CrimeFest, which is sponsored by Specsavers, has revealed its full line up for the four-day celebration of the UK’s most popular genre, hosted at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 May, 2023.

Alongside guests – stalwarts of the genre – Mark Billingham and Elly Griffiths – around 50 panels will explore everything from crime fiction set during World War Two, to the crime genre in the digital age.   Panellists include Andrew Child, co-author of the Jack Reacher novels, adapted as Reacher by Amazon Prime, author of the award-winning crime series set in India, Vaseem Khan, and Robert Thorogood, the creator behind the smash-hit BBC One series, Death in Paradise.

As Nielson book data report that sales of crime fiction in 2022 are up 19% pre-pandemic levels, one panel explores today’s ‘New Golden Age’ with the leading authority of the original Golden Age of crime fiction, Martin Edwards, alongside Janice Hallett, best known for her phenomenally successful debut, The Appeal. The panel is chaired by Agatha Christie’s publisher, David Brawn.   Nielson book data also reported an “increased appetite” in ‘cosy crime’ in 2022 book sales. The panel, ‘Keeping it Cosy’ features the former journalist turned mystery writer, Fiona Veitch Smith, and author of the Lady Hardcastle mysteries, T E Kinsey.

Marking the 70th anniversary of the publication of Casino Royale, the first James Bond novel, this year’s Ghost of Honour commemorates Ian Fleming. The panel includes the first female 007 author, Kim Sherwood. She will be joined by Corinne Turner, managing director of Ian Fleming Publications, with panel moderator, Simon Brett.   Also attending from Colorado is the winner of last year’s CrimeFest Specsavers Debut Crime Novel award with Winter Counts, David Heska Wanbli Weiden. The Professor of Native American Studies and Political Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota nation. He was named by the New York Times as one of “the most critically acclaimed young novelists working now.”

The list goes on, and on, and on again.

Director and co-founder of CrimeFest, Adrian Muller, said: “The fact that sales of the genre continue to rise, and it now dominates our TV screens shows the remarkable appeal of crime fiction. The line-up this year illustrates the wealth and breadth of topics behind a genre that not only offers escapism and entertainment, but can also give insights and comment on pressing issues in society.”

Donna Moore, co-founder of CrimeFest, added: “CrimeFest is a chance for readers and authors to mingle in a friendly, accessible, and fun setting. We hope people will come along, and be inspired.

For those who think it’s a crime to miss Eurovision, CrimeFest will also be screening the Eurovision Final Song Contest on Saturday 13 May in the convention hotel.

CrimeFest runs at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel from 11-14 May, 2023. For details and to book, go to: https://www.crimefest.com/

What a wonderful start to the week as  RCCG distributed Mother’s Day gifts to the community on Sunday, this followed on from the array of gifts left by Sister Mary Scholastica. ‘Amazing people with hearts of gold,’ murmured Marion, and Frost Magazine heartily agrees. That wasn’t the end of it, though. Andrew from MBC delivered a host of ceramics for collection, these were the produce of their last session here. We even got a further supply of fabulous free shopping bags for distribution.

But groan, the refurb then hit a stumbling block, though Marion takes it all in her stride and knows that teamwork will get it sorted and on a positive note, the decorating is coming along superbly well. The Centre now has a beautiful emeral green feature wall, but  Arthur is being VERY strict and allowed no-one into the room until it was completed. So very there. However, here we have the feature wall of the Brady Square room in all its glory. How did Frost get this before the big reveal at the end of last week? Let Frost Magazine just whisper that a certain lady had been given special dispensation to enter before it was finished and reported back, with this photo, ‘OMG, it  is amazing, superb job, vibrant and just simply fantastic.’ I believe there was also a little skip as the news was conveyed. Well, she was right. But more about the finished room at the end of this catch up.

Brady Square’s very own lad, Brian Race, is cock – a – hoop and overflowing with pride as his son Tony has just written and illustrated a book “The adventures of BOB the pigeon and Mr Todd”.

 This is an incredible true story of BOB the racing pigeons’ fantastic adventures.  Sounds fascinating. Perhaps Tony would send a copy to Frost Magazine’s editor, Margaret, so that one of the team can review it for inclusion in the magazine? 

Total money raised for the Ukrainian appeal from the food hamper raffle was £361 and it was handed over to Kam and his wife Regina from the Polish Centre and will be put to good use. Thanks go to everyone who donated food and bought tickets. And thanks also go to all those donated baby wool, which was collected and soon knitted items will  be on their way to the premature baby unit. 

Frost Magazine mentioned it was a busy week: memorabilia donated by Alyson Chapman owner off Bells is in the midst of being sorted, which wall will receive it? 

