Excerpt & Giveaway: To The Dark by Chris Nickson


To The Dark by Chris Nickson

Publication Date: March 2, 2021
Severn House Publishers

Series: A Simon Westow Mystery, Book 3
Genre: Historical Mystery


Winter is about to take a chilling twist...

Thief-taker Simon Westow is drawn into a deadly puzzle when the melting snow reveals a dark secret in this gripping historical mystery, perfect for fans of Anne Perry and Charles Finch.

Leeds, 1822. The city is in the grip of winter, but the chill deepens for thief-taker Simon Westow and his young assistant, Jane, when the body of Laurence Poole, a petty local thief, emerges from the melting snow by the river at Flay Cross Mill.

A coded notebook found in Laurence's room mentions Charlie Harker, the most notorious fence in Leeds who's now running for his life, and the mysterious words: To the dark. What was Laurence hiding that caused his death? Simon's hunt for the truth pits him against some dangerous, powerful enemies who'll happily kill him in a heartbeat - if they can.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


Praise for the Simon Westow Mystery Series

"This dark tale features a strong and sympathetic hero as well as equally appealing supporting characters ... Likely to draw in readers of Andrea Penrose, Charles Finch, and Anne Perry" -Library Journal on The Hanging Psalm

"This historical tour de force reminds readers who come for the mystery that life hasn't changed for the disenfranchised" -Kirkus Reviews Starred Review of The Hocus Girl

"Gripping ... offers authentic period ambiance, vivid characters, crisp dialogue, and plenty of twists" - Booklist on The Hanging Psalm

"Outstanding ... Historical mysteries don't get much better than this" - Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Hocus Girl

"An exciting debut ... Steeped in Regency atmosphere, it holds your interest from beginning to end" - Kirkus Reviews on The Hanging Psalm

"Solid ... a welcome contrast to such aristocratic Regency sleuths as C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr." - Publishers Weekly on The Hanging Psalm

"This is an excellent historical mystery, the second in the Simon Westow series. Readers will enjoy it and look forward to additional books." - Historical Novels Review of The Hocus Girl

"Beautifully balanced between suspense and action ... the historical background ... as always, engaging, detailed and authentic." - Joanne Harris, bestselling author of Chocolat, on The Hocus Girl

"Combines multiple twists, vivid descriptions of life in the early nineteenth century, strong characters, and a surprising ending. A perfect read-alike for David Liss' popular series starring another British thief-taker." -  Benjamin Weaver, Booklist on The Hocus Girl

Excerpt

‘People are going over to Flay Cross Mill.’

Simon hadn’t seen Jane arrive. But there she was, at his side, matching his pace as he walked. Since winter began she’d taken to wearing an old cloak of faded green wool. With the hood pulled up, no one ever noticed her.

‘What’s going on there?’

‘I don’t know.’

Something, Simon thought. It had to be something. And that was better than nothing.

The mill stood down by the bend of the river, out on Cynder Island. It had been there for generations, maybe even centuries, with its hammers for pounding and fulling good Leeds cloth. No one knew how it had come by the name, but the building had been empty and gradually sinking into ruin for a long time. The wooden scoops of the water wheel that powered it all had rotted away to nothing. Beyond the shell of the mill, the river lapped against the shore, cold and dark.

A crowd had gathered, twenty or thirty people. The usual gaggle of boys and girls, hoping for something gruesome, and men and women with nothing else to fill their days. Simon pushed his way to the front, squeezing into the gaps between people. Jane stayed close to the back, listening for gossip and news.

The best he could make out, melting snow had revealed the body. He could see a pair of trousers and some leather boots. The rest was still covered. Simon held his breath as the coroner brushed slush away from the corpse’s face.

For a moment, Simon couldn’t believe what was in front of him. He knew this man with his pale skin and serene expression. He’d last seen him a few weeks ago, not long before the snow arrived. Laurence Poole hadn’t been so peaceful then. He’d begged and tried to fight to hold on to his loot from the Fullbrook robbery. By the time Simon left, the man was close to tears of desperation.

He turned away. He didn’t need to see more. There was no obvious sign of injury. No bloodstains on the man’s coat. Poole hadn’t been dressed for bitter weather: just an old, battered wool jacket with swallow tails, plain waistcoat, linen shirt and fawn trousers. The same things he’d worn when Simon found him in his room. No greatcoat. No hat, either.

There wasn’t going to be anything worthwhile here. He’d to look elsewhere for any idea of what had happened. Simon stalked past Jane, letting her hurry to keep up with him. People glanced at him then quickly looked away again. Very likely he had a face like thunder. He really didn’t care.

‘Who was it?’ Jane asked. ‘No one mentioned a name.’

‘Pool.’

She stayed silent for a few seconds. ‘Has someone murdered him?’

‘Couldn’t tell,’ Simon answered. ‘I’m sure we’ll hear later. But I doubt he wandered out there for pleasure.’ Not without a heavy coat to keep himself warm. ‘I want to take a look at his room.’

‘I saw one of the constable’s men in the crowd. He’ll be passing the word. That means they’ll be coming soon.’

‘Then we’d best be quick.’

For two or three years after it was built, Welling Court had been a good address. Set back from Kirkgate up a small flight of stone steps, it had grown up around a courtyard. But those bright days had ended very quickly.

Now it was a last refuge for people who had nothing. There was no sun, no warmth, so little hope in the place. The snow had drifted into the corners of the courtyard, thick and dirty. An air of desolation hung over it all.

The room he wanted was in the attic. Simon dashed up the stairs, pulling out his knife as he ran. Jane hurried behind him. The door was locked, but the wood hung so loose in the frame it only took a second to prise it open.

The glass had gone in one of the windows. An old sheet hung in its place, but it couldn’t keep out the pinching cold. A bare wooden floor, thick with splinters. One wall had been turned brown by damp leaching through the plaster. Simon touched it and it crumbled under his fingers.

They searched hurriedly, all too aware that the constable might be on his way. They needed to be out of sight well before that happened. If anyone found them here, there would be too many awkward questions.

Two minutes was all they needed. Poole had owned a change of linen and some spare socks. That, along with the ancient top hat on a hook behind the door, was all. Except for the notebook and pencil he’d pushed under the bed as if he’d wanted to keep them hidden from sight. Simon scooped them up and thrust them into his coat pocket. A final sweep around the room. Nothing more, here; he was certain of it.

About the Author

I'm a novelist and music journalist, the author of many books set between the 1730s and 1950s in Leeds, as well as others in medieval Chesterfield and 1980s Seattle.

Above all, though, it's Leeds I love, the people, the sense of the place changing with time. Yes, I write mysteries, but ultimately they're books about people and their relationships, and the crime becomes a moral framework for the story.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, February 26
Review at Novels Alive

Saturday, February 27
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Sunday, February 28
Feature at Reading is My Remedy

Monday, March 1
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, March 2
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Wednesday, March 3
Excerpt at Passages to the Past
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Thursday, March 4
Interview at Jathan & Heather

Friday, March 5
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at A Darn Good Read

Giveaway

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on March 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

To the Dark

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