I’m delighted to be able to present an extract from Val Penny’s new novel, Hunter’s Rules.
I’m really excited about reading the whole novel, and promise a review will appear once I’ve had a chance to do so. I know it’s going to be fantastic! Watch this space…
Chapter One
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR HUNTER WILSON ROSE FROM THE TABLE AND led his girlfriend, Doctor Meera Sharma, from the exclusive Pompadour Restaurant towards the elevators in Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
“That was a delicious meal, thank you, Hunter.”
“You’re more than welcome, dear. It was good, wasn’t it? My steak was so tender, I could have cut it with a spoon. Oh Meera, I do love you and I’m so glad your father consented to our marriage.”
“So am I. I know I don’t need his consent, but life will be much easier because he approves. It was kind of Parvati to take the time to teach you some Hindi.”
“I’ve arranged to continue my lessons with her, so that I can communicate with all the members of your family.”
“Hindi is a demanding language to learn for a non-native speaker,” she said.
“Maybe, but there are almost six million people who speak it, I can’t be stupider than all of them.”
“Time will tell, darling.” She grinned. “Thank you for learning some, anyway. I admit I was worried at first. I really thought you and Parvati were having an affair when I first heard about you sneaking about together.”
“I’m not an idiot, Meera. Parvati is wonderful, but compared to you, she is like a star to the sun. Anyway, I make it a rule not to shit on my own doorstep,” Hunter said.
“Oh yes, Hunter’s rules. I forgot.” She fingered her sparkling engagement ring and smiled. “So much to celebrate. Can we go public?”
“Not yet, pet. Let’s wait until it’s announced in the newspapers and all official.’’
“It’s going to be difficult, I’m so proud I think I might burst.”
“Well, I have just one more surprise for you.”
“Another one? Oh Hunter,” she said.
“I’ve booked the honeymoon suite here for us tonight, and
if everything has gone according to plan there should be a bottle of champagne chilling there for us. Shall we go upstairs and check?”
Hunter and Meera continued walking towards the elevators, and he pressed the button indicating they would be going up. They stood close together, gazing into each other’s eyes, but it was not long until the furthest lift arrived. They shifted slightly towards those doors and make room for anybody getting out.
Nobody got out.
A young woman lay motionless on the floor and the inside of the car was drenched with blood.
“Oh God, not another one,” Hunter said. He stared at the raw flesh in the sockets where the girl’s eyes should have been. What kind of monster would choose to murder someone this way? He turned away from the horrible sight of the young woman’s butchered face. He gagged. Then swallowed the bile. He daren’t contaminate the crime scene with his own vomit.
Meera knelt beside the victim and felt her wrist. “Hunter, this one is still alive. Call an ambulance. Do it now!”
Hunter immediately went into professional mode. He stepped a few yards away from the scene and called the ambulance. The soles of his shoes were covered in blood. Then he phoned Fettes Police Station. Desk sergeant Charlie Middleton answered.
“Police Scotland, how can I help?”
“Charlie, the eye thief has struck again.”
“Fuck.”
“Succinctly put. This one has survived. The ambulance is
on its way. Can you get a team together right away to start questioning witnesses here and we’ll need the CSIs pronto.”
“Great, just one question.”
“Come on, Charlie. Time is of the essence, man.” “Yes, Hunter, but where is here?
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.
BLURB
A bloody scene brings Hunter and Meera’s romantic plans to an abrupt end.
A young woman attacked in a hotel lift has life changing injuries. Her wounds match those inflicted on two women who were murdered.
When Hunter is identified as a suspect in the case, he must establish his innocence to lead his team and solve this bloodcurdling crime.
Is the same person responsible for all three crimes?
Will the girl in the lift finally identify who is targeting these young women ?
Hunter will stop at nothing until he catches the unhinged killer.
LINK TO BUY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D7ZPBJDX
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website – https://www.valpenny.com
Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Val-Penny/e/B07C4725TK
Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739
Author Twitter Page @valeriepenny
Author Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/valerieepenny/
