WATTYS WINNER 2020 Two interconnected murders, 64 years apart. One woman's search for truth and identity. Readers' comments: 'a masterpiece', 'impeccably written', 'amazing', 'superbly crafted page-turner', 'hauntingly beautiful', 'tremendous plot and character development', 'one of a kind', 'fantastic story telling', 'loved this book', 'a wonderful read", 'absolutely beautiful', 'brought tears to my eyes' and many more Wattys judging panel: 'This is VERY good. We were HOOKED from the beginning, and the writing and plot hold up throughout. This is a very unique, polished, well-written and well-researched piece.' Plot Set partly in rural England, partly on the sun-kissed coast of southerm Italy, The Painted Altar is a murder mystery mixed with romantic and historical elements (World War Two). Given away at two days old, Mary Rice has spent her life in the shadows. When discovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding her biological mother's death, she embarks on a journey which will shine a light not only on the truth but also on her own identity. Brief extract Suddenly, the door had inched open, half a wrinkled face visible behind the tautened chain. "Hello. Who is it?" The words I was going to say had of course been well-rehearsed, repeated over and over in my mind like a mantra, but now that the moment had arrived I found myself struggling to remember them. "Mrs Harvey... I think that you might... well, that you might be..." The door closed, then slowly opened once more, the chain this time unlatched. And there she was before me - half a metre away, within arm's reach. Thin lips gradually crooking upwards at each corner like the slow beatific kindling of a summer's dawn. "Oh yes love, I know who you are." Length: 70,000 words About the author: Originally from England but for the last 16 years I've been living in Italy. I hope therefore that the Italian aspects of the novel will have a certain gloss of authenticity.

Detective Inspector Amber Rames investigates a series of murder cases in 2185 with the help of her new sergeant. Her attraction to him is hard to ignore, but having a relationship with a subordinate is illegal. ***** Four murder mysteries. One epic romance. It's 2185, and British civilization has moved underground after a nuclear war. In a city of bright lights and body-hacking, a wealthy woman is found dead in a dark alleyway, her throat slit. Detective Inspector Amber Rames is given the investigation...and a new partner to work with. Tall, dark, and a technological saviour, Detective Sergeant Alex Sullivan stirs feelings in her that she should ignore. Having a relationship with a subordinate is illegal. But as they work closely over several different murder cases, boundaries start to blur... WATTY AWARDS 2020 WINNER

When Adrienne's app TMI is a resounding success, she can't wait to reveal the dirty secrets of the glamorous "it" crowd of her prestigious school, but soon, lines begin to blur and she might find herself being the one who falls. *** Adrienne's plans have come to fruition. Her app, TMI, has taken Petraka Academy by storm, with its promise to reveal and confirm the juiciest gossip. It is also endorsed by the shiny "it" crowd who can't wait to ridicule the fallen. But they have no clue that Adrienne is coming for them, ready to push them off their pedestals one by one. Because she knows something no one else would believe. She knows that top-of-the-food chain Rosie Geld killed Audrey Hart. And once the truth hits TMI, everyone will know, and the guilty will finally pay. [[Watty Award winner in Mystery/Thriller]] Content warning: This story contains themes of bullying, sexual assault, eating disorders, drug use, abuse, violence and suicide. *** Cover designed by Holly Thurston

Would you recognize a serial killer if you talked to one every single day? Starving artist Lia Anderson doesn't. Neither do her friends at the Mount Airy Dog Park. Then the violent death of Lia's newly-ex boyfriend brings Detective Peter Dourson onto the scene. Peter penetrates the close-knit group of dog lovers with the help of Viola, the dead man's dog. The more he learns, the more he is convinced that someone is not who they seem. As his investigation uncovers secrets, a grieving Lia fights her growing attraction to the laid-back detective. Meanwhile, a killer hides in plain sight, desperate to stay ahead of the investigation-no matter who has to die. I'll post a new chapter every night. Enjoy!

When a violent serial killer arrives at Skie's boarding school, she decides to hunt down the murderer. But this murderer seems ruthless, and ready to kill anyone, as they're slowly killing off the students, one by one. But one question remains: will Skie (and her best friend Gwen) work out who it is before they themselves become victims?

When John Smith's brother Ethan commits 'suicide', it doesn't seem real. Neither do the clues that have lead authorities to determine he way he died. But what will happen when John and Ethan's fiancee begin to investigate? Is everything as it seems? And, more importantly, is everyone as they appear...

With eleven missing women to find and six high-profile burglary cases to solve, the last thing Detective Nathan McNamara needs in his life is one more complication. And that's exactly what his recent one-night stand is becoming-complicated. With his heinous lieutenant breathing down his neck for answers and his accidental girlfriend dropping hints for a commitment, Nathan is realizing that his career and his bachelor status are both on the line. When the burglary cases suddenly escalate to homicide, Nathan must put everything else aside to stop the killer. But this is easier said than done when the blonde from the bar repeatedly shows up at his doorstep and enlists his own mother against him. Now he's more convinced than ever that his job hangs in the balance and that the Surgeon General's warning on the whiskey bottle should include something about women. The Detective is part of THE SOUL SUMMONER Series. Book one of the series is available on WATTPAD.

A street-savvy P.I. with a big heart. A missing sister. And a hunky detective who is nothing but trouble. Things are about to heat up in Honolulu! (short novella-length cozy mystery)

When Psychology Professor Pamela Barnes discovers her department's star researcher strangled to death in the computer lab, she's determined to find out who did it. Will an accidental recording of the murder allow Pamela to use her expertise in acoustics to identify the killer? A unique cozy mystery--set in the world of academia and high-stakes research--full of excitement, humor, and romance.

[Merry Sister Mary Series Book 2] Sister Mary is a nun of extreme exceptions. She loves playing pranks, manipulating people for her own gain, running and screaming from the smallest of water droplets, and finding trouble wherever she goes. But behind her unholy exterior, lies a woman devoted to doing good in her own unique and humorous way. Removed from her convent, Sister Mary is sent to New Orleans, Louisiana, to live with the Poor Clares and the Ursuline nuns and hopefully learn the true discipline of being a nun. Unfortunately for them, Sister Mary has arrived during Halloween, and New Orleans famous for its supernatural history finds a host of dark events plaguing the senator's family. Sister Mary sneaks her way into the senator's costumed gala to learn more when a mysterious murder takes place leaving a trail of clues that could permanently alter the city's political future. With her nunery struggling to find funds and a treasure hunt for a horrible buried secret, only Sister Mary has the means to find humor in the dark and bring justice to light. ***Regular updates***