Family News, Writing Updates & Why My Book Might Get a New Look


Another week has passed, and while my ebook An Irish Mystery is still waiting to go live on Draft2Digital’s retail and library partners, plenty of exciting things have been happening — both in writing and in life!

👶 Welcoming a New Grandchild

On Sunday, 31st August, my daughter gave birth to her first child — and my wife and I welcomed our second grandchild into the world. A beautiful baby boy with a full head of brown hair (just like his mum had), weighing 9lbs. Both mum and baby are doing really well, and we couldn’t be happier.

💌 Newsletter Update — Book 2 Reveal

On 1st September, my monthly newsletter went out. If you’re not already part of the community, you can [sign up here].

Last month I revealed the title of Book 2 in the Newman Adventure series: An American Treasure. This month, I shared the blurb — giving my subscribers the first look at what Cedric and his team are chasing this time…

🏴‍☠️ An American Treasure – The Blurb

A LEGENDARY FORTUNE BURIED BY WAR
A RELENTLESS RIVAL WITH A DEADLY OBSESSION
A RACE AGAINST TIME ACROSS AMERICAN SOIL

In 1863, Mosby’s Rangers — the Confederacy’s elusive guerrillas — executed a daring raid, seizing a vast fortune of Union valuables. Concealed and lost to the chaos of war, its legend has persisted for more than a century, whispering of untold riches: heirlooms, silver, and precious artifacts.

Now, billionaire adventurer Cedric Newman embarks on his most perilous quest yet: to unearth the elusive Confederate treasure. But a ruthless rival shadows his every move, turning the hunt into a deadly race.

Who will claim the legendary hoard first? And what desperate lengths will they go to possess the ultimate American Treasure?

👉 Expect cryptic clues, high-stakes adventure, dangerous conflict, and an antagonist who will stop at nothing.

📖 An Irish Mystery – New Blurb & Cover Questions

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post titled: Is My Book What You Think It Is? (And a 1-Star Rating Got Me Thinking...)

That question is still on my mind. My original blurb (written by my publisher) described the book as having “cozy twists.” A few people pointed out this might confuse readers, making it sound like a cozy mystery instead of what it really is: a historical adventure thriller.

So, An Irish Mystery now has a brand-new blurb that better reflects the story. You can read it on my [Amazon page].

But that’s not all — I’m also seriously considering a new cover design. My current cover doesn’t fully capture the genre I’m writing in. I want my books to sit on the same shelf as Clive Cussler and James Rollins: fast-paced historical thrillers with adventure at the core.

The issue? The paperback cover currently has the old blurb printed on the back. If I change the front, I’ll need to change the back too. And since Book 2’s cover hasn’t been revealed yet, I may need to rethink both at the same time.

👉 What do you think? Does the current cover say “mystery set in Ireland” — or “adventure thriller”? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

📈 Blog Growth & Thank You

Last month was my best month ever on this blog, with three times more traffic than my previous record. That means a lot — thank you for reading, sharing, and following along on this journey.

If you’ve been enjoying these posts, I’d love for you to:

  • 💬 Leave a comment — it makes these posts a two-way conversation.

  • ⭐ Follow this blog — be the first to see new posts.

  • ☕ Support me on [Ko-Fi] — for the cost of a coffee (£3), you help me invest in tools that improve my writing, blogs, and books.








📖 An Irish Mystery Historical intrigue, hidden secrets, and a gripping debut.

💌 Love treasure-hunt thrillers? Subscribe to The Newman Chronicle for behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks, and an exclusive free prequel coming soon!

👉 Join here

✅ Stay connected:

📸 Instagram | 🐦 X | 🌐 Bluesky | 🎵 TikTok
🌍 www.dcsalmonbooks.com

Comments