with B. A. Morton
We are delighted to welcome author B. A. Morton to Omnimystery News today.
B. A.'s latest novel of suspense, Bedlam (Taylor Street Publishing; August 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats), is a haunting tale of obsessive love, ultimate sacrifice and deadly consequence.
Today the author tells us about "researching the story". And she's also giving our visitors a chance to win one of five mobi copies of Bedlam and one paperback copy; details below.
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Photo provided courtesy of
B. A. Morton
Writing both crime and historical fiction allows me the opportunity to employ a variety of research techniques. In crime writing it's vital to get the facts right, particularly police procedural terminology and hierarchy but equally important to allow the story room to breathe. I use research to underpin the story, but only if it's crucial to the plot. I'm fortunate in having a serving Scene of Crime Officer as a valued friend to offer advice re evidential procedures. I also have many books written by professionals within crime related fields, bought after attending seminars at crime festivals. Being an expert in any field isn't necessary, knowing where to access the information definitely is. The internet is a valuable tool, not only to source up to date information, but you can hop onto Google earth and research your crime scene almost anywhere in the world. My horror, thriller Bedlam begins with the discovery of a particularly gruesome multiple, murder. It was important to understand initial UK murder scene procedure and hierarchy, in order to present it as accurately as possible without the story becoming bogged down in unnecessary detail.
My research for my medieval trilogy "The Wildewood Chronicles" is slightly different. I have an advantage in that I live in an area steeped in history and my own home is built on the foundations of a medieval chapel and crypt. Research in this field is definitely a labour of love. I still use the internet, but there's also a lot of footwork, visiting sites of interest and lots of reading. It's not just about the facts, the historical events; you also have to capture the feel of the period, the language, culture and behaviours. And you have to do it all with a careful hand so that the story, that wonderful creation, isn't swamped by historical data. In the case of my historical novels I create a research document, a timeline to underpin the plot. A skeleton if you like which supports the muscle and flesh of the story. Once it's in place, I'm quite ruthless in removing all but the absolutely necessary. It's a fine balance. The amount of research shouldn't be obvious to the reader, it should in my opinion, be seamless to the story.
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Born in the North East of England, B. A. Morton writes across a number of genres including crime, romance, horror and historical fiction. After a twenty year civil service career, she and her family escaped the rat race and relocated to the remote beauty of the Northumberland National Park. She now works part time in the village GP surgery and lives in a cottage built on the remains of a medieval crypt. Her debut novel Mrs Jones, a fast paced, romantic, crime thriller set in New York, was runner up in the Yeovil Literary Prize 2011, published by Taylor Street Publishing and closely followed by the sequel Molly Brown, and the first in a medieval trilogy "The Wildewood Chronicles".
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Bedlam
B. A. Morton
Love hurts. Obsession kills.
Joe loves Kit. Everyone thinks she's dead. Joe knows she's not.
If you lost the love of your life, how far would you go to get them back? Detective Joe McNeil would do absolutely anything.
When Joe breathes life into a killer's victim, he discovers what anything really means.
Nell will use whatever is necessary to ensure she survives, including Joe. Is she really a victim or merely the weapon being wielded by a much more cunning foe?
As Joe struggles between his love for missing Kit and his growing obsession with the enigmatic Nell, he plunges headlong into a spiralling nightmare of kidnap, murder and betrayal. His relentless search for the truth jeopardises his career, his sanity and his life.
But for Nell, the risk is even greater.
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