Catch as Catch Can (The Merseyside Crime Series Book 1) by Malcolm Hollingdrake (popular books to read .TXT) 📕

The seaside is a good place to do this. Here time is tested by tide, architecture by the elements and the prevalence of sky seems to question the earth’s substance. It is no hero, no ideal, just the industrially reproduced body of a middle-aged man trying to remain standing and trying to breathe, facing the horizon busy with ships moving materials and manufactured things around the planet.

For me, Another Place is certainly a jewel in Merseyside’s crown and I feel privileged to be able to experience this ever-changing art installation.

Malcolm

About the Author

You could say that the writing was clearly on the wall for anyone born in a library that they might aspire to be an author but to get to that point, Malcolm Hollingdrake has travelled a circuitous route.

Malcolm worked in education for many years, even teaching for a period in Cairo before he started writing, a challenge he longed to tackle for more years than he cares to remember.

Malcolm has written a number of successful short stories and has more than ten books available (and more to come).

Born in Bradford and spending three years in Ripon, Malcolm has never lost his love for his home county, a passion that is reflected in the settings of several Harrogate Crime Series novels.

Malcolm has enjoyed many hobbies including works by Northern artists; the art auctions offer a degree of excitement when both buying and certainly when selling. It’s a hobby he has bestowed on DCI Cyril Bennett, of his characters in the Harrogate Crime Series.

Acknowledgments

Writing is a selfish pastime that allows only me to travel to a fictitious world. I have a wonderful time creating the characters, researching the crimes and the elements that make up all aspects of the writing but there comes a time when the ink is dry that I need others to help. Without the interaction from the readers, I do not believe I would achieve the same degree of satisfaction. It is clear to them, from our chats, that for me the characters created within the pages of my books are real. They trudge the streets, drink in the same pubs as them, they admire the same scenery yet cringe when the shadows grow long whilst delivering justice. I try to make them live and breathe. Creating not only Decent and Warlock but the lesser characters brings the same degree of satisfaction. It will be interesting to see who will grow into the light in future books.

For this creativity to happen, however, I’m grateful to many people and I would like to tell you about some individuals and some groups. Obviously, I cannot name them all and if any should slip through the net, my apologies.

My wife, Debbie, must take centre stage. Her dedication, understanding and patience are limitless and I could not do this without her. Thank you. x

To Helen Gray, my sincere thanks for casting your professional eye over each and every word.

Caroline Vincent has been a true friend and guardian angel from the very beginning to whom I shall forever be grateful.

What would authors be without the advanced readers and the blogging community? Those prolific, enthusiastic readers who turn a pleasure into a profession. My thanks to each and every one. It is here I must also mention the reading and book groups who spread the word; please remember how vital you are.

Sincere thanks to Carry Heap, Ian and Gill Cleverdon, David and Jan Johnson (whose lovely cottage now belongs to Skeeter during the course of this series!), Georgie, Lucy and the staff at Cordings, who have always been a strength, Lucy Sampson and Samantha Brownley from UKCBC, Donna Morfett, Dee Groocock and Craig Gillan for your unfailing support.

A special thanks goes to Royce Banks of Royce’s Gym, for his guidance with all things wrestling.

Receiving an acceptance to join the Hobeck family has given me a tremendous boost and I look forward to working alongside the many fine authors now signed. Thank you, Rebecca and Adrian, for seeing something in my writing that attracted you to the series.

Finally, to close, as always, last but certainly not least, I mention you, yes you, holding the Kindle or paperback, the reader, for without you I would not be here. Thank you for buying and reading this the first book in the series. If you have enjoyed it then please mention my work to friends and family, as word of mouth is the best way to see more people discover Hobeck Books.

Until Book Two

Thank you

Malcolm

Also by Malcolm Hollingdrake

Bridging the Gulf

A thriller set in Yorkshire and Cyprus

The Harrogate Crime Series

Only the Dead

Hell’s Gate

Flesh Evidence

Game Point

Dying Art

Crossed Out

The Third Breath

Treble Clef

Threadbare

Fragments

Hobeck Books – the home of great stories

This book is the first in the Merseyside Crime Series, the second book, Syn, is also to be a Hobeck Books publication. There will be many more to follow after that (we hope).

If you’ve enjoyed this book, please visit Malcolm’s website: www.malcolmhollingdrakeauthor.co.uk to read about his other writing, inspirations, writing life and for news about his forthcoming writing projects.

Malcolm is also the author of the acclaimed Harrogate Crime Series of which there are ten books.

Hobeck Books also presents a weekly podcast, the Hobcast, where founders Adrian Hobart and Rebecca Collins discuss all things book related, key issues from each week, including the ups and downs of running a creative business. Each episode includes an interview with one of the people who make Hobeck possible: the editors, the authors, the cover designers. These are the people who help Hobeck bring great stories to life. Without them, Hobeck wouldn’t exist. The Hobcast can be listened to from all the usual platforms but it can also be found on the Hobeck website: www.hobeck.net/hobcast.

Finally, if you enjoyed this book, please also leave a review on the site you bought it from and spread the word. Reviews are hugely important to writers and they help other