I’ve always been a reader, the longer the book the better. I like disappearing into vast tomes or, better still, series. If I’d been asked, as a child, if I’d like a collection of short stories, my answer would have been an emphatic no. It would never have occurred to me to read something thatContinue reading “NEW BOOK: Consequential Short Stories”
Category Archives: history
Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. III
We had thief catchers, and Bow Street Runners. Then, finally, in 1829, Bobbies, or Peelers, came along, when Sir Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police Service with Commissioners, Superintendents, Inspectors, Sergeants and 895 Constables. If you are writing crime fiction, even for TV, it’s important to get the ranks right. How did Christopher Foyle manageContinue reading “Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. III”
Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. II
Kings made laws and they wanted to see them enforced by more than wishful thinking. Someone had to do it. In England, the Normans preserved the Saxon role of Shire Reeve, or Sheriff, an appointed protector of the King’s interests in every county, with soldiers at his command. They could be hard-hearted extortionists, like RobinContinue reading “Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. II”
Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. I
It’s an odd thing that real crime, stalking in our own vicinity, terrifies us, but in fiction, and at a distance, we love it. There’s an obvious reason for that. It’s fiction. It’s not true. It allows us to enjoy all the thrill, the suspense, the exploration of our darker sides, without any danger ofContinue reading “Policing the Historical Facts and Fictions. I”
The Publishing Road Less Travelled
Or less traveled, if you’re American. Writers in their yellow wood of composition come to their own diverging roads at last, and have to decide which path to send their completed book down – the conventional route via agent and publisher, or the other, self-publishing. Is the latter still the one less travelled? Possibly not,Continue reading “The Publishing Road Less Travelled”
IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Henry V
Here’s another post about my literary influences. It would seem rather pretentious to claim Shakespeare as an influence on my infant self. His language was not exactly easing reading for a child in the 1960s – probably even less now, unless it could be conveyed entirely by emojis. And it isn’t just the language thatContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Henry V”
By The Book, Kings and Angels
In a previous post, I offered thoughts about various artistic representations of Judith and Holofernes (or at least his head), because it related to my last book, BETHULIA. If you want to know how, read the book. Having set the precedent, I am taking the opportunity to waffle about another work of art: The WiltonContinue reading “By The Book, Kings and Angels”
The Big Pronoun Query
I know pronouns are a big issue at the moment, with people claiming whatever pronoun fits their gender identity. I suppose I should go with She, Her, because I do, did, and always will, identify with human beings defined as female at birth and, as a result, subjected, over several millennia, to oppression, silencing, abuse,Continue reading “The Big Pronoun Query”
IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After
Twenty Years After, or more correctly Vingt Ans Après, by Alexander Dumas, is an adventure story about the frustrated career of a man called Dart. I lie, of course. He’s really called D’Artagnan, but that was a totally mystifying collection of letters that I couldn’t get my head around at all. If you don’t knowContinue reading “IMPACT & INFLUENCE: Twenty Years After”
And so, with Changing Patterns the Story of the Haworth Trilogy continues: Sequel to Pattern of Shadows and the book before Living in the Shadows. #Excerpt #weekendRead #Promotion #Novelines #Honno
Originally posted on Judith Barrow:
Although all three of the books in the Haworth trilogy are based on the same family, they are also stand alone. And yet, to be completely honest, I do need to add this from one of the reviewers… “This is the part where I’m supposed to tell you that each…
Thorne Moore 