Sally Spencer Books In Order

Publication Order of Chief Inspector Woodend Books

Publication Order of Jennie Redhead Mystery Books

Publication Order of London Books

Publication Order of Marston Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Monika Paniatowski Books

Publication Order of Inspector Sam Blackstone Books

Publication Order of Detective Sam Brody Thriller Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Sally Spencer is a pseudonym adopted by the famous English author Alan Rustage for writing some oh his mystery and thriller novel series’. He was born on January 01, 1949 in The United Kingdom and spent most of his growing years in the northern region of England. Under the pen name, Sally has written a total of four novel series comprising of around 35 novels in all between them. He has also written the very famous Inspector Sam Blackstone mystery series under his pen name, as well as his real name Alan Rustage. Other than the first pseudonym of Sally Spencer, he also writes thriller novels under the second pseudonym James Garcia Woods. He has stated in his interviews that he began using the pen name of Sally when he was writing sagas and during that time it had become obligatory that the cover page of a mystery book must have a woman’s name on it. Hence, he did not feel shy of using a woman’s name and writing his mystery novels. In his attempt of doing so, Sally was inspired by other courageous authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples, who are also male authors just like him. Sally always had the dream of becoming an author since his childhood as he used to read several mystery and thriller novels and get inspired by them. He used to even try writing several stories of his own sometimes. He used to get lost in his own imaginary world and think of fictional characters and plots and used to make notes about them in his notebooks. It was not a usual task for a child of his age to indulge so much in his passion for developing mystery stories and characters. However, he believes that it was this dedication and determination of his that helped him to master the skills of creative writing and become a reputed author. Sally also says that he has received great inspiration by reading the successful works of the writers of his time and is thankful for them for whatever he is today. He believes that those novels helped him to hone the necessary skills required for writing a mystery novel. He has always believed that his struggle would pay him good returns some day and is quite happy to have achieved great success in his life as an author. Sally never denies the fact that his friends and family members have helped him a lot and have supported him throughout his struggling days. Sally says that if they would have not been there to encourage and motivate him in hi struggling days, then he would have not been able to become what he is today.

Before becoming a full time author, Sally used to work as a teacher. He has taught school students in England and Iran, and it was during his stay there as a teacher in one of the schools at the time of 1978-79 that he witnessed the fall of the rule of Shah through his own eyes. The situation in Iran was such that he had developed an interest in arms and weapons as he used to deal with the rifles frequently. He says that on one occasion he had landed himself at the gunpoint of the revolutionaries and the soldiers for possessing a rifle. However, it turned out to be a routine drill and he was lucky to come out safely from that situation. After that experience, he had never been comfortable in the presence of weapons. Sally has lived in Madrid for more than 20 years and considers it to be one of the most exciting and interesting cities that he has ever lived in. However, he has been living in the quiet environment of the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca for the past few years. The initial series of novels written by Sally were based on historical sagas which were set in Cheshire, the place where he grew up, and London. The novels were highly successful among the English readers, however, the American readers found the dialect of the novels to be quite a strain. Sally has written more than 20 books under the pen name, some of which were based on the characters named Detective Chief Inspector Woodend and Monika Paniatowski. Sally also wrote novels based on the character of Detective Inspector Sam Blackstone. The Blackstone novels were set in Edwardian/Victorian London, Russia and New York. Other novels based on the character of Detective Inspector Ruiz were set on the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. Other than writing exciting novels, Sally loves to play pub and bridge quizzes as well as a few other games. He is quite competitive in his games. He is also a hardcore fan of video games and it takes iron discipline to make him get over with it.

The first novel of the Chief Inspector Woodend series written by Sally Spencer was published under the title ‘The Salton Killings’. It was published in the year 1999 by the Dales Large Print Books. The plot of the novel opens up with the discovery of the strangled dead body of a teenager named Diane Thornburn. The body is found hidden in the salt store of the Cheshire village. One of Diane’s best friends named Margie Poole is believed to have some information about the murder. The main character of the series, Chief Inspector Woodend is called on from London to investigate the case. Woodend’s investigation makes him believe that the murder is related to the death of a teenage girl a few years back as there were many similarities in the way of killing both the girls. Woodend is required to catch the killer as soon as possible before he takes the lives of other innocent girls of the village.

The second novel of the series was published in the year 1999 by the Severn House Publishers under the title ‘Murder at Swann’s Lake’. The plot of this novel deals with the Swann’s Lake which is considered a peaceful place and a wonderful retreat for the working class people. However, the place becomes the murdering site of a man named Robbie Peterson, who was a former criminal and a current club owner. His body is recovered from his office, with a long nail inserted in his skull. Chief Inspector Woodend is once again asked to carry out the investigation of the mysterious murder along with Sergeant Bob Rutter. His investigation makes him believe that there was some connection between Robbie’s office getting broken down twice on his funeral day and his son-in-law Jack Clough attacking his own brother on the night of Robbie’s murder. Soon, Woodend realizes that the murder of Robbie Peterson had nothing to do with his criminal past and his murderer was among one of his relatives, with the motive behind the murder of Robbie being his domestic present.

2 Responses to “Sally Spencer”

1. Rwth Hunt: 2 years ago

   I love the Monika Piatowski novels. I am mystified by the skip between books 7 and book 9. Perhaps a blip in the publisher’s covers. I am also following Sam Blackstone into the Great War.

   Thank you very much. Lockdown was no penance with all these books to read.

   Reply
2. Fiona: 2 years ago

   Really enjoying the Monica Paniatowski books.. Charlie Woodend next but I wish I’d read them first

   Reply