Ali Carter

THE
DELEGATE

 
 

What a tangled web she weaved…

 

Banner photo credit @the_land_and_i

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Synopsis

The Delegate


Two women – both serial killers are mentally circling each other in this tense psychological thriller. The professional is incarcerated behind the walls of a psychiatric hospital. The amateur, her delegate, is living free as a bird in the beautiful Lake District – a tense beginner, initially....

Ex Cumbrian G.P. Charlotte Peterson is a vicious serial killer simmering her way through a life sentence in Rampton High Security Hospital. A sycophantic inmate with Mafia family connections had aided her escape to a murderous New York rampage six months earlier, but Charlotte only managed to actually kill one of her remaining enemies on her list. She therefore needs someone on the outside to complete the job – A Delegate.

Recaptured by DCI Harry Longbridge and DI Fran Taylor after flying to the U.S., Charlotte pulls the strings of a vulnerable woman with serious historic mental health challenges of her own. The icing on the cake for Charlotte is that the woman concerned is none other than Harry’s wife, Annie. It feels good – very good.

However, despite initially falling into line believing it will help with her own ‘List,’ Annie develops a growing inner confidence and two powerful women begin mentally circling one another. As Annie covertly pushes forwards with her own plans, the Zandini’s increasingly come to the fore in more ways than one - and Charlotte starts to feel distinctly uneasy….

 

Read the first chapter

 

The Delegate

Reviews

 

I am going to be bold and say that if you are a fan of Karin Slaughter/ Linwood Barclay you will enjoy this book
— Emma Johnston - DeeBeeCee Reviews
This was a really good read, dark in places, completely addictive, I couldn’t put it down. Loved it
— Lynda Checkley - Lynda's Book Reviews
Ali Carter can certainly write a great thriller and Harry Longbridge is a wonderful lead character
— Anne Cater – Random Things Tours
As a series this just gets better by the book (and it started off excellently) and has put Ali Carter on my Must Buy list of authors
— Andy Angel - Ebookwyrm's Blog Cave
The mental dominance and control between the two women subtly changes as the storyline develops, and is very cleverly written to show the mind games and the fear, as control is gained, and lost
— Jill Galloway - From the Book Elf

Synopsis

dead girls don’t cry


The airports are snowbound, Harry's in turmoil and the murders have begun. She's back... and she's closing in.

Ex G.P. Charlotte Peterson is, in theory, almost a millionaire. She’s also a vicious serial killer who’s been simmering her way through two years of a life sentence at Rampton high security hospital.

There have been a few ups and downs, but suffering the sickeningly cloying hero worship from a relative of the Zandini mob was a good move, because now they were going to spring her during a day release for her mother’s funeral. Not only that, on the guarantee of a future exorbitant payoff, they were going to fund her identity change and New York trip to track down her arch nemeses, Jenny Flood and Emily Stone. Their three year plan to send Charlotte over the edge had worked that summer two years ago, now it was time to return the favour . . . by sending them both to the depths of hell.

Emily’s daughter Gina and fiancé Andrew Gale are staying with the Stone’s prior to their New York wedding. During their stay Gina thinks she’s being watched. There’s something about the woman that has similarities to Charlotte, and although she looks entirely different Andrew puts in a call to his old police friend Harry Longbridge.

D.I. Fran Taylor has transferred up from South London to Kirkdale in Cumbria, and with a tentative first lead to the Rampton escapee, is now assigned to the case. There’s only one person she wants to work it with her – the one person who knows Charlotte Peterson inside and out from that summer, retired D.C.I. Harry Longbridge – her very close ex partner from Canon Row.

But Harry finds it difficult to play second fiddle out in Manhattan, even to Fran, and when he gets a life or death call from the U.K., the airports are snowed in, Charlotte’s still at large and the murders have begun . . .

What’s a cop to do?

 

Read the first chapter

 
 
This sequel is positively addictive with the tension dial fixed on high
— NW Eagle, Amazon

Synopsis

Blood List


The clock is ticking and the Lakes are deep...

Think the Lake District is a lovely place to visit? Think again. A Psychological & Chilling Thriller set in and around the fictional town of Kirkdale in Cumbria. One by one the young women of Kirkdale are being found grotesquely murdered, with no clues as to why.

