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Book Details
Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra
Where do you hide an escaped prisoner? On a wheelchair holiday perhaps. Like a spoke in a wheel, the villain is seen but not seen.
Aspiring writer Sandy Blee is stuck in a dead-end receptionist job until she wins a working holiday to Jordan, pushing a wheelchair for Wheelchair Warriors Holidays. Even though she quickly realises she was the only entrant in the Blerglergle writing competition she is extremely excited about leaving England for the first time.
However, after arriving in the pink city of Petra she discovers her fellow travellers are not all they seem, and most are not who they claim to be. Moreover, the whole group is under investigation by the SeeMs Detective Agency who have been sent out to search for an escaped convict.
When members of the group are kidnapped and one mysteriously dies, Sandy finds herself pulled into the SeeMs detectives’ investigation. Is she, who so wants to write bestselling crime stories, ready to take on a real-life mystery – one that might just turn deadly?
This book will be enjoyed by readers who like travel crime, plus devotees of Agatha Christie, Grease the movie and MM Kaye.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheels-Destruction-Death-Detective-Agency-ebook/dp/B0FFHGKHM6/
Author Bio
Like many authors Gina has had a lot of different jobs and careers. She has been a physiotherapist, a flying instructor and pilot, a dog breeder, and a journalist. This is her sixth book in the SeeMs Detective series: the agency that looks behind what seems to be true.
Gina had two lengths of time when she was in a wheelchair (after a car crash and a helicopter accident) and having experienced the difficulties of wheel chair travel first hand she wanted to write a book that showed the challenges for wheelchair users when travelling, not just steps and narrow doorways, for example, but unexpected things like the difficulties of traversing cobbles.
When not writing or travelling Gina lives in Sussex with her husband and dogs.
Social Media Links
https://www.instagram.com/ginacheynewriter
https://www.facebook.com/gina.cheyne.books
https://reedsy.com/discovery/user/ginacheyne
https://www.tiktok.com/@flyfizzi
Exclusive Excerpt
Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra is set in Petra in Jordan in the present day. This is chapter two where Cat and Miranda of the SeeMs Detective series meet their client for the first time and get their instructions.
Chapter Two: The Leader of the Tribe is Their Servant
In Chelsea, Cat and Miranda entered the cold chill of an undistinguished office block, heading for the UIO (Unbelievable Insurance Offers) suite and their appointment with the new client. Taking one of a long line of lifts, they found themselves on the fifteenth floor and walking out directly into UIO’s offices.
‘Thank you for coming,’ said the thin man approaching them, his hand extended. He wore an elegant suit. Made for him, Cat thought, and, judging by its cut, probably in Savile Row. She wondered if Miranda had noticed it, but then fashion wasn’t really her thing.
‘Would you like coffee, tea, glass of water?’ he asked. ‘Or shall we get down to it?’
The girls sat down, declining refreshments, too fascinated by this potential client who didn’t even give his name, to drink coffee.
‘I’ve been reading your files,’ he said, ‘and I must say I am impressed with the work of the SeeMs Detective Agency.’ He emphasised this with a head nod and a smile. ‘You’ve done some excellent work, of exactly the kind we need.’
‘Thanks, Mr….’ said Miranda, ‘we enjoy what we do.’
He nodded again, but did not fill in her obvious blank. Perhaps in his world no names was the norm.
‘Tell me,’ he said, ‘why the name SeeMs Detective Agency? It seems,’ he allowed himself a discreet laugh, ‘almost counterintuitive to call yourself It Seems to be a Detective Agency. As though you did spy work.’
Miranda gave a big, bellowing laugh. ‘Clever!’ she said. ‘I like it. But no, it’s somewhat different. SeeMs: See – C – is for Cat, M for Miranda and S for Stevie; we’re the three principals; plus we’re looking behind what seems to be true to the reality beneath. And we’re all girls: MS. You get it?’
‘Yes,’ he said drily.
‘Great,’ said Cat, moving impatiently on her seat. ‘And what is it you want us to do?’
He stared at her for a moment. Had she been a bit too hasty? Was he reconsidering his offer?
He looked down at his paper. ‘I need you to identify a missing person, someone who has absconded from prison, and prevent them from leaving wherever you find them, long enough for us to get them arrested by the local police. Are you with me so far?’
They said they were, although Cat couldn’t help wondering why they had been chosen for this job, which seemed both so simple and nearly impossible. A job more suitable for a local police force or a tracking team.
‘You may wonder why I chose you for this job.’ He paused and examined them. ‘Well, the truth is our absconder is a real Scarlet Pimpernel and it will take an expert, or someone who knows them well, to see through their disguise. You, however, do know the missing person well. And you’ve brought them to justice before. So, with any luck and a following wind, you should be able to do it. British justice is relying on you,’ he said with a sudden hyperbolic skyward sweep of his arms completely at odds with his serious face.
When his arms returned to his side, he continued in the same dry voice. ‘Have you ever heard of a Second World War spy called Virginia Hall?’
‘No,’ said Miranda.
‘Yes,’ said Cat.
‘Well, she perfected the art of disguise – anything from a young man to an old woman. And we suspect your target will be even more cleverly underhand than her. Anything is possible, even a sex change. This person is desperate to leave our clutches and start a new life.’
Cat and Miranda exchanged glances. Which of their previous clients had run amuck?
‘I’ll need you to travel soon. We know the person in question is planning to go on holiday, but we’re not sure exactly where they’re planning to go. However, there are distinct tourist routes in the world of the rich and this person is very rich. We have information that our villain will be heading for Petra in Jordan.’
‘Ooh,’ said Miranda, ‘will they be looking for Indiana Jones or his treasure?’
‘Ha ha, most original. Furthermore, we know that our absconder has used a wheelchair before and most certainly will again.’
‘How do you know all this?’ said Cat. ‘And if you know where they’re likely to be, and how they’re likely to be disguised, then surely you can alert the local police force yourselves. Why do you need us?’
He looked at her, pursing his lips thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I understand why you’re confused. However, when I tell you who the person is and how we know their likely itinerary, you’ll understand why we need your help.’ He paused a moment. ‘The most important thing is that they are with a group who are all in wheelchairs.’ He snorted. ‘A perfect disguise.’
Cat rubbed her nose. This was getting odder and odder.
‘Provided you agree, I can give you more information, which should help identify our client when you get out to Jordan.’
They glanced quickly at each other and nodded.
‘Good. Before I give you exact details, I have to tell you, you may be needed to leave at any time, either immediately or not for weeks. Are you ready to go at any time?’
Cat knew she could leave at any time, but Miranda had young children. However, she also had a husband who worked from home. She looked at her. Miranda nodded. ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘we are ready.’
