Today we have a spotlight on British author Gillian Larkin and her latest offering, Death Takes A Trip (1 May 2015), which is the fifth instalment in her Julia Blake Cosy Murder Mystery series and is currently offered for FREE on all platforms!So have a look and give it a try!
Synopsis | Excerpt | The Series | About the Author
Synopsis
When one of Julia’s elderly clients, Douglas Pedley, is found dead at the bottom of his stairs, it is soon obvious that he was murdered. Julia first suspects the building contractors who have been hounding Douglas to sell his land and property. It’s not long before another suspect appears. Julia is determined to find out who murdered the old man.Excerpt
Julia was the first to discover Douglas’ dead body. With hindsight she should have acted quicker and warned Cain to divert Nina. As it was, Julia was too shocked to move. From the second she had entered the house, Julia had sensed that something was wrong. Some instinct had told her to go to the stairs.Cain joined her. He looked down at Douglas and said, “Is he dead?” Julia nodded, unable to speak. She heard Nina gasp behind her. This was followed by a scream of horror.
Cain immediately turned around and put his arms around Nina whose scream had now turned into sobs.
Julia couldn't take her eyes off the still body of Douglas lying in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs. It reminded her so much of Nina and the fall that she’d had a few days before. Julia knelt down next to Douglas and closed his unseeing eyes. She didn't need to check for a pulse, it was obvious from his colour that he was dead.
How had he fallen down the steps? The carpet at the top had been fixed. Julia looked up towards the top of the stairs. Her heart missed a beat when she saw that the carpet was sticking up again. How did that happen? When she'd spoken to Douglas recently he had confirmed that the carpet had been fixed. Julia sighed. Something wasn’t right here.
Death Takes A Trip - available NOW & FREE!
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Julia Blake runs her own cleaning business. She has the unfortunate knack of getting herself involved in murder investigations.
Virtually Scared to Death
The first time Julia sees a dead body is when she discovers one of her clients, Mark Castle, lying dead on the floor of his luxury apartment.She remembers things that Mark mentioned to her a few days before his death, things he was worried about.
A bottle of pills is lying open at Mark’s side, but they’re not his usual ones.
And why is his computer playing a continuous game?
Julia soon suspects that Mark was murdered. He was a good friend and she is determined to find out who killed him.
*This first story in the series is available FREE*
Deadly Restoration
Julia’s neighbour, Leo Kennedy, is having restoration work done to his house. He’s managed to upset neighbours and builders in the short time that he has lived there.One night, Julia hears the sound of something breaking next door. She goes to investigate and finds Leo dead in his front room. It looks like he’s been murdered.
When DI Clarke asks if Leo Kennedy had any enemies Julia has to tell him that Leo had many.
But who would kill Leo? And for what reason?
Julia soon becomes involved in the investigation, and it is something seemingly insignificant that she spots that leads to the arrest of the murderer.
A Party to Die
Julia Blake has been working for Fiona Doyle for a few years.When Fiona’s daughter has a party Julia helps her sister to do the catering. Fiona is in a bad mood as she tries to organises everything. Julia can see that Fiona needs a rest and suggest she has a lie down.
An hour later Julia discovers that Fiona has been suffocated in her bed.
Which one of the party guests killed Fiona? Julia is determined to find the murderer.
A Secret Killer
In this story Julia visits one of her clients, a genealogist called Hugo Barnes. Hugo has uncovered a family secret during the course of his work. He tells Julia that the client won’t be happy about the secret he’s discovered.Julia finds Hugo’s dead body the next day. She makes her own investigations into Hugo’s death and soon discovers that his assistant, Dinah, and his brother, Gilbert have strong motives for killing him.
Julia also finds out who the last client of Hugo’s was. Did they have a motive to kill Hugo too?
And who is that man who’s been watching Julia’s house?
Julia is determined to find out who killed Hugo Barnes.
About the Author
Gillian Larkin is an avid fan of mystery stories. She started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. Her favourite fiction detective is Poirot, "I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are."Gillian lives near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. "My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.
I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have."
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