A.A. Abbott

GREAT CRIME STORY WRITER

dyslexia

Book Review – A Brush with Death, by Jean Burnett

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Curl up with a cosy mystery

Jean Burnett's cosy mystery or cozy mystery crime novel A Brush with Death beside a cup of coffee

My last four psychological thrillers were set in Bristol, and I enjoy reading other stories about the city. While Jean Burnett doesn’t name Bristol University in her cosy mystery,‘A Brush with Death’, the references to local landmarks make it pretty clear. This hilarious tale, laced with Jean’s trademark humour, is an absorbing read. And what better way to while away a dim winter day than curling up with a cosy mystery and a coffee?

Novel murder methods

The year is 1987. A serial killer stalks the campus. His gloriously over-the-top murder methods include electrocution by a computer, and an ice pick through the brain. Yet it takes a while for the police to cotton on. They’re convinced the first death is accidental. It seems reasonable to them that Lynne, a secretary in the English department, would unwittingly touch a live keyboard.

Only Cass Crombie, Lynne’s best friend, is convinced there’s been foul play. However newfangled these computers, they shouldn’t be dangerous. Someone has set out to silence Lynne, and Cass is determined to discover the truth.

The amateur sleuth goes undercover

Cass, a fortyish divorcée whose only child has left home, has too much time and not enough money. The university offers a solution when it advertises for cleaners. More importantly, working as a so-called domestic operative gives Cass a licence to snoop around. In these pre-outsourcing days, there’s time to stop for a coffee and a chat. Cass picks up gossip from support staff, students and academics. “Money and kudos are the motivating forces in academia,” a lecturer crisply informs her. Cass finds evidence of dirty dealings in pursuit of both.

Steamy affair

Detective Sergeant Don Newton realises what Cass is up to. He warns her off. She ignores his advice, albeit not his manly charms. Attracted to the hunky cop on first sight, she begins a steamy affair with him. This continues even when she’s arrested on suspicion of murder. Yes, the killer has struck twice more, and Cass is in the vicinity on each occasion. But a friend finds Cass a good lawyer, and she’s released to dive back into bed with DS Newton.

Escape from danger

Having unmasked the culprit, Cass escapes death at his hands by a whisker. (Of course! This is the first book in a series after all). Dumping Don Newton, she jets off to sunnier climes. Will she be back to solve more crimes and over-share with the sergeant again? We wait with bated breath for Book 2.

Do you like books that take you back in time? Then you’ll love my psychological thriller, ‘Run For Your Lies’. In 1992, families are ripped apart by the discovery of a body in Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Over thirty years later, a former teacher returns to the city she left in a prison van. Juliet has lost everything. She’s exhausted and unable to run from her foes any longer. But if they find her now, the consequences will be fatal. Read ‘Run For Your Lies’ in ebook, Kindle Unlimited, hardback, paperback, large print and dyslexia-friendly print.

Why dyslexia doesn’t stop you reading…

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My grandfather was a telecoms troubleshooter. As a young Englishman in the early 20th century, he travelled the world, supervising the laying of cables across the sea, then keeping the signal crystal-clear after that. If equipment was broken, he’d fix it himself. His work took him to New York, Odessa and Persia, in ships and steam trains and a Model T Ford.

Despite his can-do attitude and undeniable skills, he never picked up a book. My grandfather was dyslexic; reading and writing was a struggle for him. He wasn’t alone, of course. Although I dodged that bullet myself (to compensate, fate decreed I’d be rubbish at DIY), dyslexia features in every generation of my family. In fact, 10% of Britons are dyslexic.

It isn’t that hard to produce a dyslexia-friendly book, but it costs more than a traditional paperback. That’s because, with larger letters and more space between the lines, the page count zooms up dramatically. Perhaps that’s why nobody has published fiction for adults with dyslexia – until now. Perfect City Press has produced new editions of my crime thriller, The Bride’s Trail, and its sequel, The Vodka Trail. Spot the difference! 

The Vodka Trail - Page 1 in traditional and dyslexia-friendly formats
The Vodka Trail – Page 1 in traditional and dyslexia-friendly formats

They’re also an option for older readers and anyone with visual stress – we’ve used a large sized sans serif font, lots of space, and cream paper, and they’re still affordable at £16.99. That compares with £7.99 for the traditional paperbacks and £1.99 for the e-books.

E-books are a great alternative, of course. You can adjust the style and size of the font, and sometimes the colour of the background. But for me, nothing beats a good old-fashioned paperback – and I suspect dear old Grandad would finally agree!

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I’m a British crime thriller writer. I’ve written a variety of short stories, and four full-length thrillers sizzling with suspense, sex, love and death. My latest, The Bride’s Trail and The Vodka Trail, are available in e-book, traditional paperback and dyslexia-friendly paperback editions through a variety of bookstores and online retailers.