News
Here you will find news updates and details of talks I’ve been invited to give, panels I’ve been asked to join and other key events!
Tuesday June 16th 2020
Three years ago I travelled to Lydney in the Forest of Dean to talk to a book group at the library. They were so supportive and encouraging, I promised myself I’d make a return visit at some stage but under the present circumstances the best I could do was a conference using Zoom. I’m not the most technically minded but we somehow managed it and I’m so glad we did. This was the first time I’ve talked to a group about ‘The Syndicate’ and their response to the reading in particular gave me considerable cause for optimism. I suspect I’ll be going back to Lydney in person the first chance I get.
Monday February 17th 2020
Wonderful evening last night at the Felpham Fillies WI. Really enthusiastic welcome from an energetic and enterprising group who have kindly decided to gone for Lie In Wait as their book group choice. So encouraging to discover that many had already read The Hidden Legacy and several others decided to buy copies of all three books on the night. Will definitely make a return visit when book 4 comes out. My thanks go to Michelle for the initial invitation and all those who were there and made me feel welcome.
Wednesday June 19th, 2019
Talk at Sullington Mills Women’s Institute
I will be giving a talk entitled ‘My Writing Journey’. I’ll certainly have plenty of time to prepare it!
Wednesday October 10th, 2018
Harpenden Book Panel
Wow! One of the highlights of last year was appearing at the Harpenden Book Panel, superbly organised by Katherine Sunderland. I am returning with TM Logan, author of “Lies” and “29 Seconds” – other guests still to be determined. I can’t wait for this – such an enthusiastic and supportive audience.
Thursday July 12th, 2018
Talk at Bolney Women’s Institute
2.30 – 4.00 at The Rawlson Hall
Dilys has kindly invited me to give a talk to the WI at Bolney on the strength of my brief audition last year in Burgess Hill. She describes her ladies as “a small but enthusiastic group” and tells me I “will be sure of a warm welcome.” How could I not look forward to that?
Friday June 29th, 2018
Talk to Brighton’s Very Sociable Book Club
Was invited by Rae to give a talk to a lively book club in Brighton. I joined a supper evening for their mid-year social and if ever a book group was aptly named . . .! I wasn’t able to get there in time for the meal which was probably a mistake as A Taste of Sahara in Brighton is a lovely restaurant and the food looked fantastic. Excellent company, interesting questions and the whole experience made the car journey on a sweltering evening more than worthwhile. Really grateful for the invitation!
Thursday June 21st, 2018
Talk at Bognor Regis NWR
I spent a lovely evening yesterday, talking to the Bognor Regis NWR (National Women’s Register) about the journey to publication and my writing in general. I was told beforehand that they were ‘a gathering of lively-minded women’. I’d have to agree. Intelligent and perceptive questions from around 20 members who were totally supportive but not afraid to push for more convincing responses if they felt I was taking the easy option. I really enjoyed it and wish I could be a fly on the wall when the book group discusses The Hidden Legacy next week!
Tuesday June 12th, 2018
Arun East U3A Reading Group
I was asked by David & Carolyn Silver to come and talk to their book club about The Hidden Legacy. They’d all read it and came armed with questions and we spent a very pleasant couple of hours talking about the novel, its origins and the characters. I didn’t realise until later that they normally only discuss a book for 40 minutes or so. I hope I didn’t outstay my welcome! I’ll be more than happy to go back and talk about my other books if they haven’t had enough already.
Sunday May 20th, 2018
Talk at Hastings True Crime Museum: 1pm
I’ve been asked to give a talk at the Hastings True Crime Museum as part of their Crime Reading month. I’m hoping the fact that Anything For her is set in Rye, Camber Sands and Winchelsea, all of them relatively close, will be of interest. I’m looking forward to this event and also looking around the museum itself.
Tuesday May 1st, 2018
Pagham Church Ladies Club: 7.45
Have been invited by Fran Holt to talk to the ladies at Pagham Church. Know it well! Thanks, Fran.
Monday April 30th, 2018
First Monday Crime
Still pinching myself. I’ve been asked to be on a First Monday panel at City University, London alongside Robert Goddard, Cathi Unsworth and Simone Buchholz. Many thanks to First Monday Crime for granting me such an opportunity – feel privileged.
