Late Checkout: A compulsive police procedural thriller (DCI Murrain Series Book 1) by Alex Walters (Author) Format: Kindle Edition Book 1 of 6: DCI Murrain Series

DCI Murrain notices things others don’t – instincts that have helped him solve even the most baffling cases. But they also come at a cost. You should read book one in the page turning crime series by Alex Walters. When a woman is found murdered in a Manchester hotel, DCI Kenny Murrain is called in to lead the investigation. Immediately the crime scene raises more questions than answers: a – precise – violent killing. No forensics or witnesses. Motive? Who knows. More victims are discovered in the area, each bearing the same, highly, disturbing hallmarks. There is one killer, it becomes clear, and he is always a step ahead. Will DCI Murrain’s instincts save the day? At the excellent price of £1.99, have a look: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FWC6KBF4/

The Lost Legacy | An action-packed Adventure Thriller (A Jill Carter Adventure Book 1)by Ernest H. Jacob (Author), Jude Cooper (Translator) Book 1 of 1: A Jill Carter Adventure

A treasure hunt begins with with a kidnapping and leads to a secret buried for two thousand years … Jill Carter is taken on a nail biting journey from Egypt, through Greece to Israel. Normally there are no hidden burial chambers or secret passages that are safe from experienced archaeologist Jill Carter. But what about a young woman who is kidnapped, with a strange ransom demand – An ancient sword covered in mysterious inscriptions and a clue to a long-lost legacy of Jesus Christ. Crikey. Accepting the challenge, Jill and her team find they are not alone in their search. In no time at all, a rescue mission becomes much more, as ruthless tomb raiders become part of the puzzle. An adventurous journey full of dangers has begun. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HPP5S6BL/ @ £0.99

The Witchy Winter Charm | A Cosy Fantasy Romance with Enemies to Lovers and Forced Proximity (Witches of Crumblewood Book 2) by Leia Rose (Author), Eleanor Hartwell (Translator) Book 2 of 2: Witches of Crumblewood See all languages and editions

“Don’t sound so excited, you nutcase. Jack Frost doesn’t fall in love. He loves his magic and his freedom – nothing else.” The magical second book in the Witches of Crumblewood series is brimming with enchantment and a dash of witchcraft.

Ava Goldstein is considered the most hopeless witch in her Circle. A disaster when a magical shop almost spins out of her control puts her dream of an apprenticeship with the Witches’ Council, out of reach. Or has it? Then, just when she needs it most, winter fails to arrive. Jack Frost refuses to unleash his power – and if that continues, it will leave every witch drained of magic. So, Ava needs to track down Jack Frost, the lord of winter, and show him the error of his ways. But yet again, it all goes wrong… Is it recoverable? Ah, you’ll have to read it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HQJVWDN4/ @ £0.99 instead of £4.99

Hearts Bound by Time: A time-travel romance in the Highlands (The Bridge Through Time Series Book 11) at a special price! by Jennae Vale (Author) Book 11 of 11: The Bridge Through Time Series

A lovely heartwarming novel, in which snow falls, families reunite across the centuries, old wounds are healed, new memories are made, and Edna’s greatest Christmas wish finally comes true … A heartwarming time travel romance filled with Highland charm, festive magic, unforgettable characters, and the enduring power of love, family, and happily-ever-afters.

For years, Edna Campbell has brought together hearts destined to find one another across the centuries. Now, with Christmas approaching, she has only one wish – to gather every couple whose lives have been forever changed by the magic of The Thistle & Hive Inn for one unforgettable holiday. Highlanders from the sixteenth century, their twenty-first century wives, curious children, and cherished friends cross the Bridge Through Time to celebrate Christmas together in modern-day Glendaloch. As they discover sparkling lights, hot chocolate, Christmas trees, and all the wonders of a holiday unlike any they’ve ever known, old friendships are rekindled and new memories are made. A lovely lovely story as Christmas approaches. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HF3VP5J7/ @ £0.99 instead of £4.99.

