Tis the season

Busy busy over here and not just because it's Christmas next week ( and no shopping done at all...I kid you not !)

I've been working hard on Book three in the D.C.I. Craig series....provisionally titled 'The Visitor', although of course that could  change ten times before it sees the light of day. It's a dark story of betrayal and disregard in Northern Ireland and in the background Marc Craig's team have their own traumas and successes.

I've also been writing away on book four which has the working title of 'The Library Club' and I don't mean a lending library.....

Meanwhile, back at the wrapping paper...

Post Launch exhaustion

The launch of the D.C.I. Craig detective series on 11th December 2012 ( which coincided with the release of  Book two in the series -THE GRASS TATTOO) 

Well that was a busy evening! drinking wine and signing books, ever more erratically as the evening went on.....( some of the dedications requested were very funny)

Meeting friends old and new, and watching people donate to charity and win the raffle prizes. All against a backdrop of the stunning Belfast's new MAC ( Metropolitan Arts Centre) 

It was the original good time that was had by all..

Meanwhile...back at the writing ....

Book Launch at The Belfast MAC

Major Excitement over here in  Belfast with the Book launch of the Belfast based D.C.I. Craig detective series happening tomorrow evening at the beautiful MAC in St Anne's Square. 

There will be wine, books, readings a raffle for charity and of course...people (You!)

So be in the Square December 11th 2012, 6-9pm

Book Reading at Cregagh Library Belfast

Thanks to everyone at Cregagh Library Belfast and especially Alison Earley and Jane Moore of Northern Ireland Libraries for organising my Book Reading last night

What a great audience and lots of fascinating questions. They made me feel very welcome. Ask me back after Book Two in the DCI Craig detective series' THE GRASS TATTOO' is released on December 11th  2012.

Thanks again everyone

Interview

My brilliant interview with Frances Di Plino all about the reasons behind and the main players in the new Belfast based DCI Craig crime series

http://francesdiplinoreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/meet-author-behind-limited-justice.html?spref=fb

Letter to Barack Obama

Michael Moore's amazing open letter to Barack Obama

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/open-letter-president-obama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CROOKED CAT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CROOKED CAT PUBLISHING. One year old today and already earning a reputation for high quality innovative writing. 

Check out their birthday present to you on http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=178428958963229&set=o.374966002529848&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

Philip Roth

Very interesting article on Philip Roth's retirement   in the New York Times 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/books/struggle-over-philip-roth-reflects-on-putting-down-his-pen.html

Book Launch ( real life one)

Ooh, just looked at the MAC. The venue for my real-life Book Launch on December 11th. Fab-u-lous!

Telling the perfect story

How to tell a perfect story....http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/1106/1224326172064.html

'The Next Big Thing'

What is the Working Title of your Book?

It’s become the real title now. ‘The Grass Tattoo’

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

I wanted a complete departure from the psychological theme of my first book ‘A Limited Justice’ into a real-world reason for murder, and in ‘The Grass Tattoo’ the themes of money, lust and the past come to the fore.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Well, all my books are part of a Belfast-based murder detective series, based around a lead detective, D.C.I. Marc Craig and his team. They solve different crimes in Northern Ireland and often travel further afield as part of that. I like the idea of writing a series and following characters through the crimes, and through their own life challenges. I also wanted to set the books in a modern 2012 Belfast and Northern Ireland, to show people that it’s a beautiful, peaceful and modern place now.

4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Oh for my lead detective it would have to be someone who is believably half-Italian ,half Northern Irish so they have to be dark. The character is tall, very handsome  and in his forties. So I’d say that we’re looking at Dominic west or perhaps Aidan Turner…

5) What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Murder can happen anywhere and for any reason.

6) Will your book be Self Published or represented by an agency?

It will be published by Crooked Cat Publishing

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I had the book half-written in 2010 and then left it to one side. I picked it up again this year by which time I’d changed my mind about most of it, so had to rewrite. I’d say it took me about two months to re-write.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I love the work of Ian Rankin, especially his Rebus series of books, If someone ever compared my work to his I would die happy.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The desire to create something that shows the truly modern Northern Ireland the way it really is. And I write all my books for my mother who died at the end of 2008.

