Summer is well and truly at an end and, during my breaks from writing, I’ve been trying to spend time tidying up in the garden. It’s also the time of year when I buy a new diary and there are already a few entries for library talks and conferences in 2024 (I’ve already signed up for CrimeFest in Bristol next May). Watch out for any events near you. I always love meeting my readers.
The last few months have been busy as usual. I’ve just finished Wesley’s next case, entitled Coffin Island and my editor loved reading it. I’ll say more about it nearer publication time but, I must say, I’m quite pleased with this one.
As well as working hard, I’ve also managed to get away on holiday. In early September I visited Devon again and we were blessed with a week of glorious weather. My excuse is that I have to carry out research for my Wesley Peterson mysteries but the truth is, I just love it down there. I visited several lovely bookshops while I was there. I signed books at Browser Books and the Community Bookshop in Dartmouth and at Harbour Books in Kingsbridge. I also visited the fantastic Ivybridge Bookshop where I spoke to an enthusiastic audience about my work and the life of a crime writer. I also met a fellow writer there; top chef and food writer, Orlando Murrin, who is about to publish his first crime novel. I had the pleasure of reading Knife Skills for Beginners before my visit and I enjoyed it very much.
While I was in Devon I did my usual pilgrimage to Greenway, the holiday home of Agatha Christie. I walked there with my husband from Kingswear (on the opposite bank of the River Dart from Dartmouth). It’s quite a challenging walk; only about three and a half miles through woodland but very steep in places. We always feel much fitter when we’ve been to Dartmouth!
After returning from Devon I travelled to Nottingham to speak at Bromley House Library, a flourishing independent library founded in 1816. It was so good to meet everyone there and many thanks to the staff there for the warm welcome I received.
At the start of this month we decided to grab some last minute sunshine and fly to the lovely Greek island of Rhodes. It was our first visit and we were bowled over by the amazing old town, the lovely people and the fantastic food. And the cats! So many cats! I suspect they rule the place. On our return we watched a DVD I had of the Poirot episode Triangle at Rhodes. It was good to be reminded of our holiday.
My editor has just sent through pictures of the new covers for my soon to be re-released Joe Plantagenet books, Kissing the Demons, Watching the Ghosts and Walking by Night. I’m really pleased with them and I understand that they will be available in early February 2024. I’m also delighted to announce that Wesley’s latest case, The Killing Place, will be out in paperback on 11th April next year.
Well, summer seems to have been and gone but the season makes little difference to an author. There are books to write and deadlines to fulfill and I’m lucky to have a lovely office in my garden which is good to work in come rain or shine.
However, there are always distractions when you’re ‘working from home’ and my own distraction during June’s great weather was the arrival of my youngest son and his family (my daughter in law, two very little girls plus dog). They’ve been living with us while building work’s been done on their house and I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to live with small children (with all the cooking, entertainment and washing that entails). All the memories returned of trying to cram all my writing into the period when the children were at school/nursery and I must confess it does help to focus the mind. So much so that I managed to complete Wesley’s next case (working title Coffin Island) in record time. I’ve sent it off to my editor and I’m just waiting to receive her comments.
I’ve still managed to get out and about. I attended a wonderful Crime Writers’ Association conference in York (one of my favourite places) in April. The highlight (apart from catching up with my fellow writers) was a gala dinner in the reconstructed Victorian street in the Castle Museum (once the prison where, among others, Dick Turpin was held and executed). In May I was in Bristol for CrimeFest, probably the friendliest crime fiction festival of the year. I participated in two panels and I was thrilled to find myself speaking alongside Simon Brett, one of my favourite authors, and Robert Thorogood, the creator of Death in Paradise.
I’ve also been visiting libraries, presenting my murder mystery ‘The Case of the Late Cook’ at Leigh Library in Lancashire and speaking at Cleethorpes library in Lincolnshire. Taking part in events and meeting readers is one of the best parts of a writer’s job!
The good news is that Wesley Peterson’s twenty seventh case with be out in hardback and ebook on 3rd August. Here’s a little taste of THE KILLING PLACE:
November. With the tourist season well and truly over in South Devon, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson is looking forward to a quieter month in the CID. But when a man is shot dead on Bonfire Night, he finds he has a disturbing and complex murder case on his hands.
