The Kate Hamilton Mystery Series
Book One: A Dream of Death
Autumn has come and gone on Scotland’s Isle of Glenroth, and the islanders gather for the Tartan Ball, the annual end-of-tourist-season gala. Spirits are high. A recently published novel about island history has brought hordes of tourists to the small Hebridean resort community. On the guest list is American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton. Kate returns reluctantly to the island where her husband died, determined to repair her relationship with his sister, proprietor of the island’s luxe country house hotel, famous for its connection with Bonnie Prince Charlie. The next morning a body is found, murdered in a reenactment of an infamous crime described in the novel. The Scottish police discount the historical connection, but when a much-loved local handyman is arrested, Kate teams up with a vacationing detective inspector from Suffolk, England, to unmask a killer working from a playbook hidden for more than two centuries.
This portrait of Lady Selena Meade by the English artist Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830) is my idea of the perfect Regency heroine.
Book Two: A Legacy of Murder (proposed title; coming in October of 2019)
What could be lovelier than Christmas in England? American antique dealer Kate Hamilton arrives in the Suffolk village of Long Barston, dreaming of log fires, steaming wassail, and Tom Mallory, the detective inspector she met during a recent murder investigation in Scotland. Kate also looks forward to spending time with her daughter, Christine, an intern at Finchley Hall, famous for the unearthing in 1818 of a treasure trove known as The Finchley Hoard. But when the body of a young woman is found on the estate, romance must take a back seat. Long Barston is on Tom Mallory’s patch, and Kate’s daughter is the prime suspect.
Book Three: The Cabinet of Curiosities (in progress)
Spring in England is a magical time–masses of bluebells on the woodland paths, cowslips and wild thyme in the meadows. American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is spending the month of May in the Suffolk village of Long Barston, enjoying precious time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, and filling in at the antiquities shop owned by her friend, Ivor Tweedy, currently recovering from hip surgery. Kate is thrilled when a local widow consigns a very old and valuable Chinese vase, but when the vase goes missing and a body turns up in the shop’s back room, Kate finds herself on the trail of a missing daughter, a ruthless killer, and a centuries-old pattern of betrayal.
Book Four: Murder at Fouroaks
American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton has been invited to spend a blissful summer holiday at Fouroaks, the Devon estate of DI Tom Mallory’s eccentric uncle, Nigel Hartley–an eighty-year-old bachelor with a penchant for fast cars, French wine, and anything in a skirt. Kate is a big hit with Uncle Nigel, but when a body turns up in the Great Hall, Kate is once again swept into a murder investigation. This time Tom Mallory can’t help. He’s a suspect.
Looking forward to reading the first ten pages of your book! Sounds like a great series……
Have you posted the first ten pages somewhere on your blog? Just checking – I don’t want to miss it (and how will you publish- trad or self? and…. will it be available on kindle?) soooo many questions. Sorry!
Sue
Susan, I’ve been at a trade show all week (got home last night). So today is catch up. I’ll be posting the pages later today. The plan is to finish the revision in a couple of months and then begin the agent query process. The publication business, to paraphrase the famous quote by L. P. Hartley, is a foreign country.
I love it! Great figures – I love female protagonists. Now, onto a question – I see you switched points of view (and separated them with a space) – so, who is the main protagonist? Kate? or Elenor? the one piece of feedback I received from a potential agent last summer (yes, I’ve begun to walk the foreign land, as well) is that she didn’t like my pov switches. I realized right away what she meant and cleaned it up. If Kate is the protagonist, then you, like me my dear friend, have opened with a prologue of sorts. I always open with a prologue and then regret it. Seems as though the general consensus is to NOT use one. So… I’ve been working on my openings again and again – as I’m sure you have.
I liked this story and am very intrigued. I would definitely read more!
Great job and keep going!
Sue
Oh, I always do this – say to much and then regret it after! Please take only that which is helpful, Connie, and ditch the rest. Ultimately, I hope you know that I did enjoy the story and want to read more. Keep going!!!
