This week, I’m linking up again with Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea who hosts a post every Tuesday for people to share the first chapter / paragraph of the book they are reading, or thinking of reading soon. I really enjoy these tasters when I read them on other blogs so wanted to join in.
Whilst I’m not one for picking up review copies that often, I have been on a bit of a roll of late, mainly because of I keep reading reviews of books I then feel I need to read and, now I’ve discovered how NetGalley works (or think I have), I have managed to pick a few of these books up. One is Dead Lost by Helen H. Durrant, which was released in January. Here’s what it’s about…
An abandoned cotton mill holds horrific secrets
Police partners, D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss face one of their toughest challenges yet. A group of homeless people have set up camp in the grounds of a disused cotton mill belonging to local businessman Damien Chase.But one of the men is not what he seems. He has a secret he will do anything to cover up. And once Calladine and Bayliss investigate, they find the crimes go much further than they could have ever imagined.
Will Ruth be able to juggle her personal and professional lives, and can Calladine deal with their new boss, a woman he neither trusts nor likes? Willing to do anything to bring terrible suffering to an end, Calladine make an astonishing move . . .
And here’s how it starts…
Prologue
His cigarette was just a stub. He took one last drag and tossed it into the gutter. It had been worth waiting until the shops closed. He’d been given a pile of left-over sandwiches from the café and a passing woman had thrust a carton of hot coffee into his hands. He peered into the hat on the pavement in front of him – about two pounds eighty, he guess. not great but better than nowt. There was hardly anyone around on Leesdon High Street now so he might as well head back.
“Hard times?” someone asked.
“The worst, mate. Wife left me, lost my job,” he replied without looking up. “But you don’t to listen to my problems.”
“Perhaps I can help.”
“I don’t see how. no one wants to help; don’t you read the local newspaper?”
Now he looked up. There was something about the voice…but all he could see was a shape standing in the shadows. The man wore a top with the hood pulled low over his face and the zipper done up over his chin.
“I know you,” the homeless man said warily.
A bit of a long intro this week I know but it felt like a good place to stop. What do you think – would you keep reading?
Emma
One Readers Thoughts 
This sounds like it might be good Emma. Hope I’m right.
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Me too….I feel like it will be, though I am staring four books into a series so I also hope I don’t get confused.
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As we reached the end of the excerpt, I had a bad feeling, like “uh-oh!” I always feel sad for those who are homeless and their stories pull me in. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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Yes, you get the feeling this isn’t going to end well for him don’t you? I have a bad feeling!
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Oh yes! I would keep reading. I’m intrigued. This isn’t a book I have heard of before–nor the author. I’ll have to look for this one.
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I hadn’t heard of her either but I can’t wait to read!
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Sounds intriguing and I like the writing style – yes, I’d keep reading! Look forward to your review…
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Me too…it feels like it will be an easy book to get into….I hope the other reviews Re right about are good it is.
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Oh yes, I’d definitely keep reading. I think I better go look and see what I can find about this book and this author. Neither are familiar to me, but this is my sort of book. Thanks for sharing it!
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It’s new to me too. My only worry is its four books in but the review I read (which I now can’t find) said it could stand alone.
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This sounds good! I haven’t read this author but I really need to find more mysteries that aren’t cozies. This sounds like something I’d enjoy!
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I haven’t read her either but people seem to be saying good things so fingers crossed I’ve found a good new (for me) author.
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Yes this sounds like a perfect read, I like the voice in the opening as well as the fact that there is clearly a great backstory to this paragraph – thanks for sharing!
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Doesn’t it…I hope it’s good – I already care about the guy (not the bad one obviously!)
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I have been thinking about the homeless this week. Saw some sketches online of homeless people. I would definitely read it.
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There is that element that makes me sad…it normally doesn’t end well for this type of character 😕
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Oh, this has such an ominous feel to it…..it gives me the creeps. Something tells me that things will not end well at all for that poor, homeless man…..
If this were my type of book, I’d continue reading. it’s not, but that won’t keep me from encouraging you, Emma. I know you’re brave enough! Me, I’m just a BIG chicken!
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on my Tuesday Intros post!! 🙂
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I have a bad feeling too…but I can’t turn away and not find out what happens.
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[…] wise this week, I didn’t do much but finish Dead Lost (see Tuesday’s post) though I did pick up a few good looking books from the library including collections of short […]
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