The body of Patrick North was found in woodland connected to Nesbarton Hall, a grand estate dating back to the eighteenth century. North worked for the Smithson family who now own the estate. The family are away on holiday, but when an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son is uncovered, Wesley fears North’s death might have been collateral damage in a sinister kidnap plot.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson discovers a hidden grotto in a developer’s field – land that was once part of the Nesbarton estate. Evidence of past rituals and the shocking discovery of a skeleton buried next to the grotto raise questions about strange occurrences, past and present,on the estate that was once owned by a notorious privateer.
Then, just when Wesley’s team seem to be making progress in their investigation, a resident of the nearby village is killed in a near identical shooting. A race is on to find the ruthless killer, before they strike again . . .
I do hope everyone enjoys Wesley’s new investigation.
Finally I have exciting news for my readers. I can now reveal that all my Joe Plantagenet books are to be reissued by Little Brown (the publisher of my Wesley Peterson series) and I have agreed to continue the series (which, hopefully, means more visits to York to carry out research!). I have received many emails asking whether I was going to write more about Joe and now I can give the answer ‘yes’. However, all Wesley’s fans needn’t worry because his investigations will continue as well.
I’m not sure whether it’s too late to wish all my readers a very happy new year. Probably, but I’ll do it anyway. Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a good Christmas (although it seems a long time ago now).
I do hope everyone enjoyed the short story I posted over the Christmas period The Third Elf. It was great fun writing a Christmas story featuring Wesley Peterson and the team. Perhaps it’s something I’ll do again next year.
Since the Festive Season I’ve settled down to writing again and I’ve been hard at work. Wesley’s next case The Killing Place, is now finished and it will be published this coming August. Finishing a manuscript is only the start of a long process before publication. First my editor gives me her notes on how the story can be refined and improved. Then it goes to the copy editor who does a more detailed edit, looking for repetition and any other errors. After that it goes to the proofreader. During the process the design of the jacket is decided on (I must say, my publisher’s given me some lovely covers). Only when everything is in place is it released into the world.
Once I’d completed The Killing Place, I was asked to write a short story with a Beatles theme. Needless to say, as a Liverpool girl brought up in the same area as Paul and John, I jumped at the chance. The story is called Happiness is a Warm Gun and was inspired by something that happened to me as a teenager (not murder I hasten to add). It contains a lot of Beatles references and I think it will be published in an anthology in the States. I’ll let you know once I have the details.
The good news is that Serpent’s Point is out in paperback (and cheaper ebook) at the beginning of March – and it will be stocked in most Sainsbury’s stores in the country which is fantastic. Earlier this month my publisher made it available on Kindle for one day only for 99p and the result was spectacular. It reached number 1 in historical mysteries and police procedurals and number 9 in the whole Kindle chart (above Prince Harry!)
Serpent’s Point in South Devon is the focus of local legends. The large house on the headland is shrouded in an ancient tale of evil, and when a woman is found strangled on the coastal path nearby, DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate.
The woman had been house-sitting at Serpent’s Point and Wesley is surprised to discover that she was conducting an investigation of her own into unsolved missing persons cases. Could these enquires have led to her murder? In the meantime, while the case takes Wesley to Yorkshire and the Cotswolds, his friend, archaeologist Neil Watson makes a dramatic discovery of his own in a field near Serpent’s Point.
Then, when a skeleton is uncovered, the pressure rises to find a killer and Wesley and Neil discover that Serpent’s Point holds more deadly secrets than anyone could have imagined.
As I mentioned, I’ve already started writing Wesley’s next case but I also intend to get out and about this year. I’m looking forward to attending the annual Crime Writers’ Association Conference (York in April) and CrimeFest (Bristol in May) where I hope to meet lots of readers.
That’s it for now. Happy Reading!
Summer’s finally over but I’ve been making the most of the beautiful weather we’ve had for the past few months by working hard in my garden office. I’ve now completed Wesley’s next investigation and I can now reveal the title – The Killing Place. I will reveal more about it nearer the time of publication next year.
When I’ve not been writing I’ve been getting out and about taking part in events. At the start of September I presented a fun Murder Mystery evening at Ellesmere Port Library (who will ever forget the clairvoyant!). I really enjoy visiting libraries to do talks and present murder mysteries (it’s wonderful to discover the wealth of acting talent amongst the library staff).
In the middle of September I travelled down to Torquay to take part in the International Agatha Christie Festival. I was particularly honoured to be invited because it was reading Agatha Christie’s books in my formative years that led me to become a crime writer. At the Festival I was in conversation with Robert Goddard, a writer whose work I’ve admired for many years, and I also presented two light-hearted Murder Mysteries at local libraries which were greatly enjoyed by everyone.
