Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
For the first half of my career, I was an ‘artefact researcher’. It is natural therefore that my archaeological thrillers contain plenty of objects. Objects can be dated, as can particular social habits and organisations, so we can quickly spot a piece of period fiction without being told it was set in the past. Fairly... Continue Reading →
The working title for the book was 'Woad Movie' - an in-joke if there ever was one. Maddy Crowe was an ancient costume expert assisting the wardrobe department of the latest Roman Epic. When I heard about 'Gladiator' being filmed and I stopped writing, in case it completely shot my fox. Once I'd seen the movie I... Continue Reading →
The fifth Jeffrey Flint novel was to be set in Portugal, involving a Roman shipwreck. Flint was going to meet the love of his life and either she would become his permanent sidekick for future books or they would live happily ever after. 'Blue' never advanced beyond a first chapter, a few key scenes and a... Continue Reading →
Who saw this one coming, eh? This post could have been entitled The Fun Novel, as by the time I started Lady in the Lake I was in full swing. It was the only book I sold on the basis of title alone - mostly Arthurian, but with a nod to Chandler also. Indeed when I pitched... Continue Reading →
Keen-eyed readers of this site will have worked out that this blog was coming up sooner or later... Shadesmoor was my third novel, and in many ways the easiest I have ever written. It was sold as part of a three-book deal, at which time I had a title and a synopsis. It was the... Continue Reading →
Byron's Shadow was my second novel, but it was almost my first. Like many aspiring writers I had several projects on the go, part-finished or in early draft. My love of Greece inspired me to write the book - the light, the ouzo, kebabs and Nemea wine - let alone the archaeology poking from the... Continue Reading →
Even though I can't drink Theaksons Old Peculier, I do love the dark, mild, hand-crafted northern crime festival served up at Harrogate. This year's highlights included an interview of Sara Paretsky by Val McDermid, and an entertaing double-act of Eddy Izzard with Mark Billingham and especial discussion on how to deal with hecklers. I was engrossed by... Continue Reading →
My first novel Darkness Rises has been re-released as an e-book by Endeavour. Of course, it was not my first novel. I meet new writers regularly who have finally climbed that creative mountain and produced their first book and want to rush it into print. They are surprised when I suggest it needs a few more... Continue Reading →
The first five Jason Foss novels, originally published in hardback by Severn House, have now been re-released as e-books by Endeavour Press.See Darkness Rises entry on Amazon