Thursday April 26th, 2018
Cheltenham Library Talk
This is the rescheduled appearance which we were forced to postpone in March. Carole from the Gloucestershire Library Service has kindly invited me to travel home and give a talk at Cheltenham Library. The planned format is a talk, interspersed with a couple of readings and then a q and a session. I’ll also be selling and signing books afterwards which will include the paperback of Anything For Her – it wouldn’t have been available at the original date so that’s a bonus at least. Should be a lovely evening. NB: the original was scheduled, I believe, for 7.00 – at least. that’s what I was telling everyone. This one is 6.00. Apologies if I’ve muddied the waters
Monday April 23rd, 2018
Poole library panel for World Book Night
I took part in a panel discussion at Hamworthy Library, Poole as part of World Book Night. Fantastic evening! I shared a platform with Chris Whitaker and Julie Corbin before an enthusiastic audience of 50 or so book lovers. The event was so well organised by Janet and her team and the informal conversations afterwards with everyone made it even more special. As for working with Julie and Chris, that was always going to be a pleasure. Must make sure we do it again sometime.
Saturday April 14th, 2018
Talk at The Rye Bookshop in Rye
Camilla kindly invited me over to Rye, the setting (along with Camber Sands, Winchelsea and Peaks Island) for Anything For Her. I spent three days there researching the area and was grateful for the excuse to go back. Unfortunately the audience was disappointingly small but it made for a more informal get-together and I was able to respond directly to questions rather than giving a talk. And I DID get to spend a day travelling around those lovely locations!
Thursday April 12th, 2018
Talk at Formby Library, Liverpool
6.30 for 7.00
It was a long trip but so well worth it. I had the chance to talk to a mixed audience of readers and also the local writing group about how I came to be published and what happens after you are signed up for that first book. The questions were well thought-out and the welcome I received was as warm as the one given to me last time I visited Liverpool. My thanks go to Ian, a very enterprising librarian who organised the whole thing. Such a good evening.
Thursday March 22nd, 2018
Launch of Anything For Her
Wonderful launch at Waterstones, Chichester for the paperback version of Anything For Her. There were about 75 people there and we sold all 50 copies of the book plus some of its two predecessors. Many thanks to Elaine for another amazing cake and to her and Cheryl for all the food and drink. Thanks also to Waterstones, especially Abbie and Ben who gave up the best part of their evening to host the event. Really lovely evening.
Wednesday March 7th, 2018
Talk at No 8 Bookshop, Downham Market
I spent a lovely evening talking to an audience of around 20 people at an enterprising book shop which stages a number of literary events with proceeds going to charity. I was alerted to it by Gayle Curtis who had already talked there. The response from the audience was so warm and we managed to raise £94 on the evening, thanks to Bonnier Zaffre who donated copies of all 3 novels, including the new one which isn’t out for another 2 weeks! I’m grateful to Sarah for the invitation and all the hard work she and her colleagues put into the event.
Thursday November 30th, 2017
eBook of Anything For Her
The eBook for Anything For Her becomes available today. Book 3 – can hardly believe it, although the fact that I’m deep in planning for book 4 ought to be a bit of a clue! For those of you who prefer the paperback, that will be out on March 22nd. Hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday November 7th, 2017
Talk at Worthing Library
Following on from my talk at Bognor Library, I was asked to do the same at Worthing library as well. Again, despite the dismal weather, there was an excellent turn-out in a beautifully appointed lecture hall. This time I’m afraid I overran by about 45 minutes! I’m claiming only partial responsibility – they just kept asking such interesting questions! Many thanks to all who turned out and especially to Jane Blackwell for all her help, organisation and hospitality
Thursday October 26th, 2017
Chichester Society of Women Writers and Journalists
Only a very small group was able to attend but it was nice to make the whole event more informal and respond to questions as we went along. We managed to keep going for two hours so it can’t have been all bad! Many thanks to Robbie Grieve for arranging this – enjoyed it immensely.
