New crime mystery books – R A Jordan – Profile
Robert Jordan; I turned to writing in 2009 , however as the other Robert Jordan Author now deceased wrote SciFi, I decided to use my initials R A Jordan, to avoid confusion.. On a two hour delayed train journey from London to Macclesfield there was sufficient time for me to write a plot and synopsis for the first novel ‘Times Up’. (Book 1). Another murder and further intrigue is in the second book ‘England’s Wall’ will ensure the pages are turned.
I have attended two creative writing workshops at Oxford University held by the Sunday Times during the literary festival. That experience and the love of writing coupled with the ‘strange*’ happenings during the writing of the novels, has propelled me to write five books.
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The initial thoughts came as the financial crisis was at ‘full bore’, giving fuel for the literary fire that was burning inside me.(‘Laundry’ book 3) The stories follow the fortunes and misfortunes of the Wall family throughout the first decade of the twenty first century. Based in Cheshire’s county town Chester, a county in which I was born and I know well. The family business of the main characters of the books is civil engineering and latterly property development. Activities I myself have been involved with during my forty five years as a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
‘Cracks in the Wall’ (book 4) enters a new realm of mystery and intrigue, with abduction of a child and the financial crisis coming together to cause serious problems for the family and the business. An arson attack on the old HQ building of the family firm puts the suspect in jail. It couldn’t be Sandra’s lover as they were in Spain together – could it?
Robert has used his experience in property, travel, sailing, and a love of classic cars to give credence to the plots. The fifth book ‘Secret Side’ will be published in the first half of 2018
*Strange happenings: An example of one such occurrence was when I was visiting Chester and the River Dee footpath crossing close to the Chester Rowing Club House. A suspension bridge spans the river at this point. ‘England’s Wall’ (Book 2) will explain why I needed to go there. With the name of the family involved in all the books being ‘Wall’, imagine my surprise when I found that the suspension bridge had been opened in 1917 by the then Sherriff of Chester ‘Alfred Wall’!!
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John England has the crew of his superyacht Brave Goose take her to Greece. On the way, when moored in Catania, Sicily, she is hi-jacked by the Cosa Nostra working for the jailed murderer of Sandra Wall, Michael Fitzallen. Captain Noel and engineer Jock, deckhand José and Sally, the stewardess, are held at gunpoint by the Sicilian Mafia.
The operation is masterminded by a Sicilian, Georgio, with whom John has had dealings in Manchester. John pays £2.8m to Brandon Phelan, acting on behalf of Fitzallen, which is £200,000 less than the sum demanded. John suggests that Brandon collects the outstanding amount from the fraudster, Georgio. However, Georgio has no money so he ingeniously attempts to recover the money from John England who has paid the £200,000 to the four pensioners that Georgio has conned with an unfulfilled promise he would pay them a higher return than their insurer.
Numerous incidents and crimes are committed, including blowing up the yacht of the MI6 agents, nearly killing one. Brave Goose is finally returned to Lefkas for the winter and a re-fit.
‘I can see you love the detail, and it must be very stimulating to write stories that are combined with complex scripts and characters. The action makes it exciting. The knowledge you have from a lifetime of sailing and business is cleverly used in your stories. It was a wonderful read. Best wishes WBD
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John England has settled in the penthouse of Peters Tower, the tower block of fifty apartments that his wife’s family had built. Now living with his partner Fiona since the tragic death of his wife and children, John receives millions of pounds of inheritance.
When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Sandra Wall, the MD of Walls Holdings, was under severe pressure to repay the bank. She borrowed three million from Micael Fitzallen, who gained access to half the rental income from the block as well as having a half share.
In the present, John England has been the subject of numerous attempts to recover the three million pounds from different factions associated with Micael Fitzallen. Michael himself has been sent to prison for murdering Sandra, and if he is there for more than ten years, the money will forfeit. And he’s willing to go to imaginative lengths to recover his money…
As John and Fiona lay low on a private motor yacht in the Mediterranean and the Greek Secret Police get involved, can John escape this cycle of constant threat and death?
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This book follows The Wall series of books. The family of John and Sienna England are happy living at Long Acre Farm, their two children go to the local school. John is a solicitor in Chester with Bennett & Bennett. Sienna looks after the family property, mainly Peters Tower in Manchester. A fourteen-floor tower. Reception and services on the ground floor twelve floors containing four flats per floor and two penthouses on the top. There are two underground floors for car parking.