 Nick the window Cleaner  called in, John Kelly from Cosmic blinds, too. Darren is scheduled to deliver a surprise package. Hardly time to breathe.  ‘All this and business as usual,’ Marion says. ‘Our community have been amazing throughout the refurb, we have all worked together, team work is the name of the game.’

Angie Spindlow from Washington Wombles Recycling (Tyne & Wear) popped in for a chat and a coffee and Marion told her all about the plans she,Margaret  and the team  have for the  reminiscence sessions in which help will be given to  create a Brady Square history book. Angie thought this was a marvellous idea.

CCA’s dear friend Brian Mason popped in to talk about new signage for outside of the building, so  once the scaffolding is down it will be full steam ahead and ‘wor Brian’ can work his magic.

The CCA team found themselves  looking forward to their Friday coffee morning  in their newly decorated Brady Square room, at which the surprise was  revealed: a mural created by the pupils at the BS school some years ago.  Frost Magazine will be saying more about the teacher, Mr Millington, and pupils who put it all together, who probably had no idea it would become a stupendous feature in the Brady Street Room at the heart of their community.

Such a fantastic end to a very progressive seven days, and who knows what the coming week  will bring at Columbia Community Association. No matter what is in store, Marion knows ‘We will enjoy the ride.’

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

This intrepid group of knitters (about 100 at the last count) bomb Thirsk Market Place every so often with the most fantastic displays. Whether it be a Jubilee, the sombre time of  Remembrance, Ukraine, the celebration of Christmas, you name it, they do it.

Or hey –  how about spring/Easter?

The people of Thirsk, a small Market Town with a big heart, never know when it will happen… But sure enough, a few days ago Margaret’s bus drew into the bus stop to the left of the Market Place, off we all trooped, ‘Thank you,’ to the driver. ‘Have a nice time,’ to everyone else, a few paces towards the crossing, and there they were. ‘We have been Yarnbombed,’ went up the cry. Glorious. Wonderful. Here are just a few:

Thank you to Thirsk Yarnbombers, who beaver away and delight us all, and I don’t just mean the locals, but those who divert from their route to see the display, as several have told Frost Magazine they do.

So, Thirsk Yarnbombers, your skill and kindness is heart warming, and so much appreciated, but… but…  we all wonder if, after Easter, and with the Coronation looming, we will be treated to another very special display. Oh please say yes.

Joffe’s book of the week is a brand-new murder mystery from the always popular Norman Russell — DEATH AT THE ALTAR is out now for just £0.99 /d $0.99*. (offer available for a limited time) Horrified by the arrival of their first female vicar, the residents of Oldminster are determined to revolt. But when she is discovered dead only weeks later, Detectives French and Edwards must discover if the residents are really capable of cold-blooded murder.

      
Detective Rob Miller Books 4-6 by Biba Pearce    £0.99p/$0.99c

Meet Detective Rob Miller in these  gripping, action-packed crime thrillers set in London. Just right for fans of Helen H. Durrant, James Oswald, Joy Ellis, Angela Marsons, L.J. Ross, Alex Smith and J.M. Dalgliesh.

Detectives Anderson & Costello Books 4-6    £0.99p / $0.99c

Detectives Anderson and Costello have their work cut out for them in the seedy grey backstreets of Glasgow.   ‘Bleak, black and brilliant.’ The Guardian

The Owen Family Sagas Books 1-2 Grace Thompson  £0.99p/$0.99c

Set in a beautiful corner of the south Wales coast, sisters Cecily and Ada run their family’s grocery shop.  As secrets are revealed and relationships are tested, will the Owen sisters survive what is coming their way?

I love Simon Brett’s novels, and here he is, in a GRIPPING COZY MURDER MYSTERY. Mrs Pargeter’s Point of Honour.   £0.99/$0.99c

It is early autumn and Mrs Pargeter has some unfinished business to resolve, regarding some priceless paintings.  Mrs P must use her usual tricks to recover the paintings before the police catch up with her. Oh, do read it. Warm and page turning. 

Rachel Abbott is the bestselling author of the DCI Tom Douglas thrillers, which have sold over 4 million copies in the English language and have been translated into more than 20 languages.  She is also the author of the Stephanie King series, published by Wildfire Books. The first in this series, And So It Begins, was a Sunday Times top thriller of 2019.  join Rachel’s reading group, Rachel Abbott’s Partners in Crime, and get a FREE short story.

Joffe Books has just had a tete a tete with Rachel Abbott which they have shared with Frost Magazine.

