I realized with horror that I haven’t written this diary since May. The truth is that it’s been a really busy year. I’ve been out and about speaking at libraries, doing book signings and attending crime festivals. To add to this I’ve been contracted to write two books this year (which keeps me fully occupied). I’m pleased to say that my next Wesley mystery is now finished and edited (I can finally reveal the title will be Deadly Remains) and I’ll say more about it nearer publication time. I’m currently working on a brand new Joe Plantagenet book which is going well so far and I’m hoping to visit one of my favourite cities (York) soon to conduct more research.

In May I was on two panels at CrimeFest in Bristol and in June I attended a crime weekend called ‘Alibis in the Archives’ at the wonderful Gladstones Library in Hawarden, North Wales. During the weekend I was thrilled to meet a crime fiction hero of mine. The style of my own books was inspired by the twisty mysteries of a TV detective series called Taggart, written by Glenn Chandler. It was great to finally meet Glenn (and tell him how much I’d enjoyed his work). For anyone who hasn’t seen Taggart, I can’t recommend it too highly. The gritty Glasgow setting turns out to be rather deceptive because the mysteries are worthy of Agatha Christie herself and I’m often left gasping by the conclusion - I never saw that coming!

August saw the publication of Coffin Island, Wesley Peterson’s 28th case which has been very well received. The story includes a group of bell ringers and I was delighted that it earned a glowing review in the Ringing World (the magazine taken by bell ringers throughout the country). In September I visited Devon where I spoke at the lovely Ivybridge Bookshop and signed copies of my books at a number of bookshops in South Devon, including Browser Books, Dartmouth Community Bookshop, Harbour Books and Plymouth Waterstones.

The Ivybridge Bookshop & Waterstones Plymouth

I’ve spoken at libraries in West Kirby, Padgate, Huyton and Whitehaven where I’ve met a lot of enthusiastic readers. It’s always fantastic to meet the people who read my books and find out how much enjoyment they give. It makes all the hard work of writing worthwhile.

Another highlight of the year has been speaking at a brand new crime fiction festival in Sedbergh (England’s only book town) called Death in the Dales. Sedbergh is a gorgeous little town in the Yorkshire Dales endowed with a generous number of bookshops. The festival was really well attended and enjoyed by everyone there. Hopefully, it will return again next year.

I’m very much looking forward to being ‘in conversation’ with fellow crime author, Tom Mead, about the rise of ‘cosy crime’. It’s at Simply Books in Bramhall (a fantastic shop now run by the excellent Ben and Karen who’ve made a wonderful job of transforming the shop and making it a real asset to the community) on 7th November at 7pm and tickets are available now. https://lu.ma/kateandtom Do come along if you’re in the area.

On a personal note, I wrote last time about the loss of our beloved family dog, Finley. My younger son and his family have been missing having a dog around the place (and we’ve been missing having a furry house guest every time they’re away) so we were delighted to hear the news that they’re getting a new puppy – a cocker spaniel called Dot. We can’t wait to meet her!