14 Sep
I was honoured and delighted to be invited by Hazel to be interviewed for her podcast Light on Leeds.
She wanted to ask me about my writing, my book, the Fens and Cambridge.
Here is the link to her podcast:
To hear more of Hazel’s podcasts please visit her site.
16 Aug
I find it is always a balancing act when writing reviews, trying not to spoil the plot for would-be readers but giving some sense of what lies between the book’s covers.
Cambridge Black is the seventh in Alison Bruce’s DC Gary Goodhew series. I am sure most readers will like myself have read some, possibly all of the preceding books and have a familiarity with the characters.
The story centres around three quest’s, Amy’s for the truth concerning her father’s conviction for murder, Sue Gully’s search for her father and Gary Goodhew’s hunt for those responsible for his grandfather’s murder.
The story is well-plotted and paced.
Cambridge is as all the Goodhew novels the setting for Cambridge Black. Alison Bruce has a great affection for the city which shows in the writing. I enjoy the familiarity of many places in the story, probably something I share with other fans.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twisting turning story as DC Goodhew and the team pursue the perpetrators of a current and simultaneously two other historic unsolved cases. The writing as always is exceptionally fine, the descriptions and scene-setting excellent. I was racing through the pages towards the end as the story reached its nail-biting climax.
This was retiring DI Marx’s last case; I hope it won’t be the last case for DC Gary Goodhew too.
11 Jul
I am gradually reading all of Mrs Bruce’s Gary Goodhew books, The Promise is number six of seven.
Each succeeding book is better than the one preceding it; a difficult accomplishment when the first one, Cambridge Blue is so good.
The brutal murder of a homeless man, known to DC Gary Goodhew, prompts his early return to work while still recovering from injuries received during his last case. Cambridge is the setting for this and the books before it, is captured perfectly; the plot is intricate and convoluted, the characters are well drawn, the ending unexpected.
It is a really difficult book to put down until you have finished reading it I have ordered Cambridge Black and I am looking forward to reading it. It has The Promise of being an excellent read.
4 May
Alison has become one of my favourite authors and I am gradually reading her Gary Goodhew series. I say gradually with good reason. I enjoy her writing and read the books one at a time with an interval in between each one, so I enjoy each one as a fresh read.
“The Backs” is number five in the series and number six “The Promise” is sitting on the shelf ready for my next special occasion.
The Backs, as is all of Alison’s books, the ones I have read so far, set in and around Cambridge. I am familiar with the city and the surrounding area. For me, this familiarity is a bonus.
Following a violent scene-setting prologue the action moves what was for the story the present day, the Gog Magog hills at night, a burning car and the discovery of a gruesome murder.
Jane Osborne’s return to Cambridge sets the story off in another direction and the plot weaves around several different strands. DC Gary Goodhew and the team he belongs to gradually, start to untangle the events leading up to the murder and hitherto undiscovered crimes of the past. In the process darker, secrets emerge from their hiding places.
As with all Alison’s novels (the ones I have read so far), the characters are well-drawn and the plot multilayered, as each layer is lifted more is revealed underneath. Each time the reader thinks they may have an inkling of who the villain may be or the possible outcome the ground shifts underneath.
All in all a damn good read.
18 Apr
I have a back pack, my writing bag, that accompanies me on research trips, it was a Christmas present from my wife and it is very practical. The bag contains maps, notebooks, pens and something to eat. Sometimes I take a small tablet computer with me which fits inside nicely, a flask of drink and occasionally an umbrella clipped to the outside.
Often I will find somewhere to write while I am out, a library, a cafe, pub or even on a nice day a bench outside, in a park, a garden or other public space. My favourite writing places are probably libraries, there are additional means of research available using the library’s computers and internet.
My writing bag hasn’t been out at all this last year, unsurprising really with the lock down, I am beginning to assemble two new books in my mind and have written a few opening chapters for both. But I need to get out to visit the places I m writing about to find those extra details that Google cannot provide. At some point in the future I will need to return to Cambridge to help D I Arnold Lane with his enquiries. Hopefully soon it will be safe enough for a few day trips and excursions. My writing bag and me.
27 Dec
I have enjoyed all of Alison Bruce’s books. The Silence is no exception. The story is set in the, for me familiar comfortable setting of Cambridge.
The story builds on a series of tragic events that seem to have little in common initially, other than the ages of those involved and suicides. As the plot unfolds we are on the edge of our seats hoping that those involved remain safe and escape unhurt while the tension increases as the truth is revealed. The finale for me was so profound that the book affected me like no other since reading The Catcher in the Rye. This is a gripping story that engages the reader completely.
