Janie joins the seventies!

With the publication of the latest novel in the Janie Juke series – A Notable Omission – we find Janie in the spring of 1970 exploring her new-found skills as an amateur sleuth. Once again she has local reporter, Libby Frobisher, by her side. Here’s a reminder of the story… Spring 1970. Sussex University isContinue reading “Janie joins the seventies!”

All about Clara Benson

Back in September 2019 I had the opportunity for an exclusive interview with the best-selling cozy mystery author, Clara Benson. For those who are not familiar with Clara’s crime mysteries, then you will find plenty to explore here…but first let’s see what Clara had to say…  Welcome, Clara, what inspired you to write crime mysteries?Continue reading “All about Clara Benson”

Agatha Christie and Janie Juke!

In 1969 there was a young librarian who discovered that all the Agatha Christie novels she had read throughout her childhood could now be put to good use. Read on to find out more… Who is Janie Juke? Janie Juke is a young librarian, living in the fictional Sussex seaside town of Tamarisk Bay inContinue reading “Agatha Christie and Janie Juke!”

Agatha Christie and Isabella Muir

I read my first Agatha Christie novel when I was thirteen years old.  I don’t remember which one it was, but I do remember that it led me to read another and another. Like most authors I am a voracious reader.  Having worked my way through Agatha Christie’s crime fiction I moved on through otherContinue reading “Agatha Christie and Isabella Muir”

Celebrating cozy mysteries!

Today is the first day of an exciting week, leading up to 15th September – the birthday of the great Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, and National Cozy Mystery Day! So, to get us started, I am delighted to share some news about cozy mystery author, Judith A Barrett – plus a special offer notContinue reading “Celebrating cozy mysteries!”

…when I’m 64

‘When I get older, losing my hair Many years from now’ Who remembers hearing these Beatles lyrics for the first time, back in 1967.  Maybe we thought that by the time we reached 64 we would be ‘old’.  It seems laughable now, when 64-year-olds choose to go trekking in their holidays and spend their weekendsContinue reading “…when I’m 64”

Choosing a life of crime

When Agatha Christie’s first crime novel was published in 1920 she was thirty years old.  She was a loved and loving daughter and is described as living in an ‘upper middle-class family’. When Jane Austen’s first novel was published in 1811 she was thirty-six years old.  She too was a loved and loving daughter.  HerContinue reading “Choosing a life of crime”