Category Archives: police procedural

Book Promo, Book Tour, crime writer, crime writing, Crime/Mystery, Edinburgh, Novels, police procedural, Val Penny

Murder in the New Town by Val Penny #MURDERINTHENEWTOWN

September 27, 2026 Melanie 2 Comments

I’m pleased to be welcoming author Val Penny and her newly re-branded DI Hunter Wilson series novel, Murder in the New Town to Celtic Connexions.

Murder in the New Town

Blurb

Behind the elegant Georgian terraces of Edinburgh’s New Town, a killer is hiding in plain sight . . .

Detective Hunter Wilson is dragged from his bed by a frantic call in the early hours of the morning.

A young woman has been found dead in a flat above a betting shop on Frederick Street.

By the time Hunter arrives, it’s clear this wasn’t a crime of passion.

The victim has been beaten beyond recognition. The tips of her fingers are missing. The kitchen floor is soaked red with her blood.

Someone wanted to make sure she could never be identified.

But that’s not what stops Hunter in his tracks.

The flat is the home of his own son.

Murder in the New Town

Buy Links

PAPER BACK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/absolutely-gripping-Scottish-Detective-Mysteries/dp/1805737619

KINDLE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/absolutely-gripping-Scottish-Detective-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0H5QMD4CR

Excerpt

DI Hunter Wilson looked at the time on his phone before he answered the call. 4.03am. If this was some comedian from the sub-continent calling to tell him about putting in a claim for the accident he hadn’t had… Then he noticed it was Cameron calling him.

“What’s the matter, son? This is a hell of a time to phone.” Hunter whispered.

“I didn’t know who else to call.”

“What’s the matter? And it had better be good.”

“It’s far from good.” Cameron told his father of the scene that had met him and his new friends when they got back to his flat.

“She’s had what cut off? Bloody hell!”

“I know, Dad, I know. And her head has been bashed in too. What do I do?”

“Well, now we have Police Scotland in place there is a Major Incidents Team, imaginatively know as MIT, that deals with cases like this.”

“Oh, Dad no! The other girls’ll go mental. You come. Please? At least at first. I need your help.”

Hunter thought back to the days when Cameron used to ask for his help regularly: tying his shoelaces, drying him after swimming, learning to ride a bike. Those had been the golden years. It had been a long, long time since his son had sounded so desperate and pleaded for his help. It made Hunter feel good. He could help Cameron again. Brilliant!

“You’re not back on the cocaine are you, Cameron? You’re not hallucinating?” Hunter said suddenly.

“No, I’m bloody not! But thanks for the vote of confidence. Believe me, I will be if you don’t get your arse over here pronto!”

“And that’s how you ask for help from your dad? A favour? Stuff you!” Hunter shouted back.

“What is it?” a bleary voice beside Hunter said.

“Please, Dad. Just come. I need you.” Cameron sounded like a little boy about to burst into tears. “Another person’s in my flat too. I’ve never seen her before. Just come, quickly, please Dad! I can’t tell you how awful it all is here.”

Hunter got out of bed and patted Meera’s arm. “Go back to sleep, pet. I’ve got to go and see Cameron. It’s an emergency.”

“At four o’clock in the morning? What’s wrong? Is he using again?”

“No. But he was out for the evening and got back to his home to find his flat mate dead on the floor”

“Why does he need you? Shouldn’t he call an ambulance?” Meera asked.

“It’s a bit late for that. She’s been mutilated; her head has been bashed in and the tops of her fingers cut off.”

“I’d guess she’s probably dead, right enough. But doesn’t Cameron need me more than he needs you? I’m coming with you,” Meera said in a determined voice that brooked no contradiction.

About the Author

Val Penny’s crime novels, form the bestselling series of DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.

She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.

Follow Val at these links:

Website: https://www.valpenny.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B07C4725TK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Authorvalpenny/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieepenny/

Bluesky: https://www.bsky.app/profile/valpennyauthor/

Cath Staincliffe, crime writer, crime writing, Crime/Mystery, fiction, Novels, police procedural, suspense

Secrets on the Fells by Cath Staincliffe

September 23, 2026 Melanie 4 Comments

Today at Celtic Connexions, I’m reviewing Secrets on the Fells by Cath Staincliffe. The best part of being a blog tour host is discovering new authors and their books.

