Ding Dong Bell, The Kitten in the Well

When I began reading author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen’s latest short stories, I wasn’t sure what I would encounter (other than an intriguing read) since the title referred to a kitten and a well.

What I found was a charming and suspenseful story that brought smiles and a touch of heartache. It’s a story easily read in a short time that leaves you wanting more.

Ursula Abbott is an elderly lady with a good number of cats living on the farm of Vernon Alnwick in the village of Knavesborough, Yorkshire. When Rev. George Gershwin visits with her, she seems to think she will soon be evicted from her house. Believing in Alnwick’s kindness, the good reverend thinks nothing else about it.

Days later Ursula’s son comes and removes all the cats from his mother’s home due to complaints of the smell. Within days, Ursula is discovered dead in her bed of an apparent heart attack.

When the kitten belonging to the reverend’s daughter goes missing, a search turns up nothing. A short time later, a smell fills their house and a handyman has to be called in to discover the cause of the odor.

As Rev. Gershwin puts the pieces together, a chilling discovery is made.

DING DONG BELL, THE KITTEN IN THE WELL is a fast read that draws you in quickly. The characters are refreshing and well-developed. 

The author’s descriptions and eye for detail places the reader in the middle of the action. The setting is a charming English countryside that envelops the reader transporting them to a different place and era. The author weaves a tale of suspense with humor for a well-balanced story.

This is a fast-moving story you don’t want to miss. 

Ding Dong Bell, The Kitten in the Well by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, A Gershwin and Penrose Mystery, Candied Crime, @2014, ASIN: B00JHMN7B6, Digital Download, 995 KB, 20 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you’re having a great week. What’s on your reading list for this week?

*This post contains affiliate links.

Anna Märklin's Family Chronicles by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen

It’s always fun when a friend and fellow blogger has a new book released. Author Dort Hummelshoj Jakobsen , who blogs at djskrimiblog, released her latest book - Anna Märklin's Family Chronicles - just before the holidays. I’m delighted to share my thoughts on it. The story is a bit of a psychological mystery, while her Knavesborough series falls more in the cozy category.

ANNA MARKLIN’S FAMILY CHRONICLES by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen

When I find a story by author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, I know I’m in for an entertaining tale filled with humor and quirky characters. While her latest release, Anna Märklin's Family Chronicles, doesn’t quite fall into this same category it is no less an intriguing story. Told in an expert manner, the story draws you in as you gather every tantalizing detail for the stunning conclusion.

The story is set in Scandinavia and some of the phrases may be a bit confusing for American readers. However, the author provides a glossary to make the translation smooth and educational.

The story centers around Anna Storm, a young Danish woman whose life is going no where. Her father is seriously ill, she’s unemployed and her neighbor and best friend begins receiving mysterious threats. She wants to know about her father’s family, he refuses and she doesn’t push it. When her friend dies unexpectedly, Anna still does nothing.

It’s only after she discovers her Swedish grandmother’s old notebooks that Anna begins to see things differently. At first she thinks the stories would make great children’s books, but she soon discovers dark family secrets hidden among the stories.

Her grandmother’s writings causes Anna to look at her family life a bit closer, as well as the circumstances of her friend’s death. In addition, the writings have a life-altering affect on Anna as well. 

The story flows smoothly back and forth from modern day Denmark to Sweden during the beginning of the last century. Jakobsen does an excellent job setting the scene for both time periods placing the reader in the midst of the action.

The characters are well-developed and thought out. Anna Storm is an intriguing protagonist with flaws making her more realistic. There is tension, suspense, and mystery with a touch of the author’s special humor blended in. 

Jakobsen has added a few twists in the story to keep the reader guessing until the end. Anna Märklin's Family Chronicles will hold you spellbound till the end. This is not a cozy mystery, but a story that shines a light on several serious topics and how they can impact a family resulting in murder and mystery. You won’t be able to stop reading until you know the truth.

Author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen blogs at http://djskrimiblog.wordpress.com

Anna Märklin's Family Chronicles by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, Candied Crime, @2012, ASIN: B00AQIGSVQ, Digital Format, 439 KB

FTC Full Disclosure - An eBook copy of this story was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. 

Thanks for stopping by today. Do you enjoy reading books by authors from other countries? Do you have a favorite foreign author?

** Note: Author Elizabeth George was schedule to visit with us today, but due to unforeseen circumstances wasn't able to. Hopefully we can reschedule with her for a later visit. **

THE COSY KNAVE by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen

Nothing says cosy mystery quite like a murder in a tea room of a quaint English village.

