Real life and crime fiction

In an article in Kings River Life magazine, I look back on some of the things I've done and places I've been. In particular events and places that have found their way into my books.

Some events still cause a catch in my throat knowing that I was a step too close from never having the opportunity to tell anyone about it, ever, never mind weave it into a story. 

The article includes a free contest for a copy of Falling into Crime (ebook or print) but entries run only to late Feb 2021. If you miss the giveaway but would like a copy, you can browse here:

Marking the pandemic lockdown with Boxed In

Boxed In has been the working title of this book since its inception in 2018/19 - before the words lockdown, pandemic, covid, furlough and distancing were in constant use. The action takes place before the 2020 pandemic, but only just, which is an aspect I explore in the author's note at the end. It leaves a bit of a dilemma for the next one.

Officially launched on 20th March 2021, the one-year anniversary of the start of the first lockdown in the UK, Boxed In follows the fortunes of private investigator, Annie Raymond, and police officer, Jennifer Flanagan in the streets of Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

The book is available in advance in paperback. The ebook can be pre-ordered for delivery on launch day.

Some good reading for Summer 2020

At this time of year we would usually be preparing to head for Cleethorpes for the extravaganza that is Fantastic Books Publishing’s annual FantastiCon convention. The pandemic has put paid to a host of international visitors piling into an indoor venue to play games, watch demos, listen to talks, join Nerf fights, put on VR headsets and be transported to international museums, sky-high roller-coasters or out into space, try their luck in the escape rooms (there would have been more than one this year) and generally network with like-minded people … BUT …

The books that would have been launched there will be launched at virtual FantastiCon 15th and 16th August on Twitch TV twitch.tv/FantasticBooksPublishing

Click here for the full launch schedule. http://fantasticon.co.uk/book-launches.html

In summary, five novels and one autobiography will be launched. Interestingly, all five of the novels have strong female protagonists. I’ve read all six books and my mini-reviews are below.

Shadeward: Expiation by Drew Wagar

LAUNCH TIME: 12pm on the 15th August

You can get a copy here: Drew Wagar's final Shadeward instalment 'Shadeward: Expiation'

Colin Who? by Colin Spaull

 

LAUNCH TIME: 2pm on the 15th August

You can get a copy here: Colin Spaull's autobiography 'Colin Who?'

The Reality Exchange by James Vigor

 

LAUNCH TIME: 4pm on the 15th August

You can get a copy here: James Vigor's scifi debut 'The Reality Exchange'

The Cat of Doom by Mark P Henderson

 

LAUNCH TIME: 12pm on the 16th August

You can get a copy here: Mark Henderson's surreallist masterpiece 'The Cat of Doom'

The Five Feathers by Janet Blackwell

 

LAUNCH TIME: 2pm on the 16th August

You can get a copy here: Janet Blackwell's fantasy sequel 'the Five Feathers'

Storm Girl by Linda Nicklin

LAUNCH TIME: 4pm on the 16th August

You can get a copy here: Linda Nicklin's post-apocalyptic novel 'Storm Girl'

Supporting #NHS Charities Together

Along with other authors, Mark P Henderson, Stuart Aken, Melodie Trudeaux, Sue Knight and John D Scotcher, I have joined an initiative to use book royalties to support NHS Charities Together during the current emergency.

The project comprises twelve books, including Cruel and Unusual PunNishments by Mark P Henderson, Blood Red Dust by Stuart Aken, Falling into Crime by Penny Grubb, Horse of a Different Colour by Melodie Trudeaux, The Boy in Winter's Grasp by John D Scotcher, Till They Dropped and Waiting for Gordo by Sue Knight.

The project was retired medic, Mark P Henderson’s idea. He told his publisher Fantastic Books Publishing that he wanted to donate the author royalties from one of his books to the NHS. Fantastic Books offered to bring other authors on board and to put some of their charity anthologies into the pot.


The anthologies chosen by Fantastic Books contain contributions from all four of these authors and also include the anthology that won the 2019 CWA Short Story Dagger.

In line with Fantastic Books Publishing’s current policy to cut down on the physical transport of goods, you are encouraged to buy ebooks.






See more detail, book previews and the full line up HERE.