CANTERBURY NEWS -- BANG ON DEADLINE!

As a very much on-the-ball national newspaper crime reporter in an earlier life, I am just a tad embarrassed to be 840 years late in filing the murder story of Thomas Becket in Canterbury in 1170.

On the other hand, my breaking news is up to the minute ... that world-renowned part-time detective Belinda Lawrence is on the case as of today.

A Canterbury Crime is released by BeWrite Books today, October 22 2010!

It’s the fourth novel in Brian Kavanagh’s riveting Belinda Lawrence Mysteries. And once again Belinda and her sidekick Hazel struggle to crack the case … painstakingly sifting the clues from the red herrings, coping with personal hitches, and facing deadly menace along the way.

Brian’s book was written by Brian (of course), edited by my editorial pal, Hugh McCracken, proofed by the whole team, and beautifully covered and designed, inside and out, by BeWrite Books’ magical Tony Szmuk. Tony also produced the ebook versions.

It’s published by BB today in paperback and all digital formats and is available at all major and minor ebook and paperback online stores as well as on order from your favourite local brick-and-mortar bookshop. It’s also the first BB book to be simultaneously released in paperback and Kindle version.

You can read all about the book, the earlier three novels in the Belinda Lawrence Mysteries series, about Brian, and even read extracts by hitting the open book icon at the top right of this page to take you to the www.bewrite.net main website and visiting our bookstore section.

If you’re already a Belinda Lawrence fan (and you should be) this is a must-read, which also takes Belinda’s enticing and complicated love-life a step in a (maybe) firm direction. And if you’re new to Belinda Lawrence,  A Canterbury Crime is a great place to start. All Brian’s novels are perfectly self-contained stories in their own right.

Here’s a wee taster for you …

The ancient walled city of Canterbury has held many secrets over the centuries but none more mysterious than the death of Professor de Gray.

Called in to evaluate the contents of his Tudor Manor House, Belinda and Hazel are confronted with a number of suspects who would benefit from the book the Professor was about to publish; a book he promised would re-write the history of St Thomas Becket who was murdered in the Cathedral in 1170.

The unfriendly secretary Miss Mowbray, the live wire student Tommy, the volatile amateur historian Peter, the respected publisher Sir Justin, and Quentin the upstart publisher prepared to obtain the book at any price. Add to them the local Doctor and Funeral Director and the cast of suspects is complete.

Confirming the Professor was murdered proves to be a challenge and, gradually ,as they get to know those associated with the Manor House Belinda and Hazel discover another murder and an intricate web of secrets that leads them to life-threatening danger and finally to the killer.

But can they get to him (or her) before he (or she) gets to them?

Happy reading folks … and the first BB blog-follower to email us gets a free paperback copy. Another three can have the ebook version in the format of their choice, PDF, ePub or Mobi.

Cheers, chills, mystery and fun. Neil

Easter Book Giveaway

To celebrate Easter Brian Kavanagh is giving away a paperback copy of the first Belinda Lawrence mystery novel, Capable of Murder.






Plus, an eBook copy of her second mystery, The Embroidered Corpse.









Go to Belinda's website, let her tell you of her adventures, and then sign the Guest Book.
http://belindalawrence.webs.com/

Be sure to indicate if you want the paperback or the eBook.
And leave your email address so Brian can advise the winner!
You have until midnight on Easter Saturday (11th April) to enter.

Good luck!

Brian Kavanagh, author of Belinda Lawrence Mysteries: Capable of Murder, The Embroidered Corpse, Bloody Ham.
Brian Kavanagh at Red Room
Blog

Read an eBook Week - Free eBooks available now

To celebrate Read an eBook Week, March 8th - 14th, we will be giving away a selection of eBooks to download for free. Please click the covers below to download your free copies. Each day will have a different genre of books to chose from including Crime, Adventure, Fantasy etc.

Please come back each day for your copies.

More details on Read an eBook Week can be found here

Sunday 8th

Mystery - Available to Download Now

Click the cover image to go directly to the download page

The Bad Seed by Maurilia Meehan








Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh

Also by Brian Kavanagh:
The Embroidered Corpse
Bloody Ham




Death in Malta by Rosanne Dingli

Happy Australia Day

Books for Australia Day

From our Australian Authors:

Sleep Before Evening by Magdalena Ball

This is a remarkable novel, not one detail of which rings false. The setting is New York City and one of its suburbs and the time is the Reagan years. Ball has achieved the remarkable in recovering this particular time past and the drive of the narrative makes this a compelling and an exciting book. Bob Williams

The Bad Seed by Maurilia Meehan

The appearance of a novel by Maurilia Meehan is always an event to celebrate. She writes with a sharp, bold, experimental pen, and takes her readers into realms at once astonishing and familiar. Carmel Bird



The Playmakers by Graeme Johnstone

An absorbing tale of conspiracy, manipulation, romance, and death when two young men (Shakespeare and Marlowe) from vastly different backgrounds are flung together by their passion for the written word.



