The Story of Virna Babineaux

What people are saying...

"Mystery, murder, suspense, erotica, paranormal, intrigue. This book has got it all—another great tale from the busy and imaginative mind of Mal Foster." - Kathy Kelso.

"Another fantastic novel from my favourite author Mal Foster! The area knowledge (as per Mal's style) is spot-on and immersive for readers, whether they know the local area or not. The characters are truly intriguing, as is the storyline. The "Mal Foster effect" of having history meeting supernatural and conspiracy is absolutely present in this novel and up my street! A page-turner for me. The intrigue and dialect kept me reading on. Some NSFW content in this novel, but tactfully and honestly approached. Definitely, one I will read again and again! Future readers will not be disappointed!" - Emma Foy

"Great book, Mal Foster's best so far! Both me and my mum really enjoyed it!" - Simon Brown.

"Amazing!" - Mary Catherine

"The Story of Virna Babineaux is an absorbing masterpiece of a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever." - Brenda Jackson.

"Great read. I enjoyed it very much!" - Sue Mackender (Author of The Girl on the Hill)

"I have just finished reading The Story of Virna Babineaux. It's great, and I couldn't put it down. I am now trying to put a marshmallow* in my money box. Ha, ha! " - Ivy West   (* Note: Ivy's marshmallow comment relates to an innuendo in the book). 

“Compelling and easy read with lots of surprises along the way. Excellent read!” – Jane Johnson

"Another great novel! Just finished reading this book and found it intriguing both in storyline and location. When reading Mal’s books, I always feel as if I’m in the locations watching the story unfold. I would highly recommend reading!" - Janette Prowse

“Just finished reading. I was hooked. I really enjoyed it!” – Maggie Crate

“Mal Foster’s pacing, his characterisation, and his explosive story lines make The Story of Virna Babineaux a rewarding read!” – David Morrison (Publish Nation)

"Brilliant book!" - Julie Errington

"Congratulations on 'The Story of Virna Babineaux' - Great to see you going from strength to strength!" - Tina Jackson, Editor, Writing Magazine

"Mal Foster is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. ‘The Story of Virna Babineaux’ is an exceptional book and certainly doesn’t disappoint. In Daniel Blue, he (Mal Foster) again presents us with a plausible large-as-life character to follow. Other characters too, such as Annie, DI Grendel and Bill Pattenden, jump right off the page. A novel to be remembered and one I can’t wait to share with my fellow book chums." – Jess Newman

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Story of Virna Babineaux, it’s very good!” – Vivienne Laing

“It’s very intriguing the more you read the more you want to keep reading, I have my thoughts on how it will end but I hope I will find out today.” – Jeannette Sale-Smith

"Absolutely amazing!' - Marylee MacDonald

"Oooh, just read the blurb, and it sounds good! I will be ordering for my holidays!" - Sarina Da Silva (Councillor for Waterloo & Southbank)

"Just finished reading The Story of Virna Baineaux. Yes, I enjoyed it - it was very good!"  - Carol Drew

“It's evident that Mal Foster is a talented author, and I  believe there's even more potential to unlock. His book, ‘The Story of Virna Babineaux’, truly stands out.  Excited about the possibility of collaborating with him on his next literary masterpiece.” – Maricar Pulanco

“I really enjoyed the story!” – Karen Covey

“Have just read ‘The Story of Virna Babineaux’, and as usual Mal Foster doesn’t disappoint.” – Trisha Jackman 

"I enjoyed the characters. When's the sequel out?" - Phil Stubbs (Chairman, Knaphill Residents' Association)

"His (Mal Foster's) books are really down to earth and realistic. I read the first one, The Asylum Soul, about Brookwood Hospital and others. Now, I'm going to get Fluke's Cradle, and this book too. So you could say I count him as one of my favourite authors." - Gwen Bailey

"What a wonderful book by a great author!" - Limor Regev

THE STORY OF VIRNA BABINEAUX

R&A (Round and About) Magazine - September 2023

Mad, Bad & Sad?

One of the reasons I enjoy writing novels is that much of the inspiration originates from where I live in Knaphill, near Woking. People passing through will probably tell you the village may not look that much, but it is steeped with history, and I find all that very spiritual.

The village is often described as ‘mad, bad, and sad’, a tag which is associated with the former Brookwood Asylum, Woking Invalid and Women’s Prisons, and the sprawling Brookwood Cemetery, which is situated on the south side of the Basingstoke Canal and South-Western railway line.

When I first started my novel-writing journey in 2015, I was advised by a literary acquaintance, to “write what you know”, and having explored Knaphill’s unique history, I was able to produce my first novel,The Asylum Soul, which is a 1929, diarised account of a young man incarcerated at Brookwood Asylum with a simple speech defect.

Indeed, all my books have a local backdrop. My second novel, Fly Back and Purify, is a paranormal affair and tells the story of a train driver who is convinced he has hit and killed a young woman at Brookwood railway station in 1994, but the police can’t find a body. My other titles, An Invisible Nemesis, Jude & Bliss, and Fluke’s Cradle, are also mostly set in or around Woking.

My latest novel, The Story of Virna Babineaux, tells the tale of a once famous glamour model/turned prostitute, who is stabbed to death in a Southeast London brothel. Several years later, the corpse remains unclaimed until it is inexplicably discovered missing by mortuary staff. It all starts off with mysterious goings on at a deserted luxury house in Littlewick Road, Knaphill.

As the story unfolds, the case is dropped by Surrey Police, before the initial investigation is completed. Had there been a possible connection with the missing body?

Investigating officer DI Sue Grendel is furious as she believes she is close to solving the mystery. Against her better judgement, she tips off her former lover, the wayward journalist Daniel Blue, urging him to bag a good story.

Daniel feels he is on nothing more than a wild goose chase as he strives to solve the mystery. However, in a final twist, assistance comes from an unlikely source.

The Story of Virna Babineaux is available in paperback and e-book formats and can be ordered from any good bookshop and online. Website:www.malfoster.co.uk

(Reproduced Courtesy: Round and About Magazine)

Woking News & Mail - August 2023

A WOKING author has released his sixth book, The Story of Virna Babineaux.

Mal Foster’s debut novel, The Asylum Soul, won many admirers after its publication in 2015 – and his writing continues to attract praise.

His latest outing explores fresh subject matter and introduces a new protagonist. Daniel Blue, a hapless local news reporter. Blue is drawn into the story of Virna Babineaux, a once-famous glamour model turned prostitute found stabbed to death in a London brothel. Several years later, the corpse remains unclaimed until it is inexplicably discovered missing by mortuary staff.

Strange goings-on at the victim’s former luxury home in Surrey arouse the interest of local police, but the case is dropped before the initial investigation is completed.

Investigating officer DI Sue Grendel is furious as she believes she is close to solving the mystery. Against her better judgement, she tips off her former lover, the wayward Blue, urging him to bag a good story.

“I’m always looking to experiment with my writing and explore alternative subject matter,” Mal said. “My protagonists, who are usually quite vulnerable types, are always very important to me, and when I start a new novel, I enjoy getting into character with each of them.

“I have used Blue to address my own inner inhibitions and some of life’s what-might-have-beens.”

The Story of Virna Babineaux is published by PublishNation and costs £ 8.99 in paperback and £ 2.99 in e-book. It is available from Amazon and bookshops.

(Reproduced: Courtesy - Woking News & Mail)