Friday, December 14, 2018

The New Kincaid/James--A BITTER FEAST

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I'm so excited to get to talk about the new Kincaid/James book today! This is #18 in the series, and it's called A BITTER FEAST

We don't quite have a finished cover, but it's coming soon and it is going to be stunning! In the meantime, here's a look at the very picturesque village of Lower Slaughter, in Gloucestershire, where most of the book takes place.



I had long wanted to set a book in the beautiful Cotswolds, one of my favorite parts of England. And after the London setting of the last two books, I thought it would be fun for all four of my series detectives, Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Detective Inspector Gemma James (who are married, if you don't know) Detective Sergeant Doug Cullen, and Detective Sergeant Melody Talbot, to spend a weekend together in the country. They, and Duncan's and Gemma's three children, are invited to Melody Talbot's parents' home in the scenic Cotswold village of Lower Slaughter, where Melody's mother is hosting an autumn harvest charity luncheon catered by local chef Viv Holland. 

But of course from the very beginning, their relaxing weekend does not go as planned. 

Here's a snippet from the end of Chapter 1. Just to put you in the scene, Gemma and Melody have driven ahead with little Charlotte, and Doug is coming by train with the two boys the next morning, so Duncan is driving alone, and running late, as the September sun sets.



Kincaid’s predictions turned out to have been overly optimistic. The traffic had slowed again, and it was fully dark by the time he finally left the motorway. The car was too old to have built-in sat-nav, and not wanting to stop to check his mobile, he trusted to his memory of the map he’d looked at earlier. He decided not to ring Gemma as he didn’t know how long the remainder of the journey would take.

As he passed Cirencester, the land began to rise into the Cotswold Hills, as well as he could tell in the dark. Not far to go, then, but he had to laugh at the idea of the Talbots referring to their place as a “weekend” home. Perhaps they knew a way to circumvent the motorway traffic—or they simply took the train to the nearest station, where they had a retainer waiting to fetch them. Or maybe they just took a helicopter, he thought, grinning.

A signpost loomed in the headlamps. It was the turn off for Bourton-on-the-Water, the nearest small town to the Talbots’ village. Almost there, then. He was wondering if he should find a place to pull over and check the map on his mobile when headlamps blazed suddenly from his left, blinding him.

Before he could throw up a hand or hit the brake, there came a tearing impact, and all went dark. 

I hope you can't wait to find out what happens next. The book will be out in October 2019. You can pre-order the Kindle version here, and I'm sure the other e-book formats and hardcover pre-orders will go up soon, too.

This is a "busman's holiday" story--there are certainly suspicious deaths, but none of the series detectives are officially on the case. You can be sure that doesn't keep them from investigating, however!

Readers, do you have a favorite "busman's holiday" mystery? I've written several of them myself, but I think one of my faves would have to be Dorothy Sayer's "Busman's Honeymoon," with Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane.



73 comments:

  1. Deborah, the photo reminded me of a scene from Midsomer Murders, the tv series set in Britain. When you mentioned "busman's holiday", I thought of the Lord Peter Wimsey / Harriet Vane novel.

    Trying to remember if it is Melody Talbot whose father ? is a Member of the Parliament or in politics? Or am I thinking of another character?

    Diana

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    1. I know I'm not who you were asking, but I wanted to chime in to see if my memory is correct. I'm thinking the publisher of a major newspaper.... Debs? Am I correct?

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    2. Yes, Susan and Diana. He's the managing editor of a major newspaper, which his wife owns.

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    3. Deborah, thank you. I am trying to recall which character had a father in politics and did not want colleagues to find out.

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    4. Debs, I visited the Cotswolds and thought it was beautiful. Our class visited a lady who owned a house that was 500 years old! She told us that the house had been in her family for 500 years!

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  2. Oh, goodness . . . we have to wait until October to find out what happens to Duncan? [The picture of Lower Slaughter looks so peaceful . . . a nice place for a holiday.]
    Thanks for a very dramatic peek at your new book, Debs.

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  3. I am so excited about A Bitter Feast, Debs! The Cotswolds is going to be a wonderful setting, and with Melody's parents' "country house" being in the picture, it will be perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing how the children have grown. Of course, I'm terribly worried about Duncan now. Thanks for allowing us to whet our appetites on this delicious piece from the book.