Knavesborough is a buzz as the town’s prodigal son, Mark Baldwin now Sir Marco Bellini, has returned with fame, fortune and a butler in tow after a 40-year absence to Argentina. Sir Bellini, a famous violinist, has come home after an accident and purchased Netherdale Manor.

Sir Bellini hosts a house warming party for the villages to see Netherdale Manor. As gossip has been plentiful, the villagers eagerly attend. Rose Walnut-Whip, a bit of a nosey body, can’t help exploring the many rooms of the manor. However, she soon becomes very ill.

Days later the villagers gather again, this time at the Ye Cosy Knave, a tea room, to watch the latest football match on the large screen. Rose has recovered and joins the crowd. A commotion disrupts among the group when they feel their team was cheated of goal. Minutes later Rose is found dead. She has been stabbed in front of the villagers, yet no one saw a thing.

Constable Archibald Penrose is called into investigate. He finds he’s on his own as his superior, DI Mars-Wrigley is obsessed with England’s chance at the football world cup. Penrose finds help from his fiancée, Rhapsody Gershwin. Being the village librarian and the vicar’s daughter, Rhapsody has her finger on the pulse of the community. 

Another murder occurs and it’s up to Penrose and Gershwin to find the killer before one of them becomes the next victim.

Author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen’s smooth flowing dialect and vivid details will have you smelling scones and reaching for a cup of tea. The quirky play on names (Kickinbottom, Cadbury-Flake, Warburton, etc.) is an added delight. 

But don’t be fooled, THE COSY KNAVE is also filled with suspense, intrigue and enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. There are twists and turns, and a few surprises along the way. Penrose and Gershwin make a charming and likeable pair of sleuths. Can’t wait to see what their next adventure is.

Author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen’s blog is djskrimiblog

The Cosy Knave by Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, A Gershwin And Penrose Mystery, Self-Published, @2011, ASIN: B005DTNXOI, Kindle Edition, 68,290 Words (Approximately) 

FTC Full Disclosure - This e-book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

The Cosy Knave Baton Relay

Crime writer and fellow blogger Dorte Hummelshøj Jakobsen’s novel THE COSY KNAVE has just been released and she has embarked on a most unusual and fun tour.

Here’s the synopsis of THE COSY KNAVE: The vicious attacks begin when the prodigal son of Knavesborough returns to the sleepy village after forty years in Argentina with fame and fortune. No wonder that spiteful Rose Walnut-Whip is killed, but when the violence escalates, Constable Penrose knows he needs help from his fiancée, librarian Rhapsody Gershwin.
 
It’s now available at Smashwords, Amazon and Diesel E-Books.  It’s listed at $3.99, but if you buy at Smashwords and use this coupon code: PN22N, you get a 25% discount. Not that you need that excuse to get it. THE COSY KNAVE is a terrific novel and I’m proud and honored to be a part of the book’s launch. 

Instead of doing the traditional blog tour, Dorte decided to do something new - a launch relay race or baton relay. As we celebrate the launch of THE COSY KNAVE, several of us in the blogosphere are joining together to help you get to know Dorte and her writing a little better. I'm thrilled to be a part of this group.

In this baton relay, instead of batons, we’re passing questions and answers. The relay started with Dorte’s own fabulous blog and moved to Margot Kinberg's Confessions of a Mystery Novelist, then to Judith's Leeswammes' Blog, from there to Clarissa Draper’s Listening to the voices blog, then to Helen's blog How Mysterious!, and then went to Kerrie’s blog Mysteries in Paradise, next was Bill’s blog Mysteries and More from Saskatchewan, then back home to Dorte’s own fabulous blog, from there to Col Reads, then back to Clarissa Draper’s blog, and now here.

For my part….
Here’s the answer to Question # 10 (What are the best things about being a self-published writer?) posted on Clarissa's blog yesterday. 

No beating around the bush; if I had had a choice before the first of August, I would probably have jumped at any offer from an agent or publisher. But while turning fifty may send some women, and perhaps even more men, into a jittery panic, I am quite determined to live my life while I am here. No posthumous fame for me; I´d rather be a total disaster today. (Okay, go ahead and think this is my midlife crisis - as long as you don´t tell me face to face).

First of all, I enjoy the freedom to decide when and where to publish. I can write my stories, polish them at leisure, and when I think they are ready for publication, I can just push a button - and poof, they are out there! It´s also up to me to decide what is a reasonable price for an e-book, and if I want to offer a story for free, have a sale or whatever, I can just go ahead and do it. (With Amazon, it is not quite as simple as that, but then there is always flexible Smashwords.)

And now that I have tried it a couple of times, I also begin to enjoy creating my own covers (assisted by generous bloggers who allow me to use their pictures). I am far from professional, and there is a thing or two I would have liked to do differently, but on the whole the final cover of "The Cosy Knave" expresses what I want it to - and it seems that my readers love it.

