Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
Long time, no blog, as the year has ended in a flurry of travelling. Just like most of 2025, in fact. I spent around 120 nights away from home, splitting the year more or less into equal thirds of writing, archaeology and travel. January was mostly spent recovering from the flu, but following the successful... Continue Reading →
Suddenly we’re out of winter and into conference season. It’s a joyful time of travel, meeting friends and colleagues, and talking writing or archaeology (and sometimes both). Conferences and festivals tumble one after the other in the run-up to Easter, which is why I haven’t been blogging and now have a backlog to report on.... Continue Reading →
A best-selling author advised me that an alternative history thriller was always going to be a hard sell. History has a framework of established facts which authors of historical fiction adhere to as closely as practical for the purpose of their plots. However, all historical fiction is alternative history to some extent. Other than facts... Continue Reading →
Charles, Viscount Wickersley is a recurring character in my 1930s thrillers. I named him after my home village in South Yorkshire, the place where the first of the Room Z series was written during lockdown. The line of the de Wickersley family that stemmed from Norman owners of the village has died out, giving me... Continue Reading →
An economic crisis, three million unemployed, a Tory government doing little for the poor, a split Labour party, the rise of populist leaders offering simplistic solutions and the scapegoating of immigrants and minorities…welcome to 1935. Blackshirt Masquerade is a thriller set within the British fascist movement. One thing I was advised to do is to... Continue Reading →
No.8 in an occasional series on writing non fiction You are going to carry out the sharpest, most comprehensive research you can. You are going to write to the best of your ability and follow all the stylistic rules to make the book entertaining as well as informative. So, here’s a question; have you done... Continue Reading →
March means the Alderney Literary Festival, an event loved both by islanders and by the authors who fly in to participate. This boutique festival concentrates on historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction, giving it a coherence some festivals lack. Another feature is that authors get whole hour slots to themselves, either giving a presentation on... Continue Reading →
#5 in an occasional series on writing non fiction Research is the backbone of the non-fiction book. Even if you are writing your autobiography it is important to get the facts right; for one thing people expecting to be mentioned in your book will be looking eagerly for their name and have their lawyer’s telephone... Continue Reading →
The time has come to launch a newsletter. It will be roughly monthly depending where I am in the world, what I'm writing and whether I'm digging. The title is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe, reflecting that I'll be posting pieces on my whole range of books from historical thrillers to archaeology mysteries plus the... Continue Reading →
#3 in an occasional series on writing non fiction Non-fiction is not read at random. A reader may take a chance on a novel with an intriguing title, a fetching cover or great plot hook on the back. However, they are only likely to pick up your book on notorious poisoners if they have an... Continue Reading →