Well, here we are as Deadly Craving, the eighth book in my Detective Jane Phillips crime thriller series hits the virtual shelves of Amazon. The early reviews have been incredibly favourable – and I’m super excited to hear what you think when you read it.
So what’s happening this time round?
If you read book seven in the series, Deadly Night, you’ll know that after nearly losing everything she held dear, Jane walked away from the job she adored to be with the man that she loved.
But ten months has passed, and the lure of the Major Crimes Unit is just too strong to resist. So she’s back and knee deep in murder. In fact, within an hour of clocking on for her first day, she finds herself standing over a half-naked man whose heart has been cut out of his chest and is nowhere to be seen. Bet she wishes she’d stayed at home.
Writing Deadly Craving brought up a lot of memories for me of walking away from my old life in the corporate world. Thankfully I’ve never been tempted to return, but then if I was in Jane’s shoes, I think I’d really miss being part of the MCU team and I understand why she had to go back. I mean, they’re so good together, they totally have each others backs and I love how their relationships have grown as the series has developed.
People often ask me who inspired the characters in the series and the truth is, I created a team that I would have enjoyed being part of. Jane is very much like me in terms of her values and character – not to mention her many flaws – but far less diplomatic than I ever dared to be in the world of work. She says what she thinks, and I love that about her!
It’s like picking your favourite child, but if push came to shove, I’d say Bovalino is the character I enjoy writing the most; the Italian man-mountain. He doesn’t say much, but when he does its always worth hearing. Plus he can knock a hole in a brick wall with his bare hands, which is always handy when you’re chasing down killers.
What’s funny about Bov, is the fact I took his name from a guy that worked with me in Melbourne, Australia. Joe Bovalino is a radio presenter (one of the best I’ve ever worked with as it happens) and a lovely bloke, but he’s about 5’5”, slim and as bald as an eagle. Quite the opposite to Bov! But I absolutely loved the name and based on readers’ feedback, I know they do too and it’s a perfect fit for the big man.
The real Bovalino, radio presenter, Joe, from Melbourne, Australia.
Interestingly, I’ve had reviews over the years that have slated me for exaggerating the behaviours of the now Chief Constable, Fox, as well as DCI Brown, who appeared in book one, Deadly Silence. Well, trust me, in twenty years of corporate life, I came across so many Foxes and Browns you wouldn’t believe it. Nothing exaggerated about them at all, which meant no day was ever the same and very challenging at times.
Still those people and experiences motivated me to write full time, as well as inspiring some brilliant characters who really do add value to my stories.
Speaking of adding value to the series, when I first introduced Jane’s love interest, Adam, in book six, Deadly Caller, I really didn’t know if he’d make it to the end of book. Could Jane really keep a relationship going whilst being married to the job? Well, I’m glad she could, because judging by the reaction to what happened to him in Deadly Caller, he’s proving a popular addition to the cast. I’ve lost track of the amount of times readers have said to me, ‘I’m halfway through Caller. Adam better live or there’ll be trouble!’
It really does mean so much to me to know people are invested in Jane and the team, and actively look forward to the latest book landing each time. One of Jane’s biggest fans is Marnie from One Upon a Time Book Blog who said, ‘Deadly Craving is an intriguing case that is morbid and very dark, and not for the faint hearted.’
The latest in the series is macabre tale that will take the guys to places they never thought possible – which is saying something considering what they’ve already faced in the first seven books.
I hope you’ve got a strong stomach for this one, because I think you might need it.
Poor Jane, unlike me, she really is a glutton for punishment!
Here’s a quick taster for you. Our killer in action at the very beginning of Deadly Craving:
Placing his fingers against his victim’s carotid, he felt the heart give up as it finally stopped beating. He closed his eyes and offered up a silent prayer of thanks to the gods. They had served him well, guiding him through the months of planning and preparation that had led up to this moment, and he was going to need all their strength to complete the next task.
Staring down at the naked body laid out on the large metal table in front of him, his pulse raced; the journey to immortality had well and truly begun.
After pulling on his latex gloves, he slipped a plastic apron over his head before tying it at the waist, butterflies turning over in his stomach.
‘Concentrate,’ he whispered to himself as he pulled across the rolling metal table that contained his tools.
‘Alexa, play fakanau,’ he shouted across the room and a moment later, the sound of women singing filled the air. A wave of calm washed over him as he paused and listened to their soft voices, imagining the women dancing beside him, celebrating his work in honour of the ancient teachings. He smiled, then took a deep breath as he reached for the small circular saw.
‘May the gods guide my hand as I release the eternal glory and power locked inside this mortal vessel.’
Flicking the switch, he made the saw burst into life, spinning at a ferocious speed. ‘With love and honour, always,’ he said, then pushed the blade down onto the dead man’s chest, slicing through the muscle like a hot knife through butter. ‘Love and honour, always.’
I hope you enjoy the ride. And rest assured if you’re a fan of the series, book nine, Deadly Justice, is already in train.
All the best, Owen. xx