Stuart James's Blog

Here is the interview with bestselling author, Robert Bryndza who very kindly came on our podcast yesterday.
Keri Beevis and I, had a great time talking with him about writing and his future plans.
Click the link below and subscribe to hear the full interview.

https://anchor.fm/stuart-james8/episo...

Interview with Ruth Ware.
I've started a podcast for the reading and writing community with another bestselling author, Keri Beevis.
You can subscribe to the show by clicking the link below. Here, we talk all things books with the wonderful Ruth Ware.
https://anchor.fm/stuart-james8/episo...

I'm delighted to say that my new psychological thriller/horror has hit the number one spot on Amazon as a hot new release.
Thank you to everyone who has read, Stranded, and left a review. Also, for all the shares and recommendations.
I can't thank you enough.

Blurb.

A family trapped. A psychopath on the loose. Let the game begin...

What could be more innocent than going on a family holiday?
As a family drive along a quiet country lane on their way to the airport, they meet a stranger standing alone in the middle of the road.

Steering them along another path, he tells the driver, Ben, that a tree has fallen and there's no way through.

But as they make their way along the diverted route, they come across a coach blocking the road.

Getting out of the car Ben goes to investigate and is horrified to find the passengers tied to their seats.

Then a discarded phone starts to ring…

If Ben calls the police, everyone on board will die.

Let the horrific game begin…

Stuart James is also the bestselling author of Apartment 6 and the award-winning The House On Rectory Lane. Stranded is a gripping and twisty psychological thriller which fans of authors like Mark Edwards, Teresa Driscoll Rachel Abbott and are sure to love.

I'm delighted to say that my new psychological thriller/horror has hit the number one spot on Amazon as a hot new release.
Thank you to everyone who has read, Stranded, and left a review. Also, for all the shares and recommendations.
I can't thank you enough.

Blurb.

A family trapped. A psychopath on the loose. Let the game begin...

What could be more innocent than going on a family holiday?
As a family drive along a quiet country lane on their way to the airport, they meet a stranger standing alone in the middle of the road.

Steering them along another path, he tells the driver, Ben, that a tree has fallen and there's no way through.

But as they make their way along the diverted route, they come across a coach blocking the road.

Getting out of the car Ben goes to investigate and is horrified to find the passengers tied to their seats.

Then a discarded phone starts to ring…

If Ben calls the police, everyone on board will die.

Let the horrific game begin…

Stuart James is also the bestselling author of Apartment 6 and the award-winning The House On Rectory Lane. Stranded is a gripping and twisty psychological thriller which fans of authors like Mark Edwards, Teresa Driscoll Rachel Abbott and are sure to love.

I'm delighted to say that my new psychological thriller/horror has hit the number one spot on Amazon as a hot new release.
Thank you to everyone who has read, Stranded, and left a review. Also, for all the shares and recommendations.
I can't thank you enough.

Blurb.

A family trapped. A psychopath on the loose. Let the game begin...

What could be more innocent than going on a family holiday?
As a family drive along a quiet country lane on their way to the airport, they meet a stranger standing alone in the middle of the road.

Steering them along another path, he tells the driver, Ben, that a tree has fallen and there's no way through.

But as they make their way along the diverted route, they come across a coach blocking the road.

Getting out of the car Ben goes to investigate and is horrified to find the passengers tied to their seats.

Then a discarded phone starts to ring…

If Ben calls the police, everyone on board will die.

Let the horrific game begin…

Stuart James is also the bestselling author of Apartment 6 and the award-winning The House On Rectory Lane. Stranded is a gripping and twisty psychological thriller which fans of authors like Mark Edwards, Teresa Driscoll Rachel Abbott and are sure to love.

I'm delighted to announce that my new psychological
thriller, Stranded, is released in 4 days and can be pre-ordered now on Amazon.
Here are the links.

https://www.amazon.com/Stranded-gripp...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranded-gri...Stranded

Do you have the courage to escape?

Be careful what you wish for...

Meagan is in an abusive relationship with nowhere to turn.
She meets Oliver on her commute to work and after a drink one evening, she convinces him to kill her husband, only he breaks into the wrong apartment.

Here's the first chapter.

Released through Bloodhound Books on 29th January, 2020.



Chapter One

Twenty years ago.

