Notes From
The Cave
The blog of mystery Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
A Few Books on My Recommended Reading List: July 2023
So, I have a confession to make. Since September 2022, I’ve been putting off writing reviews of books that I’ve loved. But thankfully, I take notes as I read, which makes the retrospective review writing much easier. Because I’m an author, writing reviews can be a little difficult. In light of this difficulty, I only allow myself to review a book that I loved and/or would read again. As you’ve guessed, below is a list of my recommended reads, along with a short review of my thoughts. Without further ado, let’s get on with the reviews.
Behind the Scenes of a Locked Room Mystery
To celebrate the release of my locked room mystery which was creatively titled, The Locked Room, I thought I would share a little of the behind-the-scenes or the making of this novella that, as a reader, you never get to see unless I take you along with me.
The Candidate, A Murder Mystery Novella Read by A. D. Hay
Hello, Book Lovers! In this episode, I want to share with you a publishing update and let you know about all the books that I've published since my last behind-the-scenes writing vlog. After this, I share the book description and a little about the series of my...
010, Things are Happening
Hello, Book Lovers! In this episode, I want to update you about what's happening with the Book Nerd Podcast; you probably would have noticed that the name, podcast artwork, and logo have changed. I'm doing this because a couple of weeks ago, I discovered there...
An Interview with James Lalonde
If you’ve read the books in my James Lalonde Mystery Series or my Rookie Reporter Mystery Series, you’ll be familiar with my protagonist, James Lalonde. The events that occurred in Suspicion happened in May 2015. So, I thought it would be fun to interview my protagonist seven years later and have a bit of a catchup, minus the spoilers. But, if you’re yet to read Suspicion or any of the other books, this will serve as the perfect icebreaker.
Location, Location, Location: 8 Interesting Places in England and France from my Mystery Novel, Suspicion
One of the best things about being an author is visiting interesting places physically or with the help of modern technology like YouTube videos, pictures taken by other travellers, or simply good ol’ Google Maps. As I outlined, wrote, revised and edited my mystery novel Suspicion, I included eight interesting places across England and France. Sometimes, the real and imaginary blend together in fiction. And, Suspicion is no exception. Here is a short list of these locations and what inspired me to choose these as settings in my mystery novel Suspicion, along with details on how you can visit these places yourself.
Duplicity is Available for Preorder
After much deliberation, I pulled the plug and decided to upload the next James Lalonde amateur sleuth mystery, Duplicity, to all the online ebook retailers and placed it on preorder.
009, My Favourite Mystery and Thriller Novels of 2021
In this episode of the Book Nerd Podcast, I’m going to discuss my favourite mystery and thriller novels that I read in 2021. I what you’re thinking, “it’s been a while since the end of 2021,” but hear me out. I wanted to put a bit of distance between the end of 2021 and my reading because I wanted to discuss the books that stood out to me the most. From memory, I read close to fifty books in 2021. Actually, I’ve checked, and it was 49 books read.
008, Agatha Raisin: Books vs TV Series
As you can tell by the title of this episode, I’m going to discuss the Agatha Raisin books vs TV Series. In order to avoid spoilers, I’m going to focus on how Agatha is portrayed and not the events in the show and novels.
Read Chapter Two of My Next Murder Mystery Novella
After publishing the last blog post where I shared the first chapter of The Candidate, I felt a little mean. So, I decided to share the next chapter in the murder mystery novella, with you. As you might have guessed, the candidate is the first novella in a new series called the “Rookie Reporter Mysteries”, featuring James Lalonde.
Hello!
My Books
A Body is on the Lawn, and a Killer is on the Loose
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon-to-be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.
The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up at the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?
£2.49 £0.99
Excalibur is Missing. A Killer is on the Loose. One Reporter is Determined to Uncover the Truth.
James has a nose for trouble. But that’s nothing new. This time, things are different–his life is on the line. James is the chief editor of a small newspaper. It’s hardly captivating work. He’s bored. But all of that is about to change.
Late one evening, he returns home to discover his long-time girlfriend and journalist, Valentine, has left. Early the next morning, James fails to reallocate her assigned story. To avoid blank space in the culture section and losing his job, he decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on–Excalibur is missing, and a dead body is at the crime scene.
If you love gripping cloak-and-dagger mysteries with twists and turns, then you’ll love this first instalment in the James Lalonde Amateur Sleuth Mystery series. Get it now.
£2.49 £0.00
A Murdered Professor. A Priceless Manuscript Stolen.
Moments after James discovers a secret code on the pages of the manuscript, a hooded figure murders a professor and steals the manuscript from Oxford University.
While James is receiving medical attention, he discovers a secret about his past that he was never supposed to know. Instead of staying on bed rest, James decides to leave town and uncover the truth. But, the police put a hold on his passport, believing he organised the murder and theft. Before James leaves for New York, he must investigate the truth behind the lab break-in. As his investigation digs deeper, James discovers everyone has means, motive, opportunity and something to hide.
With an endless list of possible suspects, James must clear his name, find the manuscript, and identify the murderer before they strike again.
Duplicity is the second novel in A D Hay’s gripping amateur sleuth mystery series. If you like cloak and dagger mysteries filled with twists and turns, you’ll love this instalment from the series.
£3.99 £0.99
One Locked Room. A Dead Body. Five Suspects
It’s the opening of Clovervale Hall, an exquisite bed-and-breakfast in Oxfordshire, owned and operated by Professor Xavier Watson and his wife, Flora. And James Lalonde can’t believe his luck—he gets an all-expenses paid trip.
And he gets to write a story about the opening of the bed-and-breakfast for the Northampton Tribune. It’s going to be the easiest weekend of his life. Unfortunately, the weather is scorching hot, and a cyclonic storm sets in, trapping him and the guests inside the manor house.
But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on—a killer is on the loose, roaming the halls of Clovervale Hall. While cyclonic weather conditions rage on outside, James hunts down the killer. Lurking behind every corner, he discovers secrets and lies. But his investigations haven’t gone unnoticed. The killer has a watchful eye on James.
Can James solve the murder before the bodies start to pile up?
£2.49
What I’m Writing!
First Draft
6,430 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24-hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of 2023. And the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
Revised Draft
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four in the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in early 2023. And the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
The Authorpreneur, my blog for writers
Follow Me on Goodreads