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  4. I'm guessing you won't kill off Duncan, but it could be curtains for the Astra. A door ding would total that rolling relic. This one has all the proper ingredients for a delicious country mystery. I can't wait to read the rest of it!

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  5. I can't wait for "A Bitter Feast"! But ten months feels like such a long time to wait. Congratulations on have finished another book in a great series. What an accomplishment. And it will be out in time for your being honored at Bouchercon in Dallas. Yay!!!! --Marjorie of Connecticut

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    1. Yes! Marjorie, just found this out yesterday! So excited!

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    2. Is it still okay if we all stay with you? Dibs on a bedroom. Got to get in front of Hallie

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    3. Hooray, Deb! I registered for Bouchercon this week, so I'll be there, too. Maybe I'll get to meet some of the fine Reds and Readers!

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    4. Oh! Local Guest of Honor - so cool, Debs. I will be there to cheer you on.

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  6. Ooh, rubbing hands together. So exciting, and congratulations on having a vigorous series all the way through #18 - and beyond, we expect. Thanks for sharing it. Ya gotta love English names - Lower Slaughter, indeed. ;^)

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    1. I had a big debate about using the actual village, but I loved it so much I just couldn't resist. I have put in lots of fictional places, though!

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  7. Yaaaaaay! So excited for this Debs, and just in time for Bouchercon! and now I'm dying to visit the Cotswolds...

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  8. The Cotswolds are wonderful, but I wonder if they're still quiet villages or overrun with tour buses? Busman's Honeymoon, definitely. And Christie's At Bertram's Hotel, when Aunt Jane vacations in London. Congratulations! I'm curious how the kids have grown and changed.

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    1. Some the bigger towns do have issues with tourist buses, but the country is still breathtaking. And yes you are so right about At Bertram's Hotel!

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  9. Book pregnancies take even longer that peoples! The setting sounds perfect.

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    1. I've often said that writing a book is like giving birth to an elephant: a long, painful gestation, followed by an excruciating delivery. After that you have to figure out how to feed and nurture the beast so it will grow and thrive.

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    2. Ha, Karen, that is so true. And this one has taken even longer than usual, for lots of reasons. For some reason I thought this would be a really simple book to write. Not!

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  10. Absolutely love this snippet. Now I have to worry about Duncan for ten months! I know the time will fly by, but still......

    As for favorite busman's holiday books, a few titles that leap to my mind are Deb's own NOW MAY YOU WEEP and Louise Penny's A RULE AGAINST MURDER. Even though I'm not immediately thinking of others, I kind of feel like I have a soft spot for these. And weren't there quite a few among the Hercule Poirot library that would fit this description?

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  11. Oh Deb, I am so excited, and of course the book is ordered. You too can now go out and buy that new Mercedes to match Hank's.

    Thank you for sending me off to Lower Slaughter last September. We are planning another Cotswold trip, longer than a day this time.

    And I am thrilled that I've now completed two parts of the Gemma/Duncan/Crombie tour: Nantwich and Lower Slaughter! You certainly know how to find beautiful villages.

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    1. Ann, I made three Cotswold trips, researching this book. And now I'm very sad that I won't have an excuse to go back--although Melody's parents will still have their house, so maybe there can be an occasional visit, and the research thereof...

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    2. Melinda says she will drive you next time. Or any time. All for a glass of wine I. The evening

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  12. Great opening, Debs!

    I had no idea that "busman's holiday" was the term for when a detective investigated, but wasn't on the case. I can't think of one off the top of my head (I'm so bad at that), but I guess book #3 in my series is going to be one!

    Mary/Liz

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    1. It doesn't specifically refer to a detective, but anyone who is on holiday/vacation who ends up doing their actual job.

      I'd love to know how it got started. Maybe a bus driver had to take over for one who was ill?

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    2. I was wondering that last night, Karen. Anyone know?

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    3. etymonline.com says: (1893) probably a reference to London bus drivers riding the buses on their days off.

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    4. Thanks, all! Yep. Book #3 is definitely a busman's holiday book. =)

      Mary/Liz

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  13. Oh dear, Deborah! That is such a tease! And of course right now I cannot think of even one busman's holiday example. You can be sure, however, that several will probably come to me throughout the day!

