15 July 2021
The other day, I was listening to a podcast, and the host mentioned Booktopia. And, it got me thinking. Is Missing on Booktopia? For those of you who are unaware, Booktopia is an online bookstore that sells both ebooks and paperbacks to Australia and New Zealand. This morning I double-checked and discovered that Missing is available in ebook and Paperback.
13 July 2021
Today, I wrote the first scene in the climactic sequence of The Candidate. By the end of the day, I had written and performed minor edits resulting in an additional 1,370 words to the manuscript. So, what does this all mean? I only have three scenes left to write in this first-in-series amateur sleuth mystery novella.
29 May 2021
Exciting news! Today is my birthday. How old am I, you ask? Don’t worry, I’m not offended. I get it, you’re curious. Well, it’s my 40th birthday. Yay! In celebration of my old age, I’ve discounted my amateur sleuth mystery novella, Missing to 99¢, on all ebook retailers. But, It’s not all about me. I also want to make reading an affordable hobby for people who have been affected by the Pandemic. So, hopefully, discounting my first-in-series novella will make reading a little easier and cheaper for you. Click here to find Missing on your favourite ebook retailer.
Using Foreign Languages in Fiction and A Tour of my Animal Crossing Island | BTS Writing Vlog 022
Goals, for me at least, are constantly moving and adjusted to my ever-changing needs as a writer. And that’s where I started off this behind the scenes writing vlog. Just like all the others, I fell off the wagon, got back on, and went on to achieve a little bit of success.
Writing Distractions, A Book Cover Reveal, and Getting Vaccinated | BTS Writing Vlog 021
On Tuesday, I started the writing vlog off strong by setting a goal to reach the midpoint of the novella by the end of the week. Well, as you know, this is me setting a goal, and I got distracted by a few other important bright, shiny and new distractions. However, despite all of the distractions, I did make some progress, and as you’re aware, some progress is better than no progress.
A Folio Society Unboxing and Writing the First Book in a New Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series | BTS Writing Vlog 020
A Folio Society Unboxing and Writing the First Book in a New Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series | BTS Writing Vlog 020 Hello, Booklovers! As suggested by the title, in this weekly writing vlog I’m going to take you along with me as I write The Candidate which...
A Writer Writes: I’m Writing a New Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series
A Writer Writes: I’m Writing a New Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series Hello, Book Lovers! I hope you are all well and are staying safe. I have some exciting news to share with you. In between book launches of my James Lalonde mystery series,...
I’m Back, About Me and Welcome to My YouTube Channel
I’m Back, About Me and Welcome to My YouTube Channel Hello, Book Lovers! I hope you are all well and are staying safe. It’s been a year since I last shared a video on this channel. During the last twelve months, I’ve found it difficult to create...
Chapter Ten of Entitled to Murder: A Cozy Mystery Short Story
The end of act one has arrived. And, I’m excited to share this next chapter of my cozy mystery short story with you. Partly because I’m excited about writing this story and the series, and the story changes after this point. But, more on that later. One of the exciting things about writing within the murder mystery and cozy mystery genres is the research. Although, I suspect I might be on some time of watch list, thanks to my internet search history after the various research sessions I conducted. You’ll see what I mean when you get to the end of the chapter. Don’t worry, this story is still gore-free.
Hello!
I’m Amelia. I write under the pen name A. D. Hay, and I’m the author of The Lawn, Suspicion, Duplicity, and The Candidate. I’m the host of the Mystery Novel Nerd Podcast. Right now, I’m writing a locked-room mystery featuring James Lalonde. When I’m not writing or hosting my podcast, I love to travel around Europe with my husband, drink tea, and eat pizza.
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.
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