Years ago I had a friend who had a Boxer. He was the most delightful of dogs, so I was thrilled to hear of the The Boxer Dog Rescue Northern England which I hadn’t known existed. But it most certainly does and is ‘small but perfectly formed,’ as the old adage goes. What’s more, there is no highly paid ‘boss’, or sadly, as is so often the case, reliable funding. Instead the charity is run by a small committee of volunteers, aided and abetted by volunteer supporters. But what about this pesky problem of funding?

The BDRNE depends entirely on donations which the volunteers boost whenever they can. This coming Saturday, for instance, Julie Herrington of Thirsk who is a volunteer supporter of two years standing will be presiding over a cake stall at the Buttercross in the Market Square, Easingwold, (courtesy of the Parish Council). To this end, she has been baking in a frenzy with her supportive friend, Pat, and of course, as always, other friends and family have rolled up their sleeves to help produce extraordinary delights.

‘Extraordinary delights’? Ah, I speak as someone who has tasted far too many of Julie’s cakes in my time, so yes, I will be at the Buttercross, Easingwold at 10.00 am this Saturday – 14th November. How can I stay away? Not only can I ‘test’ cakes for the sake of Frost Magazine, but chat to John – ooops sorry, Dame Furry Paws – who, as already hinted, is not fulfilling any role – he just thought it would be a good idea and cheer us all up. Well, John has a talent for cheering us up, so it will be a hoot.

I asked Julie Herrington to tell us a bit more about this charity as it does such good work: ‘Boxer Dog Rescue Northern England is a registered charity (1153127) and rescue organisation run by a handful volunteers who are dedicated to helping boxers in need. We have a network of volunteer supporters who help with fostering, transporting, homechecking and fundraising and we are always keen to widen this network, so if you are in the North of England and can volunteer, please contact us.’

I had to ask if the dogs were in danger of… well, you know, being put to sleep?

The reply was swift. ‘Margaret, It’s important for everyone to know that, ​on the contrary, BDRNE moves heaven on earth to rehabilitate the emotional and physical health of the dogs surrendered to them and PTS would only be considered if it was to spare the dog suffering. All dogs are microchipped and neutered prior to re-homing (unless a medical condition prevents the surgery) and a full assessment is completed beforehand, and whilst the dogs are in our care, to ensure that they can be matched to the right home. We are an independent rescue and do not operate in association with any other boxer rescue organisation.’

Do go to The Boxer Dog Rescue Northern England site and read more about this heartwarming initiative, and the efforts of this small band of committed Boxer lovers to give every Boxer in need, a chance. I will be reporting back on the cakes, Dame Furry Paws, and all else at the Buttercross. Anyone local to the area, do come.

​

Photo Credit Oxygen Arts

The Reading Agency is marking the 20th anniversary of Quick Reads with a gift of 50,000 books, funded by Penguin Random House, for people supported by probation services across England and Wales. The special print run supports the charity’s ambition to gift one million Quick Reads for the programme’s anniversary and forms part of its National Year of Reading activity.

The books will reach people serving sentences in the community and those rebuilding their lives after prison. Some will become part of shared reading collections, while others will be gifted directly to individuals, helping more adults find reading that suits their interests and needs.

Photo Credit RSA-1

Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “Twenty years after Quick Reads began, its purpose remains as vital as ever: to make the transformative benefits of reading accessible to everyone, including people who may not otherwise see reading as something for them.

“We are enormously grateful to Penguin Random House for funding the reprinting and distribution of these 50,000 books. This generous support will help us reach people in probation and community settings across England and Wales, bringing us closer to our ambition of gifting one million Quick Reads during the National Year of Reading. A single accessible and engaging book can help someone begin—or rediscover—a reading journey. It can offer enjoyment, build confidence and create new possibilities at an important point in their life.”

Meredith Adams, Director of Social Impact, Penguin Random House said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue supporting Quick Reads through this special National Year of Reading gift of 50,000 books. Reading can open new worlds, provide comfort and build confidence, but we know that not everyone has equal opportunities to discover a love of reading. What makes Quick Reads so powerful is the combination of brilliant storytelling from some of the nation’s best-loved authors with accessible formats that help break down barriers to reading. This programme builds on our long-standing commitment to improve access to reading within the prison system and we hope will help more people discover, or rediscover, the joy of reading and the possibilities it can bring.”

