Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for I Spy With My Little Die. I’m sharing an extract from the book with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to the publisher for providing the extract.

Blurb:

Uncovering a web of conspiracy that intertwines past and present, can Lady Beatrice and DCI Richard Fitzwilliam catch a killer and unveil the truth of her husband’s death at long last?

BREAKING NEWS Second Senior Police Officer Dies Within a Week

A senior officer from the Protection and Investigations (Royal) Services died unexpectedly yesterday. His death comes hot on the heels of Detective Inspector Ethan Preece (43) from City Police, who died of a suspected heart attack last week. Although he’s not yet been named, the dead officer was a greatly respected public figure, who had served in policing for over thirty years. A PaIRS spokesperson has confirmed that ‘neither men’s death is being treated as suspicious at this time’.

With the senior PaIRS officer dead, so is any hope of reopening the inquiry into Lady Beatrice’s husband’s accident fifteen years ago. Unless, of course, there is something that links the two men to the earl’s fatal car crash? Can she and Fitzwilliam, along with their friends, work together to unravel the mystery and catch a killer before the truth is buried forever?Another page-turning, contemporary, clean, British cozy whodunnit with a hint of humour that you wouldn’t be able to put down from Helen Golden.

Intro:

Lady Beatrice and her business partner Perry Juke are at Gollingham Palace, the official residence of Lady Beatrice’s uncle, King James, managing the redesign and refurbishment of several guest suites. Meanwhile Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam is in his office in the security wing of the palace contemplating the difficult conversation he had had with Bea a few days prior when he had told her that Chief Superintendent Tim Street was no longer prepared to investigate further into her husband James’s death the occurred fifteen years ago. Then he gets a call from his boss giving him some shocking news…

Extract:

DCI Richard Fitzwilliam recoiled as if someone had punched him in the stomach. Chief Superintendent Tim Street is dead? “What!” he managed to say, feeling light-headed and totally unable to comprehend the news.

“He was found dead in his office a short while ago,” his boss, Superintendent Nigel Blake, told him. 

Fitzwilliam’s mind raced as he tried to process the news. He’d seen Street only three days ago. He’d looked tired, but he hadn’t looked unwell. “That’s terrible, sir,” he finally said, his voice low and heavy with emotion. “What happened?”

“We’re not one hundred percent sure,” Blake replied. “But it appears he dropped dead in between meetings. The scene is being secured, and the witnesses have been detained. This is going to be your case, Richard, and I don’t need to tell you how high-profile this investigation will be.”

Fitzwilliam’s stomach sank. It was an enormous responsibility. Street was a very senior officer and a respected public figure. He stretched his neck from side to side. Hopefully it will be straightforward. “I assume he died of natural causes, sir?” A heart attack most likely. How old is Street? Late fifties maybe… Too young to die, but it isn’t unheard of at that age. Especially with someone who’d had a highly pressurised job like Street…

“We don’t know yet, Fitzwilliam. That’s why I need you to go now.”

Rats! “Yes, sir, of course. I’m on my way.”

“And Richard?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Keep me posted, alright?”

“Of course, sir.”

Fitzwilliam slammed down the telephone receiver and jumped up from his chair, adrenaline pumping through his limbs as he realised the gravity of this assignment.

Rushing out of his office, he yelled across the room, “Carol, find DS Spicer, please, and ask her to meet me at the Special Projects Department as soon as she can.” Without waiting for an answer, he pulled open the heavy outer office door and plunged into the dingy corridor beyond.

***

I Spy With My Little Die is available from Amazon.

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