JB Rowley's Blog - Posts Tagged "mystery"
Murder in Murloo
Yay! I’ve finally started my journey as a murder mystery writer. After years of reading crime fiction, especially that from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, I’m overjoyed to be now writing my own series. I’m celebrating my new venture with a new name: Brigid George. This pen name is a tribute to my father, George Rowley, who always called me Brigid.
Although I say I’ve just started my journey, it really started over forty years ago when I began reading mystery authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Josephine Tey and Ngaio Marsh. Thousands of hours of reading these and other crime fiction writers have prepared me for writing in the genre. Readers of Whisper My Secret might suggest that this journey started even earlier with the mysterious secret that lurked in our family. Whatever the starting point, I love writing murder mysteries as much as I love reading them.
I chose to write the type of book I most like to read: a ‘cosy’ whodunit. When I’m in bed, such stories are perfect. The fascination of the puzzle holds me spellbound until I arrive at sleep land in what seems like no time at all. When the violence and horror in the daily news broadcasts create in me a desperate desire to know that order can be restored to our world, it’s a whodunit I reach for.
Murder in Murloo, the first book in my mystery series, is a whodunit set in a small Australian fishing village overlooking the Southern Ocean. The village is a fictional place but is inspired by Marlo in East Gippsland where I grew up.
The series features Dusty Kent, a feisty petite redhead with a black belt in karate and a passion for flushing out murderers. Accompanied by her ‘Watson’, a travelling Irishman by the name of Sean O’Kelly, Dusty is determined to uncover the ‘miserable murderous maggot’ who callously terminated the life of a young woman.
In putting the story together I’ve received much appreciated help along the way from my writing groups and beta readers as well as professional crime fiction editor, Lisanne Radice. Lisanne’s impeccable manuscript guidance has taught me a great deal. As a mere apprentice in this genre I know I have more to learn, but a girl’s gotta start somewhere! I believe I‘ve started at an excellent point with Murder in Murloo. According to one of my beta readers: “It’s a bloody good read.”
A crucial element in my development as a writer has been the role of Amazon in providing unprecedented publishing opportunities. Writers can only grow if their work is widely read. Feedback from readers by way of letters, emails, blogs, social media and reviews, motivate writers and help them to improve their skills. My sincere thanks to those who read my books and those who write reviews. Readers are invaluable. Reader reviews are extremely helpful.
Although I say I’ve just started my journey, it really started over forty years ago when I began reading mystery authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Josephine Tey and Ngaio Marsh. Thousands of hours of reading these and other crime fiction writers have prepared me for writing in the genre. Readers of Whisper My Secret might suggest that this journey started even earlier with the mysterious secret that lurked in our family. Whatever the starting point, I love writing murder mysteries as much as I love reading them.
I chose to write the type of book I most like to read: a ‘cosy’ whodunit. When I’m in bed, such stories are perfect. The fascination of the puzzle holds me spellbound until I arrive at sleep land in what seems like no time at all. When the violence and horror in the daily news broadcasts create in me a desperate desire to know that order can be restored to our world, it’s a whodunit I reach for.
Murder in Murloo, the first book in my mystery series, is a whodunit set in a small Australian fishing village overlooking the Southern Ocean. The village is a fictional place but is inspired by Marlo in East Gippsland where I grew up.
The series features Dusty Kent, a feisty petite redhead with a black belt in karate and a passion for flushing out murderers. Accompanied by her ‘Watson’, a travelling Irishman by the name of Sean O’Kelly, Dusty is determined to uncover the ‘miserable murderous maggot’ who callously terminated the life of a young woman.
In putting the story together I’ve received much appreciated help along the way from my writing groups and beta readers as well as professional crime fiction editor, Lisanne Radice. Lisanne’s impeccable manuscript guidance has taught me a great deal. As a mere apprentice in this genre I know I have more to learn, but a girl’s gotta start somewhere! I believe I‘ve started at an excellent point with Murder in Murloo. According to one of my beta readers: “It’s a bloody good read.”