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  14. I used to like you Deborah, but that was just cruel. How can you expect us to wait until October to find out what happens? In all seriousness, you certainly did you job of enticing the readers.

    The busman's holiday book that comes immediately to mind is Ann Cleeves' Blue Lightening (the book where Jimmy takes Fran home to meet his parents)

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    1. Kristopher, I hope reading the book will make it up to you!!!

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  15. BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY is one of my all time favorites! But your very first Duncan and Gemma mystery, A SHARE IN DEATH, is a perfect of a busman's holiday. Can hardly wait for the new one. Can hardly wait for all of the Reds' new ones. Thank you! and Congratulations to all!

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    1. Yes, A Share in Death is certainly one. As is Now May You Weep, and the Nantwich book which Ann mentioned above, Water Like a Stone. And thank you for reading!

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    2. I read Water Like a Stone each year at Christmas.

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    3. Thank you everyone for reminding me of WATER LIKE A STONE. I am rereading it now!

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  16. Oh, no! Poor Duncan. And the poor, ancient car. Kristopher's comment made me laugh out loud, because I agree with him.

    I just read a cozy where the whole family went on a cruise for a wedding between the protagonist (a winemaker? Orchard owner?) and the local police detective. His former chief, who married her mother, was along on the trip. Naturally, there is a murder onboard. Cannot think of the name or the author.

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  17. I can't wait! And I hope your tour takes you to Boston this time. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
    Yes, Dorothy Sayers BUSMAN"S HONEYMOON! Peter and Harriet get married but the honeymoon's not what they envisioned. And that car accident, can I just say this is my worst nightmare, being blinded by oncoming headlights and then...

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    1. Hallie, I have to say that just writing that scene--and the aftermath--was horrifying. And I sometimes worry about jinxing myself with these plot ideas. Duncan has a head injury, and then during the course of writing this book, I had a head injury. So I had such empathy for Duncan, but would prefer not to have experienced it first hand!

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    2. Also consider Doylestown, PA. We have a bookstore with an affluent community surrounding it. If it's advertised and promoted on social media and local papers will come out, I trust.

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  18. Yes. May the car be toast, and not a scratch on dear Duncan. I must also congratulate you on giving Toby such an ideal outlet for his high energy. I was thinking martial arts.. but ballet is so much more inspiring. I realize this is about the earlier novels .. but 10 months is a long time w/0 a chance to chat about Gemma, Duncan et al.

    When it comes to remembering Busman's holiday novels the mind is like a steal sieve.

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    1. Coralee, I'm such a big proponent of getting kids in martial arts, especially girls. But ballet is so perfect for Toby. He's a performer, and a perfectionist, and ballet is the most amazing discipline for active boys. I do worry about how Gemma and Duncan will handle it if he turns out to be really, really good.

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  19. What Kristopher said! October? 2019?? Worth every minute of the wait!

    Busman's Honeymoon. Re-read at least once every other year and in fact, was just thinking recently that it's about time to make a cuppa and settle in with Bunter and company.

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  20. Oh goodness, Debs. That scene was so personal for me. First I know the area so well, having had relatives who live in Cirencester, but also having been in a major car accident in which I was struck with no warning. I hope Duncan is okay! Can't wait to read.

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    1. Rhys, you will know how easily something like this could happen on those country roads in the dark! Just thinking about the accident was terrifying.

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  21. You are AMAZING. This is thrilling and compelling. And the Debs voice is so clear! I love that about this week. And eager to see the cover!

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    1. Hank, they were going to use one of my photos, but the resolution wasn't high enough. (The pitfall of using your phone instead of a real camera.) So I think they are going to find something similar. But it will be gorgeous and I think it will be autumn colors. Can't wait to see!

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  22. Wow, it sounds terrific! That's such a loooong wait. The setting sounds scrumptious.

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  23. Oh, that teaser will now be a torment. And we have to wait until October? Got ARCs? I read all the Peter Wimseys so that was my introduction to the term busman's holiday. I know I've read books using that theme, but darn if I can remember any of them.