10) What else about your book might pique the readers’ interest?

I think the core characters, especially the central team, might make the reader care about what happens to them. They are the heart of every book. And I think that in ‘The Grass Tattoo’ the reader’s interest will be piqued by the clash of cultures and the greed and lust that drives them.

BELFAST BOOK READING

BOOK READING from 'A Limited Justice '

CREGAGH Library Belfast on Monday 26th November 7pm.
Phone 02890401365
409-413 Cregagh Road
Belfast BT6 0LF

NEW FIVE STAR REVIEW

FIVE STAR REVIEW

Yes! 'A LIMITED JUSTICE' has just received another five star review on Amazon.

'This is a brilliant debut. Fast paced, complex, unusual and intriguing. Vicious crimes but without gratuitous gore. Characters that live on the page then sneak into your head beyond the end of the story. Can't wait to read the next one. '

Cathie Dunn's Blog

Lucky me today! I'm the guest on Cathie Dunn's brilliant Blog, answering questions about the D.C.I.Craig crime series. On http://cathiedunn.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/introducing-crime-writer-catriona-king.html

We're also working up the artwork for Book Two of the series 'The Grass Tattoo' due for release on December 11th 2012.

I'm also busy tweaking two other books in the series which we hope will be out next year, never mind living life, working and doing the boring basics like tidying, shopping....

Busy, busy.

OBAMA WIN

OMG! I live in Northern Ireland but I really can't tell you how excited I am that Barack OBAMA  has won victory in  the U.S. elections. It's a victory for the whole world. 

He now has four more years in the White House with the chance to finish the work that he has started. And that means four more years of a known and stable approach that means that the rest of the world knows exactly who they are dealing with. I hope, in fact I'm sure, that he will use those years wisely.

His opponent Mitt Romney fought an excellent campaign and was gracious and supportive in defeat, so I hope that the Republicans in the senate and house of representatives follow his example. And that they all pull together with the Democrats to give the U.S.A. the security and progress that they need, for a tolerant and democratic future for their people. This is not a time for gloating, this is a time for work.

FIVE STAR REVIEW OF A LIMITED JUSTICE

Thanks to Nancy Jardine for her new 5 star review of 'A Limited Justice' .

This was a very enjoyable novel from start to finish. The reader is plunged straight in to a nasty murder, DCI Craig and his very supportive team launching in to solve the intricacies of it. The characters compliment each other very well - main and secondary - and are very believable. Ms King ably demonstrates how even the biggest workaholics can have some measure of life outside of `the job'. How the murderer will be caught, keeps the reader enthusiastically scanning right to the very end, the short scene changes revving up the pace. I very much enjoyed Ms King's writing style and look forward to the next in the series.

Editing

WELL....After working ++ and eating chocolate++++ the edited version of  THE GRASS TATTOO, Book Two in the D.C.I. Craig series  has wended its merry way back to Laurence at Crooked Cat Publishing, ready for its lovely cover to be fitted before release on the 11th December! The excitement is building fast :)

Nancy Jardine's Blog today

To everyone who read or commented my interview on Nancy Jardine's excellent blog-Many Thanks. One lucky commenter will receive a free e-copy of 'A Limited Justice'

Ian Rankin

The wonderful Ian Rankin is speaking as part of the Belfast Festival on Friday evening with John Gordon Sinclair. 

Major excitement --the creator of Rebus, in Belfast ! Hurrah!!!

Libraries

Woo-Hoo. Just found out that my books are now in libraries across Northern Ireland!! Brilliant news. thank you, Northern Ireland Libraries:)

Oh....long day of editing only improved by copious amounts of chocolate!!

Author Blogs

Hi everyone, just to say that this is the link to the lovely Nancy Jardine's blog. Nancy writes historical novels and her novel just out 'The Beltane Choice' is set in ancient Celtic times and is a wonderful read. Read Nancy's Blog on nancyjardine.blogspot.com

Facebook Launch Party

WOW!!!

Yesterday was certainly a busy one, with the on-line launch of my new paperback of 'A LIMITED JUSTICE'.

