Hunter’s Rules will launch at The Harrogate Crime Festival!
Join me and SpellBound Books at 1pm Friday 19th July at the Alexandra in Prospect Place, Harrogate. See you there!
In case you haven't preordered your copy yet, here's an extract to whet your interest. You can order your copy here: https://tinyurl.com/2s3myb5s
The Blurb
A bloody scene brings Hunter and Meera’s romantic plans to an abrupt end.
A young woman attacked in a hotel lift has life changing injuries. Her wounds match those inflicted on two women who died.
Then Hunter is identified as a suspect in the case, and he must establish his innocence to lead his team and solve this bloodcurdling crime.
Is the same person responsible for all three crimes?
Can this woman identify her assailant?
Will this woman live?
The Extract
The Team Arrive at the Hotel
“Scott,” Hunter repeated. “Earth to Scott.”
“Evening, sir. This is posh, isn’t it?”
“Are you here to work or admire the décor?” Hunter asked.
“Sorry. The sarge says you need us to take witness statements.”
“Exactly so, and here comes the cavalry,” Hunter said. He smiled at Chloe Ferguson. Everyone called her Fergie. She led her team of CSIs towards him. He looked at her grim expression.
“We’ll need to get this done pronto so the hotel can have their lift back. Of course, it must be thoroughly sanitised before it’s back in use,” she said. “Anyway, Sam’s on her way. We’ll let her get her initial photos taken before we start. It looks like someone’s danced on the floor. Look at those bloody footprints in the car and all over here.” She pointed to the marks on the shiny polished floor.
“Sorry, Fergie. Hands up, that was me and Meera. We checked if the woman was still alive and when she was, Meera did what she could for her while I called you and the ambulance.”
“For fuck’s sake, Hunter. You know better.”
“I did as little damage as I could, but the victim was in a lift.”
“I know, I know. It’s just lucky the professionals are here now. Oh, and there’s Sam. Let’s give her space.”
Hunter watched the quiet photographer get her equipment ready and set to work.
“Neil, if you stay here and keep everybody away from the elevator. No mobile phone photos or films either. See anybody taking any you just confiscate their phone as containing evidence. That’ll stop the rest fast enough. Charlie, you and Scott take statements from the staff on duty in the bar and restaurant tonight. The guests too. See if you can get any descriptions of the woman and whoever she was with.”
“As we don’t know what either of them look like or names or anything, can you give us a clue, perhaps?” Scott asked.
“The woman mentioned the name Frederick. She has dark hair and was dressed in a fancy red velvet dress. A cocktail dress, I think they call it,” Hunter said. “I suppose there wouldn’t be too many red velvet dresses.”
“What are you doing here anyway?” Charlie asked.
“I was treating Meera to dinner, if it’s any of your business.”
“Well, it is. If you were having dinner at the same time as the victim, you could be witnesses. Did you see her?”
The Author
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.
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