I’m writing this in the middle of all my Christmas preparations although so far they’re going well. The cards have all been sent, the presents have been wrapped, the carol services have been attended (although a cold I suffered from recently has robbed me of my singing voice) and this morning the turkey was caught and is now safely stashed in the fridge. As well as this I’ve completed the copy edit for Wesley’s next case (COFFIN ISLAND – out in the summer) and I’ve even started to plan his investigation for 2025 (although I’m afraid I’ve had to abandon writing for the time being to concentrate on the Festive Season).

A few days ago I received a rather nice Christmas present. My publisher has given me a contract for three new books (two Wesley Petersons and a brand new Joe Plantagenet). The good news is that three of my Joe Plantagenet books, KISSING THE DEMONS, WATCHING THE GHOSTS and WALKING BY NIGHT (rather spooky and set in Eborby – a thinly disguised York) will be issued by Little, Brown with beautiful new covers on 1st February 2024 – not long to go now. I must say I’m really looking forward to resuming this particular series and earlier this week I spent a few days Christmas shopping in York - and picking up a few new ideas of course.

However, the real purpose of this short update is to wish all my readers a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

And here’s something that I hope will make you smile. I’ve been thinking up a few new lyrics to famous Christmas songs – lyrics suited to the world of classic detective stories!

This one’s to be sung to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town:

YOU’D BETTER THINK UP A GOOD ALIBI

IT BETTER BE CONVINCING, I’M TELLING YOU WHY

HERCULE POIROT’S COMING TO TOWN

HE’S MAKING A LIST

HE’S CHECKING IT TWICE

THOSE LITTLE GREY CELLS WILL WORK IN A TRICE

HERCULE POIROT’S COMING TO TOWN

HE KNOWS WHEN YOU’VE BEEN LYING

HE KNOWS WHO DID THE CRIME

HE KNOWS IF YOU’VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD

AND WHO DESERVES TO BE DOING TIME

SO YOU’D BETTER THINK UP A GOOD ALIBI

IT BETTER BE CONVINCING, I’M TELLING YOU WHY

HERCULE POIROT’S COMING TO TOWN

And finally here’s a revised verse for Walking in a Winter Wonderland: 

IN THE MEADOW WE CAN BUILD A SNOWMAN

AND PRETEND THAT HE IS FATHER BROWN

HE’LL SAY ‘HAVE YOU SOLVED IT?’

WE’LL SAY ‘NO, MAN’

‘WELL I CAN DO THE JOB WHILE I’M IN TOWN’!

A very happy Christmas to everyone – and happy reading. See you next year!