The Upside of Death

“If you combine a psychic, a couple of ghosts, a medium, a reporter and lots of bad guys, you get… a most entertaining and enjoyable tale.”
“The dialogue is darkly witty and hums like power lines.”

Extract

The best thing about a spirit guide is he warns you when your future turns ugly.
The worst? Sometimes he doesn’t. Keera remembered that the moment the front door opened by itself.

A large man grabbed her hand and yanked her inside like a paper doll.
“Welcome home,” he said, his accent thick and slurry. Eastern European. Russian. His pale blue eyes drilled into hers with a carnal gleam. An animal. He kicked the door shut, dragged her into the living room. Her heart thumped, frantic enough to fracture a rib. Two other men waited there.

“Miss Keera Miles,” the short one said. Shoulder-length black hair.
Longhair took her hand, kissed it. Old-world courtesy, fake as a plastic tiara.

“How did you get in here?” Her voice came out squeaky. “I’ll call the police if you don’t leave.”

“You won’t call anyone.”

“You’re kidnapping me?” No. Impossible. That was not her life.

“More of a compulsory home stay. Your handbag?”

She started to open it, but he took it, flipped the catch. He switched off her phone and pocketed it.  Compared her license photo to her face, thend rained his vodka and glanced at a long green canvas bag from near the bay windows. She hadn’t noticed it until now.

The late sunlight caught it perfectly. It was long enough to fit a large child. Or her.
A glass was shoved at her.

“Drink,” the Animal said. Keera shook her head. He gripped it in one hand, steady as a bronze bust.

Longhair spoke. “You will drink, one way or another.”

She took the glass. The Animal tilted her hand and forced the liquid down. It seared like paint. He muttered in Russian. She understood instantly.

“I’m having this one,” he’d just announced.

Finished the sample? My complete library of thrillers is available in digital and print via the link below.