You definitely didn’t say too much, Susan. Feedback is so needed and helpful. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. To answer your question, my protagonist is Kate. Elenor is the murder-worthy victim. So the first scene in Ch 1 is a prologue of sorts. Of course, everything is changeable until published! Thank you for the encouraging words!
You know, I love prologues… I just don’t see why the general publishing world doesn’t. As to this book though, seeing as it’s a murder mystery of sorts – seems like it needs a prologue. Don’t they always start that way? I don’t read many mysteries – I’m more of a historical romance type, so don’t take my word for it.
I enjoyed your story and hope to read more. Keep going – you have a lovely voice!
Mysteries are intoxicating. Would love to read through to the end of the trilogy! Knowing there’s more to come puts your novel a ‘step up’ in my estimation. I adore anticipation!
My best wishes on publication !
Paula Starr
Thank you, Paula!
Good morning Connie! I’ve been sitting here reading your story while eating my breakfast. The only problem I have is that I want to know what happens next! I have checked and rechecked your blog to make sure that I have read ALL 10 pages! I like how you handle the character Elenoe. When I first began reading, I was thinking Elenoe was a “nice” person, down on her luck, but about to break free from all her problems. I quickly realized that I had made a wrong assumption….Elenoe is NOT a nice person at all. I could feel Agnes hesitation at calling Elenoe about the party and then see her wince at Elenoe’s words and tones. (Perhaps Agnes is on the top 10 list of suspects?? lol) We also find out quickly how Elenoe uses people (men in particular) to get ahead in the world. She is very self-centered, selfish and egotiscal…which I believe will lead to her downfall.
I love the character of Kate. She reminds me of someone who irregardless of how she feels, will always make the choice “to do the right thing.” The last thing she wants to do is attend this party, but Elenoe IS her sister-in-law….(which brings up other questions….is Elenoe currently with Kate’s brother or is he one of her “throw aways?” I’d be willing to bet that Kate didn’t like Elenoe from the beginning, and that has not changed! On a side note, I loved the reference to the Newark airport. My husband is originally from Jersey, and I have never, ever heard that flying into/out of Newark is a good idea! Nothing good ever comes out of that airport! (named one of the worst in the US).
I would love to read this book…how is Elenoe murdered? I assume it will happen at the party. Will Kate be a suspect? Who will find Elenoes pictures? Who is writing the threatening letters? Perhaps the murderer, but they could have also been written by someone who just wants to “scare” her. What happened to Kate’s husband? I want to read more about her shop and co-workers. Was there something about Elenoes chest that Kate (as an antique dealer) would immediately recognize, that Elenoe had missed? Or, did Elenoe (Miss Know It All) figure it out on her own?
As you can tell from my questions, I am NOT ready to put this book down yet! Keep writing and let me know when it is published!!!
Thank you for your interesting comments, Linda. This summer I will finish the revision and begin querying agents. I hope one of them, like you, wants to find out what happens! I appreciate your taking the time to read.
As I read thru my comments again, I hope you understand the questions I mentioned are of my own musings as I am being drawn into your story….they are not meant to be critical. I really enjoyed what I have read so far. If your book was finished, I ‘d take it to Hawaii with me to read the rest of the story!
I understood you perfectly!
I just read your excerpt and it is quite good. I am not an author, but I am an avid reader and I can tell you are gifted. The excerpt left me wanting to snuggle in my chair, with a cup of tea, and the next chapter.
Elenor Spurgeon, obviously not named after Charles Spurgeon, although I loved the irony, made me laugh. I thought that perhaps she would be the main character. Your description of her is fantastic.
I want to get to know Kate and find out more about her life.
Keep writing! Thank you for sharing a small bit with us.
Hello Maria,
Thank you for the encouragement! No, Elenor Spurgeon is not related to Charles–maybe she is descended from the black sheep brother. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Certainly would like info to purchase The Curiously Embellished Casket. Enjoy seeing you at Book Club.
Hello, Barbara! The book should be available in about a year (I know–publishing is a slow process). I should have specific information from the publisher soon, and I’ll let you know. I’m so glad to be part of the book club and looking forward to the next meeting.
Can’t wait to buy your books! I am so excited for you!!!
Thanks! I’m excited, too. Check back later for more information. I should know more soon.