Book Spotlight: London Noir

Book Excerpt

Sophie dipped her brush in water and then chose azure blue to finish the detail. Azure blue reminded her of summer days and sandy beaches. It also reminded Sophie of her mother, and, as usual, the thought brought a bitter taste to the back of her mouth. Sophie swallowed. Concentrating to stop the trembling in her fingers, with one, two, three strokes, she finished the butterfly wings. The makeup brush clattered onto the dresser. Sophie twisted towards the mirror and admired the trail of tiny, azure butterflies sweeping up over her shoulder. In the light of the bedroom lamp, the sequins of her silver dress reflected the blue of the butterflies’ open wings.

Sophie swept her clutch bag from the bed and placed inside it the syringe, then the perfume and pepper spray. The spray was a noxious mix, designed to blind the victim and, even better, make them writhe in agony. For that reason, Lady Penny insisted all the girls carried it. Lastly, Sophie picked up the flick knife and touched her finger to the razor-sharp edge. Sugar G had trained them – a strike to the eye, to the crease of the groin, or the stomach – all the soft parts of the body. Not all the girls carried a knife, and she was certain of those who did, none of them carried it to commit murder.

London Noir by Ann Girdharry

Memory loss, nightmares, the urge to kill – Sophie has it all. Is it really post-traumatic stress disorder? Or something more sinister? Kal is about to find out…

After a near-fatal road accident, Kal helps Sophie, a young girl in trouble. The girl’s friends are being murdered one by one. Why? And who by? Kal must kick start herself out of her downward spiral to save the young stranger. But Kal is in the grip of the London Cartel and is someone stalking the girl, or is the girl stalking someone?

To be published 17^th October 2017

Ann Girdharry

Ann Girdharry is a British crime suspense thriller author.

A trained psychotherapist, she worked for many years as a manager in the not-for-profit sector, for agencies working with carers, vulnerable older people, survivors of abuse, and victims of racial attacks.

She currently lives in Montpellier, France with her husband and two children.

Her debut novel, GOOD GIRL BAD GIRL, is an ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD Finalist 2017.

Her second crime suspense thriller, LONDON NOIR, will be published October 2017.