The ten books included in the distribution are:

• Screw It, Let’s Do It by Richard Branson
• Today Everything Changes by Andy McNab
• Bloody Valentine by James Patterson
• How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
• Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins
• Dead Man Talking by Roddy Doyle
• Paris for One by Jojo Moyes
• Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman
• Hello Mum by Bernardine Evaristo
• The Jealousy Man by Jo Nesbø

Written by bestselling authors, Quick Reads use clear, straightforward language while retaining the compelling characters, ideas and storytelling of longer works. The short books offer an accessible route into reading for adults who find it difficult, have lost the reading habit or face barriers to accessing books. Since its launch in 2006, Quick Reads has helped millions of people experience the benefits of reading.  www.readingagency.org.uk | @readingagency  

As the years have sneaked by with far too little warning, my enthusiasm, as a young wife, all that time ago, for constant home-baking and delicious family treats has disintegrated almost as much as my equally ancient baking trays.

I doubted anything could reignite my desire for delicious aromas of home-cooked biscuits and stunning cakes – until I discovered KitchenAid Nonstick Bakeware.

Suddenly I’m a zealous convert, rubbing in pastry and beating eggs with butter and sugar as if my life depended on it. My recipe books have had the dust swept off and my less than enthusiastic oven is looking decidedly nervous.

So let me share – KitchenAid Nonstick Bakeware is quality and beauty all rolled into one – the deep solid tins are simply a pleasure to handle, and to fill with delicious home-baking ingredients.

I particularly love the nonstick Cake Pan– deep sides and at 33 x22.5cm there’s plenty of room for a decent-sized cake, the substantial handles making it so easy to take in and out of the oven.

The Cake Pan stacks perfectly on the nonstick Cookie Sheet which shares the heavy, quality feel of the Cake Pan, again with nice deep sides for even the thickest cookies.

Both made of aluminised steel which, at 0.8 cm thick, creates a substantial and robust feel. The bakeware keeps its shape and it’s all scratch and corrosion-resistant –it’s like having a new set of tins every time you bake. All KitchenAid bakeware is PTFE & PFOA free and they’re also dishwasher safe, which I love.

After baking with these lovely trays I can confirm that the nonstick works very well (and the cake and cookies tasted rather good too). All the items have a 3yr guarantee.

So if the Christmas cooking is hanging over you, treat yourself to this fabulous bakeware – you’ll be back to making your own Christmas cake, mince pies and so much more in no time.

The Cake Pan is RRP £29.90 and the Cookie Sheet, RRP £23.90. Check out BrandAlley and Harts of Stur for the full KitchenAid Aluminised Steel Non-Stick Bakeware Collection.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

“This play is not fully realising its potential”

This is ‘a new play about never forgetting’. It’s a shame the play itself is quite forgettable.

The premise is simple and a familiar storyline in the world of literature and film: a near future where an individual’s memories can be recorded for users to experience elsewhere, not just the images but all the senses. So future customers can experience all human emotions and events, from the joys of childbirth to the horrors of disaster.

The twist/angle in Noga Flaishon’s play is that the final living survivor of the Holocaust is being pressured into having her memories recorded. Her cosy Jewish family is torn apart by the mixed messages and confusing morals on display. Especially when it is discovered that there is a recording on file of a Nazi guard but not a single recording of a Jewish prisoner.

[Rachel Barry, Ashley Margolis and Beverley Klein]

The play’s reliance on the Jewish conundrum is fine, but ultimately not so important. What we are left with are issues, dare I say, bigger than the atrocities of the Holocaust: they are to do with family, legacy, conversation, storytelling, communication. The catastrophe that the family has to deal with takes second place. They can be from any part of the world, following any religion or lifestyle. The play’s depth is far greater than its storyline.

There is a subplot which genuinely gets in the way – about a mother wishing to record the birth of her son. It’s superfluous and confusing, not helped by a performer who is sometimes inaudible.