Blurb

One bitter winter’s night, Detectives Donovan and Young are called to Fountains Abbey. A crumbling ruin out on the wild and windswept Yorkshire Fells. Where the air hangs heavy with local legend, ancient secrets and now the overpowering tang of freshly spilled blood.

College teacher Patrick Armitage lies sprawled across the stones, in a gory crimson pool. His handsome face is a mask of shock and disbelief.

Because Patrick’s not just been murdered. He’s been slaughtered. Stabbed over and over in the coldest blood.

Patrick was a devoted family man and everyone’s favourite drama teacher. Does that make him a tragic victim — or a consummate actor, who kept his true self hidden behind a spotless façade?

The deeper Donovan and Young dig, the more they realize that no one in this baffling case is quite what they seem.

Least of all Patrick’s grief-stricken widow. She begs the detectives for answers, but meets every question with hostile silence.

Then a vulnerable young witness vanishes from college.

And Young knows, with spine-tingling certainty, that Patrick’s killer is not done yet…
Buy Links

Goodreads	https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/257572854-secrets-on-the-fells
Purchase Link	https://mybook.to/secretsonthefells-zbt

My Review

While this is the third book in the author’s Donovan and Young series, the author shared enough of the characters’ backstories that I wasn’t confused about their working relationship or their personal ones with their spouses.

The book was fast-paced, and I enjoyed the differences between the two main characters. DC Shan Young is an eager and smart constable assigned to work with DI Leo Donovan.

The novel follows the pair as they unravel a murder at Fountains Abbey. I can’t tell you more without giving away spoilers.

This is definitely a series I’m anxious to read more of.

About the Author

Cath Staincliffe

Cath Staincliffe is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, radio playwright and creator of ITV’s hit show Blue Murder. Cath has been shortlisted for the CWA Daggers five times, winning 2012’s Short Story Dagger. She won the WGBB Best Radio Drama Award in 2019. Cath’s standalone titles describe the human impact of crime on ordinary families, giving voice to victims, the bereaved, survivors and witnesses.

Cath is a reading junkie who loves hill-walking or pottering in the garden. Her new detective series features chalk and cheese duo Leo Donovan and Shan Young in the stunning setting of the Yorkshire Dales.

Connect with Cath

Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/authorcathstaincliffebooks/
X / Twitter	https://x.com/CathStaincliffe
Website	https://www.cathstaincliffe.co.uk/

#review, Book Tour, Charlie Gallagher, Crime/Mystery, Crime/Thriller, Novels, police procedural

The Perfect Victim by Charlie Gallagher

August 26, 2026 Melanie 4 Comments

Today at Celtic Connexions, I’m featuring a book from another new-to-me author, Charlie Gallagher and his novel, The Perfect Victim.

Charlie Gallagher

Blurb

Detective Abigail Morton of Kent Police is in a race against time to catch a killer before he finds his perfect victim.

Because when he finds her, she will die.

She must have red hair, green eyes, and pale skin.

Just like Lizzy Oaken.

Lizzy’s drink is spiked. She wakes up in a locked basement. Trapped by a man who knows exactly what he wants from her. He cuts a lock of her hair as a trophy.

But for some reason she’s not quite right. And Lizzy survives.

Detective Abigail is Lizzy’s source handler. Her last informant turned up in A&E, badly beaten, too frightened to talk anymore. Now she’s relying on Lizzy.

Because the attacker is still out there. Still searching.

And the next woman might be the perfect victim.

Charlie Gallagher

Book Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256119668-the-perfect-victim

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/perfectvictim-zbt

My Review

This is the first novel I’ve read by Charlie Gallagher. It didn’t disappoint. Now, I think I need to get the first two in this series so I can catch up.

It was fast-paced, the characters were likable, and there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing until the reveal. I will admit, I didn’t see it coming.

I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

About the Author

Charlie Gallagher was a serving UK police officer for thirteen years. During that time he had many roles — starting as a front-line response officer, he became a member of a specialist tactical team and finally a detective investigating serious offences. Charlie left to concentrate on writing full time.