Lying between the great lake Kirkwater and the base of Kirkby Pike, although beautiful, Kirkdale isn't exactly the most exciting place on the planet. But after young reporter Jenny Flood moves into the relaxed Cumbrian town, it sets a catalogue of events in motion that brings this comfortable community to its knees.

When middle aged G.P. Charlotte Peterson discovers Jenny has followed her from Bradenthorpe, six years after a fling with her philandering doctor husband Miles, it stirs deeply buried mental health issues from her youth. In the run up to the Kirkdale country show, the arrival of this third and most recent adversary triggers the already edgy and emotionally scarred Charlotte into finally stepping over the edge. Her longing to destroy Jenny has been on a slow and very resentful burn for years, now the reality of achieving that presents itself as a genuine possibility.

Can journalist Andrew Gale protect new colleague Jenny, girlfriend Gina and her best friend Molly from the psychotic GP's insane agenda? How will sarcastic ex Met. Officer Harry Longbridge deal with Andrew's continued interference?

Then there's the unexpected arrival of an American mystery woman. And just who is on the Blood List?

 

Read the first chapter

 
 
I was hooked from the very first chapter
— Frreya, Amazon reviewer

Articles, Interviews &

Reviews


The airports are snowbound, Harry’s in turmoil and the murders have begun. She’s back... and she’s closing in. Ali Carter talks all things thriller, following the release of her second gripping novel in a planned series, ‘Dead Girls Don’t Cry’!
A psychological thriller with shades of Dr Foster, but rather more deadly
— Cheryl MM Book Blog
If you are a fan of Gritty Psychological Crime Thrillers, this one will not disappoint!
— Dark Reads
The final chapters are gasp inducing… Brilliant
— Orlando Books
 
An intense, highly absorbing story
— Brianne's Book Reviews
Creating the bad guys is always more fun
— Ali Carter
From childhood to current day - some of my favourite books
— Ali Carter

EVENTS

I really love meeting my readers, so hopefully some of you will be able to make it to one of my events below, and please do bring along any pre-bought copies of 'Blood List,' 'Dead Girls Don't Cry,' and 'The Delegate' if you'd like me to sign them. Last year I had 37 events in North Norfolk, and I'm hoping to increase that this year!

You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or if you prefer just email me by using the Contact form below.

I also keep readers up to date with all my news, including new releases, through my Bookclub Newsletter - just scroll down and you'll see where you can join it if you'd like to. This is especially useful if social media isn't your thing.

Meet The Author & Book Signing - 2024 Events

Sat 13th April 11.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Purple Hearts Events
Oulton Community Centre
Meadow Road
Oulton
Suffolk
NR32 3AZ

20th April 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
MBS Craft Fayre
Aylsham Town Hall
Aylsham
Norwich
Norfolk
NR11 6EL

Sun 21st Apr 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sat 27th Apr 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Miss Kay's Fundraiser
Cromer Parish Hall
65 Church Street
Cromer
NR27 9HH

Sun 12th May 10.00 - 2.00 p.m.
Nelson's Journey Craft Fair
Lingwood Village Hall
Station Road
Lingwood
Norwich
NR13 4AZ

15th June 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
MBS Craft Fayre
Aylsham Town Hall
Aylsham
Norwich
Norfolk
NR11 6EL

Sun 16th Jun 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sat 6th Jul 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
Horsford Village Hall
Holt Road
Horsford
Norwich
NR10 3DN

Sat 20th July 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Miss Kay's Fundraiser
Cromer Parish Hall
65 Church Street
Cromer
NR27 9HH

Sun 21st Jul 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sun 4th Aug 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club
Village Charity Fete
Hoveton Village Hall
Stalham Road
Hoveton
Norwich
NR12 8DU

Sat 10th Aug 11.00 - 3.00p.m.
Purple Hearts Events
Oulton Community Centre
Meadow Road
Oulton
Suffolk
NR32 3AZ

Sun 18th Aug 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sat 31st Aug 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
OMG Fayres - Craft Fair
Royal Assembly Rooms
Albert Square
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR30 3JH

Sun 22nd Sep 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sun 29th Sep 10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Nelson's Journey Craft Fair
Lingwood Village Hall
Station Road
Lingwood
Norwich
NR13 4AZ

Sat 5th Oct 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
Horsford Village Hall
Holt Road
Horsford
Norwich
NR10 3DN

