This week was Trans Awareness Week, so today’s snippet comes from Relief Valve, my soon-to-be-re-released second Plumber’s Mate Mystery (which features a trans character). Investigating his sister’s poisoning, Tom has infiltrated her old writers’ group under the pretence of writing gay fiction:
“Do you write poetry too?” Raz asked, pushing his glasses back up his nose and staring at me with big, earnest eyes. He had the sort of beard that looked like it had started out as designer stubble and still wasn’t sure it hadn’t preferred it that way.
“Does the odd naughty limerick count?”
They all laughed politely, despite the fact I hadn’t been joking. “So tell us about your novel, Tom,” Morgan demanded.
Bugger. I hadn’t expected anyone to actually want to know more about gay literature.
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Relief Valve – #2 in the Plumber’s Mate Mystery series
If you dig up the past, be prepared for some dirt to stick.
The relationship between Tom Paretski, a cheeky plumber with a gift for finding hidden things, and PI Phil Morrison may only be a few weeks old, but already it’s under attack. Tom’s friends and family are convinced the former bully isn’t good enough for him, and they’re not shy about saying so.
Then Tom’s prickly older sister, Cherry, is poisoned at her own engagement party. Tom’s left reeling and not knowing who to suspect. Could it be her new fiancé, Gregory, a cathedral canon with an unfortunate manner and a taste for taxidermy? Or someone from her old writers’ circle, which she left after a row? Or could the attack be connected to her work as a barrister? Meanwhile, Tom’s honorary auntie’s left him a gag gift from beyond the grave that could be more significant than anyone knows.
Phil’s fighting against the clock to solve the case before somebody ends up dead. And with the poisoner hiding a dark secret, Phil’s terrified Tom could have been the target all along.
All the Plumber’s Mate Mysteries are now available to pre-order from Riptide Publishing.
Publication dates and pre-order links as follows:
- Pressure Head: 1 January, 2018
- Relief Valve: 5 February, 2018
- Heat Trap: 5 March, 2018
- Blow Down: 2 April, 2018
![locknut_200x300[4]](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/904/40247243490_3a97895e2a.jpg)
JL Merrow 
Did he forget he was among writers? They are a very curious bunch. 😀
Tom doesn’t have a lot of experience with the breed! 😉
Some great character description there.
Thank you! ❤
Oh, wow, I’m drawn in and emphasizing, since I’ve been in the exact same position! 🙂
I’m sure you came up with something better than Tom does! 😉
Tom that should have been the first question you expected.
Of course, nobody in a writer’s group would ask you what you’re writing…. wonder how he gets himself out of this.
So much for being prepared. How’s he going to get out of this?
Uh yeah, if you’re gonna pretend something, you might want to research. 😀 Great snippet.
As I recall, Tom comes up with a fun storyline on the fly. 💕
Tom really should have expected that question! This is such a great series.
Don’t worry, Tom. I hate having to answer that question too.