Today I am so pleased to welcome Dal Maclean to Joyfully Jay. Dal has come to talk to us about her latest release, Bitter Legacy. She has also brought along a book to give away. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Thank you so much, Joyfully Jay, for having me! I’ll put on the kettle. This is my first time here. In fact, almost my first time anywhere, because this is my first book, so please forgive my blundering around.
Anyway, the book is called ‘Bitter Legacy’, and it’s a police procedural, set in London. Which means the nuts and bolts of it may seem a bit different to some readers of the genre (not from the UK).
For example, the Metropolitan Police murder detectives involved don’t carry guns, and generally don’t expect to face people carrying guns. There’s a very high level of accountability too involved in UK policing now, and it’s probably fair to say it’s not usual any more for the public to suspect the police are going to regularly beat up or frame suspects. Forces like the Met also have an urgent top-down drive for inclusivity and diversity (though they do struggle to recruit enough minority officers) and their PR departments are busy, busy places. What its like at the coal face of course may be a different matter.
In the case of DS James Henderson – a fast track recruit from a very different career — there’s the added challenge of how to slide out of being used as a PR poster boy by the Met’s Directorate of Media and Communications. And, indeed, by his own boss, as a kind of glamorous assistant for the TV cameras, because policing in the UK is now, as I indicated, a political and media business.
But day to day, trying to catch killers, James and his colleagues have a pretty unglamorous time of it. Their job veers between boredom and crazy, adrenalin-fuelled pressure, surrounded by the mundane –how to make their ancient office-computer equipment work, how to get enough overtime, where to sleep when an investigation becomes so intense they daren’t go home for days, and just how foul the coffee from the vending machine can manage to be.
When it comes right down to it of course, the basics of murder investigations are probably the same everywhere in the world. It’s the challenge of how to coax out the truth –piecing together the puzzle bit by bit, always against the clock, as the puzzle pieces change shape in your hands. The hag on the back to find the killer, and prevent still more damage. The guilt at failing to find some closure for the people left behind, or the relief at managing it.
James is very good at his job. Good at making leaps of logic and intuition; good at finding answers. Connections. But the murder case in which he gets involved in Bitter Legacy, is both politically delicate and horribly complicated. And, just as the case becomes personal, James finds himself infatuated, and then in love, for the first time. But with the wrong man.
My aim was to try to bring some realism both to the job and to the complicated ways people behave in their own lives. Sometimes badly, sometimes well. Sometimes wisely, sometimes foolishly. But always for a reason. In this book, I hope the reasons turn out to be, at least, believable and compelling ones.
I’m very honoured that this story was chosen up by Blind Eye Books, to launch their new mystery imprint One Block Empire — because they’re indescribably picky (looking at you Nicole Kimberling).
In any case, BEB have organised a Giveaway — details are below.
Thanks for slogging through this – if you have! And thank you again, Jay, for letting me ramble on.
So — the kettle’s boiled. Shall I pour?
Blurb
Detective Sergeant James Henderson’s remarkable gut instincts have put him on a three-year fast track to becoming an inspector. But the advancement of his career has come at a cost. Gay, posh and eager to prove himself in the Metropolitan Police, James has allowed himself few chances for romance.
But when the murder of barrister Maria Curzon-Whyte lands in his lap, all that changes. His investigation leads him to a circle of irresistibly charming men. And though he knows better, James finds himself enticed into their company.
Soon his desire for photographer Ben Morgan challenges him to find a way into the other man’s lifestyle of one-night stands and carefree promiscuity. At the same time his single murder case multiplies into a cruel pattern of violence and depravity.
But as the bodies pile up and shocking secrets come to light, James finds both his tumultuous private life and coveted career threatened by a bitter legacy.
Bio
Dal Maclean comes from the North of Scotland. Her background is in journalism, and she has an undying passion for history, the more gossipy and scandalous the better. Dal has lived in Asia and worked all over the world, but home is now the UK. She dislikes the Tragic Gay trope, but loves imperfect characters and genuine emotional conflict in romantic fiction. As an author, and a reader, she believes it’s worth a bit of work to reach a happy ending. Agatha Christie, English gardens and ill-advised cocktails are three fatal weaknesses, though not usually at the same time.
