Occupation: Detective Sergeant
I shouldn’t have done it. I never expected . . .
I don’t think I’ve compromised the investigation, or the crime scene, but I may have compromised myself.
The farmhouse is cold and dark when I get home. I live in the countryside near Antrim, just north of Belfast. I switch on the kitchen lights and start the fire. Flames lick the newspaper and catch small twigs. Finn, my wire-haired fox terrier, rattles through the dog door, back from running across the fields.
“Hey boy, has Patricia fed you?” Finn lies about the dinner thing, but I feed him anyway. Patricia is my neighbour and his surrogate mum. He has a bit of food clinging to his whiskers – he was always a messy eater – and I am a detective after all. I reheat a cold curry for myself and when we’re both finished, I pour a small whiskey, grab a bone-shaped treat for him (his favourite) and go outside to clear my head. I sit on an old stone bench by the back door. Finn circles a few times and settles with a grunt and a sigh at my feet. “I know how you feel, buddy,” I say. This particular murder investigation is the last thing I want right now.
It’s late. The garden is restless with wind and the promise of rain. We are a green, damp island. Tall trees at the back swirl and rustle, the moon is bright behind racing clouds. I shiver. This case. It’s personal now.
I don’t understand why we can’t locate any of my suspects. Where is my victim’s ex-boyfriend? Where is her latest mysterious admirer? The man who gave her a Rolex? And where did she go, the week before her death?
I sip my drink, hear the hoot of an owl and night noises from the hedges on either side. Finn lifts his head and sniffs the air, I can detect peat and the woodsmoke. And perhaps manure high on the wind – or that might be Finn, he needs a bath . . .
We have a rapist on the loose. Maura’s on it and I’m trying to make time to help her. I want to, badly. I want to get him. This man who preys on women in bars, stalks them, drugs them.
Then there’s Wylie. He’s the Chief Super’s nephew, a right pain in the arse and has just joined the team at our station. Plus, he’s being fast-tracked for promotion, oh joy. Next thing you know he’ll be my boss.
I finish my drink, I could definitely use a top up but I’ve another big day tomorrow, better not. I head back in, Finn grunts and follows me. I have a message on the answer phone from my ex, Bridget. She desperately needs to talk. Bridget. An emergency room nurse. My Harley-riding, leather clad, gorgeous ex-girlfriend. A trouble magnet.
As if I don’t have enough to worry about.
A Nice Place to Die, A Detective Sergeant Ryan McBride Mystery #1
Genre: Police Procedural
Release: September 2022
Purchase Link
The body of a young woman is found by a river outside Belfast and Detective Sergeant Ryan McBride makes a heart-wrenching discovery at the scene, a discovery he chooses to hide even though it could cost him the investigation – and his career.
The victim was a loner but well-liked. Why would someone want to harm her? And is her murder connected to a rapist who’s stalking the local pubs? As Ryan untangles a web of deception and lies, his suspects die one by one, leading him to a dangerous family secret and a murderer who will stop at nothing to keep it.
And still he harbors his secret . . .
Meet the author
J. Woollcott is a Canadian writer born in Northern Ireland. She is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers and BCAD, University of Ulster. Her first mystery, Abducted, was long-listed in the Canadian Arthur Ellis Awards in 2019. Her second book, A Nice Place to Die, won the RWA Unpublished Mystery/Suspense Daphne du Maurier Award in 2019 in New York. A Nice Place to Die was also long-listed in the Arthur Ellis Awards for 2020 and short-listed in the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence in 2021. She is working on part two of the Ryan McBride Belfast Murder Series, Blood Relations, due out in August 2023. Connect with Joyce at her website, https://www.jwoollcott.com, and on Twitter at @JoyceWoollcott.
She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Southwest Florida Writer’s Guild.
GIVEAWAY: Joyce has generously offered to give away one print copy of A Nice Place to Die. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends September 14, 2022. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Family secrets, death of a loner, plus a detective with something to hide. Sounds like the perfect fall read!
Yes, I hope it’s a perfect read Kimberly! 🙂 Joyce.
Very intriguing. Now I really want to know the secret!
Aha, yes––and it doesn’t stop there! 🙂
Best, Joyce
Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading it.
Dianne I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Best, Joyce
This story intrigues me. Need to read.
Glad it caught your interest, Barbara, thanks for commenting,
Best, Joyce. 🙂
Sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Good luck, Linda! I hope you enjoy it, Joyce 🙂
i always like to read books set in Ireland…and books with dogs.
Me too! Especially dogs. I hope you enjoy it, Finn was such a lot of fun to write, almost as much as Ryan! 🙂 Joyce
I would love to win a copy of this, but I’m in Canada 🙂 Sounds fab!
It sounds like an exciting read. I haven’t read any books by this author yet, but I can’t wait to.
My debut novel Anita, and number two in the series is coming in 2023! I hope you enjoy the writing. Joyce
Curiosity whetted! What is Ryan’s secret? How many meals can Finn con from Ryan? Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Finn is a clever boy, and Ryan is a softy at heart. Good luck, Becca, Joyce 🙂
A captivating and enthralling novel which would be greatly enjoyed.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy it, Anne, good luck! Best, Joyce.
Congratulations on your debut which sounds unique and thrilling. I look forward to this series.
Thanks Laini, I appreciate the comment, I hope you enjoy,
Joyce.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you get a chance to read it Diana,
Best, Joyce
I am looking forward to reading this. I put my reviews on Goodreads.
Karen, I really hope you like it then! 🙂 Thank you, Best, Joyce
This is one of my favorite genres to read, sounds like a good one!
Teresa, I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy it! Best of luck,
Joyce
This sounds like an engaging read! And what a gorgous cover.
I love the cover too, thanks for mentioning it. I hope you get a chance to read the book,
Best wishes, Joyce
This sounds absolutely can’t-put-it-down! An appealing detective, relationships, secrets, and murder.
I know! I’m all about write what you love to read and I love reading this kind of book too, I hope you enjoy it Pat and thanks for the comment, Joyce
Sounds like an intriguing story. Would love to win a copy!
Well good luck Sharon! I wish I could afford to give everyone a copy, you are all so kind to comment, thank you,
Joyce
I need to know what the detective is hiding. Thanks for the chance.
Good luck to you Mary! Best, Joyce. 🙂
I have not ready any of your books. This is a first in a new series. I love to read police books. It sounds like my type of book I can really like to get reading right away. Love the chance to get to know these characters. May there be many more to come. Thank you for giving a chance to win a copy.
Hi Linda, good luck then, glad you like this kind of book!
Best,
Joyce
**** WINNER ****
A Nice Place to Die is Sharon Marchisello
Congratulations!