
Book Blurb:
DI Gus McGuire Laid bare
So, Gus is troubled. However, according to his fans (readers) he’s also sexy, attractive and very popular. Gus is dual heritage. His mother is Jamaican and his dad is Scottish. Raised in Bradford, Gus is a Yorkshire man at heart and loves his city. He celebrates its warmth and richness and constantly fights against anything to upset the equilibrium of this city. So – time to find out a bit more about Gus. Some of the things I’m about to reveal, haven’t made it into a book yet so be prepared to be surprised. Here we go!
Gus’ Fields of Wheat moment…
When he was at High school, Gus and his best friends, Mo and Greg, used to sneak into Heaton allotments with beer and weed. Sometimes they’d even camp out there overnight after telling their parents they were at each others’ homes. Gus lost his virginity in Heaton Allotments with a girl that was three years older than him – of course he’s too much of a gentleman to reveal her name.
The Desert Island question?
The three things Gus would take to a desert island are his dog, Bingo, the painting his friend Greg did of him with serpents a in his dreads and Bob Marley music.
The first two are because Gus gets things off his chest by spending time with his wee dog and he tends to talk to the painting as if it was Greg – it’s his closest link to his dead best friend and he misses him badly. As for Bob Marley – he loves reggae and Bob Marley.
Gus’ Fears, Hopes and Secrets
Gus’ biggest fear is losing anyone else he’s close to. He’s already lost his best friend – However, more than that, Gus is scared of being responsible for something bad happening to his family. For Gus, his family extends to his work colleagues as well as his parents, sister and friends. What secret does your character have?
He hopes to one day be a father, but holds out little hope of it. Much as he wants to be a dad, secretly he is scared that he will fail at the job. After all, he’s got such a great dad himself and he’s sure he’d never match his dad’s capacity for love.
Gus’ biggest secret is that he has seriously contemplated killing himself on more than one occasion. So far, he’s managed to pull away from it, but the thought that his suicidal tendencies may resurface lurks constantly at the back of his mind.
How others see Gus
Gus’s delightful mum, Corrine sees him as vulnerable and being her youngest, she desperately wants to protect him from everything life throws at him. She sees the darkest within and is glad that he’s in a relationship with Patti. She’s sure Patti will be good for him.
Compo sees Gus almost as a Demi God. Gus is everything he aspires to and he is grateful for the confidence Gus puts in him. However, in Unspoken truths Compo sees another side of Gus that might just change his perceptions a little.
Gabriella (Gus’ ex-wife who is now in a relationship with his sister) still pretty much views him as her property – you’ll see this in Unspoken Truths. She is antagonistic to Patti because of this and Gus finds it all very frustrating.
Gus’ favourite things …
Holiday destination What holiday?
Ice cream flavour Cappucino
Colour Red, Gold and Green of course
Food Curry (he has to say that or Mo will kill him)
Drink/beverage A good single Malt (or beer- or gin)
Song 500 miles by the Proclaimers
Band/singer Bob Marley
Night wear Boxers (swoon, swoon)
Animal Bingo
What would Gus choose?
Visit a Post Mortem or clean up a drunk’s sick?
No surprises here – Gus’ hatred of PM’s is legendary – mopping up sick wold be his choice any day of the week
Listen to Country& Western music or Punk?
If Reggae’s not an option he’d have to go for Punk
Salute or shoot Dexter?
Salute (but only in secret – he’s a police officer after all)
Find out what Agatha Christie did when she disappeared or discover Jack The Ripper’s true identity?
Jack the Ripper – his mum can find out about Agatha if she wants but there’s no comparison in his eyes – the guy was a serial killer, after all.
Have Roger Moore or Sean Connery as Bond?
For Goodness sake – Neither- it’s got to be Idris (or Gus himself)
Save a friend or kill their worst enemy?
No contest – Gus is a saviour not a killer – he’d do anything to save his best friend. He only wishes he could wind the clock back and do just that.