Part of Series
Curiosity, noun. 1) A strong desire to know or learn something. 2) An unusual or interesting object or fact. 3) That thing which will definitely get you killed. (See also ‘reckless’.) Amy Matthews – newly qualified physicist, overachiever and latent psychic – is feeling restless. That’s the trouble with the fast track – suddenly you’re done and left with too much time on your hands and not enough to occupy your mind. Maybe that’s why her ‘special skillset’ is misbehaving. What she really needs is some excitement. Amy is about to regret that wish. Stumbling across the body of a hanged man, Amy is convinced he was murdered. The taciturn, mercurial and gorgeous detective she recently antagonised agrees with her. Pushed into an uneasy alliance, she and DS Danvers hunt for a murderer. One who has killed before and plans to kill again. A killer who has a desperate agenda and an affinity for the occult… Amy’s time is running out. But at least she’s not feeling directionless anymore. …Right? When science can’t save you, it’s time to break the laws of physics… Dead Man's Hand is the prequel novella to the Harker & Blackthorn series - pulse-pounding urban fantasy which follows three cryptid hunters as they search for mysterious beasts, face up to a corrupt secret organisation and discover the secret of an ancient artefact. If you like snarky heroines, nail-biting action, humour, monster hunters, psychic mystery, a diverse cast and a touch of slow burn romance, give this a try.
Author
Urban fantasy and historical fiction author J.A. Ironside masquerades by day as member of the county library service, which strangely enough has less to do with books than you would think.
Jules grew up in Dorset in a house full of books, which probably explains a lot about how her mind works. You might think that folklore, fringe science, history, physics, magic and supernatural mystery wouldn’t go all that well together, but she’s hell bent on proving they do. Her urban fantasy series Harker & Blackthorn is now ten books long and counting. It features a sentient museum because someone needs to keep track of what’s going on. Unveiled – another UF series set in the same universe – is now complete.
Jules is also determined to show that historical fiction can be both factually correct and funny. The King’s Knight series is set during the tumultuous reign of Richard II, while the sweeping Oath and Crown Duology – co-authored with Matthew Willis – follows the events leading up to and around the Battle of Hastings.
When pried her away from her books, Jules enthusiastically engages in martial arts and playing the piano, although never at the same time. At least not yet. She lives on the edge of the Cotswold way with her boyfriend creature and two hell’s kittens. Find out more at www.jaironside.com
