Tag: Urbane Publications

Kelly Florentia

Kelly Florentia was born and bred in north London, where she continues to live with her husband Joe, and where her novels The Magic Touch, No Way Back, Her Secret ­the last two published by Urbane Publications, are set. Before penning her debut, she wrote for women’s magazines – To Tell a Tale or Two is a collection of her short tales. In January 2017, her keen interest in health and fitness led to the release of Smooth Operator ­– a collection of twenty of her favourite smoothie recipes.

Hi how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge, Kelly. What can I get you at the bar?

K: Hi Anne, thank you so much for inviting me over. I’ll have a gin and tonic, please. A large one.

 A woman after my own heart! I feel I’ve known you for ages but we’ve never met in real life, have we?

K: No we met (virtually) on Twitter shortly after I signed with Urbane Publications.

I remember it well! First impressions?

K: I’ve been told that I’m a very good judge of character. I thought you were lovely and I was right!

Apart from a publisher, do we have any other points in common?

K: A love of writing and reading. I enjoy going to the theatre, too, whenever I can. We both live in London and I think we may both be a little bit addicted to social media.

And we’ve both written collections of short stories. Tell me about your last book?

K: My latest published book is Her Secret (Urbane Publications). It’s the second instalment in the Audrey Fox series, although it can be read as a standalone. I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit bereft when I finish a novel, so it was a joy to reconnect with all the characters from No Way Back whilst penning Her Secret. I’d describe it as a romantic drama with a thriller-esque edge. It’s set in Muswell Hill, north London, and is about real, ordinary people, warts and all. It’s based around the consequences of rushing into marriage and includes secrets, obsessions, old flames, and shoes! Audrey loves her Louboutins and her new husband loves buying them for her. But, of course, that can never be enough… can it?

I did enjoy reading Her Secret. What are you working on now?

K: I signed a book deal with Bloodhound Books a few weeks ago for my fourth novel, so I’m very excited about that. It’s a fast-paced psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, and it publishes next February. Currently, I’m working on book five, another psychological thriller. I’m at that exciting stage of planning and plotting and creating characters. I’m more of a planner than a panster. I can’t get excited about a story until I’ve figured out the ending. I then take the most exiting route there! That said, the plot often changes once I get into the crux of the story and inside the character’s heads.

 Well that’s where we differ as I rarely plan as I write. But tell me what would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

K: My dream panel would include Tammy Cohen, Alex Michaelides and S.J. Watson. All three authors wrote outstanding débuts, which I devoured in days. Their psychological thrillers are so intense and twisty and intriguing. As you know, Before I Go to Sleep has already been adapted into film and The Silent Patient is due on the big screen. I think that all novels have the potential to be made into films or TV dramas. The Mistress’s Revenge by Tamar Cohen remains a firm favourite of mine, and I’d love to see it on the box one day.

Now that lockdown has been eased, what are you most looking forward to?

K: Getting my hair cut, although husband has told me that he likes it long now! Going out for dinner with family and friends, although I know that won’t be happening for quite a while. Going to the library to get away from it all and write in peace!

Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

K: Live in the moment and worry less about the future, especially the what-ifs and things I can’t change.  

K: Thank you so, so much for inviting me over, Anne, I’ve really enjoyed our chat!

It’s been a real pleasure.

You can find out more about Kelly Kelly Florentia here and follow her on Twitter @kellyflorentia

Jonathan Whitelaw

After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, Jonathan Whitelaw moved into journalism covering everything from breaking news, the arts, culture and sport to fashion, music and even radioactive waste. He’s also a regular reviewer and talking head on shows for the BBC. HellCorp and The Man In The Dark are published by Urbane Publications.

Hi how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge, Jonathan. What can I get you at the bar?

J: While I’m not a huge cocktail drinker (a nice pint of Guinness would be lovely), I’m going to opt for a classic Bloody Mary. Simple, delicious, classic.

So we haven’t met in real life but we do have a connection.

J: Unfortunately we’ve never met in real life, but we’re both Urbane-ites, and that’s as good as family!

Or better in some cases!

J: Seriously though, since I joined the Urbane stable, I’ve made so many great, new, wonderful friends. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a little over two years. But as I’m sure you’ll agree there’s a great sense of community about us Urbane writers. We stick together.

Apart from Urbane do we have any points in common?

