Hope everyone’s survived the recent heatwave. It’s been hot in my writing office but at least I have a fan to help!

It’s been a busy time (my excuse for not updating this diary sooner) both at home and out and about. I’m still very much involved in my local Agatha Christie celebrations and I’m due to take another book club this week. This time I’ll be talking about The Body in the Library, a book dedicated to Agatha’s sister in law, Nan, who lived at Abney Hall in Cheadle, Cheshire, and became the author’s great friend. I’ve loved re-reading the books – I’d read them all when I was younger but I’d forgotten quite how good they are. I must say, Agatha Christie has been a massive influence on my own work. I always aim to surprise my readers with the solution, just as she did!

I’ve also been on a bit of an adventure, travelling by car and overnight ferry up to the lovely Shetland Islands to appear at the Shetland Noir Festival. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of the audience at the Mareel (the arts centre in Lerwick) and it was fantastic to be there with my fellow writers and to see old friends and new. As well as my panel I took (a non-speaking) part in the re-enactment of a famous Scottish murder trial. My husband was asked to play the doctor – it was his first dramatic role but he did remarkably well. He said all his years of watching people take part in my Murder Mysteries taught him that the most important thing is to speak fairly slowly and not gabble because of nerves. Outside the festival, I really enjoyed getting out and about seeing the sights of Shetland (especially the spectacular archaeology - the iron age brochs were amazing).

A week after my return home, I spoke to a wonderful audience at Sutton in Ashfield Library in Nottinghamshire. It was the hottest day of the year but lots of people braved the heat to attend. Thanks to all of you. It was lovely to meet you. I have more events lined up this year so keep an eye on the website for details.

I’ve had wonderful feedback about Deadly Remains which is selling really well in paperback and the next big event this year will be the publication of Wesley’s next case, The Chapel of Bones in early August. More about that next time.