Follow Charlie at:

Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/writercharliegallagher/
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/Charliegallagherwriter/
X / Twitter	https://x.com/Gloriouscharlie

Charlie Gallagher

crime writer, crime writing, Edinburgh, fiction, Joffe Books, Novels, police procedural

Murder in Edinburgh by Val Penny #MURDERINEDINBURGH

June 28, 2026 Melanie 2 Comments

Val Penny is my guest today, along with her novel, Murder in Edinburgh, featuring DI Hunter Wilson.

Blurb

A woman’s body is found in a shallow grave on the edge of an exclusive Edinburgh golf course. The victim bears the signs of a brutal struggle: blows to the body, marks around her throat, knees scraped raw as she fought to escape.

But there is no name. No phone. No one reported missing.

Detective Hunter Wilson is summoned from his regular darts night to take the call. Two decades on the force, he’s seen plenty. But this one gets under his skin from the start.

Edinburgh

Buy Links

PAPERBACK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/EDINBURGH-absolutely-gripping-Detective-Mysteries/dp/1805736477

KINDLE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/EDINBURGH-absolutely-gripping-Detective-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0GX34K8HF

Excerpt

Shit! He jumped. A mirror on the cupboard door gave him a fright! He thought it was a burglar dodging against him. Jamie didn’t like to fight. Violence wasn’t his game. He felt all hot and sweaty. He stood still for a moment, holding his chest while his heartbeat returned to normal. Then he looked around. Two doors to the left, two doors to the right, and in front of him, a staircase and a door. He opened the first door on the left and slipped into the room. He was pleased; this was the room with the French windows. Jamie unlocked them, just in case he needed an escape route. As Pop always said, you couldn’t be too careful.

He kept the torch on low beam and swept the light around the room. He started at the mantelpiece and shoved the silver and ornaments into his Asda bag. Shocking having to pay 5p for a plastic bag now. Daylight robbery. As opposed to nighttime robbery.

Moving over to the desk, he found a thick roll of cash. Lucky. And a cheque book. Did anybody still use these? Very old-fashioned. He stuck it in his pocket anyway. Bingo! Boxes: jewellery boxes; watch boxes. Nice. Lots of gold – bracelets, necklaces, and rings with big sparkly stones. The watches were impressive: a Rolex, and this one – a Breitling Transocean thingy. Well over £20k. Sweet.

Jamie was clearing the contents of the boxes into his pockets and congratulating himself on his haul when he heard a creak. He stopped to listen. Shit! The front door. Lucky it needed oil, really. Who was it? Piss.

Jamie heaved his stash into his pockets and his bag and shoved the cash down his trousers. Didn’t even have time to examine the goodies.

***

Sir Peter Myerscough came back early. He came back alone. That day, he had had to brief the First Minister on the action taken to contain the suspected terrorist threat in Broughty Ferry, then he had taken his parliamentary researcher for dinner. It did not take long to get through the three courses and coffee at the New Club. He had tipped off the staff to keep the meal coming.

He was both saddened and furious that the girl was leaving because she was lovely. He would have been proud to have her as a daughter; he would have been prouder still to have her on his arm. What eye candy! He was disappointed he had never got into her pants. It was such a pity she had never been up for it with him.

Her leaving now was bloody inconvenient because her salary was cheap, while she was efficient and easy on the eye. She was also damn good at her job. This was a most unusual combination, and Sir Peter had no doubt that his assistant would be all but impossible to replace on those terms.

Edinburgh

About the Author

Val Penny’s crime novels, form the bestselling series of DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.

She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B07C4725TK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Authorvalpenny/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieepenny/

Bluesky: https://www.bsky.app/profile/valpennyauthor/

Website: https://www.valpenny.com

Joffe Books, police procedural

Voices from the Dead by Tony Bassett

January 29, 2026 Melanie 6 Comments

Today on Celtic Connnexions, I’m reviewing Voices from the Dead by a new-to-me author, Tony Bassett.

voices

Here’s what it’s all about.

voices

And the cover …
voices

Most importantly, my review…

This book pulled me in from the beginning. The writing is fast-paced and there are lots of plot twists to keep me happy and reading.

Even though it’s the eighth book in the series, the characters’ backstories are woven in so you know exactly who’s who and what baggage they bring with them.