A very suitable addition to a recommended reading list for secondary schools, in my opinion.
5 Dec
Most of us I am sure are familiar with books that you can’t put down because you want to know what happens next but don’t want to the story to end because they are so good, this is one of those books.
The story is set in and around Cambridge, the streets and places are familiar to those who live in or visit the city. For others who do not share that familiarity with the city, a Google search makes it accessible and I am sure encourages readers to visit and see it for themselves.
The plot is engaging and draws the reader in, Celia Henry a tenacious former reporter tries to make sense of the circumstances leading up to a serious road accident. Those involved have become the adults she watched growing up as children while their neighbour.
An open and shut case becomes increasing more open and less shut as the story moves on with Celia prompting the police to look again. The story grips and holds the reader as it twists and turns revealing more of the back story.
One word describes it for me “Brilliant” but don’t take my word for it, read it yourself.
More please Mrs. Bruce
The Moment Before Impact is available on Amazon and in book shops.
7 Nov
Well, I have leapt off the diving board and published my novel Killing Time in Cambridge. The first printed paperback book arrived on Wednesday and I have had my first review for the Kindle version.
Rather mixed feelings, relief that I have finally done it, a sense of tiredness and anticlimax. I hope that it will not only sell but more importantly those who read it enjoy the story, The feedback so far has been favourable.
My next novel is underway whether it will get finished is always an open question but I am pleased with the opening chapter. It is slightly different from the first, with different characters. However if Killing Time in Cambridge proves popular Arnold Lane may have a second outing.
If you would like to buy it on Amazon click here:
Killing Time in Cmbridgehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Time-Cambridge-Philip-Cumberland/dp/1916481779/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1606719444&sr=8-1
27 Sep
I am getting close to finishing my book the writing is done and the corrections are well underway. The cover design is nearly finished and I hope to publish very soon.
It is an interesting situation for me to be in, I have had some writing published and been touched that people have enjoyed my work. There is no greater vote of confidence than someone buying your work, no, perhaps there is. A lady picked up a copy of “Where The Wild Winds Blow” at a U3A meeting looked at my name badge and asked if I had written anything in the book she held. When I said I had, she leafed through the book and started reading, “Where does the Pope buy his Frocks?” after a few minutes she was laughing out loud. It was a moment of pure magic for me.
At the moment I have mixed emotions, I want to be finished and published but hesitant, wondering about how much more polishing and tweaking it needs to make it as good as possible.
I suppose the closest analogy is someone standing on a high diving board for the first time. Edging their way to the end wanting to jump, to dive in but worried that the neatly executed movement they have planned will end in a belly flop.
There is only one way to find out and I will in the next few weeks when I dive in.
In the meantime:
Where Does the Pope Buy His Frocks?
“I often talk to myself, sometimes out loud, mostly though within the confines of my mind. I am not sure whether it is just my way of marshalling thoughts or a rehearsal of how the words may sound when spoken.”
“That’s very interesting Mr Fontain,” said Miss Rogers, my analyst, “But you must realise there are times when sharing your thoughts vocally may not be appropriate.”
“I don’t know, sometimes it can liven up a boring occasion, even make it interesting.”
“It can offend though.”
“No one has the right not to be offended.”
“What about the occasion of the Queen’s visit?”
“All I said was she is not my mum and I wish she would stop sending me begging letters.”
“But why use the megaphone?”
“She was a long way off and I wanted her to hear, I am fed up with her writing to me, I don’t even know the woman. It got a lot of laughs though, a cheer and a round of applause.”
“What about the fight afterwards.”
“The Queen started that, well some of the blokes with her did.”
“The police?”
“They had no right to try and steal my megaphone, it cost me a lot of money. It is a good job the people nearby thought the same, I’ve still got my megaphone thanks to them.”
“Would those people be the Fens Republicans?”
“I think some of them might be, I know a couple come from Ely, some from Chatteris and at least one from Huntingdon.”
“The Queen had to cut short her visit because of the fighting; a lot of people were very disappointed.”
“Well, they shouldn’t have started the fights then should they? As I said, no one has the right not to be offended. When I am offended I don’t start fighting people and trying to steal their stuff do I?”
“No, you use your megaphone. What about the visit by the Pope to Cambridge?”
“All I said was I wonder if he got his frock from Marks and Spencer or John Lewis.”
“Through your megaphone wasn’t it?”
“Most people thought it was hilarious. I think even the Pope had a chuckle.”
“That caused more trouble.”
