The 21st DI Mike Nash, The Snatch, is going through the editing process with my publisher, Joffe Books, and is due for release in November. Now, as we wait to see the cover image, I thought my readers might like a taster from the prologue . . . . .
He was small, alone and terrified. The men — he thought they were men — who had brought him to this strange place had vanished. His hands were free and the bag over his head had been removed. He could move about, secured by a chain around his waist. They hadn’t hurt him. In fact, they had fed and cared for him, allowed him to sleep whenever he was able, and a blanket and a bucket had been provided. But now, even they were gone, and he couldn’t remember how long he’d been there, or how long he had been alone. There was no escape. He desperately wanted to be away from here. He didn’t want to see those men with their balaclavas and plastic gloves ever again. More than anything, he wanted to go home, back to his mother and father, even his older sister. Then, as suddenly as his nightmare started, it ended.
When we returned from holiday last May, we found our garden in the middle of a makeover. Returning this year, things are almost complete. The new lawn, new plants, and with a new trough awaiting some climbing plants. Then there’s the refurbished front wall, the painted workshop and fence. A little more work by John who manages to fit in all this work between his other customers, who I am sure are as satisfied as we are, and hopefully it will all be finished this summer. Then, there is this year’s holiday …..
Although the publishing dates are an unknown when the holiday is booked, the dates are purely coincidental. Naturally, we had to have a launch party for the twentieth DI Mike Nash book, Valley of Death. The weather was cooler than expected, and the strong wind from off the sea meant our arrangements had to be moved to the following night, but it was still a great success. And this year we added New Zealand to our expanding group of International friends. Someone, I won’t mention who, was enjoying the evening so much she forgot to take photos. Thankfully our friends did, but only of me as I did the reading. Now we’re home I have the edits for the next Nash to complete ….. will there be another launch party this year?
I thought last September was a busy month, but it is nowhere near in comparison to this April. Having finished the proof copy of the twentieth Nash, Valley of Death, at the end of March all I had to do was finish writing #21,The Snatch, delayed by family circumstances. Then, I just had to let the in-house editor loose on it, pass it to my reader and get ready for the launch party in Crete on 21 May. As they say on the TV, ‘Simples!’ But we all know life isn’t simple.
Firstly, time was against me, but I succeeded, that was before the new Covid booster injection. The in-house editor took to her bed, her first ever reaction to the jab, leaving her very unwell and unable to concentrate. Eventually, she revived and the book was with my reader who approved, thankfully — apparently it made sense.
It was submitted yesterday, within deadline, and we began to relax. (Or should I say the in-house editor went back to her packing for the holiday.) Valley of Death, is now available to pre-order and we always receive promo material prior to launch, that arrived in the afternoon. OK, it can be done. The great news that a new box set of all four of the Cowgill Family Saga Byland Crescent is out now arrived as well. Again with promo material.
Under normal circumstances I would post individual items regarding each event. However, I am sure that all my readers will forgive for just one post referencing everything. That’s because both my blog and website still need updating.
The twentieth DI Mike Nash thriller is coming soon. Valley of Death will be published on 21st May and here’s the cover.
I want to thank everyone who has been kind enough to send condolences, cards, and flowers over the last six weeks following the loss of my step-son. His friends all knew him as Sye, but to us, especially his mother, he was always Simon. The kindness of the 120 people who came to the service to show their respects will remain with us forever.
I want to thank, publicly, my publisher, Joffe Books, for the consideration he and his staff have shown in delaying dates and deadlines to help us throughout this devastating time.
There are still things to be dealt with, and it will take time, but we are trying to resume ‘normal life’ — whatever that is. So for the moment work goes on. The final edit of the next Nash thriller, Valley of Death, is in hand, while I try to pick up the threads of the next.
As I’m sending good wishes for 2026 to everyone, I was thinking that if 2025 was busy, then I’m not sure what 2026 holds for me. Two more DI Mike Nash thrillers, Dead or Alive and Network of Evil, were published by Joffe Books, and now book #20 is in the pipe-line with the editors. There were also three more audio versions, from Tantor Audio, with two more due for release this month.
The personal side has been very enjoyable. In January, great-grandson Edwin David arrived, which culminated in a family gathering. In May, while on holiday in Crete we attended the wedding of our friends’ daughter, before holding the first of two launch parties for the book releases — the second was in October. In November, we braved horrendous downpours and surface water for a celebratory fortieth birthday meal. Then, there was December. On Christmas Eve, the official documentation was delivered, not by Santa or an elf, but by courier, to our granddaughter and her husband confirming we now have two more great-grandchildren, what could be better?
For those of my listeners asking for more audio, books 10 and 11 of the DI Nash Thrillers will both be available in January, not as previously expected before Christmas. It seems original release dates, for reasons unknown to me, have been amended. I hope the wait will be worth it. More details to follow.
There are things in this life that take time, one of them is the adoption process.
We were in Athens in May 2024, when we had the call from Granddaughter Kathryn. They were to adopt two children from the same family, a two-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister. In November last year we met them for the first time, bundles of energy and ready for anything. Now when they come to visit hugs and cuddles are in demand.
Eighteen months after that phone call, Grace, six, and Tommy, four, now both at school, are official — signed on the dotted line, two more great-grandchildren for us, a very loving family for them. That’s three additions within 2025. Christmas could be a little more expensive this year!
I did say there was something more to the Cretan holiday and it was something totally unexpected. During our stay back in May we had a launch party for the 18th Nash book, Dead or Alive, but since then #19, Network of Evil, has also been published — in August. A bit late for a launch party, you might say. Well, you’re wrong. Not only a book, but another Audio was released on 7th October, Hide & Seek, so of course we invited all our friends in the area for another evening at the local bar.
Then I was told by our friend Janice, who had missed the May event, that she loved book readings and was looking forward to it. That wasn’t what I had in mind, but there again, you don’t upset potential readers. So, we had a reading. It was a great evening, I’m not sure all our Greek friends understood every word, but they all enjoyed it — and the drinks.
If you’ve missed me, many of you will know that at this time of year I disappear to Crete, for those of you who don’t, well that’s where I’ve been — again. Having holidayed there since 1992, I know what to expect, hot weather, sunshine, good food and plenty of relaxation. Well, two out of three can’t be bad. There was a marked change in the weather. Starting with an evening of lightening, then a day of strong winds and then came the rain. Dining in outdoor tavernas became an adventure while trying to keep warm and stay dry. Ok, so it only lasted four days before it returned to normal climate. I was grateful because I had something special planned which I’ll tell you about next time.
Bill Kitson Blog 