It’s January. The bleakest month of the year, apparently. I don’t think so. I love January. The cold, the dark, the bad weather. The annoyance of Christmas and New Year out of the way. Long nights where you can cuddle up on the sofa with a good book.
The first couple of weeks of 2026 have been quite busy for me. I’ve delivered DCI Matilda Darke XIV to my publisher. As you know, this one is called First One to Die. You know who the killer is by now, but how will Matilda react when she discovers this for herself, and will she be able to enact the revenge for what happened to her family?
This was a different kind of book for me to write. I’ve never written one before where the reader knows from the beginning who the killer is. I was worried all the tension and drama would be lacking. However, I think I’ve managed to add a few surprises. There’s a shock death at the beginning which I doubt any of you will be expecting and there’s a twist in the narrative concerning a couple of characters that will develop as the series progresses further. On a happier note, there is also a wedding as Scott and Donal finally tie the knot.
Apart from Matilda Darke, I’ve also been working on another project which I delivered in the first couple of weeks of January. Weirdly, I’m not allowed to tell you anything about it. I’ve asked, many times, and I’ve been told to keep my mouth shut. This should surface around early March and I’m keeping my eyes peeled for when it appears online. As soon as it does, I’ll let you know.
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for me. There is the third Dr Olivia Winter thriller, Evil in the Family, released in March/April. Olivia is back in London and facing a killer whose method of killing brings back dark memories for Olivia and she makes a decision which could be a huge turning point in her life.
In the summer, my Audible bestseller, Maybe Tomorrow, is finally published in eBook and paperback. I’ve written a couple of bonus chapters for the physical release edition. I don’t have any events lined up for the release yet, but I hope I can fit a few in.
Then, in the autumn, it’s back to Matilda Darke and the release of First One to Die, which is already available to preorder online.
In the meantime, I’m writing another secret project which is part of the ‘keep your mouth shut, Michael’ contract and after that it’s Matilda Darke XV. I have two ideas for book fifteen and I’m waiting to hear from my publisher which way they want me to go. Exciting times ahead.
I’ll try to blog more often, but things seem to slip away and before you know it, it’s Christmas again. I love hearing from you all (nice messages only please) so feel free to email me michael@michaelwoodbooks.co.uk
Enjoy the rest of the winter and happy reading.
Michael.