Your debut novel, the introduction to DCI Tom Douglas, is set in London. When did you decide to base subsequent books in the series in Manchester?   Only the Innocent was planned as a one-off thriller – never part of a series – but the readers seemed to love Tom, so he became a permanent fixture. He was always a Manchester man, but I felt the setting for Only the Innocent had to be London, so I decided he had to move there for family reasons. By the time the novel was published, my second novel – The Back Road – was half written and set in Cheshire, but I managed to sneak Tom in by giving him a sabbatical! That allowed me to take Tom back home to Manchester for the rest of the series. As it’s a city that I know well and I have family there who are more than willing to do any research to fill in the gaps, it seemed the best solution.

What do readers like most about your books?  That’s a difficult question for me to answer! I think/hope that they find the situations credible, and the characters are people they can relate to. I like to believe that my readers will wonder: ‘What would I do if this happened to me?’ and for that, the dilemmas need to feel realistic. I never worry too much about readers guessing who the bad guy is. I think my stories are far more about the why than the who.

Which writers would you say influence and inspire you the most?  Too many to mention, but I would have to say that some of Harlan Coben’s early books really struck me as being both credible and complex. I loved the idea of a man believing his wife to be dead, and then eight years later he receives an email with a message that could only be from her. It’s the whole sense of what is happening here? that intrigues me, and he is the master.

You share cooking recipes with your readers – where did the idea come from?When I was developing the idea of Tom Douglas, I wanted him to have a life outside the police – to be a real person. In Only the Innocent, he is cooking for himself, so I mentioned (briefly) a pasta dish which we eat regularly, and which takes only the time it takes to cook the pasta (and it’s delicious). So I decided Tom could make that after work one evening, when he’s hungry and doesn’t have a lot of time. The man has to eat! Readers asked how to make it, so I put it in a newsletter. By then I was already well into writing the second book, much of which is based around a dinner party, and for that, of course, there had to be a menu! I chose food I love to cook and eat, and added those recipes to my website. And Tom had the opportunity to cook up a curry or two in that book as well. That’s how the idea began, and now I have a Hungry Detective section on my website (under Bonus Content). And yes – I love to cook, principally because I love to eat!

Who would be your ideal choice to play Tom Douglas in a TV/film adaptation and why?  Jack Davenport. No question about it, for me at least. It’s been him for years now, although I know everyone has a different view. Jack Davenport is the right height, hair colour and he’s the right age. He’s a good-looking guy who I believe can play it straight, but who also has the ability to be both stroppy (as Tom is occasionally) and thoughtful. I think he would be perfect.

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?  There have been so many, but other than the first time I reached the top position in the Amazon chart – a huge moment – I guess a highlight must be when, back in 2015, I was listed in the Amazon top sellers on Kindle over the previous five years. It wasn’t the fact that I was the top of the independent bestseller list that thrilled me the most. It was the fact that, despite having only written four books by then, I was the fourteenth bestselling author across all authors – including all those traditionally published – and the list put me ahead of authors such as Jeffrey Archer and JoJo Moyes. I was thrilled by the thought that readers loved my books so much. Readers are the reason I write, and every great review is just another highlight.

How can our readers reach you?  The best way to keep in touch is via my mailing list. I keep readers informed about upcoming releases and special offers and also recommend other authors’ books (and the occasional recipe!). Readers can sign up here: www.rachel-abbott.com/contact-w

I can be found on:  Facebook: www.facebook.com/RachelAbbott1WriterInstagram: www.instagram.com/rachelabbottwriter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelAbbott   And I have a Facebook Group – Rachel Abbott’s Partners in Crime:  www.facebook.com/groups/PartnersInCrimeRA

Readers can find my latest novel – No More Lies – £3.49 | $4.81 in bookshops, or on Amazon here

A roll of drums, out with the flags… Frost Magazine is so very pleased to tell you all that that the entrepreneurial and author loving Joffe Books has won PBShop Trade Publisher of the Year at the annual Independent Publishers Guild Awards. Such good news, so well deserved and huge congratulations. Joffe Books thanks all their talented authors, freelancers, everyone. And Frost Magazine thanks Joffe. 

For more information: Joffe Books

UK, London: Thursday 23rd March 2023 – Conic is thrilled to announce the release of PAMFIR in UK and Irish cinemas from 5th May. The striking Ukrainian directorial debut of  Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk celebrated its World Premiere in the Festival du Cannes 2022 Quinzaine (Directors’ Fortnight) strand and went on to win Best Feature Film Audience Award at Torino Film Festival 2022, many prizes at the Ukrainian Film Critics’ Awards, including Best Director and Best Feature Film, and Best Cinematography at Raindance Film Festival 2022.

