News
Book Event, Ludlow 2023
Published on: 10th June 2023
On Tuesday 8th August, 6 pm I shall be giving a talk entitled Playing the Fiction Game at the Castle Bookshop in the centre of Ludlow. This is part of their summer programme, details of which can be found at www.castlebookshopludlow.co.uk. Having seen the programme and names of other speakers, I am most impressed by its wide and fascinating range of literary, historical and cultural subjects. You will doubtless find several that appeal – though I rather trust that mine may be one of them!
For further information contact the bookshop: castlebookshop@btconnect.com
or Tel: 01584 892562
Published on: 10th June 2023
On Tuesday 8th August, 6 pm I shall be giving a talk entitled Playing the Fiction Game at the Castle Bookshop in the centre of Ludlow. This is part of their summer programme, details of which can be found at www.castlebookshopludlow.co.uk. Having seen the programme and names of other speakers, I am most impressed by its wide and fascinating range of literary, historical and cultural subjects. You will doubtless find several that appeal – though I rather trust that mine may be one of them!
For further information contact the bookshop: castlebookshop@btconnect.com
or Tel: 01584 892562
Work in Progess
Published on: 10th June 2023
Title: A Lurking Primrose, the third tale in the sequel to the Revd Francis Oughterard series, and featuring the late vicar’s indomitable and inquisitive sister Primrose. This time it is a mysterious death at the local boys’ prep school that catches her attention and which she feels duty-bound to investigate. Inevitably the cynical Nicholas Ingaza is commandeered, while the dog and cat continue to watch and wonder. Sickie-Dickie and the school’s twitchy secretary, Emily Bartlett, also feature; but there are new characters too, whose fate it is to cross the Primrose path.
Publication is likely late 2023/early 2024. (Severn House Ltd).
Published on: 10th June 2023
Title: A Lurking Primrose, the third tale in the sequel to the Revd Francis Oughterard series, and featuring the late vicar’s indomitable and inquisitive sister Primrose. This time it is a mysterious death at the local boys’ prep school that catches her attention and which she feels duty-bound to investigate. Inevitably the cynical Nicholas Ingaza is commandeered, while the dog and cat continue to watch and wonder. Sickie-Dickie and the school’s twitchy secretary, Emily Bartlett, also feature; but there are new characters too, whose fate it is to cross the Primrose path.
Publication is likely late 2023/early 2024. (Severn House Ltd).
Recent contribution to a new website for authors (www.shepherd.com)
Published on: 5th December 2022
This is a novel website in that it invites authors to say a few words about themselves and their latest work, but also to select five of their favourite books, giving each a brief description and endorsement. This means there is an enormous range of fiction and non-fiction on show, and is thus something which makes a fascinating stimulus for readers and writers alike. For those interested, my own section can be seen on: https://shepherd.com/best-books/making-one-laugh-or-ponder
Published on: 5th December 2022
This is a novel website in that it invites authors to say a few words about themselves and their latest work, but also to select five of their favourite books, giving each a brief description and endorsement. This means there is an enormous range of fiction and non-fiction on show, and is thus something which makes a fascinating stimulus for readers and writers alike. For those interested, my own section can be seen on: https://shepherd.com/best-books/making-one-laugh-or-ponder
Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club
Pub. Collins Crime Club 2020. Hardback.
This is a handsome and magisterial tome edited by the intrepid Martin Edwards, current president of the venerable Detection Club (founded in the 1930s by Dorothy L. Sayers and other notables). I say 'magisterial' because there are no fewer than 90 contributors – the majority from the present day, but also a number of big names from the past, e.g. Agatha Christie, Eric Ambler, G.K. Chesterton, Margery Allingham et al. Yet past or present, they share one aim: to convey the art, methods, and nature of the genre. But oh my goodness, within that aim what an amazing diversity of topics, viewpoints and interests – and all delivered with lively eloquence. I can guarantee that for afficionados of crime fiction this will fast become their literary “bible”, to be dipped into, consulted, savoured and thoroughly enjoyed.
The collection seems to cover every facet of the fiction game; and in saying this, I do not mean simply that of detection and crime. For such is the scope of this work, that much of what the contributors say about the task of composition applies to literature generally. Thus, I thoroughly recommend that you beg, borrow or buy this book (an antidote to the tedium of Lockdown or an excellent Christmas present!) It won’t disappoint.
Pub. Collins Crime Club 2020. Hardback.
This is a handsome and magisterial tome edited by the intrepid Martin Edwards, current president of the venerable Detection Club (founded in the 1930s by Dorothy L. Sayers and other notables). I say 'magisterial' because there are no fewer than 90 contributors – the majority from the present day, but also a number of big names from the past, e.g. Agatha Christie, Eric Ambler, G.K. Chesterton, Margery Allingham et al. Yet past or present, they share one aim: to convey the art, methods, and nature of the genre. But oh my goodness, within that aim what an amazing diversity of topics, viewpoints and interests – and all delivered with lively eloquence. I can guarantee that for afficionados of crime fiction this will fast become their literary “bible”, to be dipped into, consulted, savoured and thoroughly enjoyed.
The collection seems to cover every facet of the fiction game; and in saying this, I do not mean simply that of detection and crime. For such is the scope of this work, that much of what the contributors say about the task of composition applies to literature generally. Thus, I thoroughly recommend that you beg, borrow or buy this book (an antidote to the tedium of Lockdown or an excellent Christmas present!) It won’t disappoint.