Like many writers, I’m a big fan of Stephen King, and have taken on board most of his advice about storytelling, character development and the routine of writing. However, his suggestion that ‘Stopping a piece of writing just because it’s hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea,’ doesn’t always work for me. Having…
Category: Writing
‘Afua’ by Karl Drinkwater and Christoffer Petersen
My Review (4 stars out of 5) This is the second book I’ve read by Karl Drinkwater, though I’m not familiar with Christoffer Petersen’s work. Set in the Lost Solace universe, this is a sci-fi story featuring a strongminded heroine in the form of Afua. A fairly short read, the world of Lost Solace is…
Best Reads of 2024
A little while ago, I shared some of my all-time favourite murder mysteries on Shepherd (now Book DNA), while at the same time promoting one of my own books. The service is free for authors, so it’s worth giving it a go. You can see my page here: The best murder mysteries featuring unusual amateur…
‘The Cursed Writer’ by Holly Hepburn
My Review (5 stars out of 5) In her basement office within the Baker Street Building Society, Harriet (Harry) White has been given the job of responding to mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes. A telegram asking for the great detective’s help prompts Harry to investigate. A nephew of the author Philip St John is convinced…
‘A Divided Life’ by Bryan Forbes
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Writer, director, and actor Bryan Forbes has contributed much to British film-making, and in this informative autobiography he recounts insights into the industry, including his time as head of production for EMI at Elstree. I’ve long been a fan of Bryan Forbes as an actor and director, though…
‘Henry VIII – King and Court’ by Alison Weir
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Alison Weir’s highly researched book explodes the life of Henry VIII and that of his court. While the book does not give as thorough an accounting of the six wives (which Weir delves into in greater detail in another book), we do get the low-down on the day-to-day…
A New Way to Find Great Books Online
A little while ago, Ben Fox of Shepherd (now Book DNA) got in touch with me, asking if I’d be interested in recommending some of my favourite reads, while at the same time promoting one of my own books. The service is free for authors, so I gave it a go. Last week my page…
‘The Green Viper’ by Rob Sinclair
My Review (4 stars out of 5) The Green Viper is book 4 in the James Ryker series, and the first I’ve read by this author. Following a mysterious message, Ryker sets out to track down the son of his dead boss, who has got himself embroiled in a dangerous world of drugs and gangster…
‘Passageways’ by Lisa Fox
My Review (5 stars out of 5) This is a collection of twenty-seven speculative short stories exploring the idea of journeys. A mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, they are peopled by characters whose hoped-for destinations take them on a variety of strange and disturbing routes. With any collection of stories, there are always…
‘Want You Dead’ by Peter James
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Detective Superintendent Roy Grace looks forward to his wedding to Cleo, followed by a well-deserved honeymoon. But an obsessive psychopath has plans of his own, beginning with the murder of a doctor. The killer’s ex-girlfriend also finds herself in danger when a series of bizarre events threaten to…
