Notes From
The Cave
The blog of Thriller Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
Chapter One of Entitled to Murder: A Cozy Mystery Short Story
I’m excited to share with you the first chapter of my very first cozy mystery short story titled, Entitled to Murder. Every Friday, over the next few weeks, I will release a chapter from the short story over on this blog, and on Wattpad. The story is set on a sheep farm in Derbyshire, England, on October 31st, 1989. Yes, it’s set in the ’80s and early ’90s. Say goodbye to mobile phones, ADSL, and the world wide web. But, it’s not all that bad, in 1989 we had Lotus Notes, Nintendo Game and Watch, and good old landlines. I have to admit the lack of mobile phones with cameras and high-speed internet connections adds a bit of drama and conflict to the world of amateur sleuthing.
Get a Sneak Peek at a Chapter from James Lalonde, Book 2
In this blog post, I share the title and cover for James Lalonde Book 2, as well as an exclusive preview of two scenes from chapter six of the story. For the sake of clarity, the events of this novel occur a few months after the first book, Suspicion. However, you don’t need to read Suspicion to enjoy this new story.
The One with All the Hauls | BTS Vlog #19
As suggested by the title, this behind the scenes author vlog is packed to the brim with shopping hauls. Some bookish related while others are not And, I also share some exciting news about my upcoming publishing schedule.
An Important But Nonetheless Embarrassing Author Milestone | BTS Vlog #18
Watch this writing vlog to discover an embarrassing author-related moment for me, and I share exactly how much of a tech nerd, I really am.
My Writing Plans for Book Two and Cute Bookish Purchases | BTS Vlog #17
I’m excited to announce that I’ve published the first book in my James Lalonde Crime Thriller series, Missing. But, there’s no rest for wicked because this author has already started the final revisions on book two. Or, so I thought. In amongst all the work, I managed to squeeze in a bit of fun with two bookish related unboxings.
Join the James Lalonde Insider Launch Team and Read My Murder Mysteries for Free
There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Well, sort of; let me explain. The wonderful world of revisions and working with professional editors is underway for Book Two in the James Lalonde Mystry Series. Yay! And, now I have an important question for you. Do you want to read the books in my James Lalonde Mystery series for free?
Free Fiction: Chapter Four of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the fourth chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn. The short story has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proofread then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
Free Fiction: Chapter Three of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the third chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn. The short story has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proofread then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
A Dental Implant Update and A Chat with My Editor | BTS Writing Vlog #16
Watch this writing vlog to discover how the call went and what I’ve learned about working with a professional editor, plus the update about my dental implant experience.
Revision Vlog: Did I Finish My Fourth Draft? | BTS Writing Vlog #15
Some writers love a tight deadline. Maybe, love is too strong of a word. But, tight deadlines have known to be highly motivational. And, that’s where I found myself in this fifteenth behind-the-scenes writing vlog. So, did I finish my fourth draft?
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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 to 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?
$2.99
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.
$2.99
What I’m Writing!
Final Draft
86,532 of 85,000 Words
Yesterday, I sent Duplicity off for proofreading. Yay! And I’ve set up preorders for this novel on Kobo, B&N, and Google Play with a release date of the 24th of November 2022. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
First Draft
0 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 2022. 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.
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.
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