So all in all, I wonder if I am just too old and stubborn to bother about agents and all that. Because even if it still seems to be a daunting project in some ways, I´m also having so much fun being my own boss. 

And…
Question #11 - What are the worst things about being a self-published writer? 

Be sure to check out Joanne's blog, A CERTAIN BOOK tomorrow at for the answer and the next question.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re enjoying this relay tour as much as I am.

Author Dorte H. Jakobsen on E-Booking It

I’m delighted to welcome author Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen back to Thoughts in Progress today as the special guest blogger as she makes a stop on her virtual book tour for her second release.
 
Dorte, who is also a fellow blogger, recently published her second e-book, LIQUORICE TWISTS. It’s categorized as mystery and detective short stories. It’s a collection of 20 flash fiction stories (from 100 to 2,500 words). While her first volume, CANDIED CRIME DJ’S DAIM STORIES VOLUME I, was crime for fun; these may be called ‘her darker materials.’

As e-books and self-publishing is gaining more and more attention, Dorte was kind enough to explain about ‘E-booking it’ for me and offer a special treat for those dropping by to read her post.

First, I´d like to say thank you to Mason for your kind invitation to visit you during my blog tour.

The established book business seems to have figured out that e-books have come to stay, and while some regard the new technology as the doomsday of the paper book, others embrace it and imagine that in a few years, writers will neither need agents nor traditional publishers.

But does self-publishing your works in the form of e-books mean you are slumming it, that your books are not good enough for the traditional market so now you are struggling desperately to earn a few cents despite lack of talent? Or are e-book writers the pioneers about to conquer the world of the reader anew?

As usual, the truth is probably somewhere in between. Lately we have heard titillating accounts of writers who self-publish their books and sell millions of copies, but my experiences may be closer to what you should expect if you are no Stephen King or James Patterson.

After several years of writing I have learnt to live with - and admit - the fact that I have not landed the big contract yet. In the beginning each rejection felt like a personal defeat, but they did not make me give up writing. So today I know I have much more to offer my readers, better plots, more credible characters and far better language. Yet, even though I am a Scandinavian, I am just not the next Stieg Larsson. I don’t write thrillers at all so even though I write just as well as several crime writers in my part of the world who had their debut before the financial crisis, it is next to impossible to find a publisher who dares take on a traditional crime novel from the pen of an unknown writer.

So for me it was a rather spontaneous decision to take things in my own hands. In February I published CANDIED CRIME, my first volume of flash fiction, forty-eight hours after getting the idea. You might call it a trial run, something I did to find out if anyone would want to buy my stuff. This time I have tackled things a bit more professionally, preparing the launch of LIQUORICE TWISTS in advance, making a proper cover and arranging a blog tour.

Do I expect to gain wealth and fame in the next few months? No, not exactly. I expect that I will sell more copies this time round, and I quite enjoy not having to ask anybody before I publish. I have not given up the goal of publishing paper books via a traditional publisher yet, however. I am still doing what I can to find an agent for my mystery novel, THE COSY KNAVE, set in a Yorkshire village. I would like the feel of security, knowing that my book was in professional hands, leaving me time to write instead of spending lots of my resources selling the stuff.

But if I don´t succeed - well, there is always that tempting self-publishing button. Doing everything my way is hard but also fun, and the idea does not scare me any more.

If I have made any of you curious, you might want a free taste of my writing style. During the launch period of LIQUORICE TWISTS (May and June) I offer free copies of HEATHER FARM, a short story which is a bit unusual for me because it contains elements of the supernatural and lots of romance.

You can find the story here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55375. And the free coupon code is EP59D.
Dorte, thanks for including Thoughts in Progress on your blog tour. It’s always fun to have you guest posting. I think the world of self-publishing is opening lots of doors for authors, but also giving readers the opportunity to find new authors they might not have otherwise.

Just a little background on Dorte, who teaches English at upper secondary level. In her spare time she reads and writes crime fiction in English and Danish, and in 2010 she sold her first flash stories to American magazines and publishers. For more on Dorte and her writing, check out her blog DJ’s krimiblog.

What are your thoughts on e-books and self-publishing? If you’re a writer, have you given it a try yet?                

**Sorry that I won’t be able to drop back by today and will still be away from the internet for a bit more. Thank you for your continued support for this blog and especially your concern and caring for my mother-in-law. She continues to improve and we are slowly getting into a routine that will make things easier. She is getting a little stronger each day and her attitude continues to be good. She is ready to get out and work in her flowers. Again, thanks so much. I hope to have several book reviews for you in the coming days. 