We had people dropping by all day long, with video clips of Film Noir, music snippets and chat +++

The lovely Nancy Jardine was also having the launch of her new paperback- the wonderful Celtic historical novel 'The Beltane Choice' and I'll be on Nancy's Blog very soon chatting about 'A LIMITED JUSTICE' and the second book in the DCI Craig series 'THE GRASS TATTOO' out on December 11th in both paperback and Kindle versions.

Meanwhile today....after a bit of tidying up post-party, it's on with editing 'THE GRASS TATTOO' to return it next weekend to my lovely publishers Crooked Cat.

Then....over the Christmas holidays, Book three in the series, provisionally titled 'THE LIBRARY CLUB' will be worked up++ It was written some time ago and the time lines, contemporary references all need to be changed so that will gainfully occupy me over the break and hopefully that will be out in spring 2013.

It's all go!!

Bye now

Catriona

Interviews

Here is a lovely newspaper interview about my book launched today 'A LIMITED JUSTICE' published by Crooked Cat Publishing-- here's the link from Belfast's Newsletter. 

 http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/parades-commissioner-pens-detective-thriller-1-4412861

And a post from the Irish News

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151251597070935&set=t.100004006099502&type=1

A LIMITED JUSTICE

Hi there. I'm Catriona King and this is the very first post on my new Blog.

I'll tell you a little about myself and about my first book 'A Limited Justice' ( second book out on December 11th 2012 )

BELFAST GETS A NEW CRIME FIGHTER

Belfast has a new fictional crime hero – Detective Chief Inspector Marc Craig, who has just made his debut in ‘A Limited Justice’, the first in a planned series of books by local author Catriona King. 

Catriona is a doctor who also trained as a forensic medical examiner in London, and has brought that experience to bear in her debut novel, in which Marc Craig and his team comb well known Belfast streets in the hunt for a triple murderer.

The novel is published by Crooked Cat Books; an Edinburgh based publishing company and is already available for Kindle, gaining five star reviews. It is available in paperback on October 26^th 2012 through Amazon and Crooked Cat. 

‘A Limited Justice’ is the first in the series and Catriona hopes that her fictional detective Marc Craig might one day be Belfast’s version of Edinburgh’s Rebus character. 

“I’ve always written for my own pleasure and, as I love reading and watching detective series, I had often thought of writing one. I’m delighted that the book is now out, and with the response it has received. In fact, I’ve finished the second book in the series, ‘The Grass Tattoo’, which will be available in paperback and online on December 11^th 2012. 

“The series is rooted very firmly in Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole and has lots of local references. I hope that it appeals to readers of crime fiction and especially with local readers.

“I wanted to write a series set in 2012 and beyond, with a detective who reflects modern Northern Ireland. So Marc Craig was born.” 

Catriona has recently founded ‘The Studio’ a local drama society.

Praise for a Limited Justice 

It is a triumph, and that rarest of things, a book not mired in the troubles of the past.
This is a novel set in Belfast that shows it for the modern European city that it is in 2012, with descriptions of its hidden gems. It is a modern crime thriller of the best sort

A Limited Justice is the first in a new series and what an introduction. This is what crimebooks should be like; realistic, believable and slightly unnerving.

From www.amazon.co.uk

Some Reviews for 'A Limited Justice'

andy angel (Sheffield, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Limited Justice (Kindle Edition)

Limited Justice

A man murdered outside his shop in Belfast, A WPC drowned and possibly raped found in the River Bann.

Two cases with apparently no links in this gripping first case for DCI Marc Craig. When the murderer strikes closer to home, with an attempt on a fellow police officer it becomes a race to find the killer before more bodies turn up.

This first novel by former police forensic medical examiner Catriona King is a tightly written, fast paced novel that reveals just enough along the way to keep you guessing until the unexpected reveal.

The characters of Marc Craig and his team, both police and civilian, are believable and have a depth to them that other authors don't always capture. Each character comes across as an individual, each with something different to bring to the team. I am hoping there will be many more stories to follow this one as the tale leaves us with unfinished business with some team members.