John has an important case to go to in Chester once he has delivered the children to school. The tenants and the Manchester City Council write this day to Sienna demanding the tower is re-clad. Later Sienna collects the children from school but is summoned to Manchester. Peters Tower was on fire. She was shattered and very concerned leaving the site. She was in collision with a tram which killed her two children. She died later in hospital when John had been able to see her for a few moments.
Eventually John inherited considerable amounts of money. He decided to act pro bono as a solicitor, defending himself in court against an incorrect charge of assault, he met Fiona. He moved to a penthouse in Peters Tower. There were still efforts to collect the three million Michael Fitzallen believed he was owed. His brother, Sean, was acting for him in trying to collect the money. John and Fiona were invited to go and meet Sean, and sail there on Goose’s new motor yacht. Fitzallen fell off the yacht and drowned. When John and Fiona returned home, John discovered that Brandon Phelan, brother of Niall Phelan, had become a tenant at Peters Tower.
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I finished writing this book on the 23rd March 2021, the anniversary
of the ‘lockdown’ for the coronavirus pandemic. I decided to recognise the
the exceptional work done by staff in all areas of the NHS and at all levels,
by selling this book to raise money on a not for profit basis for NHS Charities Together.
Donations, in addition to the small sum raised by the sale of the book,
may be made by using the Just Giving link below.
Thank you for your support.
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Frank Grantham left the royal navy at the age of sixty, having reached the rank of Purser and Paymaster. Having reached retirement age, Frank bid his farewell to the Royal Navy after forty-two years of service. What was next in life was his primary concern. He couldn’t forsee the next chapter in his life, which could bring tragedy and success in equal measure.
Detective Jon Kim investigates the truth behind the mysterious death of an old lady. Find out what is hidden behind closed doors in this gripping, dramatic and intriguing story which will keep your heart racing from start to finish. Dive into the next chapter of the DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR JON KIM series.
About the book:
A dead body is found at the Imperial Hotel on the morning of a derby football match between Manchester United – at home – and Manchester City. Coincidentally, a corporate golf match was held the Friday before the derby and some of the football fans enjoyed the MU executive suite after their golfing.
DCI Jon Kim was at the match. And he is now about to visit the widow of Mr Phillips to break the devastating news. But when the door opens, it seems Mr Phillips is alive and kicking. After further investigation, the identity of the murdered man is discovered. It turns out that Kim was sitting next to the dead man’s twin brother at the football match. And that’s just the start of this web of tragedy, intrigue and suspense.
Get to the crux of this extraordinary series of events as Kim investigates the truth behind the mysterious death and another connected fatal accident which takes the life of a mother and son. Discover, too, how Greek Mythology plays its part in this devastating case. And indulge in a rollercoaster crime and mystery murder that you’ll never forget. DCI Jon Kim was at the match. And he is now about to visit the widow of Mr Phillips to break the devastating news. But when the door opens, it seems Mr Phillips is alive and kicking. After further investigation, the identity of the murdered man is discovered. It turns out that Kim was sitting next to the dead man’s twin brother at the football match. And that’s just the start of this web of tragedy, intrigue and suspense. Get to the crux of this extraordinary series of events as Kim investigates the truth behind the mysterious death and another connected fatal accident which takes the life of a mother and son. Discover, too, how Greek Mythology plays its part in this devastating case. And indulge in a rollercoaster crime and mystery murder that you’ll never forget.
All books available to read on Kindle.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The writing is excellent and the plot clever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2015
Format: Paperback
Set in and around Chester this crime thriller follows a family hit by tragedy and the complex scenarios and consequences that follow. The writer launches straight to the core of the story but then allows the reader to follow the journey of discovery into the truth. The writing is excellent and the plot clever, with good research into the expert material needed for the novel. Several sub plots also interplay, entertain and at times amuse. An excellent novel. Already looking forward to the next one.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I couldn’t put Time’s Up down! When is the next one coming. Great read.
ArtZFriend 5.0 out of 5 stars Starts Off with a Bang and Will Keep You Up All Night!
