Occupation: Detective Inspector

So, here it is then, the last week of my career in the police service. It’s hard to believe it’s come around this quickly. My wife Betty and I agree it’s the right thing for me and, in my heart, I know I’m ready to go. But. . .November sounded a long way off when I put my papers in, but now – here it is. Just three more days – including today – ahead of me, then a big leaving do on Friday night and I’ll be a β€œretired detective”. Yes, hard to believe. Betty and I will ease into it, we agreed – she’s going to continue her work as a psychotherapist and counsellor, so there’s not too much change for us, all at the same time. Which will be good, I’m sure.

And, when all’s said and done, I’m a lucky man; I’ve had a pretty charmed career, with no particular case grinding me down over the years like so many of my colleagues have. No, nothing like that for me – no unsolved case that will turn me into some sort of fixated nut, nor any bad dreams because I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun, and no on-the-job injuries to plague me with – literally – painful memories. See? Charmed.

Betty’s glad I’m out of it. She reckons the West Glamorgan Police Service can manage quite nicely without DI Glover. I’ve enjoyed my time on the job, and I really do believe West Glam is the best service in Wales, bar none. I feel I’ve done some good – though the tide of criminality will always bash against the shores of the lives of good people, so there’s no point believing there’s still no bad in the world. No, the work of the police service will never be done, but I’ve given it my best. . .and am glad I have.

I’ll miss some of it, of course, well, maybe quite a lot of it. Especially the way it always brings the unexpected into play. Like today, for example: DS Liz Stanley and I have been asked to attend the site of something classified by the local community constable in Rhosddraig as β€œdiscovered remains”. See? It’s intriguing to be sent off to find things out, isn’t it? Like what sort of remains? Where? How did they get there? And so on. I love that part of it – the finding out. But the management, the technology, the typing up of reports? I won’t miss those parts as much.

But I can’t hang about; DS Stanley will be waiting for me in the car park – I only came back to my office to pick up my wellies. It’s raining – of course – and, beautiful though Rhosddraig might be. . .perched on the back of land formation called The Dragon. . .it’s known for fierce winds, so if it’s raining it’s likely to be raining sideways.

This feels odd – knowing I’m being sent off to take a look at something that will very likely turn out to be nothing. . .maybe some poor old sheep. . .because there’s no way my boss, DCI Jenkins, would send me off to take a look at anything important – after all, I only have three days left on the job.


Giveaway: Comment below for a chance to win a print copy of The Wrong Boy. The giveaway ends January 11, 2019. Good luck everyone!


Find out how DI Evan Glover gets caught up in a case that was never meant to be his when you read The Wrong Boy by Cathy Ace, released January 9, 2019.

Perched on a Welsh clifftop, the ancient, picturesque hamlet of Rhosddraig has its peaceful faΓ§ade ripped apart when human remains are discovered under a pile of stones. The village pub, The Dragon’s Head, run by three generations of women, becomes the focal point for those interested in the grisly find, and it’s where layers of deceit are peeled away to expose old secrets, and deep wounds. The police need to establish who died, how, and why, but DI Evan Glover knows he can’t be involved in the investigation, because he’s just two days away from retirement. However, as the case develops in unexpected ways, it becomes irrevocably woven into his life, and the lives of local families, leading to disturbing revelations – and deadly consequences . . .

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About the author
Born and raised in Wales, now-Canadian Cathy Ace is the author of the Cait Morgan Mysteries, featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries, featuring a quartet of female PIs, working from a Welsh stately home. Both series are traditional, entertaining, and have been well reviewed. A BC Bestseller, Cathy’s work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.

Visit Cathy at cathyace.com, on Facebook or on Twitter at @AceCathy

All comments are welcomed.