Friends, Romans, Writers

The Eboracum Festival is an annual event held in York, and features an author tent replete with authors of Roman themed novels and textbooks. Our encampment was pitched in front of the Multangular Tower that marks the NW corner of the defences of the Roman fortress. A Centurion makes the Prize Draw with Roma Nova... Continue Reading →

Will They or Won’t They?

‘Will they or won’t they?’ is a popular question for avid followers of long-running book or television series. It arose in reviews of Elly Griffith’s most recent and ‘final’ Ruth Galloway novel – will our hero get together with Nelson in the end? It was a source of continual debate as to whether the sexual... Continue Reading →

It’s Crime Up North

Shetland Noir was a hoot; three full days of panels, seminars and interviews capped by a party, a ceilidh and a quiz. It was only the second time the event had been staged, the most northerly of British crime writing festivals. The venue was the Mareel arts centre, slap on the waterfront at Lerwick where... Continue Reading →

Archaeologists as Fictional Heroes

Don't we all want to travel the world, discover ancient treasures and punch Nazis? Archaeology may make a great backdrop to serial-style Boy's Own adventures or schlocky horror, with archaeologists portrayed either as action heroes or crusty academics, but it can also inspire more serious fiction. Archaeology is the perfect field for fictional adventures and... Continue Reading →

Less Digging, More Writing

May has seen a swift change of hats from thriller writer to archaeologist and traveller. And then back again. Quite literally, as my trusty leather packer hat is an essential piece of kit for two weeks in the sun. It folds into a suitcase and is tough enough to be thrown onto the dusty ground... Continue Reading →

I Know Where My Trowel Is

The trowel holds an almost mystical status in archaeology. Old hands saunter onto site with this precious symbol of office sticking out of the back pocket of their jeans, while new diggers wield their shiny new ones with pride. Critics of archaeology can resort to the use of brushes and trowels as metaphor for working... Continue Reading →

Joffe Books is Flint’s New Home

The Jeffrey Flint archaeology mystery series has a new home. Joffe books acquired Lume Books in April 2023, including its backlists. The Flint e-books remain available through Amazon, including as a box set of all five. Joffe Books Website

Writer, Archaeologist, Traveller – 2023

Winter keeps up its stubborn rear-guard action, but at least dismal February is done with. All three of my personas have been distracted during the cold months. Normal life stopped for Christmas, then stopped again for my second helping of covid. Essential family commitments ate up much of January and February, squeezing my writing time.... Continue Reading →

Jason’s Ebooks now listed on Bookbub

All Jason Monaghan books that are available as ebooks are now listed on Bookbub. This American site is worth joining is you are an avid consumer of ebooks, crime or otherwise. They routinely post pre-publication deals and book giveaways to subscribers, and its free to join. Why not join Bookbub and follow Jason Monaghan's page?... Continue Reading →

Hollywood Marches on Rome

I love a good epic ­– and some epics aren’t that good but I’ll watch them anyway. Ancient Rome has long been the inspiration for big-budget movies and television series. I say ‘inspiration’ because scriptwriters have no qualms over dodging hard historical fact to scurry down alleyways of their own. The costume department is often... Continue Reading →

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