If you’ve not picked up on the news, I released Journeyman Joe last week. This is a standalone romance that’s more about the people of the story than the mystery, which comes second to the characters and location. Rather than an action/adventure style mystery based in London, it’s a slower and more descriptive journey through a season in a Kent village. There are, of course, quirky characters, a handsome lead, some class distinctions, and some humour, but I hope it has some literary merit in its writing. Having said that, I’m not the sort to explore and understand the ‘human condition’ (whatever that is), or to raise great moral themes intended for discussion at book groups. Just a simple storyteller telling a simple story. You’ll have to make up your own mind.
Here’s the blurb and a universal link to Journeyman Joe:
Spring 1895. As London is gripped by the scandalous trials of Oscar Wilde, a blacksmith’s apprentice in a parochial Kent village is fighting a much quieter, lonelier battle.Joe Webster is desperate to escape the suffocating expectations of his family and his village. The only way out is to free himself of his indenture, which he can only do by becoming a journeyman. To do that, he must forge a new casket for the church, include a secret compartment, and swear an oath of absolute silence.
Joe is lost for inspiration until the archdeacon’s office sends the handsome and erudite historian, Harvey Cade, to inspect the parish records. As Harvey investigates a historical mystery, Joe realises what he needs to succeed: The forbidden love Harvey offers.
But navigating a double life under the watchful eyes of the village is a dangerous game. In the shadow of Oscar Wilde’s ruin, a single slip could cost them everything. When the casket’s secret threatens to publicly expose them both, Joe must choose: Protect the truth he was sworn to hide, or protect the man he loves.
Kindle, KU & paperback
What’s Next?
As usual with me, I am already onto what to write next, and I have two ideas, both returning us to the Clearwater world.
The first would be another set of Clearwater Tales, as requested in my Facebook group the other day. I’ve asked members of the group to suggest who they might like to see appear telling short stories, and I am building a list. No promises! The other idea, and this has only just started bubbling, is to start another series with the series title of the Merrit Brothers Mysteries, or similar. This would be set 10 years ahead of the last Jack Merrit story, starting in 1904, but it’s very early days yet, and I am still waiting for that surge of barely controllable inspiration to land on the desk, so we will see.
Meanwhile…
I have a few promos this month, and two starting later in the month, which I will announce and also put into next month’s newsletter when there will be more talk about my next project. There may even be a free giveaway; I am still working on that. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
If you’re currently looking for detective stories, though, you can check out the 34 titles in this collection of varied detective stories.
Detective Fiction
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, British Detectives, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
https://books.bookfunnel.com/detectivefictionoct26/nyvziw62qv