
Sally Spedding is an old favourite of this block, a dear friend of mine and an incredibly talented author. She recently landed a seven book deal and the Lit Fest is privileged to feature her in conversation with Allan Martin when both will talk about historical fiction.
Hankering After History: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hankering-after-history-tickets-57211305555
I picked Sally’s latest book, “Death Knell” and I agree with the critics, it’s a brilliant book.
DI John Lyon Thriller – Book 3- The blurb:
Norfolk, November 1988.
After two life-changing investigations in France, former Detective Inspector John Lyon has moved south from Nottingham to Colchester with plans to enjoy his retirement.
But a phone call from Professor Stephen Vickers, a former student friend, now Dean of History at a university near Diss, disturbs his rest.
Vickers senses he is in danger, having unearthed evidence of a gruesome tragedy in 1920.
The murder of an innocent family is a secret someone still wants keep buried, yet the professor is determined to uncover the truth.
But at what cost?
Death Knell is a visceral, chilling novel with twists and turns, which will keep the reader gripped from the first page to the last
My review:
This really is quite an accomplished novel that tells the story of a gruesome crime in 1920, the nature and motive for which aren’t as clear cut as one might come to expect. Chapters alternate between characters in the distant past of 1920 and the less distant past of 1988.
While the 1920 chapters keep us on the toes with spellbinding descriptions and gripping suspense, two old friends reunite in 1988 as one of them thinks he’s not only on the trail of a big story via two discovery of two letters but he also senses the very investigation of the past murder is bringing him and his loved ones into harm’s way.
Spedding makes you always feel close to the events, dragging you into the plot as if it were happening to you. All starts with the sale of a wild horse in 1920 which for some obscure reason brings an entire family into danger. As the family try to figure out the whole story and save themselves the reader can sense the ineitability of looming disaster. Language and dialect are autenthic, well researched and add a great deal to the realism.
The plot is twisted and never straight forward, the characters are so well drawn with distinctive narrative voices that you can always recognise who’s telling the story.
Chilling, spell binding and excellently written this is superb, both as crime fiction and as historical fiction. Reading it out of the series sequence, as I did, made no difference to my enjoyment. I’ve downloaded the rest of the series now and can’t wait to see Sally talk about her book at the Lit Fest.
Hankering After History: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hankering-after-history-tickets-57211305555
PRAISE FOR SALLY SPEDDING:
‘Sally Spedding has been credited with being a latter-day Du Maurier.’ Crime Squad
‘Sally Spedding is a font of creepy stories, the kind of tales which wheedle their way into your mind days and weeks later.’ Western Mail
‘Sally Spedding has unquestionably got what it takes.’ Crime Time
‘No-one does evil like Sally Spedding.’ Thorne Moore
CUT TO THE BONE
‘Chilling. Seriously chilling. Fully 3D landscapes, full of menace in themselves, peopled by desperate characters… A very compelling read, hard to put down.’ Thorne Moore
MALEDICTION
‘An intense, intelligent, visceral thriller from the get-go. If you thought Dan Brown was the last word in clerical depravity, think again.’ Peter Guttridge – Reviewer and Crime/thriller writer
COLD REMAINS
‘This is a horror story and a mystery. If you like well-written, creepy thrillers, this is one to remember.’ Geoff Jones – Eurocrime
A NIGHT WITH NO STARS
An alarming story of surprises and shocks.’ Gerald Kaufman – The Scotsman
PREY SILENCE
‘Sally Spedding has written an excellent, creepy chiller of what can happen to ex-pats who fall foul of their new neighbours. The perfect gift for those who boast about their French idyll they’re about to live.’ Carla McKay – Daily Mail
WRINGLAND
‘A tale of chilling menace and powerful atmosphere in haunted fen country. A ghost story handled with real assurance.’
Barry Foreshaw
WELSH-BORN, AWARD-WINNING SALLY SPEDDING’S DARK CRIME/THRILLERS, SHORT STORIES AND POETRY ARE INSPIRED BY WALES AND FRANCE WHERE SHE LIVES. http://www.sallyspedding.com