J: Well, we’re both writers. We both write mysteries and thrillers. And we both enjoy a juicy whodunnit. Like you, I’m also a journalist – much like your fantastic protagonist Hannah Weybridge. I remember reading and reviewing Perdition’s Child ahead of its release and thinking, gosh, I wish my career as a hack was as exciting as this. Then all the grizzly stuff happens and I come back to my senses and am thankful of all the great, wonderful opportunities I have had as a reporter.

I don’t think many of us would enjoy Hannah’s career. Tell me about your latest book?

J: The Man in the Dark has been out a little over six months now. It’s the second in the HellCorp series that sees The Devil long for a holiday, only to be challenged by God to solve mysteries instead.

In the latest novel, Old Nick is on the hunt for a tourist kidnapped by international terrorists. But while he helps out the Met, Brutus and Cassius (yes that Brutus and Cassius) are making machinations to overthrow him in the Underworld.

What are you working on now?

J: The beauty of being a journalist is that I’m constantly writing – which is fantastic. I’ve always seen writing as a marathon – if you don’t keep at it, train yourself and stay in shape then it affects your overall performance. The third of the HellCorp novels is with Urbane at the minute. And I’m working on a number of other projects still in development.

What would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

J: I grew up a huge Roald Dahl fan so getting a chance to interview him on a panel would be absolutely brilliant. His work transcends generations – Esio Trot, George’s Marvellous Medicine (which has one of the greatest opening lines in literature history) and The Vicar of Nibbleswicke are all so much fun that it’s hard not to smile just thinking about them. He was also a very accomplished adult fiction writer and screenplay scribe too. Truly a multi-talented writer who is still very sorely missed in our household and around the world.

What are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?

J: To be able to go back into a bookshop again. I know that sounds a bit corny. But it really is true that you don’t know you’ll miss something until it’s taken away from you. Waterstones in Glasgow Sauchiehall Street is a personal favourite of mine. I had the honour of hosting the launch of HellCorp there in 2018 and it’s one of the best-stocked shops of its kind in the city. A shout out to Waterstones Gower Street in London too. I was thrilled late last year to be in there and see The Man in the Dark on the shelves. I sort of felt like I’d made it!

J: The lockdown has been a very strange time for everyone. And I think having everyone involved has almost helped slightly. There’s been a sense of comradeship that was perhaps not as prominent as it could have been before all of this. My wife is a doctor so she’s seen it all on the frontline. We’ve both been greatly moved by the support shown of her from ordinary people. It really has made us all think.

Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

J: It’s not as easy as just starting to write a book. I’ve been lucky during lockdown in that I’ve not missed any work. As a journalist and writer, there’s been plenty to do over the past few months. But I’ve seen a lot of the online community, perhaps newcomers to creative writing, saying that they’re using the time to start that project they’ve always wanted to do. I know there’s been a bit of smugness from us writers who have been shouting “we told you so” when all these people realise there’s a lot more to it than just bashing out 80,000 words. That said. Anything that gets people exploring their creative sides – no matter how difficult that is – surely has to be a good thing. So I wish them all the very best of luck. I really do think that this period will produce some great writing and stories we all want to read for years to come.

Thanks for joining me in The Cocktail Lounge, Jonathan and good luck with all your projects.

You can follow Jonathan Whitelaw on Twitter @JDWhitelaw13

David Barker

Welcome to fellow Urbane author David Barker whose debut novel, Blue Gold, was released in 2017, followed by Rose Gold, 2018and White Gold, 2019forming the Gaia trilogy. He lives in Berkshire with his wife (a picture book author) and daughter.

Hi Dave, how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge. What can I get you at the bar?

D: A Sea Breeze, please! (Vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. Very refreshing.)

The last time we met was at your launch for White Gold but can you recall where we first met in real life?

D: I can’t honestly remember, but I think it was probably at a Vanguard Reading night down in Camberwell or Peckham. They were great evenings of established and wannabe authors reading extracts from their latest works over a drink and a pizza. Great fun!

Yes we did. Then later we both read from our books there. First impressions?

D: You were very friendly. And what a fantastic smile. 😊

Any points in common?

D: Both part of the Urbane stable of authors. And we both enjoyed nights out at Vanguard Reading, of course.

Tell me about your latest book?

