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I've just returned from a delightful visit to  Quarr Abbey , near Ryde, on the Isle of Wight as part of a specially-organised Christmas tour led by Father Luke Bell, who has written a book about the monks' daily routine, A Deep and Subtle Joy: Life at Quarr Abbey .  Along with me and my husband were approximately thirty people including a feature writer from the Daily Telegraph, who like us had crossed from the mainland.  She'd also travelled from London that morning while we only had a short drive to the Hovercraft before traversing the calm waters of the Solent.  There was also a photographer present from the Isle of Wight County Press. Quarr Abbey plays a small part in my forthcoming marine mystery crime novel, Blood on the Sand featuring my fictional detective, Inspector Andy Horton, which will be published in the UK in February 2010 and in America in April 2010. I won't say what part because I don't want to spoil the plot!  The tour as well as...

At this time of the year I like to look back over the year's major writing achievements and activities (before looking forward to the coming year) so I thought I'd do a quick round up of all that has happened regarding my writing in 2009.  Hope it doesn't bore you, but if it does you can always click off. February 2009 The Suffocating Sea , the third Inspector Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel, was published in trade paperback in February 2009. It was chosen as one of the Top Ten BEST OF BRITISH CRIME FICTION by The Book Depository, the fastest growing book distributor in Europe. I was on Angel Radio, Havant.  I was also on Wolf Radio, Wolverhampton talking about my crime novels and the unsolved murder of my Great Aunt Martha Giles who was killed fifty years ago, and my thwarted efforts to get the case re-opened. March 2009 The mass market paperback edition of Deadly Waters was published in March 2009. The second in the marine mystery seri...