December: Memento Mori

Jern’s update

I spent much of November and December immersed in the editing of one of my more recent novels, Memento Mori. It’s a three-book series, and the editing process is long, winding, and generously fuelled by caffeine in its many devoted forms. Tedious at times, oddly comforting at others—but very much necessary.

Memento Mori began its life in 2023, during a stay in Ireland. I had planned to drive the Ring of Kerry, but plans, as it turns out, can be remarkably fragile things. When I reached Cork, I sat down on a picnic bench at UCC and wrote the first paragraph. Then another. Before I quite realised what was happening, the story had taken hold.

The Ring of Kerry quietly slipped off the itinerary, and I spent the rest of that summer in Cork instead, writing and wandering, in a country steeped in memory, mystery, and a particular kind of gentle magic.

I owe it to myself to return to Ireland one day and finish that journey. With luck, that time will come soon. I look forward to discovering what other quiet secrets the land is keeping.

— Jern

Eddie’s update

Updates to the website have been long overdue, but it is now more detailed and thorough than ever. Expect to see information on Memento Mori added in the next few days.

I have also been working to complete the audiobook for Murder in Treggan Bay. I have all the audio recorded now and I am just going through the production and final editing. If you want to know more about how I do this, you can read or listen to my segments on the process over at podfeet.com.

• Recording an Audio Book — by Eddie Tonkoi - Podfeet Podcasts
• Producing an Audiobook — by Eddie Tonkoi - Podfeet Podcasts

Lastly from me, I have been so delighted to have seen some amazing, beautiful, thoughtful reviews come in for Jern’s books. And, of course, the smile it gives Jern delights me also. If you do enjoy any of our books, an honest review on any site goes a surprisingly long way for an indie author.

— Eddie

Latest releases

With Jern completing older trilogies and writing new stories, it has been a productive year.

1. The Gravedigger’s Handbook – After a burial in the forgotten cemetery of St Aubin’s Rest, Lucien Morel begins encountering a young artist whose secrets stir both memory and mercy. As their bond deepens, the boundary between solace and haunting grows thin, asking Lucien what must be released—and what might be saved.
2. The Curse of Time (Tobias & Stuart 3)
3. The Watchman’s Secret
4. Murder in Treggan Bay

Upcoming

The Memento Mori trilogy is close to being finished, with Book 1 with reviewers and Book 2 with Eddie. Jern is still editing Book 3, but that won’t take too long unless she get’s distracted by a new story over Christmas…

Memento Mori (The Mason Trilogy)

1. The Boy with the Crow
2. Judas and the Ghost
3. The Boy the Wolves Took

In closing

During this holiday period we will find time to settle ourselves, to relax, but we also appreciate the time we have to continue with our passion project. We hope you do too.

Thanks, Jern and Eddie Tonkoi