News
Novel in Progress:
Shadow Over Southwold to be published in July 2021 by Allison & Busby. Hardback & ebook. Paperback later.
Shadow Over Southwold to be published in July 2021 by Allison & Busby. Hardback & ebook. Paperback later.
The third in the Suffolk trilogy. With Rosy Gilchrist about to wed (and tame) the formidable Dr Stanley, and Lady Fawcett securely detained by the London scene, Felix and Cedric engage in this venture alone. Alone, that is, except for a new set of Southwold associates who flit in and out of their increasingly anxious orbit. Such anxiety is generated by Felix who (en route to Aldeburgh for a party hosted by certain musicians he is avid to meet) is faced by an appalling event which causes him both consternation and mammoth inconvenience. Wearily but staunchly, Cedric lends support as the two friends are drawn into a bizarre web of dicey people and startling revelations. Death casts its shadow, the little town of Southwold smiles gamely, and Felix & Co. struggle to keep their heads above perilous waters.
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.
Event
Talk: The Fiction Game: A Late Starter.
Venue: Bosbury Parish Hall, Bosbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1PX.
Date: This was to have been in June 2020 but owing to Covid is postponed. It is hoped it will go ahead in early spring 2021.
Venue: Bosbury Parish Hall, Bosbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1PX.
Date: This was to have been in June 2020 but owing to Covid is postponed. It is hoped it will go ahead in early spring 2021.
Broadly my subject will be the unexpected pleasures (and perils!) of writing fiction. Questions/comments from the audience welcome.