Death in Malta by Rosanne Dingli

It is a meticulous psychological fable that favours character development and snapshots of village life over racier plot elements. Stephen Bell




Teaching Daedalus by Bevan McGuiness

An unusual romance, with a little mystery thrown in. I'm wondering if McGuiness will use the character Cornelius Monk again ... he has more to offer. S E Crawford



Treason by Meredith Whitford

Treachery in Love and War in the Struggle for the English Crown

Witty & literate. If you are curious about Richard 111, War of the Roses/Tudors, this is an easy fictional approach - which may indeed reflect the truth. Deirdre OShea


Featuring Belinda Lawrence, our Australian heroine:

Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh

Mr Kavanagh managed to do what one of my favorite authors, M C Beaton, does so well, incorporate humor within the confines of a credible mystery. Mary Lynn




The Embroidered Corpse by Brian Kavanagh

Superior in quality, this novel will grip you from first to last page and leave you wanting more from this very talented writer! Viviane Crystal




Bloody Ham by Brian Kavanagh

Bloody Ham is a fun, unique read and we look forward to more of Belinda and Hazel in the future. Vanessa Lee, Armchair Interviews




And our acclaimed Australian Poet:

The Way Back by Nana Ollerenshaw

From the underbelly of the world, poems of a nurse, a trekker and a traveller.

Free books up for grabs

Win a free, signed copy of Silenced Cry by Marta Stephens along with other cool stuff to enhance your next reading experience, in a Christmas Murder Scavenger Hunt - see contest details here





Brian Kavanagh is giving away a paperback copy of Bloody Ham, the third the Belinda Lawrence mystery series, to the lucky winner.

But that's not all!

He's also giving away an eBook (PDF) copy of the first book in the series, Capable of Murder.

To enter, please sign the Guest Book on Brian's web site, and specify which book you want, the paperback or the eBook. Names will be placed in separate hats and the first name drawn will be the winner in each case. Winners will be notified by email.

Brian Kavanagh's website

Belinda Lawrence reviewed

Capable of Murder

A solid tale of greed, obsession, and murder.

“Capable of Murder” is a must read! Mr. Kavanagh has written a story I could not solve, something that has become a rarity for me. Thank you.

This tale is quite simple, really. The setting is on the outskirts of Bath, England. Belinda Lawrence is summoned, via a letter, by her reclusive great-aunt for a visit; however, ends up finding the aunt dead. Being the only living relative, Belinda inherits her aunt’s ancient cottage and dilapidated gardens. Belinda believes her aunt was murdered. Why? Because the letter summoning Belinda was mailed after her aunt’s supposed accident. That, and everyone Belinda meets seems to know more than they are willing to tell. Oh, and there’s that attempt on Belinda’s life as well.

Yes, “Capable of Murder” does seem a simple murder mystery, but it’s all in the telling and Mr. Kavanagh does a wonderful job at telling it. He has painted a clear picture of the cottage and gardens. The characters are engaging while being both straightforward and complex. The killer’s motive for murder is not the normal quest for money or power, but something more down to earth.

“Capable of Murder” is the first in the Belinda Lawrence series and I hope this will prove to be a long series as she and Mr. Kavanagh have a permanent place on my library shelves.

More!

Reviewed by Christine I Speakman

The Embroidered Corpse

A thrilling read, The Embroidered Corpse blends together a murder mystery, a treasure hunt, and the intrigue of an archeological mystery. Author Brian Kavanagh’s rich characterization brings the story to life, and his approach to plot development keeps that life moving at break-neck speed.

The story revolves around a mysterious medieval tapestry fragment found in the attic of an old English estate. The fragment may be the missing end of the famous Bayeux Tapestry that depicts the events of the Norman invasion in 1066, the death of the English King Harold, and the crowning of William the Conqueror as King of England. The missing fragment, we find out, holds clues to secrets that people will kill to protect.

In a series of break-ins, kidnappings, and bloody murders, we find a list of fascinating suspects and intriguing questions. Is it Charles Godwin, the reputed descendent of King Harold and the self-proclaimed head of a new monastery who wants to prove his lineage as a possible heir to the throne of England? Is it Sir Charles Taylor, the eminent medieval scholar who is a leading authority on the hidden meanings of the Bayeux Tapestry? Or perhaps the violent Brother Saul, attached to the monastery but reeking with malevolence? Why was an old vicar murdered and mutilated to match the wounds of King Harold? What happened to Hazel, the suddenly-missing antique dealer? And what does all this have to do with an archeological dig at the old Holy Trinity church in Botham, dating back from the seventh century when the first monks came from Rome to bring Christianity to the pagans?

The intertwined plots come together and all gets sorted out in the satisfying conclusion to this wonderful novel. Kavanagh has created another thrilling addition to his Belinda Lawrence Mystery Series- a series I plan to continue reading.

Put this at the top of your must-read for this season.

Reviewed by Kevin Aguanno: TCM Reviews

Bloody Ham

Brian Kavanagh has done it again. In this third book of the Belinda Lawrence Cozy Mystery series, Brian brings Hazel Whitby to center stage where she assumes the position as leader in the investigative team.

Hazel Whitby, an antiques dealer, hires antique silver to a film company for use in a dinner scene in the proposed film Playing Boys. Belinda Lawrence, as Hazel's business partner, is allowed to be on the set with Hazel to watch over her silver during filming. As a result Belinda is present when one of the stars suddenly drops dead.

As a result, Belinda is asked to play stand-in to the American actress taking the place of the murdered star. She feels this position provides an opportunity for her to investigate the murder and obtain some evidence ... Belinda will never forget her brief acting career.Bloody Ham is a sequel to Capable of Murder and The Embroidered Corpse. Read them all and follow Belinda Lawrence as she plays detective in each of them. Brian Kavanagh's superb job of juggling the clues and keeping the mystery a mystery until the very end has produced another great story.
Brian Kavanagh has many years' experience in the Australian Film Industry in areas of production, direction, editing and writing. He is presently planning a fourth book in the Belinda Lawrence mystery series in which Belinda travels to Melbourne, her hometown in Australia. He is truly an author to watch.

Reviewed by Lucille P Robinson, Alternative-Read.com

Australian Crime Fiction Snapshot: Brian Kavanagh