D: The final part of the Gaia trilogy, White Gold, was out in May 2019. It’s an exciting stand-alone adventure but also draws together several threads from the previous two books, hopefully into a satisfying conclusion.

D: Some readers/reviewers are desperate for a fourth instalment, but I’m giving the main characters a well-deserved break.

What are you working on now?

D: I’ve been working on some children’s fiction since last year but haven’t found a home for the stories yet. (Urbane Publications don’t do children’s fiction.) I’ve also been tinkering with a new darkly comic thriller. If I can get the plot and characters to work, watch this space!

We’ve all been deprived of the books events we love.  What would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

D: I would love to have been on a panel with Douglas Adams. I adore his books. He was a genius about many things, so it wouldn’t matter what the discussion was about. Oh, and Gillian Anderson, just because she’s Gillian Anderson.

That’s a bit cheeky but I’ll let you off. What are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?

D: Heading to Devon for some time near the sea and enjoying a pint of beer.

Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

D: I dug out an old Airfix kit that’s been lurking in the loft for many years and finally started putting it together. It’s a very big and complicated model of a WWII airplane called the Mosquito. No idea what I’m going to do with it once finished!

Well good luck with that! And thank you for joining me virtually!

Follow David Barker on Twitter @BlueGold201 and find out more about his books here.

Beverley Harvey

My guest today is Beverley Harvey who, like me, grew up on Enid Blyton.  Her career has spanned working as a receptionist, a PA, a PR, a media consultant, a copywriter and a dog walker – all roles which helped inspire her first two novels, Seeking Eden (2017) and Eden Interrupted (2019) published by Urbane Publications. Born in Yorkshire, but raised in Kent, Beverley has spent her adult life in London and the South East – until recently, when she and her partner moved to Chichester.

Hi Bev how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge. What can I get you at the bar?

B: Thank you, Anne. That’s very kind. I often love a vodka martini but as the weather’s so glorious I’ll take a chilled Sauvignon Blanc Blush, please. Will you join me?

I certainly will. So where did we first meet in real life?

B: At an Urbane drinks party in November 2016 at the Phoenix Arts Club, and happily a couple of times since then. I met so many wonderful Urbane authors that night and was completely awestruck to be surrounded by such talent.

That was a wonderful party. First impressions?

B: Big cheeky smile, deep, musical voice and lots of quite naughty laughter.  I thought: there’s a girl who knows how to enjoy herself! You were very welcoming to a then unpublished author. You and several others were so kind to me that night and it meant a great deal.

Naughty laughter? I wonder if that was a point in common?

B: There are others. In addition to both being published by Urbane and our mutual love of books, two words: South London! Before I “moved out” in 2007, I’d lived there most of my adult life. We also share a love of animals and have both been scarred by losing dogs we adored.

Yes we have but you have an adorable terrier now. I haven’t taken the plunge to adopt another canine friend. Unlike you I haven’t included a dog as a character in my books. How’s life on the book front in these strange times?

B: I’ve just celebrated the first birthday of Eden Interrupted, my second in a series that takes a wry look at family life on a prosperous, modern housing estate.

B: Plus I recently signed a two-book contract with Bookouture so I’m currently working across two psychological thrillers – editing one, whilst writing the other from scratch. It is a new experience for me, but I’m getting there. The first of these will publish in November 2020.

Congratulations. Looking forward to when we can enjoy festivals again, what would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

B: I would love to be in a room with Louise Beech, Louise Candlish, Cara Hunter and Gillian Flynn to talk thrillers and the art of suspense and scaring people. I adore these authors and could learn so much from them. 

Fabulous choice. And what are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?

B: Ah, that’s a no-brainer, Anne. Hugging my brother and sister. I haven’t seen either since early March and we’re a close family.

Hugs are so important aren’t they? I have just been able to join my daughter and her family in a “bubble” and the joy of being able to be with them is overwhelming. Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

B: I’ve realised just how much I enjoy my partner’s company and I marvel that we never run out of things to talk about. Friends and family are everything – the rest is just set dressing and easy to suspend for a while.

That’s lovely to hear, Bev.

B: Gosh, Anne, so lovely to chat over a drink, but we made short work of those. Must be my round. Same again?

Thank you, and thank you so much for joining me in the Cocktail Lounge.

