August 2021

This is quite a strange introduction to one of my favourite detectives and perhaps the quirkiest one of all, Matthew Shardlake, the creation of Edinburgh-born C J Sansom. But, where does Hilary Mantel come in? Let me elaborate. Dame Hilary Mantel, as I’m sure you know, is and English writer, principally, but not exclusively, of

Of course, that’s an exaggeration and there probably aren’t all that many authors called Peter. However, there are three, all British (well, actually, two English and one Scottish), and all pretty good – Peter May, Peter Robinson and Peter James. The latter two very much in the detective/crime fiction genre with their principal characters both

I said in an earlier post that being introduced to Robert B Parker was something of an epiphany for me in my journey through the world of detective fiction and, from that, I have gone on to read almost every book which has been written about his principal three characters, Spenser, Jesse Stone and Sunny

Just to take a break from talking about books, authors and characters for a moment, I’ve referred to the Kindle a few times already and I think it is worth spending a little time on it because it has been such a revelation in reading and methods of reading over recent times. If you haven’t

Where to start on the Scottish Trail? As I’ve already said, my slight preference tends to be for American fiction and characters but there is a huge amount of British material, much of which I will cover from time to time. However, being Scottish, I do have an affection and considerable admiration from the wealth

The Word is ‘Prolific’! If it is true that, when you mention detective or crime fiction, many people immediately think of Lee Child and Jack Reacher, it is also very much the case that they very quickly also come up with the name of James Patterson. As I said in the heading, the man is

As I’ve said already, I have been a fan of detective and crime fiction and more general thrillers for many years. I would also include the term ‘whodunnit’ in this as I really like a twist, especially if I don’t see it coming which, in many cases, I don’t! I haven’t mentioned James Patterson yet