Killing Jericho: A Heart-Stopping Thriller (The Scott Jericho Crime Thrillers Book 1)

by Will Harker

  Only one person didn’t seem convinced. One afternoon about a week after his murder, I received a text message from Maxine Thierrot: Shame about Kerrigan, isn’t it? But don’t worry, Scott. Next time I’ll be there with my trusty camera.

  I’ve dropped in on the Matthers a couple of times, just to remind them that I’m watching. Mrs Matthers seems thankful for my visits, Jonathan less so. I’ve told him I want his paederast’s gallery dismantled in time for my next call.

  DI Peter Garris has taken early retirement from a glittering career in CID. Crushed beneath the grief of losing his beloved Harriet, he hadn’t felt able to go on facing the petty ugliness of the world. Old colleagues reached out and invited me to his retirement do at The Three Crowns. I’d never been all that popular among them but “you were always his favourite,” they said. Suffice to say, I didn’t RSVP. Just like with the Matthers, I continue to check in on him, though. To make sure he’s keeping his promise.

  Garris now spends his days tending his back garden. He has a large new flowerbed in the eastern corner which catches the sun in the afternoon. He’s planted marigolds there in memory of his darling Harriet. They grow fast and thick and were her favourite flower, so he tells the neighbours, who can’t seem to recall ever having met the poor woman. Very reclusive, an invalid, they think. Anyway, it’s a charming spot and the secret it holds will remain hidden.

  For now at least.

  THE END

  Scott Jericho will return

  in

  SILENCING THE DEAD

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  About the Author

  Will Harker is the award-winning author of several novels for adults and children.

  As the son of a fairground showman, he has now used his inside knowledge of this still largely hidden community to create a detective unlike any other.

  The brilliant but troubled Scott Jericho.

  Will lives in an undisclosed location with a fierce fairground juk and a vivid imagination. You can find out more by signing up to his newsletter and by visiting willharker.com for news, reviews and exclusive content.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  This book could not have been possible without the encouragement and support of a brilliant bunch of fellow authors in ‘the group’ – you know who you are! I also owe huge thanks to early readers of JERICHO for their insights, advice and keen editorial oversight: Hanna Elizabeth, Dawn Andrew, Debbie Scarrow and Stephanie King. The incredible cover art is the work of Meg Cowley.

  Thanks, as ever, to my family – almost all showpeople themselves – for those long talks and reminiscences about fairground life and legends. Scott Jericho may be fictional but the world he inhabits is as real and vibrant as anyone could wish. I hope readers have been intrigued, not only by this story, but by a glimpse behind the curtain of this still largely hidden way of life.

  If you have enjoyed KILLING JERICHO, I really would appreciate you taking a moment to leave a review. Just a few short words will do. It will help other readers like you find the book and encourages word-of-mouth support so that there can be more in the series!

  GLOSSARY OF TRAVELLER SLANG:

  Chap: a worker on the fairground who is not himself a showperson.

  Ground: Abbreviation for ‘fairground’

  Joskin: A non-traveller (see also gorger)

  Chavvy: A Traveller child

  Dinlo: An idiot; a moron

  Posh: Earnings, wages, profit.

  Muller: To die or murder.

  Ruck: A fight

  Gavvers: The police

  Juk: A fairground dog; usually a watchdog.

  Parny: To urinate

  Cushty: Good or nice