Last month I asked what kind of crime novel you'd kill for. Cosy? Thriller? Horror suspense…? Your response was overwhelming, surprising and delightful!
Within one minute of sending out my open-ended email query—"What's your fave crime genre?"—the replies began streaming in. By the end of February I had well over a hundred responses, and for that I want to say a very hearty THANK YOU. I loved hearing about your many and varied tastes, and I'd like to share some of them with you now…
Something for everybody
As expected, there was a wide range of preferences but I was surprised how many of you lap up pacy thrillers and psychological suspense. "There's nothing quite like the exploration of the human mind to keep me on the edge of my seat as I read," said one respondent, Stephanie. While Doug said he loves thriller/suspense but not if there's unnecessary foul language, bedroom scenes and gore. "A great story doesn't need all the extra stuff thrown in." I couldn't agree more (but maybe avoid my Ghostwriter Mystery series Doug as my criminals do drop the odd swear word—you have been warned! 😉).
Others said they loved a good "police procedural", "hard-boiled whodunnits" and books with forensics and/or female sleuths. There were honorouble mentions for Miss Marple, Nancy Drew, and sleuths who were seniors, witches or cats! That gave me a laugh but I'd like to amend that to dogs. As soon as there's a cute mutt, I'm in!
But what's your FAVOURITE style?
The most popular genre of all, however, was the good, old-fashioned "cozy" — with about 60% of you listing that as your No. 1. And I can't say this suprised me. My best-selling series is the Murder Mystery Book Club, and that's as cosy as a cup of English Breakfast!
One lovely reader, Katie, told me her love for "cozy" grew during COVID, when she found she couldn't handle her usual gritty Scandi Noir, and I found that so poignant. Because I think she's right. Mood and circumstance can affect what and how we read, and one of the enduring beauties of the cozy mystery is that it's generally a kinder, gentler story. Something we could all do with now, don't you think?
Gee you're an unfaithful lot…
Despite the passion behind your answers, at least half of you confessed that you'll read any kind of crime, you're simply not fussed, as long as it's gripping and/or well written. And I think that's something we can all agree on.
So… who won the $20 gift voucher?
As promised, I've thrown your names into the hat and selected one person to receive a complimentary $20 Amazon gift voucher. Drum roll please…
Congratulations to "Madds"!
If you emailed me using the name "Madds" then you're the lucky winner. I'll be in touch soon with your gift. And thank you to everyone else for taking part.
Not the lucky winner? Don't despair. I've signed up with Smashwords’ 16th Annual Read an Ebook Week Super Sale, which offers more than 130,000 eBooks, all heavily discounted or FREE. (Just click HERE.)
That means you can explore all manner of crime genres for very little, including SIX of my murder mysteries for less than $7! One is even free. This includes:
3 x Cosy Whodunnits
• Blind Men Don't Dial Zero – now free!
• Smart Girls Don't Trust Strangers – $1.49
• Good Girls Don't Drink Vodka – $1.49
2 x Feel-good Magical Realism
• Do Not Go Gentle – $1.49
• Do Not Go Alone – $1.49
1 x Psychological Suspense
• After the Ferry – just 99c
Sale runs from March 2 — 8
That's just five days, folks, so don't muck about. For more on my discounted books at Smashwords, click on the titles above, the photos below or read on. For all other book retailers, check the links at the bottom.
Otherwise thanks again and happy reading everyone.
xo Christina
THE SLEUTHS OF LAST RESORT - 3 books for $3
Who do you call when the cops won't listen and the mystery is impossible to crack?
Meet the Sleuths of Last Resort—five total strangers with a passion for puzzles, a unique set of skills, and more baggage than an airport carousel:
• Cluedo champ Merry (she can read a crime scene like no other);
• Reckless PI Kila (his rule-breaking might be what this case requires);
• Top crime author Martin (he wrote the book on Locked Room Mysteries);
• Dinosaur ex-detective Earle (he's a straight-shooter with the inside track);
• Fearless crime reporter Frankie (she knows how to sort fact from fiction)
Individually they're screw-ups. Together they're an unstoppable force…
THE FEEL-GOOD POSTHUMOUS MYSTERY SERIES – 2 books for $3
Fresh and heart-warming mysteries that are just like playing a game of Cluedo – from above the crime scene.
In each stand-alone story, the victim is floating above their body, imploring you to help solve their murder, before that pesky light zaps them away. While you’re offered a bird’s-eye view of the crime scene, it's really the victim's earthy failings that have to be faced if they ever want to rest in peace. Each mystery takes place over just a few hours and you'll be clenching soggy tissues by the heart-wrenching, twisty end.
A little magical, a little cozy, a hell of a lot of fun!
AFTER THE FERRY – Just 99c
IT'S THE 1990s, and a young traveller must make an exhilarating choice—jump off the Greek Islands ferry with a seductive stranger or stay cocooned with her buddies and miss the adventure of a lifetime?
ONE CHOICE LEADS TO TRUE LOVE.
ONE CHOICE LEADS TO MURDER.
BUT WHICH IS WHICH?
In this romantic, psychological thriller, we follow Millie Malone across two parallel lives. In one life she remains onboard with her friends – two Sydney lads with shaky motives and an old school mate with a crush of her own— and in the other life she jumps. In one life she returns to Greece thirteen years later. In the other she is buried six-feet under.
So which Millie lives to tell the tale?