NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

We find our genre delightfully, dangerously, and deliciously exciting - join us here, if you do too!

NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Monday, September 16, 2013

Waiting for Dexter (and a giveaway)

Writers are always conscious of their readers. I want mine to be transported to a different world, one where the bleak, brooding hills of east Lancashire dominate the landscape, one where good overcomes evil, where the good guy wins and the baddie gets his comeuppance. 

But do you know what I really want? I want them to feel the same way about my books as I do about Dexter. Imagine that. Wow! I want them to count the days until the next book in my series hits the shelves. I want them unable to wait until they get their hands on it. 

That’s how I feel about Dexter. I’ve been hooked from the moment I saw those wonderful opening credits welcoming me to Series 1, Episode 1. I admit that, while watching, I mutter things like “How ridiculous is that?” and “There’s no way that could happen” but I am still utterly, totally hooked. Addicted even. 

Lucky, lucky, lucky people in the States see Dexter episodes before us poor souls here in the UK. (No spoilers from you US viewers, please.) I gather there’s a dodgy online site where, a few hours after an episode has aired in the US, it’s possible to download the episode and save yourself a week’s wait for it to appear on TV here in the UK. I also gather that a lot of viewers in the UK have made use of this dodgy website simply because they can’t wait.* 

Now, just in case there’s anyone out there counting the minutes until the next Dylan Scott mystery is available and can’t possibly wait until 7 October (anyone? :o)), I have a treat for you. I’m giving away a digital copy of Deadly Shadows (either EPUB or PDF format). Yes, you could be the first person to get your hands on the sixth Dylan Scott story. 


Here’s the blurb:

Before his disgraceful dismissal from the police force, Dylan Scott worked undercover to get close to notorious drug dealer Joe Child. Now, Dylan works as a P.I.—and Child heads up a religious commune near Dawson's Clough. But after two girls go missing from the refuge, the cops need Dylan's help to find out if Child is saving souls as a cover for something more sinister.

The investigation means going back undercover as a petty crook—a tough gig for a detective who has recently worked some high-profile cases in Lancashire. Even on a remote farm, Dylan's in constant danger of being recognized. Not to mention the strain his long absences have put on his family life.

Still, Dylan won't rest until he finds the missing girls. But the longer he looks, the harder it is to tell the sinners from the saints. And the truth may be more than this bleak northern town can handle.

If you’d like to be in with a chance of being the first person to read Deadly Shadows just say so in the comments and I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday. :)

* I admit nothing.

20 comments:

Maureen A. Miller said...

Well, I for one am always looking forward to the next Dylan Scott mystery. And I may (you never heard this from me) have used one of those dodgy sites to watch a certain football team when they were not televised. Perhaps the fact that the broadcast was blurry and in Japanese was a good thing. :)

Congratulations on the upcoming release!

Marcelle Dubé said...

Congratulations on the upcoming release, Shirley. Count me as one of your fans -- I'd love to read the new Dylan Scott!

Unknown said...

Aw, thank you, Miss Maureen. I've used one of those dodgy sites to watch my team too, but I don't think that counts, does it. I mean, it's not as if we're doing it for enjoyment, lol. ;)

Marcelle, thank you. You say the sweetest things!

Karen said...

Count me in. I want to get to know Dylan Scott!

Toni Anderson said...

Fabulous Shirley! Dylan is a wonderful character :) I like Dexter too but rarely watch it and don't want it on the PVR b/c of the kids. One day I'm have a serial killer glom!


Anne Marie Becker said...

My husband and I have just discovered DEXTER - didn't have time before! We're loving it, and I love when I have so many episodes at my fingertips because I'm way behind. LOL

Rita said...

Now you know how we feel about Downton here.LOL!
We are your biggest fans.I'm facing your direction and sending good juju to be as successful as Dex.

Wendy Soliman said...

I've read the entire series, and can't wait for the next one.

Unknown said...

Karen, you're in. :)

Dexter's not one for the kids, Toni, that's for sure. I've sometimes wondered if I'll have nightmares. None so far. :)

Anne Marie, you're so lucky. Before this latest - and final - series aired on TV, husband and I had a catch up and watched every episode from the start. Wonderful!

You have to wait for Downton, Rita? That's so unfair. Although I'm sure there's a doggy internet site somewhere... :) Thank you for the juju!

Wendy, I feel the same about your Charlie. Great character. Can't wait for more from the Hunter Files!

BabsMcG said...

Pick me pick meeeeee I have to be his biggest fan - after you of course! I've not watched Dexter, I thought it was a bit of a Friends-like programme, was surprised to learn its quite a long way from that!!

Unknown said...

You haven't watched Dexter, Babs??? Oh my. Rush off and get yourself the DVDs. :) (Or, of course, you could find one of those dodgy internet sites, lol.) He's the best serial killer ever. Ever!

Unknown said...

I would love the copy of the new Dylan Scott. I downloaded the first one, read it in a day and then downloaded all the others, locked myself away with a bottle of wine and read them all within a week. Now desperately need the new one.

Unknown said...

Mandie, thank you so much! Lovely to know that not only are they written with a bottle of wine open, they're also read that way. :)

Anonymous said...

yes please Ms Wells

mrs b xx

Unknown said...

Hello, Mrs. B. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Unknown said...

And the winner is....

I used Random.org to make it fair/random and the winner chosen was BabsMcG. Congratulations, Babs. Hope you enjoy being the first person to read Deadly Shadows. :)

Thanks for dropping by, everyone!

Mike Keyton said...

Oh dear, a competition groupie. Okay, I'm in. I'm in need of some of that Lancashire dream-scape :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by, Mike. Unfortunately, I'd just picked and announced the winner. However, there will be more chances to win. Watch this space!
As for the Lancashire dream-scape, think cold, wet and grey and you're there. :)

BabsMcG said...

Oooh I'm so excited :-) thank you so much x

Unknown said...

Hope you enjoy it, Babs!

More Popular Posts