Author Dorte H. Jakobsen Visits

It’s my pleasure to welcome author and fellow blogger Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen as the special guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress as she ventures out to promote her recently release.

Dorte just recently self-published her first book, CANDIED CRIME. DJ´S DAIM STORIES VOL I. Thanks to Dorte I finally have an international giveaway I can share with everyone. Dorte is graciously giveaway 3 electronic copies of CANDIED CRIME to some lucky visitors commenting on her post between now and 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Be sure to include your e-mail address in your comments if it’s not included in your profile.

Dorte has stopped by today to answer some questions about your writing and her recently release.

Thank you very much Mason for opening your doors to an obscure crime writer from tiny Denmark! I really appreciate what you and other members of the blogging community do for indie authors like me. 
 
I am a Danish teacher of English, and in my spare time I read, review and write crime fiction. I am 49 years old - at least for a few hours.

I sold a few flash fiction stories to American magazines and publishers last year, and one week ago I published "CANDIED CRIME. DJ´S DAIM STORIES VOL I" via Smashwords.
 
I think the title says it quite clearly; this is crime fiction for fun - thirteen very short stories, lots of quirky characters and unexpected twists. Adverse affects: occasional snorts and giggles, but hardly any nightmares.
  
Mason - What inspired you to write these cozy flash fiction stories?

Dorte - I participated in an online writing course two years ago (in Danish), and when I had finished ten short writing tasks, I realized that what I had just learnt was called flash fiction in the English-speaking world. Before that I had never considered writing anything shorter than novels, but many of my virtual class mates thought my characters were funny and liked my twists, and when I began to publish some of them in English via my blog, I developed a small groups of readers who asked for more fun. It is still my ambition to write and publish crime novels, but right now it feels good to have some texts out there - and see that people actually download the free sample or buy the whole collection.
 
Mason - What was the easiest thing about self-publishing and what was the most difficult?

Dorte - Well, it took some hours to format the texts, but what struck me was that the whole process went so much smoother than I had expected. I used Smashwords´ free style guide and when I thought my file was okay, I just pushed that button - and realized I had happened to publish a book! Not a perfect copy, mind you, and I promise I will be more thorough and professional when I publish my next collection - and hopefully avoid ´white-hared´ women or other embarrassing typos. All in all, I am so impressed by Smashwords´ professional and user-friendly publishing platform. THIS IS EASY, FOLKS - IF YOU HAVE A NOVEL OR COLLECTION OF STORIES, JUST TRY IT! It´s much simpler than you can imagine.
 
And something that went even smoother - I sent a short e-mail to a local journalist, asking if they were interested in my venture. They filled a whole page, and when the regional radio and TV stations saw that, they called me and asked very politely for reviews - because e-books are a new phenomenon in Scandinavia. My, free radio and TV spots for the big fish in the local goldfish bowl!
 
Mason - Is there one author in particular that has influenced your writing and if so, how?

Dorte - Now, if I say P.D. James and Ruth Rendell, it might sound as if I compare my work to theirs. But though I have read thousands of crime novels over the years, there is something about the traditional British crime story that makes me return for more. More series, more authors. I can´t help it, I am an incorrigible Anglophile. (I am not even sure I want a cure).
 
As "CANDED CRIME" is cosy crime, I might mention the wonderful British television series "Midsomer Murders" and Inspector Tom Barnaby as another source of inspiration. Talk about quirky characters and mushroom collectors!
 
Mason - Do you keep to a certain schedule or location when writing?

Dorte - As I use a laptop, I can write anywhere so I have written most of my stories in our living room, surrounded by my family who are either reading or watching television. I wish I could say I had a schedule, but I work part-time and have to put my teaching first. Besides, I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so I have days or sometimes even weeks when I am unable to write a word. On a good day I try to write for an hour or two, and if I can hit the one-thousand-word mark, I consider it a good day.
 
Mason - What can readers expect next from you?

Dorte - If only I could say a novel, but I think it is more likely that it will be a second volume of "DAIM STORIES", this time some that are more serious in tone than "CANDIED CRIME" (some of my dark materials). 

 
Dorte, thanks so much for guest blogging here today and providing the giveaway. You have given me a great appreciation for e-books and mushrooms (you’ll find out why in her book).

Now for a bit more information on Dorte. She teaches English at upper secondary level. In her spare time she reads and writes crime fiction in English and Danish, and in 2010 she sold her first flash stories to American magazines and publishers. For more on Dorte and her writing, check out her blog DJ’s krimiblog. And BTW, tomorrow - Saturday, Feb. 12 - is her 50th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORTE!!!