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.
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Cathy Cade on February 1, 2024 at 10:35 am
Sorry I couldn’t make it. Sounds like a good evening. Just order Crossing Places to give the series a go…
Posted by Marsha on February 8, 2024 at 4:47 am
It sounds like you had a great time. Imagine being able to write 30 books and still be so young. It boggles my mind! 🙂
Posted by fenlandphil on February 8, 2024 at 8:09 am
It certainly is a great achievement, Marsha, the village hall was packed with her fans there was a long queue for the book signing.
Posted by Marsha on February 8, 2024 at 3:39 pm
I bet there was. And I’m sure you will treasure yours. 🙂
Posted by fenlandphil on February 8, 2024 at 7:03 pm
I will, every author I have met and spoken to has been very friendly, supportive and encouraging.
Posted by Marsha on February 8, 2024 at 8:41 pm
That’s wonderful. When I first started writing, I read that authors could be jealous and competitive. I have not found that to be the case at all!
Posted by fenlandphil on February 8, 2024 at 9:04 pm
That certainly hasn’t been my experience. Probably my most unreal experience was reading a draft of a novel and suggesting to the author how a murder in the story could be made more plausable.
Posted by Marsha on February 9, 2024 at 1:07 am
It hasn’t been my experience either, but I read it years ago.
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Posted by Dad4Gracie on February 12, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Sounds like a truly great and enjoyable event!
Posted by fenlandphil on February 12, 2024 at 7:12 pm
It certainly was.
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