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.”
Category Archives: Research
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.”
Tales my Great Aunt told me. 1: rape and high treason
I had a great aunt. She was the sort of great aunt that you would conjure up if you wanted to invent a great aunt. Always straight-faced, apparently straight-laced, and thoroughly wicked. I remember the exquisite agony of accompanying her, when I was a child, along the Crwys Road in Cardiff, pausing at every greengrocerContinue reading “Tales my Great Aunt told me. 1: rape and high treason”
Location, Location: Devil’s Acre
I’ve spent a lifetime researching my family tree. It was never in the hope of finding an aristocrat, statesman, general or explorer among my ancestors. I just wanted to connect with generation upon generation of ancestors, probably all ditch-diggers and swineherds, who had clung on through thin and thinner, back into the mists of history.Continue reading “Location, Location: Devil’s Acre”
How I Write by Cheryl Rees-Price
Originally posted on Crime Cymru:
In our How I Write series, our Crime Cymru authors share their insights into the writing process. This week, Cheryl Rees-Price gives a beautifully clear step-by-step guide to plotting and preparation and offers some great tips for aspiring writers. When I wrote my first book I picked up a pen and started writing…
Writing What You Don’t Know by Eamonn Griffin
Originally posted on Crime Cymru:
Each week, we invite our Crime Cymru writers to tell us a bit about themselves and their writing. This week, Eamonn Griffin gets himself into a bit of research-related bother. Writing What You Don’t Know by Eamonn Griffin One of those often-repeated maxims about writing is to write what you…
Christmas starts now. Or it used to.
I am nicking this post, looking at the history of Christmas, from my business website which won’t be there for much longer (I am officially retired!) In 350AD the Pope decreed that the feast of Christ’s Nativity should be held on December 25. This was fortunate because in Northern Europe it was essential to findContinue reading “Christmas starts now. Or it used to.”
In Praise of Libraries
I was at an event in a library a couple of years ago, chatting with author Roz Watkins about crime writing. The library was Newport Community Library. No, not that Newport, the other very small ancient borough in Pembrokeshire. It is maintained by volunteers and donations because all around the country small libraries are beingContinue reading “In Praise of Libraries”
Thorne Moore 