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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Guest Post and Giveaway Bedlam by B.A. Morton

Description:

Joe loves Kit. Everyone thinks she’s dead. Joe knows she’s not.

If you lost the love of your life, how far would you go to get them back? 

Detective Joe McNeil would do absolutely anything. 

When Joe breathes life into a crime scene victim, he discovers what anything really means. 

Nell will use whatever is necessary to ensure she survives, including Joe. Is she really a victim or merely the weapon being wielded by a much more cunning foe?

Against the background of a multiple murder investigation, Joe struggles between his love for missing Kit and his growing obsession with the enigmatic Nell. Plunged headlong into a spiralling nightmare of kidnap, murder and betrayal, his relentless search for the truth jeopardises his career, his sanity and his life.

But for Nell, the risk is even greater..
A haunting tale of obsessive love, ultimate sacrifice and deadly consequences

Read and EXCERPT here

GUEST POST
Researching the story 

Writing both crime and historical fiction allows me the opportunity to employ a variety of research techniques. In crime writing it’s vital to get the facts right, particularly police procedural terminology and hierarchy but equally important to allow the story room to breathe. I use research to underpin the story, but only if it’s crucial to the plot. I’m fortunate in having a serving Scene of Crime Officer as a valued friend to offer advice re evidential procedures. I also have many books written by professionals within crime related fields, bought after attending seminars at crime festivals. Being an expert in any field isn’t necessary, knowing where to access the information definitely is. The internet is a valuable tool, not only to source up to date information, but you can hop onto Google earth and research your crime scene almost anywhere in the world. My horror, thriller Bedlam begins with the discovery of a particularly gruesome multiple, murder. It was important to understand initial UK murder scene procedure and hierarchy, in order to present it as accurately as possible without the story becoming bogged down in unnecessary detail. 

My research for my medieval trilogy The Wildewood Chronicles is slightly different. I have an advantage in that I live in an area steeped in history and my own home is built on the foundations of a medieval chapel and crypt. Research in this field is definitely a labour of love. I still use the internet, but there’s also a lot of footwork, visiting sites of interest and lots of reading. It’s not just about the facts, the historical events; you also have to capture the feel of the period, the language, culture and behaviours. And you have to do it all with a careful hand so that the story, that wonderful creation, isn’t swamped by historical data. In the case of my historical novels I create a research document, a timeline to underpin the plot. A skeleton if you like which supports the muscle and flesh of the story. Once it’s in place, I’m quite ruthless in removing all but the absolutely necessary. It’s a fine balance. The amount of research shouldn’t be obvious to the reader, it should in my opinion, be seamless to the story. 
About the author:
Born in the North East of England, B.A.Morton writes across a number of genres including crime, romance, horror and historical fiction. After a twenty year civil service career, she and her family escaped the rat race and relocated to the remote beauty of the Northumberland National Park. She now works part time in the village GP surgery and lives in a cottage built on the remains of a medieval crypt.

Her debut novel “Mrs Jones” a fast paced, romantic, crime thriller set in New York, was runner up in the Yeovil Literary Prize 2011, published by Taylor Street Publishing and closely followed by the sequel “Molly Brown”, and the first in a medieval trilogy “Wildewood Revenge”. Her latest book “Bedlam” is a psychological/horror/thriller.

Author's Giveaway
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8 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for hosting Bedlam today :)

Unknown said...

O carte foarte frumoasa!

Ann Waters said...

Sounds great

Unknown said...

I am thankful for authors who take accurate research seriously. I don't know how authors do manage to investigate necessary topics for their novels without the authorities becoming suspicious in return. Some key words, library loans, and questions to CSI about how to avoid detection for the perfect murder have to raise some red flags. Then there's the issue of if the Internet is a valid resource; Google doesn't know everything (This is so true!). It's all a mess, but that's why I'm not wearing the pants of this operation. I'm happy being a book-appreciator.

Debby said...

I loved reading the blurb and the rest of the post. I find the concept very intriguing. I wonder if you can sense when your love is dead.

John Holt said...

A fascinating article giving a bit more insight into a good friend of mine. Wish you well with your tour Babs

Kristina BookLover said...

Wow, this looks so good!

Kai said...

This sounds like a great paranormal mystery story. I love the mystery and the intrigue of what unknown person or force is giving Joe this gift/bane.