You can find out more about Beverley Harvey here and follow her on Twitter @BevHarvey_

Gina Kirkham

Today it’s an enormous pleasure to welcome my fellow Urbane author, the irrepressible Gina Kirkham, creator of Mavis Upton who appears in Handcuffs, Truncheon & A Polyester Thong, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and Blues, Twos & Baby Shoes.

How lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge, Gina. What can I get you at the bar?

G: Hi Anne, lovely to see you too, I’ve been excitedly waiting for us to have a catch up for ages. I’d love a Gin & Tonic please with lots of ice…  (the ice is only to dilute the gin so I don’t fall over on the way out!)

I’ll join you in a G&T as we mull over where we first met in real life.

G: That was at The Phoenix Arts Club in London for the Urbane Authors Christmas Shindig in 2016, although we had struck up a lovely friendship via social media beforehand. I was so excited I skipped down Charing Cross Road like a child, much to my hubby’s eternal embarrassment. I had only ever been to London once before which was a “closed” visit to Downing Street, so I didn’t get to see London in her full colours that time. We booked a hotel in Leicester Square for this trip, so it was all bright lights, neon signs and theatres. I squealed every time I saw someone I thought was famous.

That was a great party and I’d had my launch for Dancers in the Wind there so it had happy memories. First impressions?

G: Gosh, after forgetting my glasses and mistaking a total stranger at the bar for Simon Michael, forcing myself on him for a good old fashioned northern hug which sent the poor guy scurrying for the exit to escape my clutches. I finally found you sitting in the corner with Pete Adams. I remember your huge, friendly smile the most and then Pete’s trademark hat. Within minutes of chatting, I felt as though I had known you all my life. You are such a warm, funny and very welcoming person and I loved your knowledge and enthusiasm for writing. I suppose being so new to the book writing world I was a bit of a stalker, I so desperately wanted to learn anything I could from you. Because I’d only just signed my first book contract and it hadn’t been published yet, I didn’t consider myself an author at all, so I was completely in awe of being in the company of a real one! 

I trust you’ve learned to accept your author status now with three Mavis Upton books published! I am in awe of all the talks you give! Points in common?

G: Our mutual love of our respective grandchildren, books and writing, a good old fashioned womanly camaraderie and our wicked sense of humour… and the fact we can get on the phone for a “quick chat” and still be gabbing away 40 minutes later!

So far we’ve never met up at a festival so I’d love to know what your dream panel would be (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

G: I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, so I’d have to say my dream would be a Q&A with J.K Rowling, I could listen to her for hours. Funnily enough it’s been the magic of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts books and films that have got me through some of the not so good days on lockdown.  It’s pure escapism, oh what I wouldn’t do to be young again and a pupil at Hogwarts! I’ve watched the films so many times my hubby now knows the scripts word for word and delights in pre-empting every scene.  I’m currently listening to and enjoying the readings that are being broadcast on Wizarding World Harry Potter At Home as a serial.  I’ve also had several trips to the Harry Potter Studio tours, so we could discuss that and what her input had been to the spin-offs from the books.

G: I’ll never forget my first visit to the studios when the tour guide asked if anyone had a birthday and would they like to open the doors to the Great Hall. The doors are a truly breathtaking sight for any HP fan, so I rushed to the front waving like an idiot whilst squealing “Me, me…” only to see I was surrounded by hordes of kids and a clearly amused tour guide who kindly informed me that his offer was for children only. I pouted and tried to explain that I wasn’t 59 for another week so did that not count but it fell on deaf ears and a lot of laughter.

Only you Gina! So what are you working on now?

G: I’m having a little break from the Constable Mavis Upton series. I didn’t want her to become boring and predictable for readers, so I thought now was a good time to try something a little different. 

Murder at the Winterbottom WI (A Prunella Pearce Mystery) is my new work in progress inspired by the lovely ladies I have met at my talks for The Women’s Institute groups around the country. It’s still humour but with a twist and for the first time in my writing career, I’m having to think of several ways to murder someone. It’s not as easy as I first thought, crime writers definitely have my undying admiration. My poor hubby who is my research assistant has been shoved face first into a lemon drizzle cake to measure how long it takes to suffocate and has hung from a coat peg under the stairs to see if it would hold the weight of a body.  I’m having so much fun writing it.  I won’t spoil the plot but the tagline of “What wouldn’t YOU do to be the next President…” might give a hint. It is different to Mavis and her escapades but I’m becoming very fond of my new protagonist, Prunella.  She is a survivor, sassy, funny, a little bit mischievous and a Librarian with a deep love of books to boot – so what’s not to love.

