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There's good news in the midst of all the doom and gloom recession - for murder mystery writers like me that is (I hope)! According to an article in the Saturday Telegraph Review section today, 'Misery memoirs will nosedive in favour of romances and murder mysteries.' The article written by Helen Brown examines what kind of books we'll be buying through a recession. Most publishers agree we're likely to turn away from the grimmer stuff including misery memoirs and 'suicidally bleak' literary fiction and seek refuge in the covers of a romance or murder mystery. It states that the thirties gave us the golden age of crime fiction - of which I am an avid fan- with the likes of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham, so here's hoping that the the next decade will see the growth of the murder mystery novel where the reader can immerse him or herself in an entertaining, thrilling read, and at least have the satisfaction of seeing justice done ...

In August, after submitting ideas to a new production company, Hall Lake Productions, I was commissioned to write a murder mystery play. More used to penning crime novels this is my first serious play and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. (artwork by Eirinda) It began with an e mail… It began with an e mail in August asking writers for submissions for a new murder mystery play to be performed by professional actors and actresses in the autumn. Deadlines were extremely tight. I needed to know more. After several e mails between the producer and myself I knew I wanted this commission. I had many ideas but one stood out amongst the others and it was this one I worked up and duly submitted. The producers loved it and soon I was writing the script. After many revisions the cast had their first read through on 13 October and it was a success. Now the rehearsals begin, and I am sure there will be further re-writes before 26 November 2008 when it will be premiered in the critically acclaimed H...

When a body of a woman was found in Portsmouth Central Library, on the evening of 25 July 2008, I, and my fellow crime writer, June Hampson, from Gosport, (that's me on the right) were on hand to help solve the puzzle, but we were banned from doing so. Why? Because this was a murder mystery evening organised by Portsmouth library staff. And a hugely successful event it was too. Over sixty people were asked to follow a trail of clues scattered around the three floors of the library to uncover the murderer, before being rewarded with a glass of Pimms. ‘The body in the library’ was written by librarian, Donna Tebb, herself a professional actress and member of Equity as well as being a librarian. She was assisted in the organisation by librarian, Annie Aust, plus other staff and volunteer readers who were roped in to give a hand and enact their parts in the play. Annie Aust says that the moment the tickets went on sale the event was sold out and there is a waiting list for the next ev...

I've just returned from a meeting with Portsmouth Library to discuss the final planning for the Murder Mystery evening to be held this Friday. It sounds as though it is going to be great fun. Tickets were sold out almost immediately and there is a waiting list for the next one! So well done Portsmouth Library. I'm looking forward to it. They'll be Pimms on the balcony after the event and time for guests to buy signed copies of my books if they wish. I only have a very small part to play in the drama which has been written by Donna Tebbs, one of the library staff who also happens to be a professional actress and a member of Equity. She organises and runs many of these murder mystery evenings so is something of an expert. This is the first time Portsmouth Library have run this. Will let you know how it goes, hopefully with lots of photos. A hot day here on the South Coast of England with a lovely clear blue sky. It makes such a change that I felt I just had to remark upon it....