While I was in Devon it was a great pleasure to visit and sign books at some of the county’s lovely bookshops, including Browser Books in Dartmouth, Waterstones in Torquay and The Ivybridge Bookshop in Ivybridge. Many thanks to everyone for a warm welcome I received.
At the end of September I took another short break from writing to visit northern Italy, exploring the historic cities of Mantua, Padua and Vicenza. It was my idea of a perfect holiday (I adore anywhere with medieval buildings) and it’s certainly true that you’ll never go hungry in Italy. It was certainly an inspiring trip and, who knows, Wesley might be enjoying a similar break in the future.
Happy reading.
It seems a long time since I attended CrimeFest in Bristol. I can’t believe the months flash by so fast. CrimeFest itself was fantastic and it was lovely to see my fellow writers again after so long. I took part in panels; the first discussed the enduring fascination with historical crime fiction and the second concerned the advantages and disadvantages of writing a long running series (something I know a lot about). All in all it was concluded that the pros of writing a series outweighed the cons and I would certainly agree with this. I love writing about Wesley, Gerry, Neil and Rachel; they’ve become almost like family and I never tire of thinking up new challenges for them.
Since my visit to Bristol I’ve been working hard on Wesley Peterson’s next case and it’s now been accepted by my publisher. It hasn’t got a title yet (my working title didn’t really ‘work’) but all I can say at the moment is that it involves Georgian secret societies, a series of mysterious shootings in a Devon village and an eighteenth century privateer (a more respectable name for pirate).
In between bouts of writing, there’s been some time for leisure – but is a writer ever at leisure when even the most relaxed trip turns into research for a future book or short story? In June I had a break in northern France with my husband and some friends. We were based in Rouen (a delightfully historical town) and enjoyed trips to see the Bayeux tapestry, Arramanche beach, the site of the D Day landings, and Monet’s house & garden (photo below) at Giverny.
It was a fascinating holiday but one of the highlights for me was visiting the Aitre Saint Maclou, a courtyard in the centre of Rouen surrounded by a half timbered ossuary. The courtyard was a plague cemetery and the surrounding buildings were constructed to house the bones of the dead. The building resembled a black and white manor house courtyard – except for the carvings on the wooden beams depicting skulls, bones and gravediggers’ implements. I have a feeling it (or something very like it) might feature in a future story!
The big news, however, is that Wesley Peterson’s twenty sixth case, SERPENT’S POINT, is now out in hardback and ebook.
Serpent’s Point in South Devon is the focus of local legends. The large house on the headland is shrouded in an ancient tale of evil, and when a woman is found strangled on the coastal path nearby, DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate.
The woman had been house-sitting at Serpent’s Point and Wesley is surprised to discover that she was conducting an investigation of her own into unsolved missing persons cases. Could these enquires have led to her murder? In the meantime, while the case takes Wesley to Yorkshire and the Cotswolds, his friend, archaeologist Neil Watson makes a dramatic discovery of his own in a field near Serpent’s Point.
Then, when a skeleton is uncovered, the pressure rises to find a killer and Wesley and Neil discover that Serpent’s Point holds more deadly secrets than anyone could have imagined.
It’s already had some fantastic reviews and I hope all my readers enjoy it.
Next month I’ll be travelling to Devon to take part in the International Agatha Christie Festival (as well as undertaking more research). https://www.iacf-uk.org/festival-2022
I’m very much looking forward to taking part, especially as I will be in conversation with Robert Goddard, a writer whose work I’ve admired for many years. I also hope to visit some book shops while I’m down in the South West and I hope this will give me an opportunity to meet some of my readers.
I’ve just realised with horror that I haven’t written this diary since Christmas. The truth is time has whizzed by so fast since then. Like a creature emerging from hibernation after the winter, I’ve been getting out and about again visiting bookshops and libraries. It has been so wonderful to see people again after the terrible couple of years of restrictions.
Serpent’s Point is now finished and will be published in August. Also The Stone Chamber is now out in paperback and I was thrilled to see it ‘in the wild’ on the shelves of my local Sainsbury’s!
In January I began writing a new Wesley Peterson mystery and I’ve been working really hard on it since then. I won’t say anything about it yet as my editor hasn’t set eyes on it yet. More news about that later.
As well as writing, it’s been lovely to do events again. I presented two murder mysteries in March at Kirkby in Ashfield and Newark in Nottinghamshire. I never cease to be amazed at the hidden talents of the library staff who take the parts so brilliantly.
