Book Reviews – The Other Side of the Fence

I started this blog quite a few years ago, sharing mostly musings on odd subjects and reviews of theatre, television, movies, and, of course, books.

At the time I never thought that I would end up being a published author. To be honest, I still have to pinch myself sometimes because I think I’m asleep dreaming all this.

Now that I am an author I am realizing just how valuable book reviews are to the author. Yes, a review is just one person’s opinion, but they can help us make our books better.

Book reviews help me get a feel for what my readers want. To get the balance between dialogue and action right. To set the scene properly. To make sure that my stories make the person feel like they are in Victorian England. One of the best pieces of feedback I received was being told that the reader felt like they were actually there, racing around London with Holmes and Watson.

Another lovely person told me that they ship my version of Lestrade with one of my original characters. Dorothy. I went around for days with a huge grin on my face. To me this means that my characters felt real enough for someone to become emotionally invested in them. As a writer I want people to become emotionally invested in my characters. Hell, I’m emotionally invested in them. I have to be, or else they fall flat and become nothing more than the written equivalent of paper dolls.

So if you read a book and enjoy it, why not review it? It doesn’t have to be much. A rating on GoodReads or Amazon, even a few words in a Twitter post with a link to the book. It all helps.

Sherlockian Author Profile – Margaret Walsh

MX Publishing – Forthcoming Books

My third book, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths” was published in February this year by MX Publishing. Of course, I am not alone, MX Publishing releases a number of exciting books each year.

MX Publishing has their list of new books for 2021 (and also their 2020 releases) on their website. They also include books by their subsidiary imprint, Orange Pip Books.

On scanning the list I have found many books I am truly looking forward to reading.

“Spiral Mind” (Orange Pip Books) – Janina Arndt

“Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of the Three Monks” – Johanna Reike

“Tales of Scotland Yard: Lestrade” (Orange Pip Books) – Bianca Jenkins

Those are only a few. I attach a link to the list for your perusal.

One of the things I love about MX Publishing is their willingness to publish female authors and to publish Sherlock Holmes stories that are a bit too ‘out there’ for Holmesian traditionalists. There are plenty of traditional Holmes stories too, but it is MX Publishing’s willingness to step out of the comfort zone that makes them so good.

Check out the list and maybe tryout a new author or two.

https://mxpublishing.com/pages/2020-new-books

Sherlock Holmes of Baking Street

During lockdown last year, the wonderful Margie Deck had the idea of an anthology based on the play of words between Baker Street and Baking. Enter Nancy Holder and with the support of Belanger Books the idea became a reality.

“Sherlock Holmes of Baking Street” is not a cookbook. It is a book the theme of Sherlock Holmes and baking. It is a skillful mix of essays, fiction, and an interview. Included in the mix is a new short story from me: “Best Served Cold” which is not for those with a delicate stomach!

The anthology is now on Kickstarter, with some great packages for supporters. Why not pop over and check out the delicious menu of writers and snag yourself a great deal at the same time.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths – Launch

My third book, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths” was launched online via zoom over the weekend.

It was a fun hour, with me reading the first two chapters of the book, and Steve Emecz from MX Publishing asking me questions.

The launch was recorded so if you would like to see it check out the link below. Thanks to everyone who came and to Steve and MX Publishing for hosting the event.

Online Launch of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths

My latest book, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths” will be launched via a zoom webinar.

The webinar will be held on February 6th at 11.00am AEDT. For other places this is:

February 6th, 1.00pm – NZDT

February 5th, 12.00am (midnight) – UK

February 5th, 7.00pm – EST (USA)

There will be an Q&A and I will be doing a reading from the book. There will also be a free mystery audiobook for every attendee.

The link is below. I hope you can join me and Steve from MX Publishing for the event.

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ct5juRrtQWuNZmzvcjmHLQ

Sherlock Holmes Book Offer

My publisher, MX Publishing, has a special Boxing Day offer available for a limited time.

Buy “Sherlock Holmes and the Molly-Boy Murders” and “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician” and get my new book, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the London Dock Deaths” FREE. Not only that, you will get the book before its public release date!

Check out the link to the offer below.

Sherlock Holmes – Serial Killers

Quintette of Questions: Margaret Walsh — Narrelle M Harris: writer and crafter

 

Today I’m asking Margaret Walsh 5 questions about her latest book! 1. What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title? My latest book is Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician. It was very hard to pick a title, because everything else I came up with…

via Quintette of Questions: Margaret Walsh — Narrelle M Harris: writer and crafter

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician

My second book, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician” is released today.

It is available directly from the publisher, MX Publishing: https://mxpublishing.com/products/sherlock-holmes-the-case-of-the-perplexed-politician?fbclid=IwAR0Xy74SeUc3o4maqWBV0Jhm51xo2M9Rq3E1uGXndTMFRRrLyYBD3GpmJgw

But also from Book Depository, Barnes and Noble, and the various Amazon sites worldwide.

“When the fiancé of the sister of a Member of Parliament is found dead in mysterious circumstances, the man turns to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson to get an answer to the puzzle. Journeying to the small Wiltshire village of Barrow-upon-Kennet, Holmes and Watson are soon deep into a murder investigation. With few clues and a mounting death toll, Holmes and Watson realize that they are facing something much more sinister than a perplexed politician.”

Sherlock Holmes and the Molly-Boy Murders Released

 

My debut novel, “Sherlock Holmes and the Molly-Boy Murders” was published last week by MX Publishing.

It is available in paperback from a variety of sources as well as being available on Kindle.

If you like Sherlock Holmes and thrilling stories, please do consider giving my book a try.