Jackie Baldwin’s latest novel, Murder at the Seaside, is set right here in Portobello (though the eagle-eyed among you will have spotted that the beautiful cover does not, in fact, feature a photo of Portobello!). The book is the first in a planned series starring private detective Grace McKenna and is published today by Storm Publishing. Congratulations Jackie, I hope you have a wonderful day! I’m really sorry I haven’t been able to fit this into my reading schedule right now but hope to read it at some point. In the meantime, Jackie has kindly agreed to share #TenThings she’d like her readers to know about her.
#TenThings about Jackie Baldwin
Hello, thrilled to be taking part in this fun feature. Here goes…
- I am a bit of a closet headbanger. The newest office junior always had the dubious pleasure of dancing to ‘Rocking All Over the World’ with me at the Christmas Party. I went to Status Quo’s first farewell tour in the eighties but it turned out the T shirt wore out before they did. I last saw them at Dumfries and they were just as good as I remembered.
- As a youngster, I usually had a couple of jobs on the go to make ends meet. My best two jobs were in Truform, Dumfries (shoeshop) and Bennets Bar in Edinburgh. The latter makes an appearance in my latest book. My worst job was as a chambermaid in The George Hotel in Edinburgh. The furniture was so heavy I had to take a run and jump at it from across the room.
- I have a group of writing friends in Dumfries called Twisted Sisters. We support each other through all the highs and lows of writing life. My name in the group is Mistress of the Plunger. I will leave you to wonder why…?
- I was a solicitor for twenty years doing a mixture of Family and Criminal law. It was hugely stressful but immensely satisfying as well. I like to think I made a difference.
- I am a diehard Trekkie and have watched every episode of every series as well as all the films. It is a dream of mine to go to a big convention in the USA in costume. If I ever do, I would like to learn some conversational Klingon for it. After watching the opening credits for the second last Star Trek film I burst into tears. It was just so emotional.
- I am a qualified hypnotherapist and fascinated by the human mind.
- I live in a rural village in East Lothian just thirty minutes away from Portobello Beach in Edinburgh which is the setting for my latest novel.
- Harvey, the Golden Retriever in my book is based on a dearly loved dog I once had called Poppy. She was such a great character and was so hilarious that I still miss her every single day.
- Every year on Burn’s night we have a family get together. We all wear something tartan and the haggis goes at the front piped in by me on the recorder and everyone following behind on drums, guitar, penny whistle or whatever. We go in and out all the rooms before ending up at the table. It is a racquet to blister your ears but the kids love it. This year my little grandson will get to join in.
- My favourite way to relax is to read and it always has been. It’s a way to experience multiple lives alongside your own and I just love it!
Thank you for having me!
About the book
As dawn breaks over the empty beaches of Portobello, Grace McKenna emerges from the icy water after her daily swim, her loyal dog Harvey by her side. Little does she know, in the shadows, a cold-blooded killer is plotting his next move…
Edinburgh, Scotland. After the toughest year of her life, Detective Grace McKenna is grateful for her job running the fledgling Portobello Detective Agency… though another client or two would certainly help keep the wolf from the door. So when the glamourous widow of renowned psychic Paul Gordon entreats her to investigate his suspicious death, Grace sees a unique opportunity to make a name for the agency.
Joining forces with Tobias Sloan – a dapper investigative reporter seeking answers about his wife’s tragic passing – their search takes a dark turn when the body of a beautiful young woman is found at a nearby elite golf club. The evidence leads them straight to Merchiston College of Psychic Studies – the very place where Paul Gordon met his grisly end.
Uncovering a shocking secret linking the two murders, Grace finds her professional and personal boundaries are beginning to blur. She is left to face not only the ghosts of her own past, but also the prospect of a hardened killer stalking the quiet lanes of Edinburgh. With time running out and the lives of her team hanging in the balance, can Grace McKenna solve the murders, and save herself from the same deadly fate?
A gripping Scottish mystery with a sprinkle of small-town charm, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Clare Chase and Frances Evesham.
Buying Link: Murder at the Seaside
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