I also took part in Wrexham’s Carnival of Words, presenting my Murder Mystery The Case of the Late Cook, with a fantastic cast who did the script proud. It’s been so lovely to meet people again and it’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves.
One highlight of my year so far was the recent Crime Writers’ Association conference in Torquay which, thanks to Covid, had been cancelled for two years running. Inevitably, the conference had an Agatha Christie theme (as Torquay was Dame Agatha’s birthplace) and we went on a fascinating walk taking in many locations connected with her life in the town. My colleagues were so pleased to get together again and, with interesting talks, plenty of food and drink and good company, a good time was had by all. I even swam in the outdoor pool at the hotel – in April! They don’t call it the English Riviera for nothing. I’ll be returning there in September for the International Agatha Christie Festival. Watch this space!
Later this month I’ll be in Bristol for CrimeFest where I’ll be taking part in panels about historical crime fiction and writing a long running series. I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully I’ll see some of you there.
Christmas seems to come round faster every year and what a strange year 2021 has been. It was wonderful to regain some normality over the summer and autumn but now it seems that we have to face restrictions again.
When we were allowed our freedom, I decided to make the most of it and do something I’ve wanted to do for many years. I went to see Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in London – something every crime writer should do once in their lifetime. It was extremely enjoyable and so good to get back into a theatre after all this time. Of course I can’t tell you whodunit because the audience are sworn to secrecy but I confess that I did guess the culprit!
After that treat I’ve been working hard and I’ve now finished my next Wesley mystery, Serpent’s Point, (and my publisher is very pleased with it).
Serpent’s Point in South Devon is the focus of local legends. The large house on the headland is shrouded in an ancient tale of evil, and when a woman is found strangled on the coastal path nearby, DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate.
The woman had been house-sitting at Serpent’s Point and Wesley is surprised to discover that she was conducting an investigation of her own into unsolved missing persons cases. Could these enquires have led to her murder? In the meantime, while the case takes Wesley to Yorkshire and the Cotswolds, his friend, archaeologist Neil Watson makes a dramatic discovery of his own in a field near Serpent’s Point.
Then, when a skeleton is uncovered, the pressure rises to find a killer and Wesley and Neil discover that Serpent’s Point holds more deadly secrets than anyone could have imagined.
I can’t believe this will be Wesley’s twenty sixth investigation (it only seems like yesterday that my first novel, The Merchant’s House, was published). And the good news is that I’ve just signed a contract with my publisher, Little, Brown, for two further Wesley Peterson novels.
Another piece of good news is that The Stone Chamber will be stocked in all Sainsbury’s stores when it comes out in paperback in March 2022.
Finally, here’s a festive treat for all my readers – a special Christmas case for Wesley Peterson and Gerry Heffernan featuring a very dodgy Santa and his highly suspicious team of elves. I do hope you enjoy it!
Let me take this opportunity to wish all my readers a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year. All best wishes for 2022 – let’s hope it’s a good one!
It’s been a busy couple of months and it’s been wonderful to take part in live events again. It was a little daunting at first after so many months of restrictions and I felt a bit ‘rusty’ and out of practice but it was amazing how quickly I began to enjoy being out and about again.
In August I travelled up to Whitley Bay to attend the launch of MANY DEADLY RETURNS, a fantastic anthology celebrating twenty one years of Murder Squad. The launch was a lovely event held in The Bound, Whitley Bay’s brand new bookshop, and attended by all Murder Squad members. The anthology has already attracted some great reviews such as this one from Publishers’ Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780727890931
Earlier this month I travelled to Devon where, as well as a lot of walking and sightseeing, I carried out some research for Wesley Peterson’s next case. I did some book signings while I was there and a big thanks to Browser Books in Dartmouth and The Harbour Bookshop in Kingsbridge for making me so welcome. On the way back up north I also visited The Snug Bookshop in Bridgewater, Somerset where I met up with my fellow Murder Squaddie, Ann Cleeves.
One of the highlights of my stay in Devon this year was taking part in a ‘Desert Island Books’ evening at Totnes Library. I had to choose ten of my favourite books and extracts were read by a local drama group who certainly did them justice. It was a really enjoyable evening and it was so good to meet readers and library staff again. Thank you to everyone involved!
I’m really thrilled that THE STONE CHAMBER has been very well received and will be out in paperback next March.
At last I’ve sent the manuscript of Wesley’s twenty sixth case to my publisher and the good news is that I’ve been given a contract for two more. My visit to Devon (where the books are set) certainly gave me some new ideas!
