Having really loved Jane Isaac’s Beneath The Ashes (you’ll find my review here), I’m so sorry I couldn’t squeeze in the reading of her latest DI Will Jackman crime thriller. The Lies Within was published by Legend Press on 2nd May, and it’s such a pleasure to be part of the blog tour.
Be under no illusions by her kind face and eloquent manner… This woman is guilty of murder.
Grace Daniels is distraught after her daughter’s body is found in a Leicestershire country lane. With her family falling apart and the investigation going nowhere, Grace’s only solace is the re-emergence of Faye, an old friend who seems to understand her loss.
DI Will Jackman delves into the case, until a family tragedy and a figure from his past threaten to derail him.
When the police discover another victim, the spotlight falls on Grace. Can Jackman find the killer, before she is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit?
Looks good, doesn’t it? I’m delighted to welcome author Jane Isaac to Being Anne today, with a lovely post about her favourite bookshop…
Thanks so much for hosting me on your lovely blog today. With a new book out, I’m spending more time at bookshops doing events and it always put me in a nostalgic mood. Everybody has a favourite bookshop, right? Well, I thought I’d take the opportunity today, to introduce you to mine.
My first visit to The Bookshop, Kibworth was one of those memorable afternoons that stays with you long after the event. And, much like any special experience in life, it still puts a smile on my face every time it’s mentioned. It was 2014. My second book, The Truth Will Out, had just been released and I was invited to attend the bookshop for a signing as part of the Leicester Book Festival.
Even though it’s located less than 15 miles from my home, I’d never been to Kibworth, a large village located in South Leicestershire, close to the Northants border. The bookshop is unmissable, a quaint cottage style frontage on the main road, with a beautifully decorated window luring you inside with new books and information about their latest events.
The owner, Debbie James, took the unusual decision to give up her job in the music industry in 2009 and open a bookshop, and you only have step one foot in the store to see that her passion for books really shows. Every nook and cranny is stocked with beautiful reads, all lovingly picked with her customers in mind. Her warmth of character shines through too: she’s friendly without being intrusive. If you want a recommendation, she’ll make you a coffee and talk books. If you want a peaceful browse, she’ll leave you to your own devices. In 2012 Kibworth won Independent Bookshop of the Year (Midland and Wales), and in 2015 they won Vintage Independent Bookshop of the Year.
For many of us book lovers, this would be the perfect job and what makes Debbie’s bookshop so special is how she integrates it into her local community and encourages the love of reading. She’s set up seven community book clubs since she opened, and many local people just call in for a coffee, a chat or suggestions for presents.
She’s also hugely supportive of authors and loves to arrange innovative events to bring authors and readers together. When my last novel, Beneath the Ashes, came out in November she hosted a ‘Crime & Nibbles’ evening to introduce the new novel to her customers.
Last year The Bookshop was extended to incorporate an extra floor where the walls are lined, floor to ceiling, with lovely new titles and, even better, there are a selection of easy chairs to help you relax and enjoy the books you are browsing.
So, that’s my favourite bookshop. I’d love to hear about yours…
Thank you Jane, and wishing you every success with The Lies Within. My favourite bookshop? I think it’s a draw between the Grove Bookshop in Ilkley, and Booka Bookshop in Oswestry…
Here are all the details of the other stops on the tour…
About the author
Jane Isaac lives with her husband, daughter and dog, Bollo, in rural Northamptonshire, UK. Her debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduced DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the ‘eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.’
The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series, was nominated as ‘Thriller of the Month – April 2014’ by E-thriller.com and winner of ‘Noveltunity book club selection – May 2014’.
In 2015 Jane embarked on a new series, featuring DI Will Jackman and set in Stratford upon Avon, with Before It’s Too Late. The second in the series, Beneath The Ashes, was published by Legend Press on 1st November 2016 with the 3rd, The Lies Within, published on 2nd May 2017.
Both DI Jackman and DCI Lavery will return again in the near future. Sign up to Jane’s newsletter on her website for details of new releases, events and giveaways. You can also connect with Jane on Twitter.
I love wandering around Barter Books whenever I’m in Alnwick. Such a warren of a place with so many treasures to find on its shelves.