Giveaway
Dal has brought a copy of Bitter Legacy to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Friday, October 7th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
This sounds really interesting and I would love to read a new author 🙂
Thank you Cynthia. I really hope you like it 🙂
Yes, Ms. Maclean, do pour! Thanks for sharing your thoughts; your book sounds fascinating, and I’d like to read it. I imagine subtle differences in British (Scottish?) English would add to my interest. I’m unfamiliar with the term “at the coal face,” but I take your meaning. Congratulations on the release of your first book.
Thank you Kareni! Thats very kind of you. Do you take milk?
I think there are certainly differences between US and British English but hopefully nothing too drastic. The book uses ‘pavement’ for ‘sidewalk’ for example. There differences in dialect between James and his Glaswegian colleague Alec too, but hopefully everyone makes sense!
Congratutalions on the release, Dal! I’ve heard about this book before, and it has been recommended by one of my favourite writers, so I am convinced it is really worth it. Besides, I read an excerpt and it is really great. I’m looking forward to reading it!
Hi Susana, Thank you! Are you the Susana I called brilliant twice? If so, may I call you brilliant a third time? :p
I’m the one and only!!! LOL!! I’m really enjoying your posts and looking forward to reading James’ story.?
Congrats Dal – I’ll have my tea milk, no sugar!
Do enjoy books set in the UK – familiarity and dialogue.
Shall be going to visit BEB too
Thank you Suze! Milk no sugar. Check.
You’re a fellow Brit! I do love the familiarity factor of UK-based books too, but I confess to also being a bit of a junkie for books set in the US. The glamour of difference maybe? X
I think this title caught my eyes when I read how Josh Lanyon praised it as one of the best she has read. I love Josh Lanyon books, she is one of my favorite author. So I am HIGHLY curious about this one ^^. Plus I always think I’m a mystery fan at heart, even if I read more romance now than mystery. I did grew up with Agatha Christie after all.
hi Ami! Oh I love Agatha Christie! And I love Josh Lanyon! She’s one of my favourite authors too. She just never lets you down– her writing is elegant and witty and her plots and characters and character interactions are second to none. So — totally agree with you! If its any form of reassurance Bitter legacy is as close to 50-50 mystery-romance as I could make it. Thanks for commenting 🙂
What a great post, Dal! Intriguing stuff, and you catch a note of authenticity that really brings James and his world to life.
Thank you H! By the end, I was very fond of James’s computer that took ten minutes to come on! :-p XXX
Talk about a must read for me!
I’m presently rereading Nicole Kimberling’s Bellingham series (because I was there this week), have a friend that still does CI work in southern England, trust any recommendation Harper Fox gives, and love mysteries.
Please don’t worry too much about the difference between British and American society or policing. One of the reasons to read a book set in a different nation than my own is to savor the difference of culture and laws. It’s what makes it special for a mental world traveler.
Now I just need to get home to fire up my amazon Smile link.
Wishing you a successful writing career. Looking forward to reading your premier novel.
Thank you Lin! What a lovely comment! I love The Bellingham Mysteries soooo much! And I agree 100% about the ‘world traveller’ aspect of reading.
Harper is the most generous soul anyone could meet, so I really hope I dont let her down with this rec! Thanks again for your good wishes and your comment!
I’ve always been really curious about the UK police force, so this should be good!
Hi Trix! I hope it doesn’t disillusion you!! I think it’s definitely different. 🙂
I have Bitter Legacy on my wishlist already and now I’ve bumped it right up to the top! I’m intrigued – I’m not sure I’ve read many books in this specific genre set in the UK (I’m another British reader) so I’m really looking forward to reading it. Oh, and milk, no sugar for me, please.
😀 Milk and no sugar is the best way in my considered opinion!
I don’t think that are many MM police procedurals set in the Uk I agree… so I hope I’m not about to set the idea back ten years! :p. Thank you for wishing for it and I really hope it doesn’t disappoint. XX
I’m already looking forward to this one, but it was nice to read a bit more. I’m in the US, so the description of police is definitely different, so it will be a good chance to leave that behind in Bitter Legacy and see what sort of other turmoil arises. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you Carolyn. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the differences — and the turmoil! X
Black tea for me, please!
Thanks for the post and big congrats on your first book. It sounds fantastic and knowing Josh Lanyon loved it knocks it up even one more notch.
Going to go add it to my TBR list now.
Thank you Jen. 🙂 Black tea it is! Thank you so much for the kind words. Josh has been incredibly kind ( as is her wont!) I really hope you enjoy it! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I would just have a bit of sugar with mine please. Congratulations on your first release. Sounds so intriguing and looking forward to reading it!
