Thinking back to when you started writing, what are common mistakes new writers make? Leaping too quickly, imagining a book will suddenly arrive. You need to find your style, develop your craft. There is much to learn, things will evolve with practice, learning from mistakes. Do you believe in writer’s block and if so, what…
‘The Exorcist’ by William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist It begins with noises in the attic, strange odours, a sickly child. Then the bed starts jumping around, furniture moves by itself and a man is found dead with his head turned completely around. Movie actor Chris MacNeil is concerned for her daughter…
‘Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves’ by Samuel W Reed
Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves This collection of stories from independent authors is edited by Samuel W Reed, who also contributes one of his own tales. Authors include Don Bapst, David Beeler, Shawn D. Brink, Dori Ann Dupre, Gabriel DiDomenico, Dane G. Kroll, Ethel Lung, Casey…
‘They All Love Jack’ by Bruce Robinson
They All Love Jack (Audiobook) Ever since a mysterious figure ripped his way through the East End of London in the late 1880s, writers and filmmakers have focused on the identity of the perpetrator. The mystery of Jack the Ripper still exudes a fascination to…
‘I May Kill You’ by Keith Dixon
My Review (5 stars out of 5) When a series of mysterious, threatening notes are sent out to hundreds of apparently unconnected people, ex-cop Ben Buckland is shocked to learn his teenage daughter has also been targeted. Though no longer on the ‘force’ Ben seeks help from former colleague and old flame Serena, triggering bad…
‘The House in the Woods’ by Mark Dawson
The House in the Woods A shooting at a remote farmhouse on Christmas Eve launches DCI Mackenzie Jones and her team on a murder investigation. On the face of it, the culprit seems all too obvious—a murder/suicide by an unstable sibling leaves…
‘Her Demonic Angel’ by Joy Mutter
Her Demonic Angel Having read six of Joy Mutter’s novels, it was interesting to go back to this early example of her work to see how it compares. In this collection of fourteen short stories, the author explores themes that will be…
‘Angel’ by LJ Ross
Angel Easter bank holiday weekend looks like it might be a relaxing time for DCI Ryan, but when he’s called to a crime scene in a Newcastle cemetery, a bizarre murder sets him off on the trail of a killer. Meanwhile, Lowerson and MacKenzie take…
Author Interview – Elizabeth Jade
Children’s writer Elizabeth explains how living with Aspergers Syndrome has influenced her writing… Do you write to please your readers or to please yourself? Actually, I write to empty my head before it explodes – well that’s what it feels like sometimes. My head is full of story ideas, part written stories, or sometimes what…
‘The Case of Mary Bell’ by Gitta Sereny
The Case of Mary Bell December 1968, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Two girls aged eleven and thirteen are accused of strangling two little boys – four-year-old Martin Brown and three-year-old Brian Howe. The oldest girl, Norma, is acquitted, but the younger and more advanced Mary Bell, is found guilty of manslaughter. Investigative journalist…
Colin Garrow 