July Newsletter

Hi Dear Readers,

I hope all of you have survived the recent heat waves in reasonably good shape. Here on the east coast of England we have been less severely affected than many,  but even we have seen unprecedented temperatures in the mid thirties. Unprecedented for us, that is, given my garden is only a mile from the sea and surrounded by trees. 

I admit I did move my working space out of the conservatory and to a shady spot in the garden. 

Work on the existing 11 Geldard books already in Joffe’s hands continues apace. The latest to be republished is No 6, Lost on the Norfolk Broads (previously Beyond Closed Doors) which comes out today. 

From the blurb:

A cold winter's day by the River Bure. DCI Greg Geldard is waiting for DS Chris Mathews to respond to his proposal of marriage — when her phone rings.

It’s the Chief Superintendent. One of Norfolk Police’s protected witnesses has come within an inch of being killed. Someone leaked his location . . . someone inside the force.

But Geldard’s troubles are only beginning.

In Great Yarmouth, a terraced house erupts in flames. Inside, firefighters find a woman's body padlocked inside a cupboard. Her husband has vanished. Along with their two young children.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOST-NORFOLK-BROADS-Detective-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0H6J52NXN/ref=

Book 7, Trapped on the Norfolk Broads, follows late this month.

Best of all, I wrote THE END on my first draft of No 12 yesterday. So now it’s on with the multiple rounds of editing and reading by beta readers before I submit it to Joffe in August. 

I wish you all the best for a happy summer, and see you in August. But before you go, read on for the interview with Chris Mathews that I promised last month. Or, to be strictly accurate, the edited highlights: because Chris was a bit dismissive of ‘routine’ questions!

Heather

Interview with Chris Mathews

Why do you wear such brightly coloured clothes?

Because I like them. ((Editors note: she grunted a bit here!) And to stand out from the crowd. I spotted something about clothes early on in my career. Outside of uniform - which is a different matter - I realised that if you dress like a grade higher, then you’re treated like a grade higher. Then I noticed something else. Women tend to get overlooked. If you’re dressing like a man - boring navy trouser suit, pale shirt - you just fade into the background. I was determined that wasn’t going to be me. 

What first attracted you Greg?

That isn’t one of those Mrs Merton questions about millionaires is it? Joking apart, Greg only has his pay, like me, and anyway I can look after myself. Sorry, I was getting sidetracked. What first attracted me? Well, he’s easy on the eye and has a great physique even if some of it is beginning to hide behind what he likes to call relaxed muscle and I call fat. But the things that first attracted me were his honesty, his dedication, and the fact he listens. I knew, very quickly, he was a man I could trust with my life. 

Do you think you and Greg got together a bit quickly?

If that’s asking, was I involved with Greg before his wife Isabelle naffed off, then no, I wasn’t. If it’s a general question about speed of involvement, then in all honesty, yes, it probably was. But if you’ve ever been head over heels in love, then you’ll know you can’t dictate the pace. And neither of us were teenagers!

What do you think about the ex?

Apart from the fact I think any woman who would walk away from Greg has lost the plot? Yes, ok, I know police marriages can struggle, but even so…

Have you never doubted him?

Yes, I have. But the fault was mine not Greg’s. Or, maybe I should say the fault was the job’s. Like all police, sometimes we see things no one should have to see. And experience stuff that most people won’t experience in a million years. It’s tough, and we don’t always bounce back. When you’re down and struggling, that’s when you need a bit of help from your mates and your family. Sometimes even from professionals. The best thing about our relationship is that Greg is there for me when I’m in pieces. And I’m there for Greg when he hits bad times. We understand, because we’ve both been there. 

What most frustrates you about the police?

The occasional macho idiot. Thankfully they’re few and far between - whatever you read in the press - and Greg has an even shorter fuse for that sort of behaviour than I do.  So it’s very much 'not on his watch'. 

What do you hope for?

To see Jamie grow up as fine a man as his father, only with his mother’s wisdom, good looks and dress sense, obviously. 

Do you think having a child is holding you back in your career? Will you have any more?

Yes, and don’t know. Next?

Are you hoping for more promotions?

I’m not sure about that. I like the job I do. I like an active role. I like being a detective. I’m not sure I want any more admin. I know Greg hates it. Even though he’s much more ambitious than me, I know he gets his biggest kicks from resolving a difficult case. 

Copyright: Heather Peck