When I first sat down to write The Case of the Bolted Door, I knew I wanted to craft a story that harked back to the golden age of detective fiction while keeping it firmly grounded in the modern world. The inspiration came from a classic Sherlock Holmes tale, The Adventure of the Speckled Band, […]
My mum and dad had a small collection of books on the dresser in the living room when I was growing up. I’m pretty sure one of those books was a Reader’s Digest edition of the Sherlock Holmes short stories. I can remember quiet afternoons spent curled up with that book, lost in the world […]
I’m working hard to get my catalogue translated into other languages. So far, I’ve had books translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and – particularly – German. It’s been a wonderful and exciting experience, reminding me of the fun I had when I was releasing my first few books, and starting to find my audience. […]
I’m writing this the day after England managed to squeak past Denmark to make it to the European Championship final. It’s amazing how sport can create drama unlike anything else. So, with humble thanks for the indulgence for those amongst you who are untouched by this, I just wanted to write a few words. It’ll […]
I mentioned earlier this month that I was feeling positive about being able to get back to doing some of my favourite things again, now that it seems (insert caveat) that things are moving towards the better. One of those is going to the cinema. Like a lot of people, I’ve got a pretty […]
Like any true Englishman, I do enjoy a good grouse about the weather. There’s that old saying about the weather in Britain – “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” So, after a good grumble about the endless rain of May, I’ve found myself rooting around in the closet for shorts and a […]
My son likes dinosaurs. And robots. And monsters. So, of course, we all settled down to watch GODZILLA VERSUS KONG recently. It is hilarious, and daft, and ridiculous. And absolutely brilliant. I was interested to see that the film has done well, or at least, that’s what the scuttlebutt is about it, especially when […]
I’ve been rewatching BREAKING BAD recently, scratching an itch I’ve been meaning to get to since getting up to date with BETTER CALL SAUL. It’s been fascinating to go back and watch the show with the benefit of distance, and of knowing the ultimate final destination (or, at least, with the many theories and interpretations floating […]
One of the things that I’ve found peculiar (amongst many other things) about this year is how it is simultaneously long (every day seems the same) while also having passed remarkably quickly (a lack of difference in the diary, means fewer “memories” than usual). There have been bright spots of optimism as we inch out of one […]
I’m delighted that LINE OF DUTY is back. Nine million of us are hooked on the rug-pulls, back-stabs and cutting comments in this real throw-back to “water cooler” television. One thing that I’ve found interesting is how the show makes no compromises in terms of explanation. You are clearly expected to have watched the previous […]