Sat 19th Oct 11.00 - 3.00p.m.
Purple Hearts Events
Oulton Community Centre
Meadow Road
Oulton
Suffolk
NR32 3AZ

Sun 20th Oct 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sat 26th Oct 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Miss Kay's Fundraiser
Cromer Parish Hall
65 Church Street
Cromer
NR27 9HH

Sun 17th Nov 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
East Runton Village Hall
Felbrigg Road
East Runton
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9PG

Sat 23rd Nov 10.00 - 3.00 p.m.
Miss Kay's Fundraiser
Cromer Parish Hall
65 Church Street
Cromer
NR27 9HH

Sat 7th Dec 10.00 - 4.00 p.m.
MBS Back To The Roots Market Fayre
Horsford Village Hall
Holt Road
Horsford
Norwich
NR10 3DN

Sat 14th Dec 11 - 3.00p.m.
Purple Hearts Events
Oulton Community Centre
Meadow Road
Oulton
Suffolk
NR32 3AZ

 
 
Ali-Carter-Author-Signing-WHSmith
Ali Carter
 
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Ali Carter

Biography


 
 

Hi - I’m Ali, thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy browsing my website. I’ll endeavour to keep things current and interesting, but please do drop me a line and let me know if there’s something you’d like included. I can’t promise it will be but I’ll definitely give it some thought, and if it is there’ll be a small thank you gift winging it’s way to you in the post!

Just to share some background bits with you - I was born in Surrey in 1958, and grew up, married and raised a family in the 80’s and 90’s on the edges of South London. It was only much later in 2003 that I moved to East Anglia with my husband and our ever growing furry menagerie, spending 4 years in Cambridgeshire, followed by 14 years in West Norfolk.

In June 2021 however, the pull and beauty of the wonderful Norfolk Broads became too strong, and we all upped sticks and moved to a small Broadlands village in North Norfolk, a move that was certainly made more interesting with 5 dogs and 6 cats! (Yes I know the dog/cat thing is a bit mad! Sadly we have lost 3 of the cats last year so the furry family is slightly smaller now.) 

With regards to my writing, I originally found some success with poetry in the early 80’s and 90’s, winning a few competitions and having some work published, but inspiration for my debut thriller came after the Shipman case hit the headlines in 1999/2000. After a few years pondering (and being continuously drawn to crime thrillers), 2006 saw the beginnings of Blood List when the dark and deeply disturbing Charlotte was born... Set in Cumbria with a New York backdrop, the full story of my psychotic doctor took time to complete. Three quarters of the way through the first draft, there was a 10 year period of crippling writer’s block, and ‘Blood List’ lay frustratingly unfinished in both my head and my computer. It was an author friend who finally ‘persuaded’ me to pull it out of the laptop, research the information I was missing until I found it, update and finish the book. I will be eternally grateful for her nagging!!

The sequel, Dead Girls Don’t Cry – Charlotte’s Revenge, was released in Feb 2020 and is set mainly in New York with dips into Cumbria and London. The clock is ticking down fast for my characters again, on both sides of the pond!!

The third in the series The Delegate, was released in January 2023 and takes everyone back to Cumbria and Nottinghamshire. Now back inside Rampton Hospital, an extra controlling Charlotte pulls the strings of a very vulnerable character on the outside. With the Zandini's pushing for the return of their New York loan through familial patient, Zoe Zandini, Charlotte becomes increasingly stressed - especially as her medication is being secretly stashed rather than taken....

Quick fire loves ‘n’ hates... My favourite places to be are Norfolk, Cornwall and Cumbria, I’ve a major aversion to flying, need tea to write, hate avocados, adore owls and have a bit of an addiction to cake - oh and plotting murder!

And last but definitely not least, aside from my love of writing and reading, (and being owned by a myriad of pets!), I’m the proud mum of two grown up sons, and a mega proud nanny to an adorable granddaughter who loves her adventure stories - although she won’t be reading any of mine, anytime soon!

So that’s me - I really hope you enjoy my books, and sincerely thank you for your support. If you’d like to you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. I love to keep in touch with my readers so please do join my Book Club to receive early details of new books, events and V.I.P. offers, (particularly if social media isn’t your thing), or just send an email to say hi - and I hope to meet some of you in the very near future. – Ali –

 

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