So what have you been reading lately? 

G: Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes. I met Elizabeth and Lisa Cutts when we did a panel together at the Rochester Lit Festival last September. We had such a giggle doing it, they are both fabulously talented, very funny and friendly ladies. Elizabeth had the audience howling with laughter over her character Colin, so I just had to get the book. I have also bought Lisa’s books too.  They’re fantastic, definite 5* reading and of course waiting in the wings as my next read is the latest Hannah Weybridge book, Perditions Child written by a lovely lady I just happen to have the pleasure of knowing!

Thank you, hope you enjoy it. And we have to embrace the lockdown question – what are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?

G: Seeing my grandchildren, definitely. Olivia 10, Annie 7 and baby Arthur have been on FaceTime and WhatsApp most days but it’s the cuddles, holding their little hands and our days out that I miss so much, it’s as you said in our last message to each other, it’s an actual physical ache.  I’m a real hands-on Nan as I’ve always looked after them a few days a week whilst my daughter is at work, so it’s been a huge wrench not seeing them or having them stay over. I feel so sad when I go into their bedroom and see their empty beds, their toys and books but no children and no laughter. Our first outing after lockdown will be a trip to our favourite place, Chester Zoo with a picnic and a visit to the Bat House, which is my favourite… although Olivia is not so enthusiastic as every time we go in there a bat poops on her head sending her into an apoplectic fit as she wails “Why is it always me Nanny?”  I usually can’t answer her because I’m laughing too much!

Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

G: It has really made me appreciate what is truly important in life. I’ve quietly sat thinking about all the things I thought I wanted to have or do and quickly realised there were no possessions or places that could mean more to me than my family and friends. I have thought a lot about nature and the impact we have on our environment and the speed at which we live our lives and my own mortality.  I’m considered high risk due to medication I take which has a massive impact on my immune system, so it was quite scary to realise that something unseen could so easily take my life.

G: I think I will come out of lockdown a calmer, more appreciative person… who is at least two stone plumper with a very heavy penchant for Parma Violet Gin!

Gina it’s been such a pleasure catching up with you and I look forward to that spa day we keep promising ourselves.

G: Thank you so much for the invite Anne, d’you fancy a bag of crisps before we call it a day? 😊

All Gina’s books are available from Hive with free delivery.

Julie Newman

My guest today is another author from the Urbane stable. Julie Newman has written three novels: Beware the Cuckoo, The Kindness of Strangers and Cast No Shadow all published by Urbane Publications.

Welcome Julie, good to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge. What can I offer you?

J: Hi Anne thanks for inviting me. I’m rather partial to a cocktail and my favourite is a Negroni, so I‘ll have one of those please. 

We seem to have known each other for a while. Do you remember where we first meet?

J: I remember it well. Our paths first crossed at the launch for Dancers in the Wind; your first Hannah Weybridge novel. I had just signed my contract with Urbane and Matthew invited me along to the launch. I think we hit it off straightaway. Despite being busy as it was your launch you took time to chat to me and put me at my ease. By the time I left we had exchanged contact details and agreed to meet up at some point.

J: Subsequently we have got together on several occasions and soon realised we had much in common. Not only do we share a publisher but we share Essex connections and both have a love of theatre and of course the written word. Although our writing styles are different we both enjoy writing strong female protagonists. And we both enjoy a glass of something from time to time too…

J: I’m looking forward to Hannah’s next outing, having enjoyed her first four adventures. How is that coming along?

Slowly but I am happy to be back in the 1990s away from lockdown. How about you? Are you able to concentrate on writing at the moment?

J: Yes, I am. My current WIP is very different to my previous books, however the main character is again female and she has a lot to say. This story also requires more research than my previous works. I have no deadline or date for the next book but my hope is that it will be ready for publication sometime next year. Although obviously the current climate makes it harder to plan things.

What are you looking forward to when lockdown is lifted?

J: I think when the lockdown is lifted, apart from hugging my kids and seeing family and friends, I am most looking forward to being able to make and have plans once more. I find it rather depressing looking at my empty diary pages or worse the days I’ve had to put a line through as the entry that was listed is no longer happening.

One thing lockdown has made you think about/want to do?

