Today I join author, Hélene Fermont, on tour with her new release His Guilty Secret.
Due for release on 27th November, it is described as ‘an unafraid examination of the tangled bonds between siblings, the lengths we go to in protecting our wrongdoings, and the enduring psychological effects this has on the innocent…and the not so innocent.’
I have an extract for you all today but first up let me tell you a little about His Guilty Secret…
Book Info:
When Jacques’s body is discovered in a hotel room his wife, Patricia, suspects he has been hiding something from her.
Why was he found naked and who is the woman that visited his grave on the day of the funeral? Significantly, who is the unnamed beneficiary Jacques left a large sum of money to in his will and what is the reason her best friend, also Jacques’s sister, Coco, refuses to tell her what he confided to her?
Struggling to find out the truth, Patricia visits Malmö where her twin sister Jasmine lives and is married to her ex boyfriend. But the sisters relationship is toxic and when a family member dies shortly after, an old secret is revealed that shines a light on an event that took place on their tenth birthday.
As one revelation after the other is revealed, Patricia is yet to discover her husband’s biggest secret and what ultimately cost him his life.
Purchase Link ~ His Guilty Secret
Extract:
“May we come inside?” the taller officer said. “We need to talk to you.”
Her heart thundering in her chest, Patricia stepped aside to let them in, then led them into the kitchen.
“Please sit down. Is there someone we can call for you? You mustn’t be on your own at present.’’
Patricia’s mouth was so dry she couldn’t speak. Tears welling in her eyes, she forced herself to ask, “Is my husband injured? Have you come here to tell me he’s had an accident?”
The tall officer shook his head. “Please let us call someone, a friend or next of kin,” he persisted.
“No! Just tell me whatever it is you’ve come here for. I’ve a right to know if something’s happened!” She reluctantly sat down at the table.
Seating themselves on either side of her, the younger officer spoke up. “We regret to inform you your husband’s body was discovered this afternoon in a room at Hilton Gatwick Hotel. He was found by a member of staff. There will need to be an autopsy, but it would appear he suffered a heart attack.”
Patricia looked at them in disbelief. “No…Jacques is on his way home to me…He’ll probably be here soon.” But as she spoke, Patricia knew they told her the truth. “Oh, Jacques! How…What happened to him and why didn’t he call me to tell me he was ill? Oh, please God…I don’t understand…All he told me was he needed to unwind after a flight…” None of it made any sense.
“Please allow us to call someone to be here with you,” the officer insisted as he and his colleague expressed their condolences.
Too distraught to respond, Patricia gestured at Clemency’s number on the refrigerator. As they spoke to her friend, explaining what had happened, she started to cry until she almost couldn’t catch her breath. Jacques was dead: she would never be able to talk to him again. Never again could she touch him or plan their future.
When Clemency entered the kitchen soon after, the older officer handed her a contact number in case Patricia wanted to ask them anything.
Later, as they lay in her and Jacques’s bed, Patricia held her friend’s hand and asked, “What happens now? I’ve got to find out why he died! Jacques was never ill for a single day in his life…”
“I’m so sorry for your loss. You must take one step at the time. I’ll be here for you for as long as you need me. Please try to rest.” Clemency gave her a sleeping tablet, which she hoped would help calm her down.
“What about your guests? You must return to them. I’ve no right to keep you!”
“I’m not going anywhere. My guests know the reason I’m here, they understand.” Clemency watched as her friend tossed and turned in bed then fell into a restless sleep. What happened will hit her hard when she wakes up, she thought, thinking Jacques must have had a specific reason to spend the night in a hotel instead of returning home to his wife.
Later that evening, the same officers called again, informing Patricia they would get someone to deliver Jacques’s car the following day. Unknown to them, he’d emptied it of his belongings in the event something happened to him after he first became ill.
Meet the Author:
Born into an Anglo-Swedish family, Hélene Fermont grew up in Malmö in Sweden. Surrounded by an idlyllic landscape, she started writing at eight years old.
Spending a brief time in the music industry performing on Swedish TV and radio, she decided to pursue a career as a therapist, focusing on children with learning difficulties.
In the mid-90s Hélene moved away from Sweden to move to London, the city has been her home now for over 20 years.
Despite her love of London, she frequently travels back to her native city of Malmö to get back to the landscape of her childhood which first inspired her writing.
Hélene’s other books include: Because of You and We Never Said GoodbyeTwitter ~ @helenefermont
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