Murder in Gilmerton

I am delighted that Murder in Gilmerton has been published by Joffe Books and this allows me to share more of my stories with readers. Readers are the life-blood of the book industry - without them, it doesn't exist!

So today, let me share a short extract from Murder in Edinburgh with you. I hope you enjoy this and will be tempted to delve further into the story of this mystery to be solved by DI Hunter Wilson and his team.

The Extract

DI Hunter Wilson and DC Tim Myerscough pulled up just behind the ambulance. Hunter liked spring; he could almost smell the world waking up. The freshness of the air encouraged crocuses and daffodils to decorate the flower beds, and buds to appear on the trees. Edinburgh had a beauty in every season, but he found the city especially lovely in springtime. However, today was not one of those fine, balmy spring days. It was bright enough, but sharp and cold. Hunter did not like chilly days like today as much as the warmer days he hoped April would bring.

He and Tim got out of the car. The detective constable dwarfed Hunter by an easy five inches, but as Hunter stood and took in the scene with a serious face and intelligent piercing blue eyes, it was clear that he was the man in charge. Hunter quickly identified the girl sitting on the wet grass as the source of a loud, blood-curdling racket that offended his ears. He looked from the girl to Tim and back again.

“You deal with her, young Myerscough. It’s far too early for me to be coping with weeping women. Try to get some sense out of her, and get her to be quiet, will you? I can’t think with that noise going on.”

“Yes, sir.” Tim took two strides and crouched down beside the young woman. “Hello, I’m DC Tim Myerscough. What’s your name?”

"Linda."

"Linda?"

“Linda Maguire.” She stopped crying but was still sobbing hard.

“So, Linda, it was you who found the body, was it?” Tim asked.

She looked at him as if she thought he was crazy. “Well, I don’t get this upset just because there’s nobody home. I don’t get paid enough for this. It’s awful. Have you seen it? Don’t look. The place is all blood and brains. The back of his head’s gone. I can’t unsee that, you know.” Linda started weeping again as Hunter shouted.

“Tim! Tim! DC Myerscough. Here. Now.” Hunter’s face was grey. “Tim, you won’t believe who the victim is. It’s George Reinbold, shot in the head.”

“What? Oh No! Not our George Reinbold? Head of the Crime Scene Investigations?”

“Not any more he’s not.”

“No, it can’t be. It must be a mistake, he’s just an old man. Who would want to kill him?”

“Don’t take my word for it. Feel free to look but hold on to your breakfast.” Hunter watched as Tim went over and stuck his head around the door and withdrew it quickly.

Linda was right. You can't unsee that.

The Author

Val Penny’s crime novels, form the bestselling series of DI Hunter Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.

She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.