“The police again, trying to nick my megaphone, it was a good job most of the crowd were on my side and I had my bike handy for a swift getaway.”
“The getaway caused problems too didn’t it?”
“The students on their bikes you mean?”
“Yes, they blocked off most of the roads in the city centre to stop the police didn’t they?”
“I heard about that. Again, it was the police causing trouble; you would think they would be chasing criminals wouldn’t you?”
“How on earth did you manage to smuggle you megaphone into Parliament?”
“It wasn’t easy, I had it wrapped up in a parcel and pretended to be a courier delivering it to an MP. Once I was in I got changed and sneaked into the chamber.”
“But why shout out Black Rod stole my elephant?”
“Because what I really feel, what I genuinely believe, I cannot say. My voice is silent on the really important issues – on the lessons we haven’t learned. Mostly, I talk to myself; that audience always listens.”
“Okay, Mr Fontain same time next week. Back to your cell now.”
I am a proud member of Whittlesey Wordsmiths, a writing and publishing Cooperative, you might like to find out more about these books from our collection
![Unleash Your Dreams: Going Beyond Goal Setting (NLP, the Law of Attraction, the Universe and You Book 1) by [Stephen Oliver]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wDY6bpjKL.jpg)
31 May
Close up of the Grasshopper clock Corpus Christi College Cambridge
I needed to go to Cambridge to take photos when there was sufficient good daylight and an absence of people. Fearing greater activity with the easing of restrictions, I rose and ventured out early, very early in fact. Leaving my house just before 5 am, I was parked up in Cambridge at 5.57, there was just one other car in the car park when I arrived. Using back roads for the journey in I saw probably no more than six vehicles but I did see a black squirrel, it darted across the road in front of me.
Black Squirrel from Dash Cam
I had brought two cameras, just in case, I didn’t want to repeat my journey, normally I use the guided bus, parking at St Ives. Given the current state of affairs and the necessity of an early start I used the car. Walking along Emmanual Road beside Christ’s Pieces another squirrel scampered out to cross the road a grey one this time.
Grey Squirrel crossing Emmanuel Road, no traffic fortunately.
Cambridge was the quietest I’ve known it. The combination of a Saturday, the earliness of the hour, lack of students and the lock down all combined to give the place a sense of total abandonment. The destination was the corner of Benet Street and Trumpington Street, to photograph the Grasshopper Clock housed on the wall of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College.
Graashopper clock at Corpus Christi College
It is for me a beautiful piece of work, functional artistry.The clock is mechanical, using principles first developed by John Harrison in the eighteenth century. The grasshopper sitting on top, gobbling the minutes up one second at a time There was just one person I saw sleeping rough a woman in a shop doorway along Trumpington Street. An improvement from the many I have seen in the city at other times. Why can’t we look after people better?
Deserted Trumpington Street looking towards Gonville and Caius College
I was back in the car and driving away before 6, the walk back to the car park saw market stalls being set up but I didn’t notice one shop that was open. The same car was the sole occupant of the car park when I left for home.
Christ’s College entrance
ME waffles
"If you talk to God you're religious. If God talks to you, you're psychotic."
Having fun blogging with friends
Enjoying Twilight Years
Musings and books from a grunty overthinker
Life After Retirement
Taxi Talk Without Tipping
The flight of tomorrow
A Backyard Garden Is A Perfect Place For Chickens
Jessica Norrie on writing, books and language - in her own words.
For lovers of reading, writing, books
The highs, the lows and the bits in between.
Poetry from a Septuagenarian
Writer
dream-protecting author
Loving books and reading
reflecting my eclectic (and sometimes erratic) life
Historian, Folklorist, Writer, Re-enactor, Museum Professional. Follow me on Twitter: @stuartorme
Shortness of Breadth
Journey2Motivate
Dog Training Guidance
A blog from the low country
The advice columns of two eccentric agony aunts who guide the bewildered of Britain through their personal problems,
Blurring the lines between poetry and prose
Mad as a box of frogs? Most probably ... but if I can’t be perfect, then I’ll happily be fabulously imperfect!
Lions can wear glasses too
Just another WordPress.com weblog
Here I share words and illustrations I discover on the journey within the crevices of my mind and the outside world. 💚
Irreverence's Glittering New Low!
The Casual Way to Discuss Movies
... and how to put them right! Advice and opportunities for new, aspiring and upcoming journalists and writers of non-fiction
Smoothing the wrinkles in this wrinkly's writing
I wander wherever my adventures take me
Esther Chilton - Writer and Tutor
Lots of lovely lactose free products.
