The Blurb
Private investigators Alexandra Neve and Ashford Egan are hired to succeed where the police have failed, to safely return home a missing ballerina. With no lead to pursue and no idea who could be behind the young woman’s kidnapping, they soon find themselves at a loss as to what to do.
To make matters worse, the heart of England seems to be caught in the middle of a little Ice Age. With snow endlessly falling and Tube lines either too cramped up to use or out of service, it is a pain to do any legwork in the huge metropolis.
Oh, and because trouble never comes alone, there may also be a serial killer on the loose in the streets of East London...
Danse Macabre By Cristelle Comby
Series: The Neve & Egan Cases, #3
The Excerpt
The boys’ light is quick to narrow on me. ‘Whozthere?’ one demands.
‘Hi guys,’ I reply, as kindly as I can. I show them my empty hands as I keep walking in their direction. ‘I’m not a cop, don’t worry.’
‘Whatcha doing here?’ baseball cap asks.
I decide to tell them the truth, hoping curiosity will be enough to keep them from running away. ‘I’m a private investigator. I’m looking for a man. We believe he may have used these old tunnels to escape a crime scene.’
‘Really?’ the kid asks again. ‘A PI, like on the telly?’
Not really, no. Sadly, my life is nothing like what Hollywood makes it look like. ‘Yes,’ I lie. ‘Just like in the movies.’
‘Do you have a gun?’ the guy with the metal bar asks.
My eyes narrow on him as I pay good attention to his posture and the way he now holds the bar with both hands. I’m being plain, I know, but I want him to realise his move wasn’t subtle enough for me. ‘Yes, and a taser.’ None of it is true, but I square my shoulders and continue with my bluff. ‘Trust me; you don’t want me to use either on you.’
Both kids look at each other nervously. ‘Don’t worry, boys; I don’t intend to.’ I smile at them again, a wide smile. They’re teenagers, I’m a woman; I don’t need any weapon, after all. ‘I only want to know if you’ve seen anyone weird down here.’
‘B’sides you, ya mean?’ baseball cap asks. I flash him my most charming smile in reply.
‘No one,’ his friend answers. ‘But we don’t come here very often. Only when our mum’s too busy to take us to Dad’s herself. It’s a shorter walk down here than up there.’
I had no idea the two teens were related. Now that I’m paying closer attention, I notice similarities in the hard angles of the jawlines and the sharpness of the cheeks.
‘Do you know if anyone else uses these tracks?’ I ask.
‘There’s some tramps,’ baseball cap says. ‘They’re staying in the curve, but we never go there.’
‘No one else?’ I ask.
Interview with the Author
I have a special guest in the studio today.
Please help me welcome Cristelle Comby!
Did you have a specific inspiration for this book?
The dancing aspect was. I’ve always been in awe with dancers, ballerinas especially. There’s such grace to their movements. I’m happy to have been able to incorporate some of these elements in this book.
The dancing aspect was. I’ve always been in awe with dancers, ballerinas especially. There’s such grace to their movements. I’m happy to have been able to incorporate some of these elements in this book.
Do you have a favorite character in this book?
My main characters, Alexandra Neve and Ashford Egan. I love them to pieces and I adore watching their relationship evolve.
What is the best part of being an author?
Watching the characters come to life; finding new obstacles to put in their path, make them evolve.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, as far back as I can remember. I only started doing it more seriously a few years ago though.
Do you prefer to write books that are in a series, or stand-alone books?
I’m in the middle of a series right now. Just released book three and the fourth will be out next year. That one will mark the end of a large story arc, so I might take a break from the series once that one is done. I don’t know what will be next though.
Can you tell us about any books you may have in the planning stage?
Well, book four of the Neve & Egan cases, obviously. I have about a quarter of it done already. Without going into too much details, it’s a tricky one to write. It’s also the one I’ve been dying to write since I started this series, but I had to set the stage for it first.
What books by other authors have influenced your life?
I can’t think of one that would have ‘influenced’ my life. It’s too strong a word to be applied to any reading I’ve done. Books, to me, have always been a way to get away from my life, to discover new worlds, go on adventures. They’re ways to escape the monotony of life.
Which writer would you consider to be a mentor?
I like the way Jim Butcher writes. It’s full of dry humor, colorful characters and after a decade with the same series, he still have awesome plots. I try to remind myself of what I like in a good book, when I write.
What are you currently reading?
I’m in the middle of the second Monster Hunter International book, by Larry Correia. And I’m very much looking forward to the next installment in Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners saga which will be out early January 2015. And also the next book in Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicle.
Do you have any hobbies other than reading?
I watch way too many TV, and I love baking.
Are there any new authors who have captured your interest?
Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss are new to me. Their books were recommended by friends and I had a great time discovering both authors.
If you could have a dinner party and invite four authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite, and why?
I don’t know. Is there a list of ‘hottest male author’ somewhere? If so, then the first four guys on that list.
What four items do you always have in your fridge or pantry?
Sparkling water, Coke, chocolate, yogurt.
Is there anything else you would like my readers to know?
I just hope you guys will enjoy this book. And if you did, please spread the word.
Good advice. Spread the word to your friends, and leave online reviews!
Good advice. Spread the word to your friends, and leave online reviews!
~~~
The Author
About Cristelle Comby
Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent.
She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.
Danse Macabre is her third new-adult novel, and she’s hard at work on the next titles in the Neve & Egan series.
Find her on the web at
The Giveaway
Cristelle will be awarding a signed copy of her book titled Danse Macabre to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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