Today I excited to be part of the blog tour for Black Moss by David Nolan.
In April 1990, as rioters took over Strangeways prison in Manchester, someone killed a little boy at Black Moss. I have an exciting excerpt to share with you today and if you like the look of that, you can click here to order the book yourself! Here's what it's all about...
And no one cared.
No one except Danny Johnston, an inexperienced radio reporter trying to make a name for himself.
More than a quarter of a century later, Danny returns to his home city to revisit the murder that's always haunted him.
If Danny can find out what really happened to the boy, maybe he can cure the emptiness he's felt inside since he too was a child.
But finding out the truth might just be the worst idea Danny Johnston has ever had.
And here's that exclusive excerpt for you, to give you a taste of what's in store...
Twenty-six after the events of 1990, Danny is now ‘Daniel’, a famous TV presenter. He’s been arrested for drink driving and has to go for treatment at an addiction centre. This is what it’s really like. Trust me!
Leaning into the intercom, Daniel pressed the button next to the speaker and waited for his cue to talk. Nothing. He buzzed again.
‘Hello?’ the female voice said.
‘Hi. It’s Daniel Johnston. I’ve an appointment with Jo McGuire.’
‘Push the door and come through,’ came the reply. Daniel tried to do as he was told but pushed too soon. The door didn’t move. After he’d finished pushing, the door buzzed, and the latch was opened. By the time he realised he’d missed his cue, the door had locked again. He pressed the intercom again. ‘Hi. It’s Daniel again... I... sorry...’
The door buzzed again and this time he made it through and into a tiny reception area with enough room for two people, three at a push. There were two layers of glass between him and the receptionist. A large sign warned that the physical or verbal abuse of staff would not be tolerated. The receptionist – a woman in her thirties with tattoo-covered arms – glanced at him over the top of her large, black-rimmed glasses. ‘Are you here for the needle exchange?’ she said.
Daniel returned her look. Then he realised that she was talking to him. Needle exchange? ‘No,’ he said. After a pause, he added: ‘I’m with the alkies.’ He smiled at the receptionist, quite pleased with his attempt at keeping the situation light. It didn’t seem to have worked – her face was unchanged. ‘Alcohol support,’ said Daniel. ‘I’m with the alcohol support programme.’
‘Alcohol is to the left. Go through, take seat.’ A second door buzzed, and Danny went through into the waiting area. Things are bad, he thought, but they could be worse. I could be turning right.
Daniel sat down. The furniture was dark beige and blocky. The floor was a chessboard of dull, dark brown and light brown plastic tiles. There were framed pictures on the wall that were abstract and bland. One wall was completely covered in leaflets and flyers: self-help, support groups, psychotherapy, yoga, Pilates, massage – all the kind of things that he would normally have given a very wide berth to.
He sat very still. Very still indeed. Don’t look right, he thought.
Author Info
David is a multi award-winning author, television producer and crime reporter. He has written a dozen books including Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil, the true story of the largest historic abuse case ever mounted by Greater Manchester Police. He presented a BBC Radio 4 documentary based on the book called The Abuse Trial. It won both the Rose D’Or and the New York International radio awards in 2016. Officers involved in the case helped David with the police procedures featured in Black Moss, particularly the way the system deals with missing children.
@Nolanwriter
Thanks to David for sharing this with us today and thanks to Love Books Group for the tour opportunity!
#LoveBooksGroupTours
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