When reformed ex-smuggler Pamfir returns to home to his village on the Ukrainian border after working abroad for several years, he’s determined to earn an honest living and set a good example for his beloved teenage son Nazar. But in a town where corruption runs deep and crime and religion are inextricably linked, his plan is quickly thwarted when Nazar sets fire to the local church in a misguided effort to keep him at home. To pay for the damage, Pamfir must take on one last job for a crime syndicate operating a risky smuggling venture in a place where all the rules have changed.

Part drama, part thriller, part noir-inflected fairytale, Pamfir is violent, raw and bloody, but also a tender portrait of a family man trying to raise his son well despite his own shady past. Shot in long takes and set amid forests swirling with mist in the run up to the traditional ‘Malanka’ carnival — a wild pagan festival featuring straw costumes, wooden masks and centuries-old rites and traditions — this is a propulsive, genre-defying debut exploring the thin line between good and evil and fate vs free will in our complex modern world.

Atmospheric, scary fairytale-ish at times, completely edge of the seat cinema.  Watch, smile, hope, gasp, groan, and love it.

PAMFIR is released by Conic in UK/Irish cinemas from 5th May

Screenings will be listed onhttps://www.conic.film/films/pamfir

Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLy2z6fZaWk

Ukraine, France, Poland, Germany, Chile 2022
Dir: Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk

Ukrainian / 106 mins

With a chorus of 140, (with 70 on stage at any one time), the sheer quality of the voices, not to mention wig and costume makers, stagehands, technicians, and of course, a full orchestra, the cost and value of the production is there for all to see.

No wonder, that a trip to the opera, is for many, something of a rare treat.

Tickets for the last opera that I saw in London cost £90.00, and we were almost in the ‘Gods,’ but as I said, a rare treat, and it is the perfect opportunity to bring out the opera glasses.

However, on this occasion, over 3 and a half hours of sumptuous, Wagner’s Lohengrin, cost £19.00, because I was able to take advantage of the live screening, of something which could very well go down as a definitive production of this particular opera, such was the singing, acting and staging.

A couple in their early 70s, seated in front of me, held hands throughout the performance and I rather hoped that for them, it was date night.

This live streamed production not only transported us to another time and place, through the magic of opera, but also to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, and as we took our seats, we could witness the audience on another continent taking theirs, thus becoming a part of that audience.

However, there was one notable difference, we had the best seats in the house. We were able to see every tick, every slight action, a close up on the acting of which I had previously been unaware. Nor were there any distractions from the accomplished orchestra, we were on that very stage, amidst the action.

Being in a cinema, the seats were almost armchair like, with a handy drinks holder and solid arm rests. At 6ft 2ins, adequate leg room is a must, if I am expected to sit for over 3 hours, and again no complaints from me, or my legs.

These live streaming events are shown in local cinemas across the country so no long trips to London or New York, no parking fees, or long train journeys at the end of the evening.

In the intervals, when those in New York adjourned to the restaurant, or bar for refreshments, we were treated to a look behind the scenes. Some of this of course were the staged interviews with key members of the cast, but for me, the thrill was watching the scenery being dismantled and built at pace, and watching the chorus, all 70 of them, exiting the stage in a brisk but orderly fashion.

In one exuberant moment, a woman, a member of the chorus, in full costume, wig and make up, spotted the camera, and in an instant waved to 35,000 people, in more than 70 countries across the world.

Don’t worry if you have missed this, because there are plenty more in the Met’s season, and I recommend that you seek out your nearest cinema that offers live streaming, and book those tickets. Live opera doesn’t need to be a rare treat anymore.

All are live, and in High Definition

Verdi’s Falstaff – 1^St April 2023

Strauss’s Der Rosenkavallier 15^th April 2023

Terence Blanchard’s Champion 29^th April 2023

All week long, there were workmen here and workmen there – workmen everywhere…  up on the roof, in the cellar… heavens, the CCA  was all go.  It doesn’t quite scan but you get the picture.

Liam the lovely electrician from JLA popped in to discuss the electrical work scheduled for the toilets, convector heaters, window extractors and water heaters with work to commence during the week. Great excitement at the CCA hub.

      
Cultural Creatives were at the CCA as usual with the morning session all about weaving, then after lunch all change and there appeared eventually an abundance of bunny rabbits. Aren’t this group amazing and talented? What’s more,  they make it look so easy.

At the team meeting with ACT  progress  was was discussed and the decorating schedule decided.  Lo and behold, decorating actually began during the week, in the Brady Square room.

