Ever since Blackwood’s Magazine published Thomas De Quincey’s satirical essay, ‘On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts’, in 1827, the British (and of course the rest of the world) have been fascinated by the slaughter of our fellow man in all its many permutations and variations. De Quincey’s musings were prompted by the…
Category: Writing
‘Flying Start: How To Make Your Own Luck At Work’ by Carol Gillespie
**** When starting out on their careers, many people want to be noticed, supported and promoted. Looking at the six natural behaviours, Carole Gillespie describes what we must do to build confidence and encourage others to feel safe in trusting us. Aimed mainly at the so-called Generation Z (17-24-year-olds), this short book is an easy…
‘Driftnet’ by Lin Anderson
***** A murder in a Glasgow flat sees forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod attending an early-morning crime scene. The shocking killing of a teenage boy brings back memories from MacLeod’s own past as she struggles to come to terms with the disturbing resemblance between herself and the victim. Having given up a baby boy for adoption…
‘The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher’ by Kate Summerscale
***** During a summer night in 1860, a terrible crime is committed. When the Kent family of Road Hill House wake up the next morning, they learn that three-year-old Saville is missing and soon discover he has been brutally murdered. As local police fail to track down the killer, Jack Whicher of Scotland Yard is…
Guest Post Q and A with Tim Walker
With the launch of his latest book, I invited Tim Walker along to talk about writing, research and all things Roman… Tell me about your latest book. Hi Colin – thanks for having me on your blog. My new book is ‘Arthur Rex Brittonum’, book five in ‘A Light in the Dark Ages’ series. It…
‘The Tempus Project’ by Antony Johnston
**** When a hacker targets politicians with a ransom-ware attack known as Tempus, MI6 officer Brigitte ‘Bridge’ Sharp is tasked with tracking down the source. While picking up a journalist in Paris, Bridge finds other agencies are hot on her tail and is forced into a crazy car chase across the city in a bid…
‘The Bowery Slugger’ by Leopold Borstinski
**** Arriving in America in 1915, Alex Cohen is tagged with an unusual name, courtesy of a dull-witted official. Moving into a tenement apartment with his family, Alex’s reputation as a fighter (Slugger) secures him work in one of the many gangs who use extortion and muscle to make their money. This is book 1…
‘So Anyway…’ by John Cleese
***** (Audiobook) From his earliest memories of school, to the Monty Python O2 show in 2014, John Cleese reveals the intricacies of his life and career, and how studying for a degree in law led him into such iconic shows as the Cambridge Footlights, TW3, At Last it’s the 1948 Show and of course, Fawlty…
‘The Mile End Murder’ by Sinclair McKay
***** (Audiobook) When wealthy and eccentric widow Mary Emsley is found dead at her home on 17th August 1860, the resulting murder inquiry grips the nation. Faced with several suspects, the police home in on two individuals, finally narrowing it down to one man – James Mullins. Convicted and hanged for the killing, the Mullins…
‘The Trouble with Trouble’ by Joy Mutter
***** Set in a Sheffield police station, this is a powerful erotic thriller following on from ‘The Trouble with Liam’. With the invention of a new sexual arousal cream called Trouble, DCI Cosgrove and his sex-addict liaison officer, Kate, find themselves in a bizarre situation. In the hands of a lustful security guard and his…