I’m delighted to report that my 26th Wesley Peterson mystery, THE STONE CHAMBER, will be published in hardback and ebook on 5th August.
THE STONE CHAMBER begins with the execution-style murder of Robert and Greta Gerdner at their home in the Devon countryside. DI Wesley Peterson suspects that the deaths may be linked to Robert’s past police career – until Robert’s name is found on a list of people sent tickets anonymously for a tour of Darkhole Grange, a former asylum on Dartmoor.
When Wesley discovers that other names on the list have also died in mysterious circumstances, he is drawn into the chilling history of the asylum and becomes more and more convinced that it holds the key to the case. Then, with the clock ticking he must solve the puzzle before the next person on the list meets a terrible end.
All my Wesley Peterson books deal with a modern day murder case – but there is always a historical mystery in the background. In THE STONE CHAMBER a woman’s skeleton in found buried in a cell attached to a ruined church; a cell that once housed an anchoress (or holy hermit) back in the fifteenth century. Wesley’s friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, makes the grim discovery and Wesley wonders whether there could be a link between the skeleton and later tragic events at Darkhole Grange.
I love delving into history and the initial idea for THE STONE CHAMBER came to me while I was attending a writers’ conference in the ancient city of Norwich some years ago. While I was there I visited the cell of St Julian, an anchoress born in the fourteenth century who was isolated from the world in a small cell where she stayed for life. Renowned for her spiritual wisdom, she was the first woman known to have written a book. St Julian was clearly a remarkable woman but she was far from being the only one who followed this particular calling.
Anchoresses and anchorites were part of the spiritual landscape of the middle ages and many embraced the solitary calling willingly, which is something we’d probably find hard to understand today. These people were shut away in solitary confinement (apart from having an attendant to provide food and other necessary services) and we might find it shocking to learn that they actually had to witness their own funeral mass before being led to a stone cell (usually attached to a parish church). Then a Latin command from the priest or bishop was given to seal the candidate into their voluntary prison, never to be seen alive again. Surprisingly there was no shortage of volunteers and making the commitment was seen as an honour. Such an existence would not only bring them closer to God but their prayers were thought to protect the community. It was customary to bury an anchorite or anchoress inside the cell where they had lived and died.
However, not everyone could endure the life. In fourteenth century Surrey an anchoress called Christina Carpenter had a change of heart and was found outside her cell. She not only received penance for her disobedience but letters exist ordering that she should be ‘kept more securely’ and the only small doorway into her cell was replaced by a solid wall. The very thought makes me shudder.
But it wasn’t only the historical aspect of a story that I needed to research. When I began to examine more recent history I made some disturbing discoveries about the horrifying way in which some women were locked away in asylums for the ‘crime’ of getting pregnant out of wedlock. I’d known this happened during the Victorian period when lunatic asylums were often used to get rid of inconvenient family members, but I was shocked to discover that the 1913 Mental Deficiency Act allowed unmarried mothers to be categorized as ‘moral imbeciles’ and confined in asylums until the act was repealed as late as 1959. Tragically, some of these women were still found to be incarcerated when the asylums closed in the late twentieth century.
Researching THE STONE CHAMBER took me to some surprising places but one thing I didn’t need to research was Wesley’s fear of confined spaces because this is something I’ve shared with him for as long as I can remember. But to look on the bright side, at least my avoidance of lifts has meant that I’ve had plenty of exercise going up and down stairs over the years. However, if I’d lived in the middle ages I certainly wouldn’t have been one of the many who volunteered for life as an anchoress.
Happily, it seems that at last I’m able to do some events in person. As a member of Murder Squad (with my fellow Northern writers Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Cath Staincliffe, Margaret Murphy and Chris Simms) I’ve contributed three short stories to our new anthology (to celebrate Murder Squad’s 21st birthday). It’s called MANY DEADLY RETURNS and it’s out in late August. The launch is on 19th August at 7.30 at The Bound (Whitley Bay’s new bookshop) https://www.forumbooksshop.com/product/many-deadly-returns-21-stories-celebrating-21-years-of-murder-squad-martin-edwards-margaret-murphy-9780727890931/9818?cs=true&cst=custom It should be a wonderful evening and I’m so looking forward to meeting readers again. In mid September I’ll be in Devon and I’ll be taking part in events at Totnes and Barnstaple Libraries (see events page for details). Hope to see some of you there!
