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!”
Tag Archives: social history
A chance to be heard
As I try to unpick the relationship between the people and the politicians in post-war Britain I’m reflecting on some of the key events when the populace had a chance to express their opinion. Labour Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, had enjoyed five years of leading a majority government, following Labour’s landslide victory just two monthsContinue reading “A chance to be heard”
From top down to bottom up…
To help me get into the mindset of my fictional characters I have spent the last few years researching recent history. Those of you who are familiar with my novels will know they are all set during the iconic decade of the 1960s, a time when Britain experienced a significant cultural shift. To explore theContinue reading “From top down to bottom up…”
Writing a trilogy
Firstly, thank you to Isabella for inviting me over to her blog during my ‘Chindi Author of the Week’ which happens to coincide with publication of my second novel, The Coal Miner’s Son. Why write a trilogy? Well, there are a couple of reasons really. As a writer I don’t want to say goodbye toContinue reading “Writing a trilogy”
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”
Australia – shadows amidst the sunshine
I am delighted to welcome fellow author, Rosemary Noble, to my blog today. Rosemary shares my passion for exploring the truth about some of the darkest parts of Australian history. Here she explains… In the Australian National Anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair’, there’s a phrase celebrating the country’s modern forward-thinking attitude: “Australians all let us rejoice,Continue reading “Australia – shadows amidst the sunshine”
Best-selling author of all time!
Any guesses as to who is the most read author in the world? Well, according to a recent Wikipaedia article, it is Agatha Christie – who has estimated sales of between two and four billion! Even beating the bard, William Shakespeare! Hercule Poirot appeared in 33 of her published ‘whodunits’ – which numbered 85 inContinue reading “Best-selling author of all time!”
Not lost, but abandoned
It was 1986 when Nottinghamshire social worker, Margaret Humphreys, was first contacted by a former child migrant in Australia. She was asked if she could help track down his family in the UK. That was just the start of a long journey for Margaret, and for the many individuals and families she has helped sinceContinue reading “Not lost, but abandoned”
The Forgotten Children
I will let the words of the Child Migrants Trust tell this story… ‘Britain is the only country in the world with a sustained history of child migration. Only Britain has used child migration as a key part of its child care strategy over four centuries rather than as a last resort during times ofContinue reading “The Forgotten Children”
Isabella Muir 