A Writer Writes: Writing an Amateur Sleuth Mystery Novella

by Amelia D. Hay | A Writer Writes, Behind the Scenes

Updated on: 24 June 2021

Hello, Book Lovers!

I’m super excited to announce that I’m writing an amateur sleuth mystery novella. I love reading. Through reading books, I’ve developed interests that have filtered through into the writing of my fiction novels. So, at the end of 2016, I decided to read more books within my genre.

In previous years, I adopted the philosophy of reading anything that piques my interest, and to a certain extent, I still do. But, as I finished reading The Brass Hall by Kevin Tumlinson, I became interested in the archaeological elements in this book. This newfound interest led me to search Amazon for the next book in the series, The Coelho Medallion. After finishing reading the second book, I started to develop an idea of writing a conspiracy thriller or action-adventure novel trilogy around an archaeologist, which I later named Maximilian Nicholls.

An Amateur Sleuth Mystery Novella

This new idea inspired me to merge my two-story worlds into a novella in a similar way that J F Penn has done with her Day of the Vikings novel. In this novel, she introduced a character, Daniel Blake into the world of ARKANE. The character Daniel Blake has his own trilogy, the London Psychic Crime Thrillers, which I love.

After careful consideration of my current fiction-writing workload, I decided to take a similar approach to test the reading market to see if I could find readers who are interested in my Maximilian Nicholls conspiracy thrillers. At the moment, I’m advertising the James Lalonde amateur sleuth mystery series as a nine-book series. I chose this option to give readers an understanding that the series is more than just three books. But realistically, I plan to write these books for three years, to start off and then for as long as there is a demand.

So, I’m excited to announce that I’m writing an amateur sleuth mystery novella titled, ‘Missing.’

A Quick Update

I know this is going to sound alarming, but I’ve not been happy with the first book in the James Lalonde Amateur Sleuth series, Missing. My unhappiness has led me to create a third edition with new scenes, improvements to the old ones, and a more satisfying ending.

This week, I sent the third edition, which is titled “Suspicion”, off to my editor. I’m so excited because I’m very close to publishing this new first-in-series novella. And, I plan to make this novella available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club.

Happy reading, book lovers!

Amelia xx

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Amelia D. Hay

I’m Amelia. I write mystery and thriller novels under the pen name A. D. Hay and I’m the author of Missing the first book in the James Lalonde series. I’m the host of the Book Nerd Podcast and The Authorpreneur Podcast. Right now, I’m editing my soon to be published mystery novels, The Candidate, Duplicity, 24 Hours, and Immunity. When I’m not writing, hosting my podcasts or coaching aspiring authors, I love to travel around Europe with my Husband Roland, drink tea, and eat pizza.

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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.

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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?

Read it, Today!

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

Get It Now!

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

Get It Now!

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

Get It Now!

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

Get It Now!

What I’m Writing!

55%

First Draft

22,047 of 40,000 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.

A Writer Writes: Writing an Amateur Sleuth Mystery Novella