[Beverley Klein]

Beverley Klein is the star of Memoriam. She plays Rivka, the grandmother with memories she does not want to re-live. But she is being pressured into it by her granddaughter, Rachel, who works for the company that records the memories. Rachel is solidly played by Rachel Barry. Her sparring partner, Ashley Margolis, plays her brother David. They act like genuine siblings, annoying and loving each other in equal measures.

[Beverley Klein and Rachel Barry]

Daniel Goldman’s direction of the play is limited to the space – it’s a play in the round which means characters rarely stay still for long, thereby losing some reality. A shame, because these three characters are the crux of the play and they don’t get the chance to truly dig into the issues on show here. I think this play is not fully realising its potential and, to be honest, not quite trusting itself in seeing the truly bigger story that is trying to be heard. It’s a fascinating Jewish tale, but it is genuinely a story about all of us and how the future will deal with all of our pasts.

Photography Charlie Flint. Writer Noga Flaishon. Director Daniel Goldman. Set & Costume Design Ellie Wintour

Dates until Saturday 21st November 2026. Performances 7pm – with Saturday and Tuesday Matinees at 2.30pm. (No Sunday performances)

Location Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD

Box Office https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Running Time 1hr40mins – with no interval

Age Guidance 14+

Lee Child with staff from The Reading Agency and HMP Prisons: photo credit MOJ

So good to hear that nearly half a million Quick Reads are to reach prisons across the UK, with a collection shaped with people in prison and prison staff, as part of the UK’s largest-ever prison book gifting programme and championed by Prison Reading Laureate Lee Child.

Crime and thriller writing is strongly represented in the collection, led by internationally bestselling author and the UK’s first Prison Reading Laureate (and a favourite of mine) – Lee Child – alongside a broader selection spanning memoir, wellbeing, contemporary fiction and creative writing. The collection includes books by A. A. Dhand, Dreda Say Mitchell, Fiona Cummins, Leye Adenle and Alex Wheatle, alongside memoir and wellbeing titles by Andy McNab, Lemn Sissay, Dr Alex George and Cathy Rentzenbrink.

Nearly 500,000 Quick Reads books will be distributed across prisons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, helping to make engaging, accessible books available to people in custody across the UK. The landmark programme marks the 20th anniversary of Quick Reads and has been made possible with funding from The Henry Smith Foundation, with additional support from The Balcombe Trust and Clays. Prison Reading Laureate Lee Child said: “Reading matters in prison. Short, compelling stories can spark a renewed interest in books — and that spark can lead anywhere. Making sure that every prisoner has access to engaging, well-written books during the National Year of Reading is not just symbolic. It’s practical, purposeful and potentially life-changing.”

The need to make reading accessible within prisons remains significant. Ministry of Justice statistics for 2024–25 show that 65% of English initial-assessment results across public prisons in England were at Entry Levels 1–3, while 11% were at Level 2 or above. Just an example of why Quick Reads are specifically designed to remove some of the barriers that can prevent adults from reading for pleasure. Short, compelling and accessible without being simplistic, they offer an entry point both for established readers and people who may not have picked up a book for years.

In fact, the Reading Agency is not working alone, but HM Prison and Probation Service, the Ministry of Justice, Scottish Prison Service and Northern Ireland Prison Service also actively support delivery across the prison estate. As Karen Napier MBE, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “When we put a book directly into someone’s hands, we are offering more than words on a page. Reading can offer escape, connection and space for reflection, while supporting wellbeing, confidence and learning. At the heart of this programme is choice. We have listened to people in prison about what they want to read and are bringing together books spanning crime and thrillers, memoir, wellbeing and creative writing. We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to find a book that grabs them and discover where reading might take them.”

The 11 books were selected with input from people in prison and prison staff, helping ensure the collection reflects a range of interests and reading experiences. Crime and thriller writing emerged as a particularly strong thread. High Heat by Lee Child takes a teenage Jack Reacher into New York during the 1977 blackout; Cell One by Leye Adenle is a fast-moving Lagos-set kidnap thriller; and Darkness Rising by A. A. Dhand features Bradford detective Harry Virdee. One False Move by Dreda Say Mitchell is a tense 24-hour story about a woman newly released from prison trying to go straight, while Fiona Cummins’ A Boy Called Saul brings together a troubled teenager and former detective with a dark shared past.