Thursday October 19th, 2017
Boxgrove Women’s Institute Annual Literary Luncheon
Had not only the pleasure of being invited back to the annual literary luncheon, at which I was invited to speak last year, but also the privilege of introducing this year’s speaker, Julie Corbin. She charmed the audience of 80 or so members of the WI with details of how she came to be a published author along with several insights into the publishing world and the motivation behind each of her novels. Really interesting talk followed by excellent food and company. Many thanks to everyone concerned with organising it.
Wednesday October 18th, 2017
Talk at Bognor Library: 12.10
36 souls braved pretty dismal weather to come to Bognor Library today to hear me talk about my writing and also hear, for the first time, a couple of readings from Anything For Her. They were very good to me and the response to the new book was encouraging. The event as a whole seemed to go down well so I’ll hope for a similar turnout and response from Worthing when I visit the library there in 3 weeks time. My thanks to Rebecca for co-ordinating the event. I’ll be happy to make a return visit sometime and will add a photo here if I come across one.
Friday October 13th, 2017
Excellent News
Heard today that I managed to pass my audition for the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes and will be included on their list of recommended guest speakers. Hopefully that should lead to a number of interesting talks in the future.
Tuesday October 3rd, 2017
Return to The University of Chichester
So pleased to be invited to go back to the University of Chichester, where I did my MA in Creative Writing, and talk to the Year 3 BA students about my life as a novelist. Should be a lot of fun!
Monday September 25th, 2017
Auditions!
Today was Speakers Interview Day for the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes and I went along to audition for the chance to speak to individual branches across the county. I turned up expecting a panel of half a dozen or so and found myself talking to about 100 or so representatives from different branches across the county – 20 minute summary of the sort of talk I might give. The ladies were really welcoming and I really enjoyed condensing a 50 year writing journey into such a small space of time. Seemed to go down well so fingers crossed. Many thanks to Jenny Ault and Yvonne Bee for all their efforts before and on the day.
Wednesday August 16th, 2017
Open House Festival, Bangor
We’re taking a 4 day break in Northern Ireland, two nights of which will be in Bangor at the Open House Festival. We’re looking forward to listening to Alex Barclay and Sam Blake in conversation, then an interview with Lesley Allen the following evening. Have been to the South several times so we’re really keen to have a good look around the North.
Wednesday August 9th, 2017
Selsey Meet The Authors
2pm – 4 pm
Went along to this as a bit of a last-minute thing and with little idea as to what it entailed. Was very pleasantly surprised. There were about 15-20 local authors, including Peter Lovesey and Simon Brett, from varying genres and publishing backgrounds. Despite the awful weather a fair number of people came along to talk informally with us about our books and, if they wished, buy copies and get them signed. Very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on what might otherwise have been a dismal afternoon. Many thanks to Joan and her fellow organisers, to Peter Lovesey for making me feel welcome, and to all those readers who stopped to talk with me about my writing.
Friday July 21st, 2017
Harrogate Festival
This was a first for us. Elaine and I spent two nights in Harrogate at the Theakstons Festival which is a 4-day event aimed at crime fiction fans and writers alike. It’s an amazing experience, all centred around one venue, The Old Swan Hotel and everywhere you go there are opportunities to meet up with writers and chat informally with them as well as events where you can listen to them or take part in a variety of activities.
It was great to meet up with fellow authors from Bonnier Zaffre and also friends from other publishers, including Joel who has now moved on to Michael Joseph. I also got to meet Mick Herron whose Slough House Books have so impressed me lately and grabbed a brief word with Lee Child. The only event for which we had tickets was a talk by Dennis Lehane and he was every bit as excellent as I’d imagined he’d be. It was a terrific event and Elaine and I are determined to be there again next year. If you love your crime novels, it’s the perfect mini-break.
Tuesday July 4th, 2017
Talk to Chichester Writers Circle
Really profitable evening spent talking to a group of committed writers from the Chichester area. The focus this time was less on how I came to be a writer and more on the mechanics of writing and what happens after that elusive first book deal. Many thanks to Robbie for putting it all together.
Monday July 3rd, 2017
Peopleton Book Group in Pershore
Wonderful to meet the members of the Peopleton book group in Pershore, Worcs to discuss my books. Lovely, supportive company, excellent cake and real interest in the whole process of putting together a novel. Many thanks go to Julie for hosting and organising it all. Really hope we all keep in touch and that I get to talk again somewhere in the area. Not sure how the Highways Department knew which roads I’d be using for the return journey but they managed to close the A417, M4 and M3 in places which forced me to take detours down winding country lanes in the dark for miles. Got back after 2 am but so worth the trip – lovely group.
