Yesterday at Kirkby Library Tangent Books interviewed their author Jonathan Evans. It was quite different, though, this talk. Jonathan opened it by giving handshakes to the people attending, asking us whether we were from Kirkby itself. Listening to the interview, it became evident why he did this, as he had come home to the small … Continue reading Kirkby welcomes Home →

My week as a book journalist began with immersing myself in the fictional world of Miranda and Casey in Holly Watt's debut To the Lions; recommended to me by Val McDermid, as part of this years Theakstons new blood panel. I began the book on the way to Chase Bookfest, reading it in the back … Continue reading My week with the Lions →

If Words Could Kill last night concluded with a talk by Christopher Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a married writing couple collectively known as Ambrose Parry. Last night was fascinating to me as a big fan of their series. Chris had told me in the past about how it had come about from his own … Continue reading If Words Could Kill – part 2 →

As part of Lincoln Book Festival (sub-headed V for Victoria), Claire Harman's look at the murder of Lord William Russell was a great start to last night's double header, If words could Kill. Her book, Murder by the Book, was an apt title given her description of the circumstances around the death of William Russell. … Continue reading If Words Could Kill →

The final event at Chase Bookfest today was tea and conversation with Mark Edwards. This was an hilarious conversation with a determined author who first tried to start writing in 1995, but finally made his name in 2011. This was with the first book he wrote alone, Magpies. Prior to this he wrote in partnership … Continue reading Live from Chase Bookfest – Mark Edwards →

My next event today that I attended was tea and conversation with Nottinghamshire author KL Slater. I met her for the first time at Nottingham Waterstones, where she was interviewing Will Dean, so it was nice to hear a bit more about her. Particularly fascinating was the information that she studied at university in Nottingham. … Continue reading Live from Chase Bookfest – KL Slater →

Today at Cannock Chase Bookfest it didn't start off as fantastically as I'd have liked, as I missed the start of the Thriller Panel, due to the satnav not being as accurate as I'd like. However, when I got there, I don't know if I'd missed a lot about the books in the opening bit … Continue reading Live from Chase bookfest – Thriller Panel →

Tonight Bloody Scotland opened with the announcement of the winners of the two categories of the McIlvanney Prize. Manda Scott wins Scottish Crime Book of the Year and Claire Askew wins the inaugural debut prize. Both of these winners show the many different ways that crime books can be written. It was announced earlier on … Continue reading McIlvanney Prize Announcement →

At an hour or so before the McIlvanney Prize is given out, following the torchlight procession, I have finished the final nominated book from both categories. Of the 17 books on the list I have managed to read 15. There are reviews and summaries of the other two. Of the debut category, Black Camp 21 … Continue reading The Final Debut 2019 →

1, Having read both The Dry and The Lost Man, I've noticed how well engrained your clues are in the plotlines of your books. Has your writing changed now that you have written more books? I've always planned the books in advance, but with every book the planning stage has become more detailed and extensive. … Continue reading Jane Harper, far from Dry →