But the collection deliberately offers a range of other ways into reading.

Former SAS soldier Andy McNab’s Today Everything Changes tells how learning to read and the Army’s education system changed the course of his life after a childhood marked by poverty and petty crime. At 17, McNab had the reading age of a nine-year-old. He said: “Reading is so important, not just for education but to escape the confines of life. As someone who, at seventeen, had the reading age of a nine-year-old, becoming a reader changed my life. Reading not only provided me with an education and the ability to compete in the world but also sparked my imagination and that gave me a positive outlook for my future.”

Poet and author Lemn Sissay’s My Name Is Why explores his experience growing up in the care system and his fight to understand his identity, while The Mind Manual by Dr Alex George offers an accessible guide to looking after mental health and wellbeing. Cathy Rentzenbrink’s Write It All Down encourages readers to tell their own stories, while Dead Simple brings together eight short stories by bestselling writers for readers looking for something they can dip into and enjoy. Alex Wheatle’s Witness follows a young man facing an impossible choice between truth and loyalty. Dr Alex George said: “Reading can be a moment of stillness and a chance for your mind to escape into another world. Seeing The Mind Manual adapted as a Quick Read means more people can access support when they need it most. I’m honoured it’s part of the prison collection — reading can be a lifeline in tough moments.”

A. A. Dhand, whose Darkness Rising is among the selected books, said: “Books should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances or their previous relationship with reading. In prison, reading can provide far more than temporary escape. It can build confidence, create empathy and give people the opportunity to see the world and themselves differently. If the right book reaches the right person at the right moment, it can open a door that may otherwise have remained closed.”

Alongside the distribution of books, Quick Reads in Prisons will be supported by a national engagement programme designed to make reading visible, accessible and enjoyable throughout the prison estate and connect writers directly with readers. Activities include author-led workshops and creative writing activity, dedicated National Prison Radio content around the Quick Reads titles, and practical resources and activities to help prison libraries, education teams, peer supporters and staff bring the books to life.

The programme will encourage prisons to make Quick Reads available at different places and moments throughout someone’s time in custody – from libraries, wings and education to workplaces and other shared spaces – helping create more opportunities to encounter and enjoy a book. Undoubtedly the project is one of the most ambitious reading-engagement programmes delivered across the UK prison estate and forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026.

THE 11 QUICK READS PRISON COLLECTION TITLES

Leye Adenle – Cell One (Simon & Schuster) Fiona Cummins – A Boy Called Saul (Pan Macmillan) AA Dhand – Darkness Rising (Penguin Random House) Lee Child – High Heat (Penguin Random House) Dr Alex George – The Mind Manual (OctopusLemn Sissay – My Name Is Why (Canongate) Dreda Say Mitchell – One False Move (Hodder) Andy McNab – Today Everything Changes (Penguin Random House) Alex Wheatle – Witness (Profile Books) Cathy Rentzenbrink – Write It All Down (Pan Macmillan) Various authors – Dead Simple (Orion)

The Reading Agency is a UK charity that inspires social and personal change through the proven power of reading. The Reading Agency reaches over 2.5 million people a year but with a UK population of over 67 million that’s not nearly enough. We want to get more people fired up about reading because everything changes when you read. Get in touch today to find out more about what we do and to help us on our mission.  readingagency.org.uk | @readingagency

Frost Magazine loves the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener with its fine-grained diamond grinding wheel, it’s both exquisitely beautiful and incredibly useful. The first real knife sharpener for the home chef, unusually for a home device, it sharpens the entire bevel of the knife, achieving professional sharpness in minutes.

Always looking to innovate and improve, Tormek have now introduced the NEW Coarse Diamond Wheel. Easy to mount and specifically designed for the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener, the coarse diamond surface removes material more quickly than the standard grinding wheel, making it especially useful for very blunt knives or heavily worn kitchen knives, damaged edges and worn tips. 

A true quality product, the NEW DC-150 Conical Diamond Wheel Coarse, 360-grit diamond grinding wheel, RRP £130 is available from shop.tormek.co.uk.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.