With the first release date for A Calculated Risk less than a week away (FRIDAY 1st SEPTEMBER, to be precise!) I have written a super-useful primer for anyone who might have forgotten what a ‘butty’ is or are at all curious to know what Jo Shaw looks like in my head.
It’s the first book in a new series
I have definitely mentioned that A Calculated Risk is the first in a new crime/thriller series, but as I didn’t choose a name for said series in time, that fact is not noted on the cover. Mea culpa. Quite a few people who’ve snagged advanced copies to review have asked for a sequel, and I can happily confirm that a sequel is already underway. A Calculated Risk stands alone in terms of its plot (no cliffhangers!) but don’t expect absolutely everything to be tied up in a big kissy bow.
It’s written in English-English
As ever, I will make no apologies for my northern English characters speaking (and snacking!) in northern English, so brace yourselves for bugger, bollocks, chip barms and butties, and everyone saying “arse” not “ass”.
Isla Munro
The lovely Isla Munro is Scottish, so her name is pronounced “Eye-la” not “Iz-la”. Having had a sneak listen to the first chapter of the audio, I can confirm that her accent is as cute as a wee Scottish button.
Jo Shaw
Rarely do I have a mental image of a character as I’m writing them, an exception being Kami from Unbreakable, whom I shamelessly based on Great British Bake Off darling Nadiya Hussain. Keeping with the GBBO theme, A Calculated Risk‘s leading lady, Jo Shaw, has always been rather reminiscent of Sue Perkins in my head. I have no regrets.
Safia Faris and Jo
Due to shenanigans in my writing process, Jo managed to sneak into the latter stages of my last novel, Unbreakable, to help out Detective Safia Faris. Saf returns the favour in A Calculated Risk, but you don’t need to have read Unbreakable before you read this one – although you should, because it’s dead good.
Police Cakes (Offences) Act 2018
This does actually exist and you can read the entire thing here.
There are BRAND NEW Snacks
Wham bars
This is the bar of toffee that Jo almost pulls her teeth out on. Yes, they really do look like that in their naked state. The green bits are fizzy. The flavour of the pink bit is indescribable. They are a clear and present danger to loose teeth and fillings, and probably should be banned.
Space Raiders crisps
The original 5p bag of cheapo crisps beloved of British schoolchildren. Now available in multiple flavours, but why on earth would you go there when you can have classic pickled onion? Thanks to inflation, these now cost about 40p per measly packet. Scandalous.
Caramel Wafer
If you favour any brand but Tunnock’s, you’re doing it wrong and Isla will be very nowty with you.
Bovril
Apparently banned in Oz and possibly the USA (LOL, FFS!) this “thick and salty meat extract paste” (yum, thanks WikiP) is the beefy way to Jo’s (and possibly Isla’s) heart. My wife smears it on buttered toast. I can just about tolerate it as a hot drink. It’s as British as torrential rain on a summer’s day, and best quaffed whilst freezing on a football terrace watching your team lose 4-0.
And finally…
There Are Cute Fluffy Stuffs
If the crime side of things all gets a bit too much for you, rest assured there are some daft cats and sweet lil duckies to make everything cosy and nice.
So When Can I Read It??
A Calculated Risk will be available exclusively from the Bold Strokes website on September 1st, and available everywhere else September 12th. The audio release, narrated by Nicola Victoria Vincent, should be available hot on the heels of the print releases, but most likely a bit later. Apologies for being as clear as mud on this.
As usual, this means it’s giveaway time! I have two signed copies up for grabs and – like its leading lady, Jo Shaw – I’m in the mood for some dad jokes.
Cari Hunter 
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