My writing partner Moomin admiring the book we wrote together
I’m delighted to announce that my new novel, Death of a Princess, is out now. The paperback will be published next week. It’s the final book in my Empire of Shadows series featuring the Russian investigating magistrate Pavel Pavlovich Virginsky. Like all my books, it’s designed to be read as a standalone too, so don’t feel you have to read the others in the series to give this a go. Of course, if you want to go back and read the earlier ones, then great!
I really hope you enjoy the book. I feel that the story came together well and I managed to achieve the pace and tension I was aiming for. As always, my first reader was my wife, Rachel. She thinks it’s the best of my Virginsky stories and said it was “very exciting”. In case you think she’s biased, there have been some great comments from other readers too:
‘Morris has outdone himself with this riveting thriller. Parts of it were so gripping I had to stop reading so I could catch my breath… Characters, setting, plotting and pacing are immaculate. I cannot recommend this engrossing book too highly.’ Peter Tonkin, author of Shadow of Poison
‘A novel that vibrates with atmosphere and intrigue; imperial Russia is brought to life once more, and in all its grim and magnificent glory.’ Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen’s Gold.
UK readers can get it here. If you’re in the US, then this is the link.
I have to say, it was quite emotional to bid farewell to Virginsky and his world. I’m not sure what’s next for me (and Moomin). But we’re busy brainstorming new ideas right now. I’m just waiting for Moomin to wake up from her nap to find out what hers are…
In the meantime, here’s the blurb to Death of a Princess:
Summer 1880.
Lipetsk, a spa town in Russia.
The elderly and cantankerous Princess Belskaya suffers a violent reaction while taking a mud bath at the famous Lipetsk Sanatorium. Soon after, she dies.
Dr Roldugin, the medical director of the sanatorium, is at a loss to explain the sudden and shocking death.
He points the finger at Anna Zhdanova, a medical assistant who was supervising the princess’s treatment.
When Anna disappears, it looks to some like an admission of guilt.
Suspicion also falls on the princess’s nephew Belsky, who appears far from grief-stricken at his aunt’s death.
He now stands to inherit the entire family fortune, which will enable him to marry his fiancée Amélie Damour.
Meanwhile, investigating magistrate Pavel Pavlovich Virginsky arrives in Lipetsk from St Petersburg, seeking treatment after a nervous breakdown.
Virginsky is befriended by the Babkins, an elderly couple staying at the sanatorium.
Learning that he is a detective, they urge him to investigate the suspicious circumstances of the princess’s death.
But Virginsky is unwilling to be drawn in.
Then, while wandering the streets, Virginsky overhears a conversation that he is unable to ignore.
Believing he now has information about the whereabouts of the missing woman, he tries to alert the local magistrate but is dismissed as a fantasist.
And so he reluctantly undertakes his own investigation, alone.
But is Virginsky getting closer to the truth or walking straight into a deadly trap?
It’s always great to hear from readers, so please get in touch and let me know what you think of the book! (And, of course, feel free to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.)