Pinkerton’s Great Detective – The Amazing Life and Times of James McParland, by Beau Riffenburgh, published by Penguin Group.
I found this book while researching the early 20th Century. It was not the book I was expecting. In the 1800s, there was a furious series of battles, more or less, between Miners in different coal and steel areas, and the companies that owned the mines, the railways, and smelting works. It was a … Continue reading
Another Review: Pilgrim’s War
Many thanks to the Puzzle Doctor for a brilliant review! Pilgrim’s War is the first in a new series, which is always a challenging book to write, but fortunately it’s getting some great reviews from professional reviewers. Many thanks to those who have enjoyed the book and taken the time to write about it! You … Continue reading
Pilgrim’s War by Michael Jecks
Originally posted on For winter nights – A bookish blog:
Simon & Schuster | 2018 (8 February) | 552p | Review copy | Buy the book It is March 1096 and the people of Sens in France gather to hear the crusading call of Peter the Hermit. The Holy City of Jerusalem is in the…
Saving my Sanity!
I am indebted to my brother Clive for saving my sanity this month. How, you ask? Good question. You probably know already that I have written more than the average number of novels. 33 of them in my Templar series, I’ve a Hundred Years War trilogy, a Bloody Mary series, plus several collections, novellas and … Continue reading
Astrohaus Freewrite – Hipsters’ Bait or Worthy Device?
As readers of this blog will know, I’m an enthusiastic user of any form of technology that might help me work, whether by saving time or making me more efficient. In recent years I have tried returning to a slower, happier age by writing my books by hand. I have attempted to use typewriters, I … Continue reading
The King Of Thieves by Michael Jecks
Originally posted on In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel:
1325 and danger is lurking everywhere. Sir Hugh Despenser, the power behind the throne of Edward II, has found a way to get even with his enemies, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, by striking at their very homes. But Baldwin and Simon…
Astrohaus Freewrite – Two Weeks In!
Okay, this is about the half way stage. Almost two weeks ago, Astrohaus were generous enough to let me have a Freewrite to test and review. When I first received it, I was very happy, mainly because it looked good and felt delightful to type on (if you want the original review, it’s here). So … Continue reading
Review: THE GOLDEN AGE OF MURDER, by Martin Edwards, published by Harper Collins 2015
Review: THE GOLDEN AGE OF MURDER, by Martin Edwards, published by Harper Collins 2015 ISBN: 978 0 00810596 9 I regularly get copies of books to review. In fact, rather too many. I currently seem to have a bit of a glut – probably because I’ve fallen behind with a lot of work recently and … Continue reading
Time For An Old-Fashioned Computer – The Freewrite from Astrohaus
Today I am writing on a new device. It is a machine that has polarised opinions. I have read that it is “the Ultimate” word processor, that it is a waste of money, that it is “impractical and overpriced”, an example of how “not to do software”, that it is the best writing environment for … Continue reading
Not All Keyboards Are Equal!
I am in the middle of an edit just now. I do not need distractions. I do not need disturbances. No, I need time to sit and concentrate on the flow of this story. But I’ve just received something. The nice man from the delivery service came and handed me a heavy parcel. Not a … Continue reading
