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Motives That Lie Beneath
A Murder in Ashwood follows an amateur sleuth who suspects the murder of a prominent man in town is only the start of the secrets that are being hidden. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I think the most common reaction to any injustice is outrage, followed by a desire to shine a light on the people who try to shirk responsibility or shift the blame to others. In Ashwood, Sarah Payne had fallen in love with the victim, and since no one is officially held to account for his murder—and because every one of the likely suspects has something to gain from remaining in the shadows—she decides that it will be up to her to avenge him.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I don’t suppose any writer can entirely keep himself from revealling something about himself in his work, but in my case if it happens, it’s entirely unconscious. In fact, I have a practice I follow quite closely: If, as I am writing, I ever feel that my personality, beliefs, or autobiographical elements are creeping into the story, I stop writing and go and do something different. Then I come back and begin again with a clean slate. I want to tell my characters’ story—not my story.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
It never fails to surprise me how consistently shocking real life can be, so to my mind fiction ought to offer up surprises and shocks that happen just as naturally as a story goes along. Human beings will very willingly do strange and shocking things for power, money, revenge, or conquest — often without much, if any, thought to the consequences of their actions. Good fiction, I think, is both a mirror in which we can view human behavior, and also an X-ray machine that allows us to see the motives that lie beneath it.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next installment in the Avenging Angel Detective Agency Mysteries, Current of Darkness, will appear in Spring 2024. It’s all finished and is with the imprint now, so it’s time for them to work their magic!
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Buffalo, New York…as the remains of the great Pan-American Exposition are swept away, and the bitter memories of William McKinley’s assassination begin to fade…the city reels again, at the sensational murder of successful businessman Edward Miller, bludgeoned to death in his cozy den, in one of the city’s most fashionable enclaves: Ashwood.
But for all its glitz and glamor, Ashwood guards the dark secrets of its fashionable residents…including those of Edward’s estranged wife Alicia, her lover Arthur Pendle, and would-be detective Sarah Payne. Soon, they will all face a hurricane of courtroom drama, public outrage, and the behind-the-scenes scheming of cold and corrupt District Attorney Terence Penrose.
Meanwhile, those caught up in the most scandalous crime of a new century have reputations to protect…skeletons best kept hidden away in the tidy closets of trendy Ashwood…and plenty of reasons to keep the motive behind Edward Miller’s murder from ever seeing the light of day – a motive that only the victim and his killer knew…
Can justice be done…and the truth uncovered by the Avenging Angel Detective Agency…before a killer strikes again?
Find out in award-winning A Murder in Ashwood…the second novel in the Avenging Angel Detective Agency™ Mysteries from Robert Brighton, acclaimed author of The Unsealing.
It’s as much a ‘whydunit’ as a ‘whodunit’ in a page-turning story that leaves readers wanting more.
Contains three original interior scratchboard illustrations by Mark Summers.
Discover the Avenging Angel Detective Agency Mysteries…
Get your copy today!
A Murder in Ashwood
After the discovery of Edward Miller’s lifeless body in his residence, a prominent member of the Ashwood social circle, the once-thriving society is thrown into turmoil. Adding to the intrigue, Edward’s estranged wife, Alicia Miller, returns to the scene amid whispers, conjecture, and relentless media scrutiny fueled by their ongoing divorce proceedings. While the police diligently pursue their investigation, a sudden suicide raises suspicions, potentially sabotaging any hope of a successful resolution. In this volatile environment, it falls upon the intelligent and determined Sarah Payne to untangle the web of deception, seek justice, and uncover truths that will shatter her faith in both the concept itself and the people she believed she knew.
Robert Brighton’s A Murder in Ashwood is a meticulously crafted mystery notable for its well-crafted narrative. While it serves as a sequel, it functions seamlessly as a standalone novel, requiring no prior knowledge of the series. Brighton’s prose is lucid, focused, and, at times, vividly descriptive. The story eschews unnecessary filler, placing a heavy emphasis on natural and engaging dialogue. Characters behave convincingly and realistically, reflecting Brighton’s thorough research into the societal norms and behaviors of the chosen period. The result is a remarkable historical mystery that defies conventional expectations.
The heart of the mystery in this novel is less about identifying the perpetrator, as the identity becomes apparent early on. However, this revelation doesn’t diminish the tension but instead shifts the focus onto the journey rather than the destination. How did the murderer execute their plan? How many allies were involved? Can truth and justice prevail against an orchestrated web of corruption and oppressive authority? These are the mysteries that our protagonists must unravel, and their ultimate triumph remains uncertain. As they inch closer to the truth, they begin to question the very values that initially drove them to seek justice, leaving readers to ponder their fate with bated breath.
Pages: 534 | ASIN : B0C7H3NHLN
A Murder in Ashwood
A Murder in Ashwood by Robert Brighton is the ultimate turn-of-the-century murder mystery. When Mrs. Miller’s husband is found brutally killed in their home, everything turns upside down; as the coroner removes the body, an autopsy is conducted, and an investigation is initiated. The story quickly becomes an intriguing mystery about Mr. Miller’s murder, with everyone a potential suspect, leading to a compelling case.
From the beginning, the reader plunges into the heart of the action in this enthralling historical mystery novel, with strong, well-developed characters and raw, emotional dialogue. The author is descriptive, unveiling each scene and event so that readers can see it clearly in their minds, noting any possible clues that may be revealed. I enjoyed the details of each development throughout the book, from the family’s complicated relationship with each other to the funeral arrangements and suddenly becoming the center of media attention.
The author brings a unique writing style and characters to the traditional murder-mystery genre with page-turning excitement and the determination of Sarah of the Avenging Angel Detective Agency to solve the case. I enjoyed the modern twist of a woman detective and the blunt, strong language expressed by key players in the story. The narration style and lively characters piqued my interest in the book, and after completing the story, they exceeded my expectations.
A Murder in Ashwood by Robert Brighton is an entertaining, gritty, and exciting read that captivated me. I recommend this spectacular book for its original style and intriguing characters, which kept me reading from one chapter to the next. The story felt realistically portrayed as if I was reading a true crime novel set in the first years of the twentieth century. It’s an excellent read for fans of murder mysteries and suspense.
Pages: 448 | ASIN: B0C5Y1TYMZ
LITERARY TITAN 