A boiling hot day in England (the first of the year) and being closeted inside a stuffy Marriott Hotel in Bristol was not the best place to be. But Crimefest, an international convention of crime writers and crime fiction fans, beckoned on 21 May 2010 and I was delighted to be asked to appear on a panel with other crime writers to talk about my crime novels and answer questions from the delegates.



I met my fellow crime writers; J.D. Goodhind, Neil White, Linda Regan…

I've just finished the ?nth revision of the new Inspector Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel - the sixth in the series to feature my flawed and rugged detective whose patch is the Solent area on the South Coast of England. My office looks like a bomb's hit it with notes and paper strewn all over the place, and I have e mails piling up in my in box needing answers, and…

I'm looking forward to my appearance at CrimeFest on Friday 21 May where I am on a panel with fellow crime writers, J. G. Goodhind, Linda Regan, Neil White and Lindsey Davis. We'll be discussing No More Heroes: Today's Sleuths & Crime Solvers between 10.10 - 11.00, so do come and join us if you're there.

CrimeFest…

I received an e mail from my editor to say that my latest marine mystery crime novel featuring Detective Inspector Andy Horton, Blood on the Sand, has been given a great review in the USA by Booklist. It's always nice to have good reviews and every writer cherishes them. It gives you a boost and spurs you on. Reviews come in three varieties: the good, the bad and the plain ugly. I'd rather…

Congratulations to The Book Depository which has been awarded the 2010 Queen's Award for International Trade, with 60% of its revenue last year coming from overseas. I'm probably biased because this on line retailer has been and still is a great supporter of my crime novels and has featured them prominently on their crime…

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of presenting certificates to the shortlisted entrants of the Southern Area Young Crime Writers' Competition organised by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain and supported by the Library Service. It was so lovely to meet so many young people who enjoy writing and reading and it was an incredibly difficult task choosing a winner. In the end I was forced to choose between two stunning entries.…