I was very excited to receive my wonderful editor’s verdict on Wesley Peterson’s next case. She loved it and there is very little rewriting to do. It is always a nerve-wracking time when you send your ‘baby’ (the manuscript you’ve been working on for months) out into the big world of publishing so it’s fantastic to get the thumbs up. The original title, however, has been changed and it will now be called THE CHAPEL OF BONES.

October was filled with activity. Early in the month I enjoyed a lovely cruise down the River Douro, getting lots of new ideas. A few days after my return I travelled to Sedbergh (close to Cumbria but actually in the Yorkshire Dales) for Death in the Dales. It was great fun with lots of lovely readers and fellow authors including M W Craven, Martin Edwards and Caroline England (and many more friends too numerous to list here). It was good to meet so many readers and to chat about all things crime fiction. It was the second year of the festival (wonderfully organized by Jean Briggs) and if you get a chance to attend next year I can heartily recommend it.

On the Saturday night, following Matthew Booth’s fascinating presentation on the life of Agatha Christie, I presented my Murder Mystery THE CASE OF THE LATE COOK. I was lucky to have a truly starry and talented cast (Marsali Taylor, Fiona Veitch Smith, Dea Parkin and  Anthony Johnston ) who gave the performances of their lives. (Picture below).

I’ll be visiting York in early December to visit the Christmas markets (and, hopefully, getting some inspiration for my next Joe Plantagenet mystery). Don’t forget that Joe’s new case, KILLING IN THE SHADOWS, is out in January – an ideal New Year present for those who fancy a touch of the supernatural with their mystery. 

Incidentally, some of my books are on special offer this month (SEEKING THE DEAD in the UK and THE JACKAL MAN and KISSING THE DEMONS in the States) so check them out for a bargain.

See you soon!