Actor David Learner hosting the event thought so.
I was a little surprised to discover that best-selling author Elly Griffiths was visiting the small nearby Fenland Village of Manea as part of her book launching tour for, ‘The Last Word’.
Norwich Cathedral was the next stop later in the day.
My first surprise on arrival at the venue was a very full car park behind the hall, it was a good sign. I had a struggle to find a parking space. After taking the last vacant chair in the hall, reserving it with my coat I bought a copy of The Jason Stone, the second in the Ruth Galloway series, Crossing Places is the first.
Niche Comics Bookshop in Huntingdon and David Learner had organised the event, Angela and Guy Makey of Niche Comics, were there, they are smashing people.
The hall was packed with enthusiastic Elly Griffiths fans. David Learner introduced Elly and asked the questions her fans wanted to hear answers to.
Elly introduced, The Last Word, her thirtieth book before reading a short tantalising extract from it. Afterwards she spoke more generally about her writing, mentioning that Elly Griffiths is not her real name but the pen name. Domenica de Rosa, her real name was deemed too far-fetched by her publishers to be used as the author. There were a lot of questions from the audience, the ones David hadn’t asked. Druids, Sea Henge, Flag Fen and Dendo Cronology were discussed in connection with The Crossing Places, the first Ruth Galloway novel.
A long queue formed for the book signing after the very interesting talk by Elly, I managed to get pole position and The Jason Stone signed. I had mentioned that I had written a book featuring time travel, she had let slip her new series would feature time travel. She signed my copy, to a fellow time traveller.
Angela Makey had made a cake it was delicious.
David Learner hoped that events like this one would put Manea on the map, I hope it does and look forward to more book tours.
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