Monday June 12th, 2017
Prestbury Women’s Institute
8pm
I never need much of an excuse to go back to the Cheltenham area so I’m indebted to the good ladies of Prestbury WI who invited me to talk about ‘my writing journey’. There were around 50 in the audience and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. Didn’t get home till after midnight but it was well worth two and a half hours in the car each way.
Saturday June 3rd, 2017
Talk at Churchill College, Cambridge
I had the most wonderful afternoon, returning to my former college to give a talk to the writers’ group at Churchill College, Cambridge. I don’t go back there as often as I should but it meant a lot to me to be able to stroll around the town and relive such great memories. Somehow going back as an invited speaker was just that bit extra special and the group was as positive and welcoming as it is talented. Terrific day!
Saturday May 20th, 2017
Visit to CrimeFest, Bristol (tbc)
Hoping to spend the day at CrimeFest, Bristol and have dinner with some of the other Bonnier Zaffre authors and team
Tuesday May 9th, 2017
Sue’s Book Group, Goring
Met this evening with a book group in Goring, West Sussex to talk about my writing. Many thanks to Hilary Kemp for setting it up and Sue Finlayson for organising. Had a lovely time, concentrating principally on The Hidden Legacy but also answering searching questions about the whole process of creating a novel. They haven’t read Lie In Wait yet so I hope they enjoy it.
Tuesday May 2nd, 2017
The Phoenix Book Club
Received an invitation from Carole to talk to this Littlehampton-based book group. Nice surprise to be able to do this for a local club.They were so welcoming and the one hour discussion about The Hidden Legacy and Lie In Wait turned into two hours with no effort at all. Really enjoyable evening, ending with an open invitation to come back and talk about book 3 when it’s out. Thank you everyone – forgot as usual to take a photo but am hoping they might send me one next time they meet so that I can include it on here.
Thursday April 13th, 2017
Bognor Wine Circle
Jubilee Hall, North Bersted
Kind invitation from Sheila Thomas to talk about my writing, the two novels already published and the third now with the publishers for editing. Felt a complete fraud talking to the Bognor Wine Circle as I don’t drink wine. Then again, I’ve spoken to various Rotary Clubs and I’m not a Rotarian and also to various Women’s Institutes and I’m lacking a few qualifications there too. Great evening. Thank you.
Wednesday April 12th, 2017
Book event at The Haslemere Bookshop
This was a really good evening. All tickets were sold and the members of the audience, containing a book group who have chosen THL as book of the month, were engaged and welcoming. I’m indebted to Ian and Emily who were responsible for the invitation and also for hosting the event and offer heartfelt apologies for keeping them there till quarter to ten! I’ll be back in Haslemere the moment they’re foolish enough to invite me again.
Wednesday April 5th, 2017
Talk to Book Group in Goring
I had a lovely evening talking to a book group in Goring about The Hidden Legacy, which they’ve all read, but also anything they felt like asking about creating a novel, getting published, marketing decisions etc. Really warm welcome – many thanks to Laure for putting it all together. I hope I get invited back when they’ve read Lie In Wait and future books.
Wednesday March 22nd, 2017
Dazzling Debuts Panel Event
Anything organised by Katherine Sunderland is always going to be excellent and appearing on the same panel as Alex Caan, Chris Whitaker and Simon Booker can only be entertaining. Add to the mix an audience that was so enthusiastic and you have a recipe for a fantastic evening. We were able to mingle with the 60 or so who’d paid good money for tickets and sell/sign copies of our books to round things off nicely. The fact that we were still there at 11 says it all. Thank you, Katherine.
Monday March 20th, 2017
Guest speaker at Bognor Rotary Club Dinner.
Had the privilege of speaking to 50 or so Rotarians at the Bognor Regis Rotary Club dinner. Very kind and responsive audience. My thanks go to Bob Pavard for suggesting me, Dave French for making it possible and Malcolm Ridley for being such a generous and interesting host.
