Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
A plaque sits on the Moon, attached to the descent stage of the Lunar Excursion Module Eagle. It reads "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, AD. We came in peace for all mankind." I was nine years old when Apollo 11 landed, utterly inspired that night by... 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 →
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 →
The cover for Blackshirt Rebellion can now be revealed! The events at the end of Blackshirt Masquerade and Blackshirt Conspiracy have changed history as we know it, and Britain has a fascist government. It's grip on power is weak, opposed by socialist groups on the streets and foreign agents in the shadows. And for some,... Continue Reading →
I paused before writing this week’s blog. Six miles away from where I type there are running battles between the police and a rioting mob. It’s the latest in a series of peaceful protests mixed with rioting that have run through England’s streets during this hot week in July. For the most part the unrest... Continue Reading →
It is said that as soon as you accuse someone of being like Hitler you have lost the argument. The word ‘fascist’ is thrown around carelessly in political debate and can mean essentially any decision the speaker disagrees with. Nevertheless, a number of heavyweight publications from Der Spiegel to The Atlantic have asked the question... Continue Reading →
In Blackshirt Masquerade Hugh Clifton infiltrates Department Z, the intelligence unit of the British Union of Fascists, on behalf of MI5. He can use the information he gathers against the very people who regard him as their most dedicated agent. When things reach crisis point in Blackshirt Conspiracy he reports back to his handler, ‘We... Continue Reading →
When researching Blackshirt Conspiracy I continued to read up on Oswald Mosley and the Blackshirts, dipping back into chapters of my array of textbooks that cover 1936. I acquired more books to allow a deeper insight into what motivated the rank and file members of the British Union of Fascists, especially outside London. The seminal... Continue Reading →
It's publication day for Blackshirt Conspiracy, the second in my series of alternative history thrillers set in a Britain under the shadow of fascism. Cheerful stuff eh? Well, I'll raise a glass to it! Writing a novel is immense fun, but is an incredible amount of work once the research, drafting, editing, re-editing and proofing... Continue Reading →
“A powerful and gripping narrative with a shocking outcome.” Million-selling crime writer Leigh Russell It's been a busy week with the launch of Blackshirt Conspiracy, and has meant a blizzard of social media posts, cross-posts and interactions. A number of blogs and websites have carried interviews and short pieces about challenges in writing the book... Continue Reading →