The Revenge Notebook

First three sentences from my new novel - yet to be published.

 The young woman was tired. Her pack felt twice as heavy as it had when she’d set out early in the morning, planning on being home two hours ago. She was a keen backpacker and often spent the day alone in the bush.

Me visiting the Viewing Platform Marine Parade Napier

Getting some sea air in Napier, my adopted home, since leaving the hustle and bustle of the big city.
 

Skein of Geese seen in Onekawa Napier

Tonight at 6:20 p.m. I was outside when I heard a honking noise and looked up to see a skein of geese flying overhead. They were in a perfect V shape and quite numerous. This seemed to me to be an unusual time for them to be flying as it was already after sunset. I think they were heading for Anderson Park. It brought back memories of the times we heard and saw skeins of geese in Albany Auckland, where we lived a few years back. It was a common sight then. Wow, I was awestruck to be so lucky to see them tonight.

‘For Murder Press 3’ by P.M.A. Hayes

 

‘For Murder Press 3’ by P.M.A. Hayes

Published by Cranthorpe Millner,
13 December 2022.
ISBN: 978-180378063-4 (PB)

Benedict Aberthorp is a private investigator based in Seagrove on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island.  Aberthorp makes an interesting detective, and not just for his trademark dark-rimmed glasses.  He regards himself as a “truth-gatherer” and approaches each case without emotion, searching for the seam of veracity within every investigation.  Whether he is looking for a missing person or seeking evidence of marital infidelity his approach is simple, unwavering, and effective. 

The detective has just solved an enquiry and is looking forward to some well-earned time off.  Then, he receives a phone call from Aldo Sherwin who declares himself, “scared to hell they’ll arrest me for my wife’s murder.”  The wife in question is Francine Roydon, a well-known antiques dealer.  It transpires that the couple had lived apart for some time but met for lunch together each month.  Unfortunately for Aldo, their last meeting coincided with his estranged wife’s murder.  This is not the only reason why Seagrove Police’s Detective Finnegan, who is leading the murder hunt, suspects him.  Benedict encourages Aldo to be frank and open about his relationship with the dead woman to build up a picture of what occurred that fateful day.

 It soon becomes clear, however, that Mr Sherwin is not telling the whole truth – and he’s not alone.  As Aberthorp begins to track down and interview Francine’s circle of friends, his probing questions are met with silence or avoidance.  Before long, the investigation has spawned a veritable smorgasbord of potential killers.  The list of characters who enjoyed, or didn’t enjoy, relationships with Francine, Aldo, and each other, are at best complicated and at worst positively incestuous!  Power games and disfunction drive the personalities of those whom Benedict and his erstwhile assistant, Gail Hollingford, encounter during the investigation.  Benedict’s first murder enquiry presents him with a puzzle that will prove to be both infuriating and intriguing.

For Murder Press 3 is the first in the Benedict Aberthorp Mystery series and the author has created a tantalising whodunnit that bamboozled me at every turn.  The focus shifts between Benedict and Gail, and the characters who are under suspicion.  What people say when they are questioned is thrown into doubt when the focus shifts to their unscrutinised conversations and behaviour.  Indeed, the reader frequently has more information than that afforded to Benedict and Gail.  This becomes apparent when the narrative reports the conversations between the delightful detecting duo.  I found the novel immersive and entertaining, and I look forward to meeting Benedict again when he tackles his next case, hopefully with wing-woman Gail alongside. Highly enjoyable.
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Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent

Carpet Offcut

Click: My Carpet    details on X 

I am selling a carpet off-cut size 204cm x 202cm. It is 100% recycled PET carpet, manufacturers extra heavy duty residential grading. It's left over from having a small room (study) carpeted and is brand new, although has been stored. In totally excellent condition and can be washed with water if anything is spilt on it, due to its being recycled PET carpet. 

 

A train journey through France in 2012, was a beginners' journey for two older Kiwi women, who dared to travel on their own through this beautiful country.

To read press here. 

Life at the Edge of the World

The Wall, by Marlen Haushoffer, was first written in 1968. The Wall, is a haunting study of what a person can love when everything has been taken away. "I can allow myself to write the truth; all the people for whom I have lied throughout my life are dead..." writes the heroine of Marlen Haushoffer's The Wall, a quite ordinary unnamed, middle-aged woman who awakens to find she is the last living person. Accompanied by her dog, she begins the terrifying work of survival, and eventually, self renewal.