As for the murderer - as the story unfolds and you get to the reasons behind the crimes committed, you may get to thinking "what would I do under the same circumstances" and you may be surprised at the answer you come up with.

As a novel - a fantastic achievement. As a first novel - even more so. There is a new star on the scene and a brightly shining one at that.

Belfast needs its' own detective - and in DCI Marc Craig it now has one

Book-Shelf

With gritty new detective Marc Craig, Catriona King has done for Ireland what Ian Rankin did for Scotland with John Rebus; show the world that it is not just Americans that can write excellent crime fiction.

A Limited Justice is the first in a new series and what an introduction. This is what crimebooks should be like; realistic, believable and slightly unnerving.

Well done Catriona more please

dkm1981 - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Limited Justice (Kindle Edition)

A Limited Justice is the first in a new series by Belfast based former forensic examiner turned author Catriona King. I was sent the book to review by the publisher and I have to say that I wasn't that blown away by the idea of it at first. Despite the old adage, `never judge a book by its cover' I have to say that I did, well that and the title. I don't know, I guess I thought it sounded and looked a little bit bland. But I'm pleased to say that I was proved wrong.

There has been a brutal murder in broad daylight in a garage in Belfast, followed by a second equally gruesome one, and then a third . . . DCI Craig and his team are determined to find out the who the killers are and to stop them before they strike again. But they don't quite make that deadline and one of their own is attacked, racking up the heat on the investigation.

The story introduces DCI Marc Craig who I loved from the start. He is strong but kind and is perfect for the main character of a novel like this one. In fact I think the characters in the book are all really well written and work well together. The detective team are a particularly good group. I assume that it is King's previous experience in dealing with the Metropolitan Police that she has been able to put down her observations and form them into a realistic working environment that is great to read about. There is great camaraderie even in the face of adversity.

I think she did a really good job of the secondary characters too. They made the story what it was - a little bit gruesome, a little bit funny and a little bit touching as well as many other things. I particularly enjoyed the old lady who thinks herself a bit of a Hetty Wainthrop type. She is slightly batty but great fun.

The story is fast paced and quick. It moves along very quickly which I really enjoyed. I read it in a day and although I am a quick reader, I don't think it would take even the average reader more than a few sittings to finish. This is not a bad thing; it just means that the story keeps you reading because it is so engrossing. I thought King's writing style was a bit like Lynda LaPlante in that it jumps around from scene to scene, which is another thing that kept me gripped. I'd tell myself that I'd just read to the next break and then find that it would jump to another intriguing part of the story and I just couldn't put it down - very addictive.

I think that the story has a softer side to it as well, despite the fact that it features some pretty grisly murder scenes; it isn't all doom and gloom. The ending is quite good. I partly saw it coming, but not totally and I thought that it ended well. Sometimes these kinds of stories can have a cheesy ending that ties things up nicely and leaves you feeling a bit short changed, but this one doesn't go quite the way you imagine.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Limited justice and am pleased to know that this is just the first in a series that will feature DCI Marc Craig and his gang.

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally gripping thriller, 29 Aug 2012

By  H. Roulston (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Limited Justice (Kindle Edition)

Fast moving, modern and intriguing are the words that best describe `A Limited Justice' by Doctor turned writer Catriona King.
It is a triumph, and that rarest of things, a book not mired in the troubles of the past.
This is a novel set in Belfast that shows it for the modern European city that it is in 2012, with descriptions of its hidden gems.
It is a modern crime thriller of the best sort. One that could be set anywhere but nestles in Northern Ireland's beautiful countryside and amongst Belfast's urban arts and entertainment scene.
Its central character, D.C.I. Marc Craig, and his team based at the fictional Docklands Coordinated Crime Unit feel true to life, and their camaraderie gives the novel real heart.
Craig as the leading man is modern and strong, a man who, whilst human, makes the reader think that they would actually like him if they met.
The plot is fast paced and unusual, the ending not obvious even when the killer is revealed.
All in all an excellent first novel in what will hopefully be a long running series. And if someone doesn't translate this onto television I'd be very surprised.

Link to a wonderful You-Tube video about the book made by my friend Billy. Thanks a million Billy:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsOARnT0Tos&feature=youtu.be