A crucial element in my development as a writer has been the role of Amazon in providing unprecedented publishing opportunities. Writers can only grow if their work is widely read. Feedback from readers by way of letters, emails, blogs, social media and reviews, motivate writers and help them to improve their skills. My sincere thanks to those who read my books and those who write reviews. Readers are invaluable. Reader reviews are extremely helpful.
Disguising Demons
Dusty Kent Mystery #4 has hit the shelves. Exciting days!
Disguising Demons has a special connection for me. The story takes place in Port Douglas, an idyllic setting visited by the rich and famous from around the world including Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Kylie Minogue and other celebrities, as well as two people who were part of my life since my teenage years. I’ll tell you about them in a minute.
In July 2018, 'Team Dusty' visited Port Douglas a second time to research the setting for the book. Not a difficult assignment, escaping Melbourne’s winter to the warmth of Queensland where we enjoyed sunrise walks along the beach, snorkelling among tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef, early morning swimming in the pool and sailing in a catamaran on the Coral Sea.
In Disguising Demons, investigative journalist Dusty Kent visits this tropical paradise on a quest to find the truth behind the murder of a gentle Buddhist monk. What she discovers shocks and saddens her and has her Irish assistant questioning whether they should continue with the case.
The launching of the book on October 19 was specifically chosen to coincide with a poignant ceremony honouring the two people I mentioned above. You see, Port Douglas was the favourite place in the world for my in-laws, Sylvia and Eric Barnes. They were right chuffed when I decided on ‘Port’ for the setting of the fourth Dusty Kent Mystery.
Mr and Mrs Barnes migrated to Australia from Reading, England in October 1969 following their eldest son, Dennis. I’d already snapped up their son by the time they arrived but they welcomed me with open arms and much affection. With my own family far away in the country, the Barnes clan became my second family. That continued even after Dennis and I divorced and my in-laws became my out-laws. :)
Sadly, Sylvia passed away at age 90 in 2016 and Eric at age 92 in 2018. October 19th was their wedding anniversary and, as was their wish, their ashes were scattered at Four Mile Beach on that day. Launching Disguising Demons on the same day and dedicating the book to them is my way of honouring their memory.
No wonder Disguising Demons occupies a warm place in my heart.
Disguising Demons
Disguising Demons has a special connection for me. The story takes place in Port Douglas, an idyllic setting visited by the rich and famous from around the world including Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Kylie Minogue and other celebrities, as well as two people who were part of my life since my teenage years. I’ll tell you about them in a minute.
In July 2018, 'Team Dusty' visited Port Douglas a second time to research the setting for the book. Not a difficult assignment, escaping Melbourne’s winter to the warmth of Queensland where we enjoyed sunrise walks along the beach, snorkelling among tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef, early morning swimming in the pool and sailing in a catamaran on the Coral Sea.
In Disguising Demons, investigative journalist Dusty Kent visits this tropical paradise on a quest to find the truth behind the murder of a gentle Buddhist monk. What she discovers shocks and saddens her and has her Irish assistant questioning whether they should continue with the case.
The launching of the book on October 19 was specifically chosen to coincide with a poignant ceremony honouring the two people I mentioned above. You see, Port Douglas was the favourite place in the world for my in-laws, Sylvia and Eric Barnes. They were right chuffed when I decided on ‘Port’ for the setting of the fourth Dusty Kent Mystery.
Mr and Mrs Barnes migrated to Australia from Reading, England in October 1969 following their eldest son, Dennis. I’d already snapped up their son by the time they arrived but they welcomed me with open arms and much affection. With my own family far away in the country, the Barnes clan became my second family. That continued even after Dennis and I divorced and my in-laws became my out-laws. :)
Sadly, Sylvia passed away at age 90 in 2016 and Eric at age 92 in 2018. October 19th was their wedding anniversary and, as was their wish, their ashes were scattered at Four Mile Beach on that day. Launching Disguising Demons on the same day and dedicating the book to them is my way of honouring their memory.
No wonder Disguising Demons occupies a warm place in my heart.
Disguising Demons
