I’m delighted to be joined by author Helen Bridgett today. Helen has taken part in my spotlight before but is paying a return visit to talk about her latest novel, My Sister’s Killer. The book is published by Ruby Fiction and available now. You’ll find buying links at the end of this post. Welcome back Helen. First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?
Hi there – it’s good to be back with you all on the Portobello Book Blog!
This time I’m showcasing my latest crime novel My Sister’s Killer. It features Professor Maxie Reddick and gets to the bottom of a very personal cold case.
As readers will know, I write both crime and romcom. Although they may seem very different, I read both and to me it’s about how a central character might act in different situations. I always hope that readers can put themselves in the shoes of my heroines and think about how they might act. Here I’m asking how far you would go to solve a crime.
What inspired you to start writing?
It all started with a new year’s resolution. I’ve always kept a diary and love the act of writing. One year, I decided to try and write a novel. It took a lot of determination but within the year I had a first draft.
In a nutshell, what is your book about?
My Sister’s Killer is the third book in the Professor Maxie Reddick series.
In the first two, I have hinted that Maxie was drawn to Criminology because of something that happened to her sister Susan – she was killed when they were teenagers and the crime was never solved. Maxie has always maintained that the police never tried hard enough to find out what happened and this has haunted her throughout her life.
In this book, a new lead is uncovered and the cold case is re-opened. It is Maxie’s chance to do right by her sister once and for all.
The book kicks off with a flashback to 1995 and the issues Maxie will come up against – hardly any mobile phones, very little CCTV, minimal DNA testing and paper records! It really doesn’t seem that long ago to me but in terms of detective work, it’s prehistoric!
The case comes down to old fashioned detective work – following leads and asking questions wherever they may lead even when they unravel elements of Susan’s life that Maxie would really rather not have known but she is ready to risk everything to get to the truth.
My Sister’s Killer should keep you guessing until the very end and have you asking – how far would you go to solve the case?
How did you celebrate publication day?
I love to be out hiking so hope to spend the day in fresh air on the glorious Northumberland coast. Afterwards it might be a treat of fish and chips with a glass of something fizzy to toast the book. Now that sounds like a perfect day!
Do you have a work in progress just now?
Not in progress but I have an idea that is gestating. I tend to let the ideas and characters take life before I put pen to paper then when I do write, I know these people and how they’re going to behave.
What one book would you recommend to a friend and why?
I frequently recommend When The Crawdads Sing to friends and so far, I haven’t heard of anyone who hasn’t enjoyed it.
What are you reading just now?
In Spring I will be interviewing Meriel Schindler as part of the Morpeth Book Festival so I have just started her book The Lost Café Schindler and I’m finding it fascinating.
If you were on Desert Island Discs, what one book would you take with you?
I’d take a notebook – I cannot imagine not being able to write and it would be such an incredible experience to document.
Is there a book you’d love to see made into a film?
I’d love to see my Maxie Reddick series make it onto screen – it would be a fabulous role for an older woman and there aren’t too many of them around.
How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?
Please pop in and say hello – you can find me at:
Facebook/HelenBridgettBooks or
Twitter Helen_Bridgett
And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?
It’s not a novel but I recently read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and I’d love to walk the Pacific Crest Trail just like she did – so can I be her please?
About the Book
Somebody knows what happened to Maxie’s sister – why are they staying silent?
If Professor Maxie Reddick is honest with herself, there’s a very personal reason she pursued a career in criminology: the unsolved murder of her sister, Susan, nearly thirty years before, and her belief that the local police force let her family down.
Now Maxie has been drafted in to help investigate a murder – nothing particularly unusual about that, except when a fingerprint at the scene provides a shocking and unexpected link to her sister’s suspicious death.
The link means that Maxie can’t be involved in the official police investigation – but Susan’s cold case is heating up, and there’s no way Maxie is going to let go now, even if she has to stand up to the people who want to make sure the past stays frozen.
Buying links
Kindle UK: https://bit.ly/3XyuM3C
Kindle US: https://bit.ly/3EeEQIm
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3YBY6aN
Apple UK: http://bit.ly/3k5A8pv
Nook: http://bit.ly/3lyFkCE
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