Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
A place exists in the imagination before we go there. If the reality is different, we may carry two impressions of the place around in our heads - imagined and real. Machu Picchu is not such a place, it was exactly the place I wanted it to be. The mountain-top site sits at just under... Continue Reading →
Britain's most northerly crime writing event took place for the third time in Lerwick this June. Organised by Shetland-based author Marsali Taylor and 'Shetland' author Ann Cleeves it ran under the auspices of Shetland Arts. Two dozen items over three days of programming is too much to cover, but here are some highlights. Stewart Bain... Continue Reading →
February is a grim month, so it was a logical idea to spend a fortnight on a cruise ship, using the long days to develop a new novel. Much to my surprise I'd enjoyed my first solo cruise so gave it another go. Marella Cruises were familiar and economic, and I carefully chose the dates... Continue Reading →
November is not a great time to travel, with most places being in transition between seasons. I figured Belize should be coming to the end of its rainy season when I set off on a two week trip, starting on 23 November (an auspicious date for anyone paying attention). Didn't quite get it right but... Continue Reading →
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 →
Many people were surprised when I made last minute decision to go a cruise this January, not least myself. I'm unhappy on boats, dislike crowds, avoid organised fun and hate tipping culture. Winter had been tough, though, and I just didn't have the energy for a fortnight on dirt roads with an Explore trip. Almost... Continue Reading →
As promised in the last Newsletter, I thought I'd share a few pictures from August's safari to Botswana. I took over a thousand, even once the rubbish was discarded plus two hours of video which still needs editing. The trip lasted two weeks, of which we spent twelve days travelling in an open-sided safari truck... Continue Reading →
You may think the Channel Islands are a bit out of the way, a backwater maybe, but in cultural terms they punch above their weight. My whole 'writer/archaeologist/traveller' persona kicked in over the past few weeks, but I take care in blogging when away from home because it makes insurance companies nervous. The featured image... Continue Reading →
Writing is not very photogenic. Between the cover reveals and the book signings there are mornings tapping at the computer and afternoons quietly reading research books, all punctuated by country walks to work out this scene or that and simply stretch my back. Before this year's conference season and travel season begins, here are a... Continue Reading →
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 →