'999, what’s your emergency? Hello, 999, what’s your–?’
‘Hello.’
‘Hello. What’s your emergency?’
‘It’s my mummy.’
‘You sound very young, sweetheart, how old are you?’
‘I’m five, but I’m nearly six.’
‘Who’s with you? Are you still on the line? Hello.’
‘My daddy.’
‘Okay. Can you put your daddy on the phone?’
‘He won’t come. He’s in his bedroom. It’s upstairs, and it’s dark, and it’s scary. He isn’t here much, but when he is, he stays in his room on the phone talking.’
‘Okay. I’m going to stay on the phone with you. Can you get him for me? Will you do that? You don’t need to be frightened, okay?’
‘I can’t. I already told you he’s in his room, and I can’t get past Mummy.’
‘What do you mean, you can’t get past Mummy, my love?’
‘She’s lying at the bottom of the stairs, and she’s not moving.’
‘Listen to me; what’s your name?’
‘My name is Meagan. But Mummy calls me Meggy for short.’
‘Okay. My name is Michelle; you can call me Shelly. Meagan, I need you to be brave, the bravest you’ve ever been. Can you do that for me, Meagan? Can you be really brave?’
‘I think so. What shall I do?’
I’m going to stay on the line; I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to get some people over who are going to help you. Is that okay?’
‘My daddy did it, you know.’
‘Your daddy did what, Meagan? What did your daddy do exactly?’
‘They were shouting, Mummy and Daddy. Mummy was upset, she pushed my daddy and he was really, really angry, the most I’ve seen him shouting. I had to block my ears; then Daddy pushed something in her leg. She’s on the ground, and she’s not moving, and I’m scared.’
‘Meagan. Listen to me; help is on its way. You need to leave the house, do you understand? Leave the house now; I’m here. I’m on the line, okay? Move towards the front door quickly and get out of the house. Meagan. Are you there?’
‘Yes. I told a lie. Daddy shouted louder one time when I scribbled on the table with my new crayon set. But this time was really loud too.’
‘What are you doing, Meagan? Are you doing what I said?’
‘I’m walking to the front door. Mummy’s still not moving. When will she wake up? Do you think she’ll still cook me pancakes for breakfast? She promised me, and Mummy never breaks promises.’
‘Meagan, keep calm, don’t look at Mummy and go out of the front door. Whose phone are you ringing from?’
‘Mummy had her phone in her hand; I got it from her while she was sleeping. I know the password, three five five three. She doesn’t like me playing on her phone, she says it eats the battery, but I only play games mostly. Oh, it’s locked. I think Daddy locked the door.’
‘Okay. Listen. Can you see a catch? Turn the lock and pull the handle as hard as you can.’
‘I am, but it won’t pull. I’ll go to Daddy. He’s strong.’
‘No. Do not go up the stairs, do you hear me? I need you to stay down. Can you do that for me, Meagan?’
‘Mummy’s still sleeping. Oh, I think Daddy is out of his room now.’
‘Meagan, you need to listen. What’s your favourite hiding place? Somewhere you are never found? Think hard.’
‘Well, let me see. Once I hid for a long time in a cupboard where the noisy monster is. Mummy says it eats clothes.’
‘Okay. Move to the cupboard as quickly as you can. I need you to go fast, Meagan. I’m on the phone; nothing’s going to happen to you. You believe me, right?’
‘I’m going now; Daddy’s coming. I can hear him at the top of the stairs.’
‘Move fast, Meagan; you need to hide. Go quickly. If he calls you, don’t answer, do you understand? It will be our little game.’
‘Okay. I’m here now. The monster is quiet. Sometimes when it’s eating the clothes, it hurts my ears.’
‘Okay. We don’t like monsters, but it won’t hurt you. Are you inside the cupboard?’
‘I’m inside. I’ve shut the door. It’s dark in here. I don’t like it. I want to come out. Daddy’s calling me. He sounds angry.’
‘Meagan, nothing’s going to happen. You understand that? As long as you keep as quiet as you can and don’t answer Daddy.’
‘He’s running around. I can hear him breathing.’
‘Okay. I’m here, and you’re safe, but do not answer Daddy, you got that?’
‘He’s saying bad words. He calls Mummy that word all the time. Bitch. Mummy says that word isn’t nice. What’s a bitch?’
‘Your mummy is not that word. Your mummy is brave, Meagan, and so are you.’
‘I think he’s in the room; he’s standing with the monster that eats the clothes. Now he’s pounding it with his fist. I don’t think he likes the monster.’
‘Meagan, don’t speak for a minute. Please, you have to keep quiet.’
‘He’s moving; I think he’ll find me. What should I do?’
‘Stay very still, keep crouched on the floor and keep as quiet as you can. Remember the game, my love.’
‘He’s standing at the cupboard door. Now he’s looking around.’
‘Stay still Meagan; you can do this.’
‘He’s gone now. I think someone’s at the front door. I can hear people’s voices. Someone rang our bell. Daddy’s running; I can hear his footsteps. It sounds like they’re trying to break our front door.’
‘Oh, thank God. You did amazing Meagan; you’re the bravest little soldier I’ve ever met. I’m so proud of you, okay.’
‘Okay. Can I come out now?’
‘In a minute. Wait until the officers come and get you. I’ll let them know you’re in the best hiding place ever.’
‘But what if they can’t find me?’
‘They will; they’re going to help you, Meagan.’

I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has followed my profile here on Goodreads.
Also, to everyone who has purchased and reviewed my new thriller, Turn The Other Way.
It's gratefully appreciated.
Last week, Turn The Other Way reached number 1 on Amazon UK, USA and Canada in Horror Fiction.
It also went to number 1 in Horror on Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and Kobo in Horror.
Again, thank you so much for the support.
I appreciate it so very much.

For a chance to win one of three signed paperback copies of Turn The Other Way, go to my website, stuartjamesthrillers.com and subscribe.
You will automatically be entered into the draw.
Good luck.