Friday, March 16, 2012

Character Interview - Helen Lavery from An Unfamiliar Murder

ARH – I’d like to welcome Detective Chief Inspector Helen Lavery to Lilac Wolf and Stuff. Thank you Helen for joining us.

HL – Thank you for inviting me. I’m happy to be here.

ARH – Could you tell us a little about yourself?

HL – A law graduate, I joined the police force just over ten years ago and it was always my intention to rise through the ranks and lead the Murder Investigation Team. It is challenging balancing the roles of single parenting teenage sons with a demanding job, but I love both my roles and wouldn’t change them for the world.

ARH – When did you decide to become an officer of the law? And what inspired that decision?

HL – My father was a police officer and his drive to keep the public safe motivated him to lead the Homicide and Major Incident Team for almost 15 years before his retirement. He was passionate about removing the ‘really bad people’ from our streets and employed whatever tactics necessary to make that happen. I inherited that passion and drive. It’s all I ever wanted to do, from a young age, and my real chance to make a real difference.

ARH – You have achieved the title of Detective Chief Inspector…do you know what the American equivalent of your position would be?

HL – The American ranking system is quite different. Unlike the UK, they do not have standardized rank systems across the country although I have attended conferences in the US with Captains who appear to do a similar job to myself.

ARH – What is the biggest challenge of your current position?

HL – Leading a murder investigation requires the ability to remain calm under incredible pressure, and make the right judgment call at the right moment. I am accountable for every decision I make, which can each have serious consequences.

It’s very much a balancing act of keeping the public safe and retaining their confidence in the police service by identifying and locating the offender at the earliest possibility, and satisfying the internal politics and resourcing imposed by senior staff, whilst keeping my team motivated.

ARH – Being a detective is very time consuming, how do you balance work and family?

HL - Leading a murder investigation can be the most responsible, but also the most rewarding job in the police force. It is always a race against time, to catch the perpetrator whilst minimizing the risk to the public. So, in the early stages of an investigation, ‘the golden hours’, I spend most of my time at work.

I am very fortunate to have the help of my Mother, the boys’ Grandmother, who lives in and acts as Nanny come housekeeper in times of need.

When I am not up against the clock, I make sure I spend plenty of quality time with my boys, which usually means ferrying them around to their interests and standing in the corner of a cold football pitch, freezing my socks off whilst they play!

ARH – I must admit being wrongly accused is one of my biggest fears, what advice would you give anyone reading this if they found themselves in that situation?

HL – Be honest. The police are looking for the truth. They are not looking to convict you of something you didn’t do because that leaves a nasty offender on the streets. Tell the truth and you have nothing to be fearful of.

ARH - Thank you so much for joining us today, we wish you continued success in your career.

That was so much fun! I have tingles. Remember playing make-believe as a child? This is as close as we get as adults...if you aren't acting.

I almost forgot - my other new favorite word from reading An Unfamiliar Murder - "whilst" - why don't we use that word? We just use plain, old, boring "while." I suggest everyone bring "whilst" into their vocabulary, let's take it back!

And yes, I know that is Diana Maria Riva, who plays Lt. Ana Ruiz on the Good Guys. As I read the story, she kept popping up whenever I read Helen. I think it's because she plays such a strong, confident lieutenant on the show and that's who Helen is.

I really want to thank author Jane Isaac for playing along. You can purchase her book An Unfamiliar Murder at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

An Unfamiliar Murder

by: Jane Isaac

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Arriving home from a routine day at work, Anna Cottrell has no idea that her life is about to change forever. But discovering the stabbed body of a stranger in her flat, then becoming prime suspect in a murder enquiry is only the beginning. Her persistent claims of innocence start to crumble when new evidence links her irrevocably with the victim...

Leading her first murder enquiry, DCI Helen Lavery unravels a trail of deception, family secrets and betrayal. When people close to the Cottrell family start to disappear, Lavery is forced into a race against time. Can she catch the killer before he executes his ultimate victim?


I've seen this cover before...and I know I wanted to read the book. Because you may not judge a book by it's cover, but you are either made curious or turned off. This one looked creepy.

And guess what? It was creepy! You really have no idea who is behind the murders. You kind of know someone is watching Anna. Even as you start guessing, new leads pop up and old ones fizzle out. It was a very exciting mystery.

I was especially captured by Helen Lavery, the...well we'd call her the Lead Detective. The story takes place in Great Britain, so there are some words and titles that are different. It's not so off-putting, though. It's charming how the accent seems to come through the writing. My new favorite word? "Fecking" - ha! It's not so crude and I swear I can hear an Irish accent every-time I see this word.

I didn't really find any slow spots, although there were just a couple places where I lost the train of the story. When Helen and her mother speak, they keep asking how the other is doing...and early in the story there was a time when it popped up and I'm thinking, no one asks this in the middle of a conversation.

This was a very strong mystery with so many twists and turns, you'll be unable to stop reading. Anna and Helen get the most character development, but the people around them get a fair amount as well. Some liked, others disliked and at least a few creepy dudes. You'll have to read to find out which one is the ultimate creepy dude!


Monday, March 12, 2012

Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem

by: Vera Jane Cook

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
From the Salem Witch trials through the Nineteenth Century and beyond, Annabel Horton is pursued by the devil’s disciple, Urban Grandier, the demonic priest from the incident at Loudon. She must take the bodies of those that the devil favors to protect her family. She must uncover the motive behind the illusive Ursula/Louis Bossidan, the scandalous cross-dresser who is pursuing her beautiful granddaughter, and she must learn, being one of God’s most powerful witches, how to use her power. But will it be enough to save her husband from Urbain’s fiery inferno? Will it be enough to save her children from demons greater than themselves? Read on, you will learn more…..

This book gave me chills. Following Annabel as she went from body to body, visited time periods past and future, and fought for lover and family over and over. This book is chocked full of action, magic and philosophy.

All through the book, though Annabel knows she is a witch, she also knows she is a Christian and that God has blessed her. She also spends a lot of time battling a demon who doesn't even have a bone to pick with her, it's a great aunt or something.

I will admit, while I adored this book I was uncomfortable with the idea that the only religions touched on were Christianity and Satanism (media's definition on that one, too). But that being said, it really did drive the story. There is such a stark disparity between God and Satan. It made the story so colorful.

As for Annabel, she is not without sin. She stole the bodies of innocents early on. Then she only stole from those she deemed "evil" but I think the problem in that is thinking she has the right to judge. The other mistake is working so hard for revenge over the loss of money in the time period she keeps returning to.

It's kind of weird. She goes all over, but there's a central progression to the story that anchors it. I liked all the characters - and truly there's not a complete hero among the bunch. Annabel has caused some of her own problems, and her children and grand children have caused others. It's not all on that demon.

The story also has some harsh reality in it. It's very well written, with a polished and professional feel to it. Yeah! Seriously couldn't put this down. I worked so hard yesterday to clean the boys room and do the house work that needed to be done...but all I could think about was when it was time to stop and pick up that book again! So yup, this one is getting 5 stars.


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