinted that they would like to see more of Tom (he was painted as charming, sensitive, cute…), and I am thinking about working him into a subplot in book eleven.

(Left: Ben Baxter.)

I am not sure, but I think it’s about time we shook things up in the Baxter/Charlie relationship, as it’s never really been a settled one. It’s always been a bit mad passion followed by cooling off, followed by being an open relationship and then not… We shall see.

The point is, I am working on book eleven, so far untitled, and as you can see from last week’s post, it has something to do with the Thirteen Club. This was a real club/society, and gave me the idea of using such societies and associations as the background for the mystery.

In the past, Jack, Will and the rest have been involved in criminal gangs, the Old School network, the music halls, the theatre of Grand Guignol, the London sewer system, creepy castles, the reading of a will, serial killers and the martyrdom of saints, and rural smugglers. In the most recent book, ‘A Depraved Indifference,’ although they saved lives, the criminal escaped and is still out there…

It will be interesting to revisit this online search for ‘Who is Jack Merrit of the Delamere files?’ and see what it comes up with.

MM Promos and Others

Meanwhile, don’t forget there are still some promos running, if you want to explore them or simply give a random click to boost my reputation for sharing. Here are two new ones:

MM ROMANCE BOOKS $4.99 and UNDER

Click the banner.

Inspirational Reads!

A small collection, but a fascinating one.

Click the banner.

The Thirteen Club

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Is this the title of the next Delamere mystery? I’m not sure.
What is the Thirteen Club? In my case, it’s not a clothing store in Canada, but one of those quirky, Victorian societies. In this case, it sought to debunk superstitions. It met at least once a year, usually on the 13th of the month, and held a dinner at which there were 13 tables of 13 people each, 13 waiters, speeches that lasted 13 minutes, toasts with only 13 words, and members of the group would smash mirrors and walk under ladders — and more.

Here’s what the Illustrated Police News wrote on January 6th, 1894, in regard to the meeting due to be held on the 13th of that month.

The Thirteen Club

Formed to demonstrate the folly of the superstitious, this club has gone on prospering, and with every appearance of still further advancement. The annual feast will be held in room number 13 of the Holborn Restaurant, and as is customary on these occasions, members and their friends will occupy thirteen tables with thirteen at each. Peacocks’ feathers will abound, while the knives and forks will be crossed, and any quantity of salt will be spilt. During the evening, the toast-master, instead of informing the assembly that the chairman will be happy to take wine with them, will vary the stereotyped declaration by announcing that Mr Furniss will be happy to spill salt with them. The club saltcellars are coffin shaped, and the best “dim religious light” obtainable from skull-shaped lamps will illuminate the banqueting hall, before entering which the company will pass under the club ladder. Other details which are said to be “too gruesome to mention,” will be revealed at the last moment.

Inside the Holborn Restaurant, where the meeting was held on January 13th, 1894. (This is a later, Edwardian, photo.)

The Delamere Involvement

It’s a very new idea – I only came across it yesterday, but I thought it would be fun to put Jack and Larkin at that dinner, which really did happen on 13th January, 1894. Ah, but then what?

That’s what I am going to think about over the weekend – a mystery based around the Thirteen Club, but what mystery? I also want the next book to have a little more ‘heat’, so I am planning something for Baxter and Charlie. A previous character may be coming back, too, and we still have the madman Orlando Temple on the loose, so there is a lot to consider as I slowly start my way back to creative work after a long break.

Before you go, though… There is still a promo featuring one of my titles, so if you’ve not looked at what’s on offer this month, here’s the link.

New Year, New Attitude: Memoirs, Poetry, Relationship, Inspirational reads

Here’s something slightly different from my usual promotion. It’s a collection of 28 titles, all of which are non-fiction. In fact, they are more along the lines of inspirational fic, women’s fic, literary fiction, memoirs, poetry, etc. There are no self-help books, and nothing done by AI.

I have entered my godfather’s biography, ‘Bobby, a Life Worth Living’, into this promo.

Cover Reveal: A Depraved Indifference

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Something simple today. The cover for the Delamere Files Book Ten, ‘A Depraved Indifference,’ as created by the wonderful Andjela K.

All being well, the book will be published this week, so keep an eye on your Amazon notifications and my Facebook page.

UPDATE: 29th October. The Kindle version of the book is now available. Click here.

If you have not yet subscribed to my newsletter, you can do so here and be among the first to receive news of my books and other authors’ work in special free-to-browse promos. Talking of which, I have another for you after the cover reveal, which I will do after reminding you of 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 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.

PROMOS

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.

LGBTQIA+ Characters in Romance (All Pairings Welcome)

There are all manner of pairings within the realm of queer romance. KC Karmine is doing things with tentacles, Ann Lister is Pitch Perfect, and I have the Mentor of Lonemarsh House in the list. It’s a trifle awkward that on the row below that book is another using the same model in the same pose (it’s the same stock photo). Strangely, the book is called ‘Without Respect,’ which I find strangely fitting for the placement of our two novels.

A Thriller of a Blurb?

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Hello!

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.)

The Saddling              James Collins

Finding a Way             Jackson Marsh

Very Nearly There

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WIP

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.

These are all available on Kindle Unlimited too.

Click to browse for free

WIP: A Depraved Indifference

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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.

Says the Great Bell of Bow

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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.