Today I am thrilled and a tad excited (a slight understatement, I’m jumping around like a lunatic) to be part of the blog tour for The Caller this is the first book in The Organised Crime Team series by M.A Comley and co-author Tara Lyons, and if you are a fan of crime thrillers then this is one you will definitely want to purchase……but before you hop over to Amazon and buy it you may want to read a very intriguing guest post from the very talented Tara Lyons, oh and my review of course!
This time last year, I would never have believed that I could say I am a self-published author. If I was also told I’d be embarking on a new crime series with New York Times Bestselling Author, M.A Comley, I’d say you were pulling my leg. But look at me, it’s happened and it’s a dream come true.
From speaking to a variety of authors online, I’ve come to realise co-writing isn’t for everyone. Some even say it would be their worst nightmare. And I can totally understand that. Having someone grill your work, edit it and not agree with your ideas could be frustrating. But look at it from a different perspective and it could mean that person is enhancing what you’ve written and enriching your ideas.
I find myself in a lucky position. I am working with an experienced author who has published over 35 books in five years and definitely knows her craft. Mel works with a passion and drive that is inspirational. It also helps that I think her many series of books are fantastic. For Mel, she says she saw something in my writing that she hadn’t really seen in any other newcomer’s work. But, we also get along as friends first and I think that’s important. We have similar tastes, expectations and ideas, we’re both Geminis and enjoy crime TV programmes and we’ve been known to sing along to Lionel Ritchie on a road trip. You have to trust and respect the person you’re going to co-author with.
The Caller is our first book in an Organised Crime Team series. Before we even began writing we did a lot of research into the Metropolitan Police, its set-up and its divisions. We talked about what we wanted from this series and who we wanted our characters to be. I think that was one of our difficulties; Mel obviously has a variety of characters, so ensuring we developed new personalities and identities took us a while. But we have them now. Once we were both happy with our new detective team, we began brainstorming. It started with just one small idea (because we have also planned future books) and then it grew and grew and grew. Something I said sparked a new image and plot for Mel and vice-versa, and we continued to do that until we had an interesting story. I think it’s an exciting way to work, especially as we’ve both written alone, it’s a refreshing change to bounce those thoughts off someone else.
The Caller was created by each of us writing chunks of the book and editing each other’s work as we went. Hopefully it reads as a seamless story, but you also hear both of us as authors in there too. Obviously it’s not all smelling of roses, and during the editing process myself and Mel went back and forth on how we thought a certain scene or dialogue should unfold. Sometimes we had different ideas. But, we worked together to devise the best from both our ideas and we hope that’s reflected when you read The Caller. Mel and I live over three hours away so we don’t get to see each other often. But we do talk everyday – sometimes about our books and sometimes about life in general – and open communication is definitely the key.
Even if you think co-writing isn’t for you, I would definitely encourage you to have a writing “buddy”. An author friend you can talk to – again about books or life in general – who is honest and trustworthy. Writing can be a lonely job, so it’s great to have that shoulder, even a virtual one, to lean on, share with and occasionally have a complete rant to.
About The Authors
Mel Comley (also known as M.A. Comley) is a British author of mystery novels along with a couple of romance novellas, she is best known for her Justice series. New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. Mel quit a 70-hour per week job as a Co-op Supermarket manager to move to Normandy to pursue her writing passion.
Links to Mel Comley
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At the age of 30, Tara decided to fulfil her life long dream of becoming a writer. Thanks to some amazing people in her life, she had the chance to make that a reality. And so, her debut novel, In the Shadows, was born. Tara’s first collaboration with Mel Comley Web of Deceit is available now.
When Tara’s not writing you’ll find her in a near-by Wacky Warehouse stuck in the ball-pit with her son. Tara is also a lover of chocolate peanuts and reading – and prefers to enjoy them both with a strong cup of tea
Links to Tara Lyons
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Book Description
When The Caller rings… what would you do?
The Organised Crime Team is a newly-formed unit with one of the toughest tasks in London. Led by DI Angie North, their first investigation is a cold case that has foxed several officers in the Met for months.
After Angie holds a TV appeal regarding the case, a number of similar aggressive attacks are brought to her attention. The team call on their contacts on the street for help. Their interest is sparked when several local names surface.
To bring the criminals to justice a member of the Organised Crime Team is asked to risk their life in a dangerous covert operation.
If you are looking for a brand new gripping crime series to read, then The Caller could be just the book for you. This is the first book in The Organised Crime Team series by M A Comley and co-author Tara Lyons, (author Of In The Shadows). When I was asked if I would like to review The Caller I jumped at the chance, my interest was piqued by the book description alone. In The Caller we are introduced to a newly-formed unit The Organised Crime Team, their first investigation involves a cold case involving aggressive attacks on women in their homes, and so begins a tense and gripping read. I’m not one for spoilers so everything you need to know about The Caller is in the book description. From the first chapter where the most despicable crime is committed I knew this was going to be a dark and gritty read, so literally from the opening chapter I was well and truly hooked.
The Organised Crime Team has an array of fascinating characters, each one is multi-faceted and it was interesting to see how the characters bonded in their first investigation as a team. DI Angie North is an unusual protagonist for a Detective, she appears mature, has a stable home life and appears to be the glue that will hold the team together in difficult times. The camaraderie amongst the team was credible, and it was an unusual concept to read a crime book that introduce a brand new crime team from the moment of conception so to speak. As the crimes escalate and each one becomes more violent and sickening the tension and sense of foreboding that permeates each page made it hard to put down. The plot was very well paced, and the Suspense was relentless as The Caller reached the dramatic and tension fuelled conclusion.
As the team take part in a covert operation to catch the criminals the apprehension amongst the team add credibility to the plot. As The Caller reached its electrifying conclusion I found myself holding my breath, whilst turning the pages so fast on my kindle, I’m surprised I didn’t end up with repetitive strain injury! I found The Caller to be an engaging read and one I really enjoyed, I think M A Comley and Tara Lyons make the perfect pairing, they have combined their individual talents as authors and produced a gripping read for fans of crime thrillers. I for one will be looking forward to the next book in the series, it will also be interesting to see how The Organised Crime Team’s characters will evolve.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Out of 5
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
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