Thank you Julie– sorry for the delay in replying. Time zones! Sugar it is. And thank you for the good wishes. I hope you like it!! XX
Tea with milk please. Spent a few years at a British boarding school so I drink tea as well as coffee.
Congrats Dal on your first book! I am looking forward to reading it. I had already added it to my wish list based on a review I read earlier. I am a huge fan of British mysteries/police procedurals- both BBC series as well as books so I am sure to enjoy your book.
Hi AE! A British boarding school! That sounds like ripe storytelling territory! BL is definitely a police procedural in that sort of style, so I really hope you enjoy it. ( I hope I haven’t put too much milk in your tea…)
Congrats on your first book. I love this type of book. I shall be looking for it.
I am enjoying a nice cup of tea now.
I’ve been waiting for this book for months…ever since Josh Lanyon brought it to my attention. There really aren’t that many great m/m mystery writers and, believe me, I’m always on the lookout. I can’t wait til this weekend to dig in.
Oh, and I really don’t like tea of any kind (tastes like composted grass) but I love reading books by British writers, and tea is always a part of a good British mystery. 🙂
Composted grass! Ha! What a brilliant description which Im not going to be able to get out of my head when I take my next cuppa. :p There’s actually a lot of coffee in Bitter Legacy. ironically. :p Thank you for the kind words Barbra, and I really hope the book lives up to Josh’s rec for you. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Congrats on your first book! It’s kind of funny but the first time.I saw this book was because of this site and the advertisement on the right side. That together with the name of Josh Lanyon made me add it to my wishlist instantly.
Hi Serena! Yes that ad is sort of mesmerising isn’t it? A Blind Eye Books special! :p Josh has been incredibly kind about the book and about everything really. I really hope you enjoy the read. 🙂 x
I like her books a lot and yours was highly appreciated by her, I also read several reviews from blogs i follow and they all say the same: your book was great, And now I can’t wait to read it. =)
Thanks so nice of you, Serena! Thank you. Josh really IS amazing.:) XX
That is so nice of you to say, Serena! Thank you.
Im a huge fan of Josh’s work too. I’ll buy anything she writes, in the sure knowledge that I’ll love it 🙂 XX
Congratulations on your debut release! It sounds interesting and it’s been quite a bit since I’ve read anything involving detectives, murder and mystery. I’ve added it to my wishlist =)
Thank you H.B! I hope you enjoy it and thank you for the kind words. 🙂
Ever since I visited the U.K., I enjoy reading novels set there. I will add this to my wishlist.
Hi Karl! Yeah its great to find books set in places you’ve actually been to. 🙂 I really hope this one conjures up some memories — not that your visit involved murder and mayhem of course. I hope. :p Thanks for coming by!
Congratulations on the new release! The cover caught my eye and blurb has me wanting to read it as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thanks Ree Dee, for the good wishes and for taking the time to drop in. I really hope you enjoy the book! X
Sugar with mine please. And congrats on the release. It sounds interesting & I look forward to reading it!
Thanks Lisa for the kind words. I hope you like it and do find it interesting. 🙂 Tea with sugar coming up!
I’ll take mine with a touch of sugar and some milk please! I am looking forward to reading this book. I love a good mystery and am always happy to discover a new-to-me author!
Hi Heather! Ive put on a new pot, just for you. I really do hope you enjoy BL and that the mystery proves to be mysterious enough. Thank you very much for taking the time to come by and say hello. 🙂 X
Why thank you, and I do! I have enjoyed books by Josh Lanyon and I’ve also read James Lear’s Mitch Mitchell mysteries. 🙂
Hey again Heather! I love Josh Lanyon’s books to an embarrassing degree. I don’t know James Lear though. I’ll look him up. Thanks for the rec. 🙂
James Lear is heavy erotica. His Mitch Mitchell series is an amusing romp where Mitch, who likes to imagine himself an amature detective, tries to solve a mystery while being distracted by every man he encounters along the way. I enjoyed it, though it’s more of a hard-core adventure than mystery.
And if you get it in audio format like I have it, don’t forget to keep your windows rolled up when you’re in the car! 🙂
Im having to reply above your last post Heather, because I don’t think we’re allowed any more space. Mitch sounds great and… different – and Im all for trying something different! I’ll remember the tip about the car window. 😉
I love mysteries, and I’m all for seeing one set in the UK. Congratulations on your brand-new book!
Hey Ashley.:) Thanks for dropping by, and for the kind words. I really hope you enjoy both the mystery and the Britishness! Thanks again. X