But who sowed the killing seed?
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Synopsis
Fire & Ice
A tense and twisty thriller set in 2 eras, 1991 – 95 and 2021, 'Fire & Ice' takes us back to Charlotte and Emily’s teenage years at the private and historic girls’ school, Clayton House – where loyalties are tested, trust is broken, and danger lies around every corner.
Fast forward to 2021, and DCI Harry Longbridge uncovers far more than he expects when a skeleton is found in the grounds of the current day Clayton House, leading him to reopen three cold cases of two missing 90s students, a teacher, and a growing sense of unease at what is unfolding — both for his team and the wider constabulary. . . .
After being poisoned by a vengeful assassin enticed into completing her kill list, ex GP and high security patient Charlotte Peterson lies in a deeply troubled coma. Unconscious and vulnerable, her mind drifts back to her 90s senior school, Clayton House, where, with best friend Emily, a killing seed was sown – but by who?
As a boarder, for Charlotte there is no escaping the secrets that plague Clayton’s ancient corridors and dungeon dining room, no ignoring the nearby associated bleak and crumbling manor house – the abandoned Clayton Hall.
She was the daughter of affluent parents – her friend Emily Rowlands most certainly was not, but despite their different backgrounds, they were completely inseparable. However, it was at Clayton where their friendship became truly cemented. Cemented, inextricably linked, and totally unbreakable; because what happened at Clayton House left them no choice . . . until the betrayal.
But in May 2021 a skeleton is dug up in the grounds of the current school resulting in Harry reopening three cold cases from the 90s, and uncovering a great deal more than he bargained for. Secrets and lies can’t stay buried forever, and someone at that school planted a seed so evil it shaped Charlotte’s psychopathic personality — and someone with a link to the past knows exactly who that person is. . . .
Read the first chapter
Fire & Ice
Reviews
“Ali Carter has done a fantastic job with this one. From reading the blurb, it sounded like a good book, but then just from the prologue alone, I was completely hooked. This is without a doubt a five-star read!!!”
“Fire & Ice is a twisty tale of murder, drugs, psychopathy, teenage life and how the past influences the present. The characters are intriguing and the story moves at a pace with lots of twists, and edge of the seat moments. I loved how the story came together and was kept on tenterhooks right to the end. If you love great crime writing and a twisty story you’ll enjoy this book. I gave it 5 stars.”
“The blurb sounded great and the book was even better. A great book it had me gripped from the beginning. Really interesting characters - fast paced and hard to put down. A must read for thriller fans.”
“I’ve been missing out - AGAIN! Fire & Ice is the fourth in the DCI Harry Longbridge series and what a book it was! Once those opening chapters sunk their claws in there was no turning back until I’d exhausted the battery on my poor Kindle. It starts off strong and continues in the same vein throughout. 5 Stars.”
“Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done Ali!!! How on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! Just when I thought I had worked it all out she pulled out all the stops and my jaw dropped to the floor!! It is getting harder and harder to surprise me with the amount of crime books I have read but Ali definitely managed it hook, line and sinker, so a HUGE congratulations to Ali!! ”
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”
“This was a really good read, dark in places, completely addictive, I couldn’t put it down. Loved it”
“Ali Carter can certainly write a great thriller and Harry Longbridge is a wonderful lead character”
“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”
“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”
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”
Dead Girl’s Don’t Cry
Reviews
New Favourite Author
“By the time I’d read only a small part of this book after Blood List, I knew Ali Carter would be an author to watch. Brilliant read from start to finish. Straight to The Delegate for me. Thrilling writing. ”
She’s back….It’s Her Most Terrifying Act Yet!!
“I can honestly say that every page I read kept me totally captivated and engaged. The characters felt very real to me, almost as if I knew them!.... I need to read that third book!!!!”
Brilliant Sequel
“If ‘Blood List’ was a real page-turner, then this sequel is positively addictive. The pace builds quickly and then never lets up, with the tension dial fixed on high. A complex plot with clever character interweaving makes for a fabulous read.”
Superb Sequel To Blood List
“Another cracking read from this talented author. It’s so easy to get totally immersed in the plot & settings & almost impossible to put the book down, each twist & reveal making it a real page turner. Roll on book three, can’t wait!”
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”
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 ”
“If you are a fan of Gritty Psychological Crime Thrillers, this one will not disappoint!”
“The final chapters are gasp inducing… Brilliant”
“An intense, highly absorbing story”
“Creating the bad guys is always more fun”
“From childhood to current day - some of my favourite books”
Ali Carter in the
Media
Smart Radio 101
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 50 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 - 2025 Events
Sun 3rd Aug 10.00 - 4.00p.m.
Hoveton Summer Fete
Village Hall
Stalham Road
Hoveton
Norwich
Norfolk
NR12 8DU
Sat 9th Aug 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Aylsham Craft & Gift Fair
Aylsham Town Hall
Aylsham
Norwich
Norfolk
NR11 6EL
Sunday 24th August 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Giftory UK MBS Fair
Coronation Hall
26 Cromer Road
Mundesley
Norfolk
NR11 8BE
Sat 13th Sep 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Aylsham Craft & Gift Fair
Aylsham Town Hall
Aylsham
Norwich
Norfolk
NR11 6EL
Sun 28th Sep 10.00 - 2.00p.m.
Craft & Gift Fair
Lingwood Village Hall
Station Road
Lingwood
Norwich
Norfolk
NR13 4AZ
Sat 1st Nov 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Aylsham Craft & Gift Fair
Aylsham Town Hall
Aylsham
Norwich
Norfolk
NR11 6EL
Sun 9th Nov 10.00 - 2.00p.m.
Craft & Gift Fair
Lingwood Village Hall
Station Road
Lingwood
Norwich
Norfolk
NR13 4AZ
Sat 15th Nov 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Miss Kay's Fundraiser
Cromer Parish Hall
65 Church Street
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9HH
Sun 30th Nov 11.00 - 3.00p.m.
Taverham Thorpe Marriot & Drayton
Christmas Fair
Bob Carter Centre
11 School Road
Drayton
Norfolk
NR8 6DW
Sat 6th Dec 10.00 - 3.00p.m.
Stalham Community Gym Xmas Fair
The Poppy Centre
Recreation Ground
Stalham
NR12 9DE
Ali Carter
Biography
Hi - I’m Ali, thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy browsing my website. I’ll endeavor 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’ve lost 5 of the cats in the last few years, so the furry family is half the size now.)
Book 1. 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 mainly 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!!
Book 2, ‘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 yet again, on both sides of the pond!!
Book 3, ‘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....
Book 4 in the series, ‘Fire & Ice’, is due for release in May 2025, and I’m super excited about this one! Set in 2 eras, 1991 – 95 and 2021, the 90s takes us back to Charlotte and Emily’s senior school years at private and historic girls’ school, Clayton House, where loyalties are tested, trust is broken and danger lies around every corner. In 2021, Harry uncovers far more than he bargains for when a skeleton is found in the grounds of the current day school leading him to reopen three cold cases, and a growing unease at what it means for his team and the wider constabulary.
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 half a dozen pets!), I’m the proud mum of two adult sons, and a mega proud nanny to a book loving granddaughter who loves her adventure stories, but has a few years to go before she’ll be reading mine!
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, (especially 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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