“A Gift Before Dying” by Malcolm Kempt
In his debut mystery, Malcolm Kempt plunges readers into the frigid Arctic — a landscape that’s dangerous, isolating, and can easily bury secrets beneath snow and ice. A Gift Before Dying blends classic mystery elements with an eerie supernatural edge, and we explore the chilling depths of the story, Malcolm’s creative journey, and the inspirations behind his narrative in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps.
The narrative: about A Gift Before Dying
Sergeant Elderick Cole is a disgraced police officer — a botched murder investigation got him transferred to the remote Arctic, he’s estranged from his daughter, and his failed marriage still haunts him. While he awaits the verdict of a lawsuit related to that investigation, Cole discovers the body of a young Inuit woman, Pitseolala. Everyone is convinced she took her own life — but Cole disagrees. “He sees solving her case and getting justice for her as his one final shot at redemption,” says Kempt.
The brother of the Pitseolala, Maliktu, has his own reasons for believing his sister was murdered. Although an unlikely duo, Cole and Maliktu work to uncover what really happened and find justice in a chilling setting where nature can feel most unforgiving.
The nightcap
It’s a go-to cocktail for Malcolm and was Hemingway’s favorite — Death in the Afternoon is our pairing for A Gift Before Dying. Absinthe or Pernod, plus Champagne or Prosecco, a blend that complements his book will with a hint of eerie and topped with chilling bubbles.
In the episode
Get to know Malcolm in our episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We talk about:
The people, troubles, and magic of the Arctic setting. “I’m hoping for two things,” Malcolm said. “Curiosity about the North. I’d like to see more people getting really interested in the Arctic, the Inuit community, particularly social problems that are happening there… I also want people to know how wonderful it is.”
Having spent 17 years as a criminal lawyer in the remote Arctic, Malcolm shares how he ended up there and his most memorable experiences
Making historical fiction books a part of broader conversations about history (NOTE — she has another book coming out in April focusing on Cuban history!)
Malcolm’s influences extending beyond traditional crime authors. He cites horror writers like H.P. Lovecraft and the narratives of the British Library’s Weird Tales series as significant inspirations for the supernatural elements that permeate A Gift Before Dying. He notes in this episode, “It’s not like in-your-face horror, but it’s just kind of in the background.”
Malcolm Kempt’s A Gift Before Dying is a masterful blend of mystery, emotional depth, and supernatural intrigue, with a backdrop that’s as breathtaking as it is isolation. It’s atmospheric and vivid, beckoning readers to keep turning page after page.
Listen or watch to the full author interview on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts
Purchase your copy here.