Saturday March 18th, 2017
Book Signing for Lie In Wait at Waterstones, Cheltenham
Great turn-out for my book signing for Lie In Wait at Waterstones, Cheltenham. Lovely of course to meet up with lots of family members but just as excited to be able to say hello to some old friends and a number of more recent ones. The staff at Waterstones, Cheltenham deserve a huge vote of thanks, especially Rory who worked hard to put it all together. Possibility of an event there one evening in the next couple of months although no date is confirmed yet. Really enjoyed the trip back home. Thank you, Cheltenham.
Wednesday March 15th, 2017
Radio Interview with Allison Ferns
BBC Radio Sussex & Surrey at 2.30 pm
Great interview with the lovely Allison Ferns on Radio Sussex, Such an accomplished interviewer.
Friday March 10th, 2017
Social gathering to celebrate the publication of the paperback of Lie In Wait
Great evening at All-Bar-One in New Oxford Street, London with a few friends from Bonnier Zaffre, blogger/reviewers and Elaine who made the journey especially. Also a chance to say goodbye to Joel who has been a brilliant editor but is now moving onwards and upwards in his quest to rule the literary world. My new editor Katherine Armstrong (see photo) was there and I’m really looking forward to working with her.
Thursday March 9th, 2017
Publication of paperback version of “Lie In Wait”.
Monday March 6th, 2017
Radio Interview with Dominic Cotter
BBC Radio Gloucestershire
Dominic Cotter is such a lovely guy to have as your interviewer. I went to the BBC Sussex studios in Brighton to spare me the two and a half hour journey to Gloucester and had a great time. So easy to relax with him. I’ve put the link here in case anyone want to listen to it although it has a shelf life. I’m on after Eddie The Eagle, somewhere between 1:14:30 and 1:45:00. Hope you enjoy it – if not you can enjoy the music here.
Saturday March 4th, 2017
CANCELLED: Lichfield Literary Festival: Panel appearance with Chris Whitaker, David Young and Sam Blake
13.00 – 15.00:
Regrettably we’ve had to withdraw from this event. Many apologies to anyone who might have been planning their weekend around coming to see us. Naah . . . didn’t think so.
Monday February 13th, 2017
Podcast: in conversation with Holly Seddon and Gillian McAllister
Many thanks to Honest Authors (Holly and Gillian) for a fascinating chat about writing and how we three came to be published and so much more. If you want to listen, click here.
Tuesday January 31st, 2017
Lydney WI Book Club, Glos.
2pm – 4 pm
Lovely time near the Forest of Dean with the Lydney Library Book Group. Awful weather on the journey there but more than worth it. Very positive, supportive group and interesting question session which went on long enough for me to have to put another ticket on the car! Many thanks to all those who turned out and especially Maureen for co-ordinating it all and the library staff who were so welcoming.
Wednesday January 25th, 2017
University of Chichester Book Group
12.00 – 13.00 at the Bognor Regis Campus
Wonderful time at the University of Chichester Book Club who were kind enough to open the event to guests. My thanks go to Ruth Clark for organising everything and to the audience, most of whom had to give up their lunch hour to be there. I’d be very happy to go back there another time. I’ve included a link here in case it’s of some interest!
Friday January 6th, 2017
Let’snottalkaboutthebook Book group in Cheltenham
Really good evening with a group of teachers in Cheltenham who were all very complimentary about The Hidden Legacy and keen to read Lie In Wait as soon as it comes out in paperback in March. Lovely hospitality from Ros, great organisation from Juliette and searching questions from the group which went on for over 3 hours!! I was even analysed according to my choice of biscuit so I’m not sure I have many secrets left.
These book group sessions are so rewarding. It’s good to have the opportunity to explain why you did this, how on earth you came up with that and even what made you think you could get away with the other. It’s also handy to be able to explain much of what happens when a book comes together because it’s easy to imagine that readers know these things and why should they? This group was surprised to hear of the benefits that accrue to an author if readers leave reviews on Amazon/Goodreads, something they’d never thought of doing until now. Got back home at 2 in the morning after a two and a half hour drive but it was well worth it. Still buzzing. Photo will hopefully follow in due course – I forgot as usual!
