It’s my turn today on the Club 27 blog tour – the sequel to Mind Guerilla – with thanks to the author, Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours and Question Mark Press. Before I share the exclusive extract I have for you today, here’s a bit about the book…
Blurb: DCI Judd Stone is heading for rock bottom. He breaks the rules, he gambles and he’s begun to play around.An unlikely lifeline is thrown Judd’s way when he finds himself catapulted into trying to prevent Rock and Pop sensation Phoenix from becoming the next member of the infamous 27 club – the name given to the list of iconic musicians who die at the age of 27.
Judd’s quest is not made easier when Phoenix’s lifestyle is even more self-destructive than his own – but how can Judd possibly protect someone from themselves?
And who else could be conspiring to benefit from Phoenix’s death? A crazed fan? Birmingham’s ruthless Gangsters? A Secret Society? Or maybe even those who Phoenix believes to be closest to her?
And when Phoenix embarks on an unprecedented tour performing at some of the most wondrous places of the world, the stakes to protect her become even higher.
Now, without further stalling, here’s a sneak peek from inside the pages:
Club 27, Extract #2:
Judd watched with interest as Ben swiped images in and out of the screen, each photo displaying a famous person who had met their untimely death at the age of 27. They included a picture each of Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, the rappers known as Stretch and Fredo Santana and a few more.
“Wow, all of those talented people died at the tender age of 27. It is unbelievable when you stop and think about it,” said Judd.
“It certainly is,” said Ben. “Tragic too. But did you notice anything similar with each of the photos, Judd?”
“Well none of them were professional photos taken at any studio photo shoot. They had all been taken in public places, quite randomly it would seem.”
“That’s correct which meant that our famous person was not the only person in the pictures although they were the main focus of course. Now, I’m going to show you the same photos again Judd, but this time ignore the famous face within and concentrate on the other elements of the photo.”
“Ok.”
“So, close your mind to the obvious feature of the photo and it will become clear.”
Judd closed his eyes and then opened them again to begin afresh.
Judd concentrated on the photos for a second time. This time as they moved back and forth before him his jaw physically dropped with the realisation of their common denominator.
“My God. The guy with the umbrella. He’s in the background of every single one of these photos.”
“Indeed, Judd. Quite remarkable really.”
“Remarkable and chilling.”
“Agreed. Well, it’s either the same person or simply another person who is dressed the same as our man in Dallas in 1963. I mean, can it really be the very same man holding aloft an umbrella in Camden Town in 2011 just a few days before Amy Winehouse passed away? I’m not ruling out it is the same man even with the passage of time, because if there is something supernatural about all of these deaths at the age of 27 then I guess anything is possible. Xanthe certainly believes so.”
“Whether it is the same dude or not, the significant thing is, is that all of these stars who died at the age of 27 had a photograph unwittingly taken with a mysterious umbrella holder accompanying them. Chillingly the photos seem to suggest that the presence of the Umbrella Man acts like some sort of prophecy of their deaths.”
“That’s about it, Judd.”
“It’s pretty mind-blowing. But this guy carrying a black umbrella has featured in pictures of people who did not die at the age of 27. Like I’ve said already, JFK wasn’t 27.”
Xanthe decided to speak. “John Fitzgerald Kennedy the 35th president of the United States was assassinated at 12.30pm Central Standard Time on Friday 22 November 1963. The fifth day of the week plus the twenty-second day of the month equals 27. Or to look at it another way, the killing took place at 12.30pm in the eleventh month of 1963. 1+2+3+0+1+1+1+9+6+3 equals 27. The number 27 dominates the assassination. He wasn’t a musician or an artist, but his presidency was more showbiz and transcended social culture more than any other up until that point. For example, he famously kept the company of Marilyn Monroe.”
“Xanthe believes that the 27 club reaches beyond just the age of the person. It’s all about the number 27 itself too as the vital ingredient. To my knowledge, I don’t believe anyone other than Xanthe has ever made this connection.”
“Show Mr. Stone the other photos, Uncle Ben.”
Judd was shown pictures of Marvin Gaye, Peter Tosh, Chester Bennington and George Michael. All four photos had the Umbrella Man lurking in the background.
“Unbelievable. But again, these guys weren’t 27 when they died, so where’s the connection with the number?”
Xanthe once again revealed all. “Motown legend Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father on April 1 1984. 4+1+1+9+8+4 equals 27. Reggae star Peter Tosh was killed September 11 1987. 1+1+1+9+8+7 equals 27. George Michael broke hearts all over the world when he passed away on Christmas Day 2016 at the untimely age of 53. 5+3+2+5+1+2+2+0+1+6 equals 27.”
Judd was able to tap into the unfolding theme. “And Chester Bennington took his own life on 20 July. The twentieth day of the seventh month equaling 27.”
“Now you’re following, Judd,” said Ben. “My niece has the ability to focus on certain subjects very intensely, the 27 club being one of them. She’s pretty convincing wouldn’t you say?”
“I certainly would. Her commitment to detail and subject matter knowledge is incredible.”
“I have one more photo to show you.”
Ben revealed a picture of a beautiful girl born from mixed-parentage who had been typically caught in a vulnerable state by the paparazzi. The state of her pupils suggested that she had taken drugs and she was sticking her middle finger to the photographer in question. Behind her stood a man whose features could not be distinguished but he was clearly holding aloft an open umbrella. The photo had been taken at night time, and although it was dark, twenty-six-year-old Phoenix Easter’s bleached hair being in a state of dryness suggested that it hadn’t been raining…
Martin Tracey is an author who likes to push the boundaries of reality. Even when injecting elements of the supernatural, the terror that grips you is very real. Not necessarily a genre specific author, psychological thrills are a plenty.
He has a passion for The Beatles & Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Both music and football/soccer often find their way into his stories.
Martin lives in Birmingham, UK and is married with 2 daughters.
Follow him at:
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Tracey/e/B009ANTBWG/
Blog: http://www.martintracey.co.uk
Club 27 is available on Amazon right now.
Don’t forget to check out the other blog stops on the tour for more great reviews and content (see the poster below for details)!
Bookshine And Readbows 
Thank you so much lovely for taking part in the tour today with this extract x
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