What inspired my latest novel, The Thistlewood Curse?

A colleague of mine told me of a paranormal experience she once had. This experience gave me an intriguing story idea which would combine a conventional mystery whodunit with supernatural themes, including astral projection. I wrote a brief outline of the plot (the big twist ending was foreseen from the outset), but wondered about where to set it.

Subsequently, when my mother-in-law visited Lundy Island, she returned to show me her extensive photographic survey, along with the various guidebooks and maps she had picked up. I then realised I had the ideal setting for my novel, which would evolve from detective story to supernatural mystery thriller, culminating in an under siege horror finale, as the characters are trapped on the island in the midst of a fierce night storm.

As I set about writing the novel, there were various influences in the back of my mind, including Sherlock Holmes short stories like The Speckled Band and Agatha Christie’s Sleeping Murder, as well as films like Angel Heart, The Exorcist and television series Twin Peaks. However, I do hope the novel is distinctive and original in its own right too.

Here is the blurb from the back of The Thistlewood Curse:

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

You can download or buy print copies of The Thistlewood Curse from Amazon here.

Here’s a second, slightly longer excerpt from my new supernatural thriller The Thistlewood Curse.

Once on Lundy Island, Detective Sergeant Laura Buchan and her paranormal investigator friend Lawrence Crane are joined by Sally Thistlewood, another old friend, exploring the terrain, quietly looking for clues regarding the mysterious and sudden death of Sally’s husband Charles. They begin to sense an evil presence.

“As soon as they left the castle, Laura was glad she had wrapped up warm. Although the wind had dropped an icy chill lingered. Thick dark cloud covered the skies, and great rolling mists moved like ghosts through the cottages of Lundy village. They walked for a while in silence, trudging along the path past the Marisco Tavern and shop, past holiday homes and farm buildings, and out into open country.

Sally led Laura and Crane along a path that passed the Old Lighthouse, the airfield and Ackland’s Moor to the left. They reached the Quarter Wall shortly afterwards and passed through a gate into the fields beyond. Seagulls cawed amid the sounds of waves crashing against cliffs in the distance, and as they continued the mist gradually cleared, leaving only occasional patches of coastline gripped by thick fingers of fog.

Shivering, Laura once again sensed the same oppressive presence she had felt the previous day at the Old Lighthouse. As they continued their journey north along the paths and cliff tops, that presence seemed to get stronger. She glanced at Crane, who nodded silently, confirming that he felt the same.

To distract herself from the feeling of being watched by an invisible, malevolent entity, Laura made light conversation with Sally; mostly reminiscing about their past together, their time at school, University, old friends, places they had visited, parties they had been to… anything to distract from the present. There was a feeling of desperation in the exchanges, particularly on Sally’s part. No doubt she felt trapped both by her grief and her belief that the death of Charles was merely the start of something that was only going to get worse. Talking about the frivolous, care-free past wasn’t merely friends recalling good times. It was a dedicated, concerted effort at deflecting the oppression of the present.

But in spite of such efforts, the intangible feeling of malice inherent in the atmosphere only increased the further they walked… Lundy was a bleak but beautiful place, yet something had taken possession of it.

‘Can you feel it?’ Laura asked presently, giving up all pretence at light conversation.

Sally nodded. ‘It’s getting stronger all the time.’”

You can download or buy print copies of The Thistlewood Curse here.

Here’s an excerpt from my new supernatural thriller The Thistlewood Curse.

Following a particularly difficult and traumatic case, Detective Sergeant Laura Buchan goes on leave, only to hear via email about the sudden death of her friend’s husband on Lundy Island. This is the event that sets the main plot in motion.

“Laura immediately grabbed her phone to give Sally a call. She hadn’t known Charles very well, but obviously she wanted to be there for her old friend. However, she then noticed the email was very long, and that there was a great deal more she ought to be aware of first before making any calls. As she read it she felt increasingly disturbed. Sally wasn’t merely bereaved, but she seemed quite beside herself with what appeared to be the most extraordinary paranoia.

Dear Laura,

I’m very sorry to have to tell you Charles has died. He was visiting his parents on Lundy Island and literally just dropped dead. According to the doctor it was a sudden heart attack. Very unusual for someone his age, and very unlucky. The funeral is next week. He’s going to be buried on the island.

  As you can probably imagine I’m going through a lot right now, but there is something else I have to tell you. I know you’re going to think I’m mad, but I think Charles was murdered. In fact, I’m sure of it. The worst thing is I can’t prove anything. I haven’t got a shred of evidence. I’ve got nothing more than a really, really horrible feeling. I’ve not said anything to anyone else, but I need you now, more than I’ve ever needed you before. I need you to help me prove Charles was deliberately killed. Please help me Laura. I’m really, really scared.”

You can download or order print copies of The Thistlewood Curse from Amazon Kindle here.

My latest novel The Thistlewood Curse is now available in print, as well as an Amazon Kindle download.

A gripping supernatural thriller, The Thistlewood Curse already has it’s first, five-star review from this Amazon reader, who claims it will “leave you with ‘novel hangover’, still reeling from the emotional storm that just picked you up and spit you out… Engaging, captivating, and immersive from the very beginning, and the plot twists were a pleasant surprise”.

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

From the author of Children of the Folded Valley and The Birds Began to Sing…

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

Check out The Thistlewood Curse, and let me know what you think on Amazon.

My long-awaited new novel The Thistlewood Curse is now available to download from Amazon Kindle.

A gripping supernatural thriller, The Thistlewood Curse is an unashamed, page-turning mystery. It is akin to my earlier novel, The Birds Began to Sing, although darker and more frightening, particularly towards the finale.

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting articles giving background on the novel, my inspiration, details on the writing process, the cover image, extracts, my thoughts on genre blending, and more.

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

Download your copy of The Thistlewood Curse here. An announcement will be made regarding print copies soon.

My new novel The Thistlewood Curse is released tomorrow on Amazon Kindle.

Set almost entirely on Lundy Island, The Thistlewood Curse is a nail-chewing, page-turning supernatural thriller with a gripping central mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end.

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

You can pre-order The Thistlewood Curse from Amazon Kindle here. An announcement will be made regarding print copies soon.

After a few delays, I am pleased to finally announce that my new novel The Thistlewood Curse is available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle!

Set almost entirely on Lundy Island, The Thistlewood Curse begins as a detective story but evolves into a suspenseful supernatural thriller.

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

From the author of Children of the Folded Valley and The Birds Began to Sing…

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

You can pre-order The Thistlewood Curse from Amazon Kindle here. An announcement will be made regarding print copies this week. Watch this space.