Falkirk-based author releases fifth instalment in murder mystery series

Liza Miles, pictured, launched the fifth instalment in her murder mystery series last week. A launch event was held at The Tolbooth Tavern in Falkirk, where guests could listen to a live reading from the book, take part in a Q&A, and get their hands on a signed copy. (Michael Gillen).

placeholder image — Liza Miles, pictured, launched the fifth instalment in her murder mystery series last week. A launch event was held at The Tolbooth Tavern in Falkirk, where guests could listen to a live reading from the book, take part in a Q&A, and get their hands on a signed copy. (Michael Gillen).

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Falkirk-based author Liza Miles has released the latest instalment in her murder mystery series.

The series follows amateur sleuth Rose McLaren - an intelligent, flawed yet big-hearted, and impulsive woman - as she struggles with ups and downs of life, alcohol addiction, and Macular Degeneration which has led to a slow loss in vision.

After she almost met her end in the last book, Murder at the Sanctuary brings Rose back to readers as a sober and married woman who has returned to Scotland to lead a wellness retreat. Yet, something’s afoot at the sanctuary and readers must dodge red herrings to find the true culprit as Rose works to uncover the mystery.

Those who enjoy a book that keeps you on your toes may find Rose’s adventures to be right up their alley. Author Liza is a big Agatha Christie fan, and still finds new clues upon re-reading old stories - something she hoped to embed in her own murder mystery series.

Fans may notice that the cover of Murder at the Sanctuary has strayed from the usual bright white backdrop in favour of an almost-black graphic.

The change in graphics symbolises how Rose has almost completely lost her vision, and the book relies on her other four senses to draw readers into her world.

Liza, who began writing in earnest at the beginning of the pandemic, uses experiences from her past career as a family mediator to shape Rose’s story. Working with at-risk youth and women gave her a “very broad focus” of what people, especially women, can go through in life.

She said: “I used to work as a women’s councillor working with women with addiction, so I understand how that journey can be complex and difficult.

“It’s a life journey, really, so Rose is on that life journey.”

Rose keeps coming back to Liza, who initially didn’t imagine the detective would have more than one book.

She said: “She [Rose] just kept on saying, ‘Well, I’ve got another story, and another story’.”

Despite originally planning for a six-book series, Liza believes the story could continue further, as long as Rose brings her more ideas.

Liza added: “She’s still chatting away to me.”

Copies of Liza’s work can be purchased via her Amazon page.