Category Archives: Research

A TIME FOR SILENCE: first love

A TIME FOR SILENCE. It wasn’t my first novel by a long chalk, but it was the first to be published. Like Jane Austen, you see (and I do try to bring her into as many posts as possible). She wrote several books, including FIRST IMPRESSIONS, which later became PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, before she wasContinue reading “A TIME FOR SILENCE: first love”

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”

Bad Hair Day for Holofernes

The great thing about the Bible, for artists of the past, was that it gave them a whole host of excuses to depict war, murder, pillage, rape, and a great deal of naked flesh, without risk of censure. Or mostly without censure. Michelangelo had a field day, but a few fig leaves were added later.Continue reading “Bad Hair Day for Holofernes”

Publishing Soon: Bethulia and the art of detection.

It’s a new year so it must be time for a new book. I don’t really stick to specific genres, since I’ve written historical fiction, futuristic science fiction, family sagas and domestic noir. I am not really sure if my latest book, Bethulia, adds another genre of detective crime, or if, like everything else I’veContinue reading “Publishing Soon: Bethulia and the art of detection.”

Henllan Bridge Prisoner of War Camp 30, part 2

Henllan Camp 30 finally closed its gates on April… 1948, the last prisoners being transported to other camps. The reports by the re-education inspectors always list the senior British officers at the camp. As well as Lt.Col. E.C. Barton, the commandant, the British Staff sergeants are singled out for mention in several reports, with interestinglyContinue reading “Henllan Bridge Prisoner of War Camp 30, part 2”

Henllan Bridge Prisoner of War Camp 30, part 1

Years ago, when I was writing A Time For Silence, I included prisoners from a P.O.W. camp, because I knew there had been one in the area. I knew a former Italian prisoner who had stayed on in Britain, and while looking through local newspapers in the late 40s, I can across several references toContinue reading “Henllan Bridge Prisoner of War Camp 30, part 1”

Tales my Great Aunt told me. 2: fame and infamy.

My colourful great aunt in Cardiff passed on many tales about my Welsh family, and I quickly concluded, even as a child, that they were mostly fairy tales. Her stories did not begin with “Once upon a time,” and end with “They all lived happily ever after.” They were more hints, a word or sentencesContinue reading “Tales my Great Aunt told me. 2: fame and infamy.”