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!”
Category Archives: reading
…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”
A world without images
Thank goodness for libraries. As part of my research into all things ‘sixties’ I have tracked down a fascinating book. ‘The Neophiliacs’ was written by Christopher Booker and published in 1969. It turns out that it is now out of print and Amazon are asking over £100 for a copy! So, you can imagine myContinue reading “A world without images”
Food for the soul
Plato advised us that: ‘Knowledge is food for the soul’ I’ve been thinking about this quote, which led me to thinking about books and reading. I started to read when I was around four years old (according to my mum!). Since that tender age I have rarely been without a book in my hands. IContinue reading “Food for the soul”
What makes a great author?
I’ve been finding out more about that wonderful Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. Having just read her biography, I have discovered some interesting facts about her. Here are some of them: her ideas for plots, characters and settings came in a random way – she filled numerous notebooks, but there was no order or organisationContinue reading “What makes a great author?”
Agatha Christie’s secrets
I’m continuing to follow the trail of Agatha Christie! (while channelling Janie Juke, of course!) I have come across a fascinating book, entitled: Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks. The author, John Curran, had the great fortune to have ‘unfettered access’ to all of Agatha Christie’s papers, as well as the hospitality of her grandson, Mathew Pritchard. Continue reading “Agatha Christie’s secrets”
On the trail of Agatha Christie
In the Janie Juke mystery series, my protagonist, Janie, refers to her passion for Agatha Christie novels. In particular, Janie loves the stories featuring Hercule Poirot and has learned many of her investigative skills from him. As she tackles the mysteries occurring in Tamarisk Bay, she draws on many of Poirot’s techniques to follow theContinue reading “On the trail of Agatha Christie”
A brave lady
I read an article this week that made me feel sad and inspired, in equal measure. It was an interview with the daughter of the wonderful, and much missed, Helen Dunmore. I have loved Helen’s writing since I first discovered her novels, maybe 15 years ago or more. The first title of hers that IContinue reading “A brave lady”
Nanowrimo – one year on
One year ago I accepted an invitation. I didn’t know then that it would be an acceptance that would change my life. Perhaps that sounds a little dramatic? Nevertheless, when I look back over the last twelve months and catalogue the differences, it feels like a fair assertion. The invitation came from Authorlab colleague, ChrisContinue reading “Nanowrimo – one year on”
Isabella Muir 