An Argument of Blood and A Black Matter for the King, by Matthew Willis & JA Ironside
There is little which is quite so exciting for me as discovering a fresh, new talent in historical writing. In Willis and Ironside I feel I’ve found two writers who can carry me back to the past and can show me a time when, amid the brutality and irrationality of politics, there were still great … Continue reading
Alibis in the Archives at Gladstone’s Library
There are times when writing seems a doddle, and other times when all you want to do is sit down and write, but these other things get in the way … I was very grateful to be invited to the annual Alibis in the Archive event, part of Gladfest at the Gladstone Library. For one … Continue reading
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…
A New Year, A New Style
Those who have kept up with my recent blogs will know that I have tried a number of different approaches in recent months. First I had the brilliant idea of going to first principles and writing long hand with my fountain pens (thanks, Dante del Vecchio and Visconti), but although I was very keen on … Continue reading
Astrohaus Freewrite Give Away
This is a quick post about the Astrohaus Freewrite. Those who have followed my occasional witterings in the last few months will be aware that I have developed a fixation with the Freewrite. I’m writing this on it now. What do I love about the machine? It is robustly built from aluminium, with a keyboard … Continue reading
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…
