I love variety in my reading and this batch certainly has that. Settings include a West Yorkshire millowner’s estate in 1904, the Pyrenees in a snowstorm in the 1920s, civil-rights era Harlem, the Glasgow tenements of the 1980s, contemporary Sweden and the Peak District during the covid pandemic. Some tales are creepy, some funny, some suspenseful, most moving and all are captivating. Happy reading!

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

The Fell by Sarah Moss

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer

The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

Early Warning by Jane Smiley

Amy and Lan by Sadie Jones

Mrs England by Stacey Halls

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Looking for some holiday reading? Or a treat for the New Year? Here are some books I’ve really enjoyed. Maybe something here will pique your interest. Happy Reading!

The Last Crossing by Brian McGilloway

Golden Age by Jane Smiley

Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke

Rizzio by Denise Mina

Tasting Sunlight by Ewald Arenz and Rachel Ward

56 Days by Catherine Ryan

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

Light to the Hills by Bonnie Blaylock

French Braid by Anne Tyler

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

I love to read different genres (though I probably read more crime novels than any other). But I enjoy variety and really appreciate writers who can whisk me away into a new world. The list here are all books that were compelling and truly memorable. Happy reading!

Wake by Shelley Burr

Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan

No Country For Girls by Emma Styles

The Skin Code by Stephen Williams

The Island of Lost Girls by Alex Marwood

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

Some Luck by Jane Smiley

All My Mothers by Joanna Glen

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

I can’t believe it’s so long since I posted a list of recommended reads – way back in January. I guess there has been a lot going on with my own books and that’s commanded attention on the blog. But here’s a round dozen titles that I really enjoyed. Hope you’ll find something there to try too. Happy reading!

Exit by Belinda Bauer

Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz

Oxblood by Tom Benn

The Stranding by Kate Sawyer

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

The Interview by C M Ewan

Midnight Atlanta by Thomas Mullen

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

Fragile by Sarah Hilary

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

Astral Travel by Elizabeth Baines

Desperate Measures (Detective Janine Lewis Mysteries #4) is out now from Joffe Books. That means all 4 novels in the series are available in digital, paperback and on audio. I’m delighted with the new look and want to say a big thank you to everyone who has already bought a copy of one of the titles. Happy reading!

Make Believe (Detective Janine Lewis Mysteries Book 3) is out now from Joffe Books. And on offer for only 99p/99c.  Happy reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hit and Run (Detective Janine Lewis Mysteries Book 2) is out now from Joffe Books. And on offer for only 99p/99c. I was delighted to see Blue Murder climbing the charts on its recent release, reaching the top 30 in Kindle Store and a #1 Bestseller in English Crime. Massive thanks to Joffe books and especially to all the people who bought that and all who so kindly left a review. I do hope readers will enjoy this next instalment which sees Janine just back at work from maternity leave and dealing with two very tough cases.

I am delighted to be short-listed for the CWA Dagger in the Library. This is an award for a writer whose body of work is popular with library users, and who supports libraries. It means a lot to me as I’ve been a lifelong library user, grateful that I’ve been able to satisfy my love of reading via my library card. I enjoy very much visiting libraries to talk about my work and share a pleasure in books with other keen readers. And I know the great majority of people who read my books borrow them from libraries. So thanks to them and the wonderful librarians who staff our libraries and our brilliant Public Lending Right system, which pays authors a few pence for every library loan. The Dagger Awards will be announced on June 29th.

Here are two of my favourite quotes about libraries, they sum up perfectly how I feel:

‘Congratulations on the new library, because it isn’t just a library. It is a space ship that will take you to the farthest reaches of the Universe, a time machine that will take you to the far past and the far future, a teacher that knows more than any human being, a friend that will amuse you and console you – and most of all, a gateway, to a better and happier and more useful life.’ Isaac Asimov

‘Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.’ Lady Bird Johnson

Happy Reading!

I am astonished and delighted and honoured that Running Out of Road is on the shortlist for the eDunnit Award for best novel of 2021 at Crime Fest. It’s a wonderful surprise and awesome to be in such wonderful company. The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on May 14th.

Running Out of Road is a race against time, played out in the brooding wilderness, the limestone gorges and gritstone edges of the Peak District. At its heart is eleven-year-old Scarlett, who has survived a great loss, is full of dreams for the future and passionate about protecting the planet. Scarlett is abducted and driven up into the hills with the police in hot pursuit. Scarlett’s path collides with others. Ron has made a living as a house and pet sitter since quitting his career on the front line in the fire service. The solitude suits him. Dylan’s a ‘cuckoo’, dealing drugs on the county line, moving from nest to nest, picking out people who daren’t say no. One step ahead of the law. So far…The action unfolds over a few hours on a wretched February evening, as Storm Dennis barrels in from the north bringing floods and ensuing chaos.

Running Out of Road was written during 2020 when we were all struggling with the dreadful impact of the pandemic. The continuing ban on travel (which came into effect here in the North West swiftly after the first lockdown was lifted) meant I couldn’t visit the Peak District where I love to walk. But writing the book allowed me to escape there in my imagination. To get away from the grim news of the pandemic, Brexit and the climate emergency, and lose myself in Scarlett’s adventure. I relished exploring the terrain through the eyes of the various characters in the novel, and being able to capture some of the beauty and grandeur of the peaks.

I’ve been thrilled at the reception the book has received, especially this nomination. Happy reading!