The Friday Interview: Stevyn Colgan on the funny side of murder

My guest today, Stevyn Colgan, is writer and researcher on the popular TV programme QI. After several non-fiction books, his first novel A Murder To Die For is 92% funded and looks like hitting 100% any day now. It is expected to be published by Unbound in 2017. Tell us a little about your background and career so … More The Friday Interview: Stevyn Colgan on the funny side of murder

The ghosts behind ‘Ghost Variations’

Today I present a special guest post by Jessica Duchen author of Ghost Variations (20 September 2016, Unbound) about the spine-tingling and captivating historical circumstances on which her novel draws. Oujia boards, messages from dead composer Robert Schumann, a lost final concerto and a talented violinist heroine who attracted the finest composers and musicians… This piece has well and truly whetted my appetite for the book, as … More The ghosts behind ‘Ghost Variations’

Review of The Swimming Pool by Louise Candlish

I was tugged into the murky depths of this cleverly constructed poolside psychodrama (published May 2016, Penguin UK). It’s centred on a newly restored lido, supposedly somewhere in London. (I want to know where, it sounds amazing!) Natalie the novel’s narrator discovers the lido one summer when, set free from the school where she teaches, … More Review of The Swimming Pool by Louise Candlish

Bowled over by first reviews of Blind Side

I’ve been in a state of altered reality ever since Tuesday 26th July when the first review of my book came out. It’s been… well, almost too much to take in. Are they really talking about my novel, the one I’ve doggedly pursued for years and many times felt like giving up on, that I must have altered and saved a thousand … More Bowled over by first reviews of Blind Side

Guest Post: Jennie Ensor and Blind Side — The Last Word-Book Review

I am delighted to welcome Jennie Ensor as a guest on my review page as a guest blog talking about her forthcoming debut book Blind Side to be published on 23 July 2016. I will be reviewing Blind Side on 27 July. How Blind Side came into being: inspiration, research, titles and more […] via Guest … More Guest Post: Jennie Ensor and Blind Side — The Last Word-Book Review

Blind Side Launch & Blog Tour 21-30 July 2016

It’s finally about to happen – my first book is set to be published! I’ve not had much sleep lately, trying to fit in lots of book-related tasks as well as that other thing, what was it…? Oh yes, everyday life. The launch date will be a little earlier than had been planned, this Saturday 23rd July. Blind Side will be by published … More Blind Side Launch & Blog Tour 21-30 July 2016

A new title, a cover and other news

Yes, that’s it. The new title. My book is now called BLIND SIDE. RIP Ghosts of Chechnya. It’s been a painstaking process getting to the new title. Blind Side was my idea, but some consultation and dithering was involved before the final decision. Now I’ve chosen the title I’ve actually got to get used to it, which is not so easy after … More A new title, a cover and other news