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  24. SO excited!!!! This series has been on my auto-buy list since Book #1. You have done such an excellent job of keeping your characters alive and fresh and interesting as they have grown, Debs. I hope you continue the Kincaid/James series forever! xxoo

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  25. What a way to tease us! Have to say, I love a good sensitive-hero-crush-object-in-peril story. :-)

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  26. Will preorder ASAP. Poor Duncan. So looking forward to this.

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  27. I can't wait to read "A Bitter Feast" Debs! I wonder, do you find it easier to write when you're in England or back home in Texas (not related to busman's holiday, but I'm curious)?

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    1. Much easier to write when I'm the UK, Ingrid. One reason why I am so slow, or at least that's one of my excuses... But I get a huge buzz of energy and ideas just from being there.

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  28. Debs, I was hoping you would say the book will be out in May, or maybe in August along with the books of some of the other JRW authors. But October??!! I’ll need to keep myself busy so I won’t think about it!

    DebRo

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  29. I did write a busman's holiday story in THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS. Russ and Clare are on a delayed honeymoon that also doubles for checking out a lake-side cabin they're thinking of buying. Trouble finds them, as it always seems to do with the people. in our books.

    Also, Debs, I never thought I'd see a better town name for a mystery than Millers Kill. Now I'm super jealous of Lower Slaughter!

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    1. Oh, Julia, I forgot about that one! Loved that story! And if trouble didn't find our characters wherever they go, we'd be in big trouble!

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  30. Shalom Reds. I had to think about this one. After a while, I decided that Nick and Nora Charles and their little dog Asta always seemed to be on “holiday” and always catching bad guys. I saw the movies first, as film was one of my passions as a teenager. After seeing and singing the praises of The Maltese Falcon, someone gave me the book The Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett at Christmas time. From there I read all of Hammett and all of Lillian Hellman by the time that I was 18. I have read all of the Kincaid/James series and I remember where the storyline took them on a trip to Duncan’s sister whose family managed a distillery making Scotch. (I actually think there is a short story lurking out there that I haven’t been able to find.) I will probably pre-order #18 as we get closer to the release. I don’t think your jacket covers have been anything to write home about but your maps on the inside cover are to die for. I wish you good fortune as you finish this book. (Eighteen is a lucky number in Judaism’s cosmology.)

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  31. Oh my goodness! I can’t wait! Busmans Ho eymoo. Is my favorite, too, but I bet I’ll have another oh my favorites list, come October.

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  32. I was in Lower Slaughter many years ago. It was a bank holiday so crowded with tourists (including us) and not much open. Still lovely country.

    I read the Peter Wimsey but more recently Denise Swanson had Skye and her police chief husband on a honeymoon cruise with her family and friends. Ellie Alexander had a honeymoon cruise also. As did J. A. Jance. I enjoy the characters getting away as long as some friends and family go along.

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  33. Debs, I love the Cotswolds. I've driven through the Slaughters a couple of times and can't wait to "visit" again with Gemma, Duncan, and crew! I truly love your books.

    So, here's my busman's holiday story . . .I'm a former French and Spanish translator. I was teaching English in a lycée in Marseille, France, when after school one day, two of my girlfriends and I went down to our local café for a glass of wine. We ended up meeting 3 guys from Barcelona, none of whom spoke French. I ended up translating for the other two couples all evening long. Fun, but . . .

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  34. such good news! . . . and such a long wait. <3

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  35. Oh, Debs, this is the best news! Like everyone above, I’m waiting rather patiently (I hope) for the new book.

    It’s time for me to read WATER LIKE A STONE again. One of my favorite Christmas stories. And a busman’s holiday.

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  36. Oh, Debs, this is fantastic! I am so excited for book 18! How is it possible you're on 18? Amazing!

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  37. This is great news! Next summer I'll reread all the other Gemma/Duncan books so I can be in their "world" when the new book arrives. It will be wonderful to meet up with your beloved characters again and to visit Melody's family's country home. She and Doug are such wonderful characters, too. Coincidently, I just finished Louise Penny's "Bury Your Dead" where Chief Inspector Gamache is recovering from a head injury and is on a "Busman's Holiday" in Old Quebec.

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  38. Debs, you are such a tease. Now I have to wait until October?! I know I'll love anything set in Lower Slaughter, although my visit there ages ago was in the summer, with flowering gardens and green hills setting off the creamy Cotswold stone. Can't wait for October.

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