Last week, in writing a review for the book Then We Take Berlin, I commented that the author had been kind enough to give me some feedback for my new novel, Borderline. It’s not the first time I’ve made references to this novel and, to be fair, I’ve mainly given only the most tenuous of hints about it. Well, the time is fast approaching for its release, so I need to be a little less tenuous. Still, this sneak peak of part of the cover probably isn’t giving much else away.

What I’m struggling with at the moment, is that all-important blurb. I had a similar experience with Carrion, and got some really helpful feedback from readers. So I thought I might as well try again. In the process, of course, I can reveal a little more of what’s in store.

Below are some blurb options I’ve been playing with. You’ll see that some phrases are repeated, so there are variations on themes. Please do comment below on any aspect of them. If one of them in particular calls out to you, please say which it is; if only parts speak to you, or you like something but think it could be worded better; if you like some of one and think it’d work better with part of another; if you think they’re all a bag of shit…

For anyone who does provide me with input (even the bag of shit variety), I’ll arrange for a free eBook to be delivered to you (whether you want it or not) once we reach publication date.

If you haven’t picked up on the genre before now, I hope these blurbs will help clear things up – but without giving too much away.

Blurb 1

Stopping a sex pest outside a lap-dancing club is all in a day’s work for Rand Scott. When he gets his reward, though, it comes with a request for help. Kirsty Moore wants him to find her brother. It won’t be a straightforward job. Not when he’s competing with the local constabulary, media and organised crime. But, with a little help from his friends, he can handle it. Can’t he?

Blurb 2

Life can be a blurred line

Stopping a sex pest outside a lap-dancing club is all in a day’s work for Rand Scott. When he gets his reward, though, it comes with a request.

Kirsty Moore wants him to find her brother. But it won’t be straightforward. Not when he’s competing with the media, the police and organised crime.

Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll sound like good clean fun – until you throw in prostitution, addiction and a one-time rock star wanted for murder.

Still, with a little help from his friends, he can handle it. Can’t he?

For fans of Robert B Parker and Robert Crais – other Roberts are available…

Blurb 3

A search for a missing man thrusts Rand Scott into the dark worlds of the street homeless, drug dealing and sex clubs. There, he uncovers an even sleazier world, where money talks louder than the screams of innocent bystanders.

Blurb 4

In a city in the north-east, disgraced ex-cop Rand Scott is asked for help. Kirsty Moore wants him to find her brother Johnny, a one-time rock star. But the police also want him – for burglary and murder.

With the police investigation overseen by the officer responsible for Rand’s dismissal, he needs to stay off the radar more than usual.

But as he searches for Johnny, the circumstances of the robbery make less and less sense. And then there’s the interest he’s getting from a local crime boss and a team of deadly ex-soldiers protecting business interests.

When he’s betrayed, Rand’s challenge is to find a way to keep Johnny safe, make sure justice is served and earn some money into the bargain.

 Blurb 5 

When the system isn’t working, you need someone who works outside the system.

Stopping a sex pest outside a lap-dancing club is all in a day’s work for Rand Scott. When he gets his reward, though, it comes with a request for help. Kirsty Moore wants him to find her brother, Johnny, a one-time rock star, who the police want for burglary and murder.

When Rand learns Johnny is living on the streets, he thinks it should be an easy job. After all, he funds a homeless shelter with his ill-gotten gains. But he’s not the only one looking. Apart from the local constabulary, he soon discovers there are others who don’t play nicely. And there’s something not quite right about the burglary Johnny was involved in.

Even so, with a little help from his friends, Rand can handle it.

Can’t he?

The more feedback I get, the better, so do feel free to share this with anyone you think might be interested. I’ll be reviewing any feedback I get over the weekend – and, hopefully, make a decision so I can tick that box!