Crime Writer’s Week

Crime-Writer's-FB_Event-cover-ad-1920x1080_1_V2-1

I’m going to be joining a stellar line-up of crime writers, publishers and agents in the Pro-Writing Aid Crime Writer’s Week on 19 – 23 April. Alongside the likes of Peter James, Leigh Russell, Karin Slaughter and Ian Rankin, I’ll be sharing my experience of crime writing in a session on research for historical mysteries. I will be looking at how to create an authentic historical world. Do join me at 3pm (UK time) on Wednesday 21st April for a totally FREE session. And of course, dip in and out of any and all of the other talks and workshops taking place that week. Visit www.prowritingaid.com/crimeweek to sign up. Full details below.

Crime-week-schedule_1000x1725_UK (1)

The Art Fiasco Blog Tour

Tomorrow is the launch date of The Art Fiasco! Hurrah! In previous years, with previous books, I’ve always had a jazz-filled live launch with 1920s attire at various venues in an around Newcastle upon Tyne. But this year, sadly, due to Coronavirus restrictions, that is not possible. But never fear! Poppy will be lovingly released into the world with a jam-packed online blog tour, hosted by a fantastic crop of book reviewers and Poppy Denby fans. You can follow Poppy’s tour around the internet from Friday 23rd – Friday 30th. She’ll be delighted to have you along.

Blog Tour Banner_Twitter2

Poppy on the Radio Northumberland Culture Show

This week I’m a special guest on Keith Newman’s Northern Culture Show on Radio Northumberland. You can catch me and Keith talking about my Poppy Denby books and doing a brief tour of locations of the latest book set in Newcastle and Northumberland. The show will be aired 1pm tomorrow, 2pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. Tune in via their website, the TuneIn app or ask Alexa to find it for you. www.radionorthumberland.com

Radio Northumberland

Writing Disability

Readers of my Poppy Denby books may have noticed that in each of my books there are always some characters with disabilities. There are of course the regular characters who appear throughout the series: the fabulous Aunt Dot who is in a wheelchair and the tough-as-nails editor Rollo Rolandson with dwarfism. However, in each book there are also additional characters with some form of disability.

I have been speaking to disability awareness charity Through The Roof about the reasons I include disabled characters and why I think more novelists don’t do so.

You can read the interview here.

Poppy Denby meets Dr Noir

Last night I had the privilege of having a consultation with the incomparable Dr Noir (the founder of Newcastle Noir) talking about my Poppy Denby books, and in particular, The Art Fiasco, set at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. The conversation ranged from my great grandfather’s murder, the importance of women’s voices in my books, to where to find loos on 1920s cruise ships. And all over a lovely glass of champers! Here’s a direct link to the video with Dr Noir ..

The Art Fiasco ready to pre-order – Poppy Denby 5!

Poppy Denby, the 1920’s most flapulous reporter sleuth, has a new adventure coming out in October. And here, ladies and gentlemen, is the cover! The Art Fiasco is available to pre-order now. If you haven’t read the first four books in the series (available in paperback, ebook and audiobook) then there’s still time to catch up. Click here to put in our order.

The Art Fiasco_COVERsmall

The Art Fiasco_back cover

Poppy Denby investigates