J: If there is one thing it’s made me think about it is how quickly life can change and therefore I should embrace it more. As I said earlier I don’t like an empty diary but I often used to worry about having too much to do. I would find excuses not to do things/go to places that I was invited to. I’m definitely going to be saying yes more often.

J: How about you Anne, what are you looking forward to?

Seeing friends and socialising. Hugging and more hugging. So many book events I was looking forward to have been cancelled so it will be great when we can plan for these as well.

J: I am also missing literary events, not just taking part but attending as an audience member too. It will be good when book events can resume once more and I hope that you and I can take part in an event together.

What would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panellists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?

J: I’d love to be part of a panel that would include Joanne Harris, Ali Smith and Jill Dawson. All very different writers but firm favourites of mine. I’d particularly like to chat to Jill Dawson about Patricia Highsmith; another writer I love who is also a favourite of Jill’s.

A fabulous choice of authors, Julie and thank you so much for joining me today.

Perdition’s Child

The fourth in the Hannah Weybridge series takes the freelance journalist, now under contract to The News, into new territories and more danger.

Dulwich library is the scene of a suspicious death, followed swiftly by another in Manchester, the victims linked by nothing other than their Australian nationality. Police dismiss the idea of a serial killer, but Hannah isn’t convinced.

Drawn into an investigation in which more Australian men are killed as they try to trace their British families, her research reveals past horrors and present sadness, and loss linked to children who went missing after the Second World War. Have those children returned now?

Once again Hannah finds herself embroiled in a deadly mystery, a mystery complicated by the murder of Harry Peters; the brother of Lucy, one of the residents of Cardboard City she had become friendly with. It soon becomes clear Lucy is protecting secrets of her own.

What is Lucy’s link to the murders and can Hannah discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Perditions Child is available from Amazon in paperback and ebook, the latter is free in Kindle Unlimited.

Holiday Reading

My thoughts on some of the novels I’ve recently read.

The Summer of Impossible Things

by Rowan Colman (Ebury Press)

A beautifully written, accomplished novel that captivated me from the very first pages. Narrated by Luna who, with her sister, Pia, makes a trip to Brooklyn after their mother’s suicide to sell off the building that had been her home and workplace. There they find their mother had sent them film reels, the first of which reveals she was the victim of a violent rape and that Henry who has brought Lana up, is not her biological father. Coupled with this horrifying revelation is Lana’s discovery that she can slip from her present back to 1977 where she meets her mother pre-rape. Lana is determined to change the course of history, to save her mother even if it means wiping out her own existence. Go with the flow on this one and fall in love with the characters delivered with such beautiful prose and brilliant structure.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

by Gail Honeyman (HarperCollins)

Judging by some readers’ comments, this is every much a Marmite book and fortunately I love Marmite. I bought the book as a treat for myself after Christmas and before it became a prizewinner. I love the narrative style and the quirky protagonist. Although I guessed most of the “surprises”, it didn’t detract from my appreciation as the quality of writing is superlative and the path Eleanor treads is captivating. A superbly accomplished début.

Reservoir 13

by Jon McGregor (Fourth Estate)

Another book I bought as a treat – and I knew nothing about the author or the premise of the book which, it transpired, is how the disappearance of a teenage girl on holiday in the area affects that community over a number of years. Each chapter begins with New Years Eve and the celebrations – or lack of them. Each year the inhabitants of the small village reveal a little more of their lives and how they have been changed. I found the writing spellbinding, reminiscent of Dylan Thomas.

Her Secret

by Kelly Florentia (Urbane Publications)

Although this is the sequel to No Way Back, which I haven’t read, I felt it read well as a standalone and there is plenty of backstory interwoven into the narrative to inform the reader. The protagonist, Audrey Fox, is newly married and enjoying life until she is told a secret that has enormous repercussions on her life and marriage. Lies are revealed and lives are shattered. Not my usual genre but perfect if you prefer mature (in age) heroines.

Whistle in the Wind

by Emma Healey (Viking Books)

Initially I found Emma Healey’s second novel difficult to get in to – it was a slow start for me. It deals with the disappearance then reappearance of a teenage girl on a painting holiday with her mother. Lana, aged 15, has been severely depressed and her mother, Jen, is at her wits end but determined to do or try anything to find out what happened to her daughter during the days she was missing. Lana gives up on school, her friends and sleeps with her light on. I didn’t particularly empathise with the mother whose actions and reactions irritated me at times. By far the most sympathetic character is the father. However it was the quality of the writing which kept me reading – and (no spoilers) the climax of the novel makes it all worthwhile.

