My next novel in the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers was published by SpellBound Books Ltd on 15th September 2023. I hope readers will enjoy this next exciting outing with their favourite characters in the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
The Blurb
Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson is called to the scene of a murder. DCs Tim Myerscough and Bear Zewedu found a corpse, but when Hunter arrives it has disappeared, and all is not as it seems. Hunter recalls the disappearance of a dead body thirty years earlier. The Major Incident Team is called in but sees no connection – it is too long ago. Hunter is determined to investigate the past and the present with the benefit of modern DNA testing. Tim has other problems in his life. His father, Sir Peter Myerscough, is released from jail. He, too, remembers the earlier murder. There is no love lost between Hunter and Sir Peter. Will Hunter accept help from his nemesis to catch a killer? Hunter’s own secret is exciting and crucial to his future. Will it change his life? And can he keep Edinburgh safe?
The Extract
She was already there when Hunter walked in and smiled and waved to him, and he made his way over to the table. The woman had chosen one near the window. She noticed him hover before he sat down.
“Would you rather we sat further into the room?”
“No, no, I’m sure this will be fine. This little place is so off the beaten track that nobody will see us.”
Hunter got up and ordered two large coffees at the counter. He asked for two glasses of tap water too. These meetings always made him so nervous. He was grateful when the waiter said he would bring them over. Hunter turned back and walked to the table.
“I like our clandestine meetings,” she said. “It’s so exciting. Where did you tell people you were going today?”
“I didn’t say. It’s none of their business.”
She laughed lightly. “I told them I was meeting my sugar daddy.”
“I hope they didn’t believe you.”
“Probably not. But it gives them something to think about. Next time I’ll probably tell them I’m going to meet my pimp.”
She could see how nervous he was and was happy that he smiled at her, despite his nerves. She had a wicked sense of humour and liked to use it to make him laugh.
“Have you told Meera?”
“Good God, no!”
“Then let’s get down to business.”
Their heads were close together as she explained things to him. They smiled and whispered as they chatted.
***
Tim got caught up in the early rush-hour traffic, so he cut off the main route back to the station to try to get around that. He pulled up at the traffic lights and glanced across to the shops.
“If I didn’t know better, Bear,” he whispered, “I’d think that was the boss in that café, with a pretty woman who definitely isn’t Meera.”
Bear looked over. “It is. I told Mel there was something strange going on. Do you think the boss in cheating on Meera?”
“He’d be a bloody fool if he is, that man is punching way above his weight with Meera.”
“I agree, and he’s certainly not a fool, but that woman he’s with is a stunner. Did you see her?”
“Driving, watching the road, not passing strangers, Bear.”
The Author
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.