Reviewed in the United States on 22 May 2017
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I read this one in a week because I had some other things going on in my personal life like my gig with Odyssey and my book collection efforts. But to be honest, this one really is a quickie. Alright, let me get right down to my review for you. It started off with a bang. From the first few pages, an old (maybe about in their late fifties to early sixties) couple was just returning from a New Year’s Eve Party that they had attended with both of their daughters who decided to stay late with their friends when they nearly collided with a rushing black car coming in the opposite direction but still in their lane. The couple brushed it off and arrived home at their farm that they just bought three years prior. They saw that their dog, Purdy, was fast asleep in their utility room because she had been given a sedative to calm her nerves since she was afraid of the noise made by fireworks that went off when the New Year rang in moments ago. The couple, named Peter and Ann Wall, went straight to bed.
The next day, Peter the husband woke up early to do his usual routine of driving Jumbo, his 1955 Series Two Land Rover to a solitary oak tree that stood on top of a mound that allowed him to view the house and outbuildings. Well, as he drove Jumbo, something happened that got his head cut off and leaving him dead for good on New Year’s Day. It was just a few hours later that Ann his wife woke up and went looking for him that she found him beheaded and deceased and changed her and her daughters’ lives from then on. Now the mystery in the death was whether Peter had some type of plan to end his life this way or was he killed by someone else. This brought in a slew of characters and unfortunate events that made this book a page-turner during this cold May 2017 for me.
I loved this book. It was the pace I needed for my own personal enjoyment. It did not drag on like some books I read and reviewed. Nope. This book had me reading from beginning to end hungry to find out what could have caused the uncanny death of Peter Wall. The man isn’t just anybody. He’s the owner of a company that makes a lot of profit and he has a lot of money ready to be bequeathed to his wife and two daughters if in the event that he dies. Insurance I mean. I am glad that I read this novel because it is set in England and Ireland. It is a great glimpse into that part of the world as there are some terms featured and mentioned in it that seem foreign and un-American. There are some places’ names that are similar to ones here in the East Coast like Grosvenor and Cheshire. Anyway, to make this review short and simple, I assure you that you will not waste your money on this one if you are looking for a quick read for this upcoming summer season. I guarantee it!
Bookish Kenz 4.0 out of 5 stars Great prose, great characters and a cracking plot
Reviewed in the United States on 28 May 2017
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When the had of a wealthy family is found dead on the first day of the new millennium, all the evidence points to suicide. But, can this really be the case when there are some hefty life insurance policies left behind.
Time’s Up by R.A. Jordan is a gripping thriller, full of suspense, suspicion, family drama and intrigue. Well-written, with a rapid page-turning plot, I found myself reading ‘just one more chapter’ many times. Twists and turns in the story will have you constantly questioning what really happened to the patriarch of the Walls. You will wonder about the motives of each family member and work associate, right up to the explosive conclusion. Great prose, great characters and a cracking plot, make for an ideal holiday or lazy weekend read.
V.E. 4.0 out of 5 stars and they seem quite happy. But there are always secrets between even the ...
Reviewed in the United States on 30 May 2017
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Time’s Up by R.A. Jordan opens up with the Walls traveling home after a night of revelry, and they seem quite happy. But there are always secrets between even the closest of spouses. What happens the next morning is grisly, mysterious and horrific, when Mrs. Walls finds her husband’s body, decapitated, on their property. While all evidence points to suicide, there are some huge life insurance policies to take into account. Time’s Up is a gripping, realistically written family thriller, full of intrigue and suspense. With a fast pace, a solid plot and real dialogue between the well described characters, this book will keep you up at night and well beyond. With plenty of twists and turns to the story line, this a convincingly composed story, and is highly recommended for a great read.
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Casual drunken sex has consequences, not least of which is an unwanted pregnancy. But how is this connected twenty-five years later with the double murder of a prominent businessman, Peter Wall, and his employee Fred Appleyard? And then the murder of Roger Whiteside, the man the police suspected to be responsible for the double murder.
England’s Wall relates how Peter Wall’s family, his wife Ann, and daughters Sienna and Sandra cope with his death, picking up the pieces of the business. At the same time, they are dealing with an arson attack, the attempted murder of Sienna’s boyfriend, John England. There was suspicion that Sienna had been administered Rohypnol during a supposed business meeting. As a result of Peter’s death, there is a large amount of insurance money at stake. These events seem to indicate that someone outside the family is trying to extract a share, and is prepared to go to any length to achieve that end.