Wednesday December 7th, 2016
Talk to the Amber Odyssey Reading Group, Liverpool
Long trek, especially with the London to Bognor part at the mercy of Southern Rail on one of their days of action, but so worth it. This group consists of a number of charming ladies, many of whom have been teachers at some stage and all of whom had very clear ideas about The Hidden Legacy and were not in any way afraid to ask the most searching questions.
Sometimes it’s nice to be challenged, especially in such a supportive context. I found myself thinking during the long (and very uncertain) journey home that this is really what I enjoy doing, almost as much as the writing itself. Many thanks go to Chris Adnett for contacting Bonnier Zaffre and asking if I’d be prepared to go up and meet them and to all the ladies of the group for their friendship and hospitality.
Monday December 5th, 2016
First Monday, London
First Monday is a gathering of crime writers, reviewers, bloggers, agents, publishers, readers – you name it! It’s a monthly affair and I’ve never been able to get there before because of the need to return the same evening (Southern Rail, anyone?) but this time I stayed overnight. Had the chance to listen to Mark Billingham, Paula Daly and the lovely Corrie Jackson on the first panel and when they were asked to nominate their books of the year Corrie (bless her) went for Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker and The Hidden Legacy. Made my evening. So easily pleased!
Saturday December 3rd, 2016
Launch party in Norfolk for “Too Close” by Gayle Curtis
Wonderful occasion. My friend and also my colleague at Bonnier Zaffre, Gayle Curtis, celebrated the launch of her new novel Too Close. Terrific weekend with her and Chris in Wells-next-the Sea where we had the chance to meet up with Tanya Ravenswater (author of Jacques) and her husband Rich as well as Gayle’s agent Paul Feldstein and his wife (and fellow agent) Susan. So worth the 5 hour drive to get there!
.JPG "Gayle Curtis at the launch of Too Close")
Wednesday November 9th, 2016
Talk to a Worthing Book Club; 7.30 pm
Every time I meet with a book group, I’m amazed at how pleasant and supportive they are. Lovely group of people – many thanks to Sue Isaacs for thinking of me in the first place and inviting me along to explain why and how I wrote The Hidden Legacy.
Monday November 7th, 2016
An evening with the author at The University of Chichester.
Lovely chance to talk to students and other guests about my writing. Expertly interviewed by Dave Swann as usual – he always seems to know exactly what to ask and when!
Thursday October 20th, 2016
Guest speaker at the Boxgrove Women’s Institute Annual Literary Luncheon 11:00am.
Wonderful occasion, talking for an hour or so to around 90 guests and then answering questions on all aspects of my writing. Lovely food as well for the lunch and I was made to feel very welcome. Many thanks go to Wendy Austin-Ward in particular for the original invitation and for co-ordinating the event.
Tuesday October 11th, 2016
Appearance with Chris Whitaker at the University of Chichester “Novel Day”: 1:30pm.
If you haven’t yet read Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker, I would seriously recommend it, especially to anyone who likes Fargo and The Coen brothers’ films in general. Chris kindly came down from Berkshire to talk with me before an audience of students who clearly enjoyed the occasion immensely.
CrimeFicFest virtual panel discussion on Twitter – 11:00am.
Thursday September 22nd, 2016
“Crime In The Court” – promotional event in London.
Monday August 29th, 2016
Pre-recorded radio interview on Talk Radio Europe.
Interview with Hannah Murray on the Arts Show. Experienced interviewer who managed to ask searching questions and still put me at ease at the same time. Lasted a quarter of an hour but it flew by for me.
Saturday August 27th, 2016
Book signing at Waterstones, Cheltenham.
Friday August 26th, 2016
Launch party for both The Hidden Legacy in paperback and Lie In Wait in eBook at Waterstone’s Chichester.
Thursday August 25th, 2016
Interview with Radio Gloucestershire.
Thursday August 25th, 2016
Publication of the paperback version of “The Hidden Legacy” and the eBook of “Lie In Wait”.
Monday July 11th, 2016
Guest speaker at the Arundel & District Rotary Club Dinner.
Many thanks to Fiona Rose for inviting me to talk to the Arundel & District Rotary Club. I enjoyed an excellent dinner and the chance to talk about The Hidden Legacy and where it came from.
Friday March 25th, 2016
An evening with Angmering Book Group.