I’ll definitely look for more books by this author.

crime writer, Crime/Mystery, Crime/Thriller, Novels, police procedural

A Fighting Chance DS Jane Renwick Book 2 by Val Penny #AFIGHTINGCHANCE

October 19, 2025 Melanie 2 Comments

Today at Celtic Connexions, I’m welcoming author Val Penny and her second book in her DS Jane Renwick series, A Fighting Chance.

fighting chance

Blurb

In the second Jane Renwick Thriller by Val Penny, drug cartels collide as crime boss Connor O’Grady returns to Scotland to protect his turf from rival Peggy Cheney, newly released from prison.

DS Jane Renwick and DC Brian Harris are sent to Stirling, where Jane discovers two tragic deaths—a young man and a girl—raising suspicions of a single killer.

O’Grady denies involvement, but can a drug lord be trusted?
Set in Stirling and Gartcosh, this tense police procedural thrusts Jane into the heart of a deadly turf war.

fighting chance

Book Links

PAPERBACK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Chance-Jane-Renwick-Book/dp/1917611161

EBOOK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Chance-Jane-Renwick-Book-ebook/dp/B0FHQ49SVJ

My Review

I first met DS Jane Renwick in Val Penny’s DI Hunter series. She’s now working at MIT. This assignment takes her and her team to Stirling, where she ends up embroiled in not one, but two murder cases.

I like Jane’s character. She’s smart, feisty, and someone you wouldn’t want to make angry.

It was nice to see some of the characters from the DI Hunter series mentioned as well. The Thompson family from Thompson Top Cars in Edinburgh.

I really hope there will be more DS Jane Renwick books.

fighting chance

This is the Wallace Monument in Stirling, as shown on the cover of Val’s novel. You can tour the monument and climb the 246-step spiral staircase to the very top. The view is spectacular from there. Looking straight up into the open dome also offers a good view. I’ve toured the monument, and you should add it to your bucket list.

About 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.

Val’s Links

Website – https://www.valpenny.com

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Val-Penny/e/B07C4725TK

Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739

Author Twitter Page – @valeriepenny

Author Instagram Page – https://www.instagram.com/valerieepenny/

book review, GB Williams, HanWill Publishing, Novels, police procedural, The Queen of Cups Murders

The Queen of Cups by GB Williams #THEQUEENOFCUPSMURDERS

November 26, 2024 Melanie 2 Comments

Today, the blog features something a little different. I’m reviewing The Queen of Cups by GB Williams.

BLURB

He’s determined to draw a better future. But his morning reading didn’t warn him about the muddy ditch of corpses…

South Wales. Detective Sergeant Madoc Palmer struggles to fit in. Committed to his job, the tarot reader hopes his transfer away from a sabotaging superior is a fresh start. Though he downplays his psychic ability as good instincts, the ploy is tested when two murders trigger strange visions.

As his abilities take an inexplicable leap forward, Palmer navigates the tricky task of guiding the sharp-eyed, evidence-following Detective Inspector Ruth Atkins to the identity of the decayed remains. With his suspicious new DI watching every move, the newcomer fears any slip of the tongue could get him laughed off the force.

Can he reveal his truth without destroying his life or letting a killer slip from their grasp?

Queen of Cups

LINK TO BUY

Queen of Cups

MY REVIEW

Anyone familiar with tarot will know the book’s title is a card in the deck. I can put everything I know about tarot cards in a doll-sized teacup. I know South Wales reasonably well, where the book is set. The book was engaging, and the characters were likable. My lack of tarot knowledge did nothing to spoil my enjoyment of it.

The dynamics between the lead characters, DI Ruth Akins and DS Madoc Palmer, made it enjoyable.

I was lucky to get in on the ground floor with this book since it’s the first in a series of police procedurals.

A 5-star read, and I’ll be watching for more books by this author.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Queen of Cups

GB Williams specialises in complex, fast-paced crime novels. Her works include the recently expanded Locked Trilogy, The Elaine Blake Novels and the stand alone, The Chair. GB was shortlisted for the 2014 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition with the story Last Shakes, now available in Last Cut Casebook. GB is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Crime Cymru, and part of the organising team for Gŵyl CRIME CYMRU Festival, as well as working as a writer and freelance structural editor.

WEBSITE