Wayland’s Revenge

by Lesley Lodge (Matador)

Historical fiction isn’t my usual read and I wasn’t sure what to expect with Wayland’s Revenge. However, I needn’t have worried as after the first chapter or so I was totally engrossed. The narrative is fast moving and the characters sympathetically portrayed especially the bereaved Wayland and his traumatised son. Teaming up with his friend, Alun, a Welsh Baker, Wayland and his son set off on a quest to find his dead wife’s murderer only to end up trapped in the Siege of Colchester where their own lives are threatened.

The Kindness of Strangers

by Julie Newman (Urbane Publications)

If you look at the front cover of this book, you’ll see I rather enjoyed it! “An intricate portrayal of love and loss, redemption and revenge which will stay with you long after the final page.” This is another book for those who like characters who are mature and come from a variety of backgrounds. Be prepared for a narrative that will shock and surprise you.

 

Going to Audible

Today is a very special day for me as it is the first time I have heard my début crime novel, Dancers in the Wind, and the sequel, Death’s Silent Judgement, read aloud by someone else – namely Joan Walker on Audible.

Joan has a long track record as an actress and voice artist on radio TV and audiobooks and you can learn more about her here.

I was thrilled when I heard from Matthew Smith, Publishing Director of Urbane Publications, that Audible was going to publish my Hannah Weybridge crime novels and to have them available now as I am in the throes of writing the third in the series is an enormous boost.

If you have already bought the ebooks you can buy the Audible version for a few pounds more. Alternatively you can enjoy Dancers in the Wind and Death’s Silent Judgement as part of the free month’s Audible trial.

However to celebrate the launch today, I am offering two sets of voucher codes to buy both audiobooks.

All you have to do to enter the competition is follow this website and send me your email address via the contact form. The winners will be selected at random after 2pm on Thursday 5 October, 2017.

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Summer reading

As I write crime thrillers, it’s good to step outside the genre and read something rather different. Here are some of the books I’ve recently read and enjoyed that focus on relationships (and maybe a few crimes!).

I was fascinated by Exquisite (Orenda Books) by Sarah Stovell. The novel centres on the affair which develops between Bo Luxton, a best selling author who is married with two children living in the Lake District and Alice Dark a young aspiring writer in a dead end job and relationship in Brighton. They meet at a workshop run by Bo and their friendship develops via emails and then Alice’s visits to the author. The story is brilliantly told from both viewpoints and both characters are unreliable in their narration. Totally absorbing .

In The Cruelty of Lambs (Urbane Publications) Angelena Boden tackles the complicated issue of domestic abuse. Her main characters – Ian and Una ­– are well drawn and the plot moves along at a cracking pace. The narrative switches from Ian, a cellist who lost his teaching job when wrongly accused of inappropriate behaviour, to Una, a high-flyer who stands to lose the business she built up. Financial ruin faces them but their reactions couldn’t be more different. The supporting characters – friends of the couple who become entangled in the situation – are realistic and their concerns are credible. A thought-provoking and often disturbing read which challenges your preconceptions.

If you like a sexy and mature romantic read, you’ll love Seeking Eden by Beverley Harvey (Urbane Publications).  Kate and Neil decide to move out of London after they are burgled and settle into a new, up-market housing estate. But Neil’s job is still in the capital and he spends some of the week staying over at a friend’s flat leaving Kate to her own devices and her new neighbours and Ben – the boyfriend who had walked out on her years ago and now wants to rekindle their relationship… A good contemporary read with well-drawn characters.

One of my favourite recent reads is My Name is Lucy Barton (Penguin), my first foray into Elizabeth Strout’s fiction. I love a first person narrative when it’s told well, and this one is perfection told by Lucy Barton, from her hospital bed, reminiscing about her family and their poverty, which isolated them from the community where they lived. Lucy moved up in the world and became estranged from her parents but it is her mother’s unexpected vigil in the hospital room that helps Lucy reassess her past and move towards a different future. A short but totally absorbing read.

Currently reading and would recommend Jackie Buxton’s Glass Houses and Beware the Cuckoo by Julia Newman, both published by Urbane Publications.