I apologise for neglecting this diary over the past couple of months. I’ve been keeping my head down in my brand new office (a replacement for my old writing shed that had seen better days) working on Wesley Peterson’s next case (the only clue I’m going to give you is that it involves the Roman occupation of the South West of England. It has always been thought that they never ventured much beyond Exeter . . . but what if they did?) Anyway, it’s been great fun conducting the research and planning out the twisty and devious plot and I’m currently working on the third draft.
Last weekend I was delighted to take part in a panel for Bodies from the Library (a British Library conference on classic crime fiction) discussing the latest Detection Club publication Howdunit. The event was online, of course, but it was good to talk about Howdunit. It is a comprehensive book about the art and craft of crime writing from past and present members of the exclusive club, all of whom are (or were) leading crime writers. There are sections from Agatha Christie, Reginald Hill, Ruth Rendell, PD James, Len Deighton, Ann Cleeves, Ian Rankin and Peter James (to name but a few) and I have contributed a section on plotting. It is certainly an impressive book and a must have for all aspiring crime writers. Click here to access a recording of the event.
My main news is that the third book in my Albert Lincoln trilogy, The House of the Hanged Woman, is out in paperback (and cheaper ebook) on Thursday May 27th! The story begins when Scotland Yard detective, Albert is called up to Wenfield in Derbyshire in 1921 to investigate the disappearance of a Member of Parliament. But this isn’t his first visit to the village because he solved a case there two years before at great personal cost.
The House of the Hanged Woman begins when a man’s disfigured and naked body is found by an ancient stone circle called the Devil’s Dancers. The local police assume this is the missing MP but when they’re proved wrong and there are more strange deaths, Albert realises the case is far more complex than he first imagined. Ghosts from the past are reawakened as he tries to solve the mystery surrounding Wenfield once and for all – but will there be a happy ending after all the tragedy he’s had to face since his return from the Great War?
I do hope my readers enjoy this latest (and final) case for Albert. I’ve grown fond of him over the three books in the trilogy (the other two being A High Mortality of Doves and The Boy who lived with the Dead) and in a way I’m sad to leave him behind.
I’m looking forward to talking about my work at the (online) Crediton Literary Festival on Saturday 5th June at 3.30pm where I’ll be the headline speaker. Tickets are available (free) here. Hope to ‘see’ you there.
Fans of Wesley Peterson will be glad to know that his next case The Stone Chamber is out on 5th August. Watch this space for more details.
Happy reading and I really hope I’ll be able to get out and about to meet readers at bookshops and libraries in the not too distant future.
Wishing everyone a very happy, if very belated, New Year! Let’s all hope that 2021 will be a great improvement on 2020.
Christmas is now a distant memory of course and, inevitably, it was a lot more subdued than usual. I have, however, been able to go out on some lovely, if chilly, walks. Here I am on a local walk in the grounds of the home of Agatha Christie’s sister, Madge. Agatha was a frequent visitor to the house, Abney Hall, and it was the inspiration for many of the country houses in her books. Since lockdown it’s been one of my favourite local walks, made even more attractive by its crime fiction connections.
The writing’s going well but I’m not finding it easy in the present circumstances. I was really pleased to hear Anthony Horowitz (a writer I greatly admire) being interviewed on the BBC. His experience of the present situation exactly mirrored my own. Even though everyone assumes you’ll have more time for writing, the reality is that you feel unsettled and distracted so things that used to take a day to do now take a week.
Having said that, I have managed to write. I’ve completed the first draft of a stand alone book but this has been put on the back burner for a while to allow me to begin Wesley’s next enquiry (and conduct a lot of research into Roman Devon). Once I’ve completed Wesley’s twenty sixth case (I can’t believe I’ve written so many) I’ll pick up the stand alone again but I won’t say anything about it yet. It’s good to do something completely different from time to time as it keeps your writing fresh.
Talking of writing something different, I love to write short stories and I’ve just had one accepted for the prestigious Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine in the States (entitled ‘Next Door’) although I don’t yet know when this will appear in print.
I’m delighted to say that the third and final book in my historical Albert Lincoln trilogy, THE HOUSE OF THE HANGED WOMAN, has been really well received and I’m looking forward to the paperback publication in May – only three months to go!
The other big news is that the lovely and atmospheric cover for THE STONE CHAMBER, Wesley Peterson’s brand new case (his twenty fifth) has been revealed by my publisher. The publication date is in August – and here’s the cover! Great isn’t it!
Happy reading!