Curtis Bateman
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2015
Format: Paperback
Robert Jordan writes with dedication, and the care and attention he takes over his writing leads to a level of detail which really conjures up a picture in your head. The characters are realistic, like people you know yourself, and the way the intrigue builds through the novel is really something!
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well paced thriller.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2017
Format: Paperback
I don’t normally read novels but this one kept me interested from start to finish. Looks like I will have to read the next one to see how the Wall family get on.
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A fortune beckons Wayne and Michael into the buy-to-let market. They even find a financier Niall Phelan, open-handed enough to run a charity to save youngsters from drugs, too. There is little to suspect in his background as an Irish horseracing aficionado, and when Niall asks Michael to keep taking their profits to sunny Spain, there is nothing they can do about it.
Forced to work for a man they no longer trust, Wayne and Michael struggle to prove their misgivings and the mounting evidence that Niall is not the man they thought they knew. Only his PA Sarah, can identify her brother found brutally murdered outside Niall’s stud, yet can they risk taking their suspicions to the police?
If their worst fears are true, they are already framed as money launderers for the international drug trade. If Niall suspects them already, how long before they, too, are found dead?
pottsy
4.0 out of 5 stars highly enjoyable book with a very good plot, I couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2015
Format: Paperback
This is a fast paced,highly enjoyable book with a very good plot,I couldn’t put it down.
Coretex
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, keeps you gripped all the way through
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 November 2015
Format: Paperback
Fantastic, keeps you gripped all the way through, up there with the best. I’ll be looking out for the next release
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Cracks in the Wall, ticks all the boxes of an addictive, intriguing thriller. The author has created a plot line, characters and setting which are both plausible and tantalisingly unpredictable.
This is a world of affluence, dodgy business dealings, property investment, financial services, policing and baby snatching spanning the UK and Spain. The protagonists Sienna and John, find themselves helpless; their baby is kidnapped, the family business is going through a catastrophic downfall, and John’s indiscretions are escalating daily. Then we have Michael and Sandra, whose business relationship (and love affair) is shrouded in underhand antics that cannot fail to entertain from start to finish. These subtly-placed sub-plot threads are a touch of genius and the reader will be most satisfied by the unanticipated denouement.
This book is the fourth in a series of five books following the fortunes and misfortunes of the fictitious family, the Walls.
Engaging novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2015
Format: Paperback
Robert Jordan writes with dedication, and the care and attention he takes over his writing leads to a level of detail which really conjures up a picture in your head. The characters are realistic, like people you know yourself, and the way the intrigue builds through the novel is really something!
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well paced thriller.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2017
Format: Paperback
I don’t normally read novels but this one kept me interested from start to finish. Looks like I will have to read the next one to see how the Wall family get on.
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The keenly awaited fifth book in the series brings answers to many of the unanswered questions.
Murder, mystery, business partners falling out, drug rackets unearthed and more murders.
This is a fascinating read tying up the stories from the four previous novels in the Wall Story Saga.
The police are baffled as to how to discover who the first body belongs to. A mutilated face makes identification really difficult. Ali the butcher said to be involved in the arson of a building and theft of classic cars (Cracks in the wall) was discounted by police. A young man with a history of arson was in jail instead of Ali. Another murder is uncovered for the police to grapple with. Justice for the arsonist is achieved as the murderer is uncovered.
Michael Fitzallen is eventually found to be involved with drugs, and money laundering. Getting the evidence against him and his partner Goose is difficult. Sandra Wall becomes involved in information recovery as a Guest on Gooses super yacht. The fate of Goose and his yacht are unexpected.
The relationship Sandra has with Michael Fitzallen unravels and leads to more complications for the Wall family.
This is a pacey novel with more than its fair share of intrigue, underhand dealings, murder and suspense.
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2015
Format: Paperback
Robert Jordan writes with dedication, and the care and attention he takes over his writing leads to a level of detail which really conjures up a picture in your head. The characters are realistic, like people you know yourself, and the way the intrigue builds through the novel is really something!
One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well paced thriller.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2017
Format: Paperback
I don’t normally read novels but this one kept me interested from start to finish. Looks like I will have to read the next one to see how the Wall family get on.
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