Arthur the decorator

When all the decorating is finished, the memorabilia, donated by Alyson Chapman of Bells, will be able to be hung, (also the team’s surprise to their beloved community to which Frost Magazine is privy, but which is not to be revealed or the consequences will be dire: arghhh). Marion explained that the colour scheme the team have opted for is magnolia with the feature wall a fabulous emerald green.  Arthur, the decorator is doing a marvellous job, and is kept topped up with coffee, milk and two sugars

Shake your Boogey was cancelled sadly, wnen the snow came back in force.
Tickets for the Redcoat show continue to fly out, only four left. People coming and going, workmen buzzing around, singing and dancing groups, and always so much laughter and let’s not  forget lots of tea and coffee.

Forever Young Bingo Ladies came, of course, complete with home baked cakes , created by Linda and St Patricks day on Friday corresponded with the  weekly coffee morning and the drawing of the winning tickets for the ten food hampers. The Luck of the Irish for the winners. A great many tickets were sold, and Marion is ‘Sure that our contact Kam from the Polish centre will be overwhelmed when we hand over the cheque on MONDAY next week for the Ukrainian appeal. We need to count up but what we do know is that it went extremely well.’

Coffee morning as usual was a big hit, Red Shoes Bob did the prize bingo, making everyone laugh at his antics and all raffles prizes claimed.

Ah, one more thing: Marion was talking to Margaret Graham, of Frost Magazine, about ideas for ‘what would come’ after the CCA centre was up and running. Together they wondered if it would be a good idea to gather up people’s Brady Square memories and create a Brady Square Memoir Collection to be kept at the Centre. A collection to be added to by others coming up…

As Margaret considers Brady Square is part of her heritage she wondered if it would be a good idea to come up from Thirsk to the centre, to work with those interested. She could suggest ways to access these memories: perhaps some told to us by parents, relatives, friends, others which have been experienced by us:  from birth, school, and on, and on… Together they could all beaver away (well, perhaps toddle along) putting them together. Each one personal, each one centred on Brady Square. ‘Going back through time  is often fun, often thought provoking,’ said Margaret. ‘Do talk to Marion and we can work something out.’

So, Mother’s Day is here again. Frost Magazine and the Columbia Community Centre take huge pleasure in  wishing all us lovely mams a happy day!

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

As their book of the week Joffe is offering a brand-new utterly addictive cozy murder mystery — MARRIAGE IS MURDER by bestselling author Jean G. Goodhind which is out now for just £0.99 | $0.99.  Meet Honey Driver. Hotel owner. Widowed mum. Amateur sleuth. An elderly woman has been found dead — sitting in the front pew of a church, dressed in a lavish wedding gown.
Amateur sleuth Honey Driver is about to tackle one of her strangest cases yet . . .

‘An absolute treat!’ Bestselling author Jill Mansell
‘Fast moving with a likeable heroine and an impeccably rendered Bath background . . .’ Kirkus Reviews
*This special launch price is available for a limited time only. Please check this price offer is live and available in your location before purchasing.

Every Deadly Sin  by D.M. Greenwood.   £0.99/$0.99

AN UTTERLY GRIPPING COZY CRIME MYSTERY.  I know, I know, but it IS my favourite sort of crime) Surrounded by green hills and lush valleys, St Sylvan’s is a haven of spiritual renewal. Until a shocking act of violence shatters this peaceful retreat. There’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing at St Sylvan’s and it’s up to amateur sleuth Theodora Braithwaite to catch the culprit.

The Master WILLIAM FALCONER Medieval Mysteries Books 1-9 by Ian Morson.£0.99 | $0.99

A BRILLIANT MEDIEVAL MYSTERY SERIES FEATURING 13TH CENTURY OXFORD SLEUTH MASTER WILLIAM FALCONER.  Premiering as a box set. Get NINE absolutely gripping medieval mysteries in one great-value box set. If you like Cadfael, give these a try.

Who was Sylvia? by Judy Gardiner   £0.99/$0.99

HEART-WRENCHING HISTORICAL SAGA.   Travel to war-time London in Judy Gardiner’s heart-wrenching historical saga that tells the story of a young woman, haunted by the mystery of her sister’s disappearance. A page turner.

THIS WEEK SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT –  LET’S MEET FEATURE BESTSELLING WRITING DUO M S MORRIS in Joffe’s Indie Author Spotlight

M S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. They both studied at Oxford University, where they first met in 1990. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. They are married and live in Oxfordshire. Margarita studied Modern Languages at Jesus College, Oxford. She then worked in IT before joining her husband in their internet business. She writes historical fiction at margaritamorris.com.  Steve studied Physics at University College, Oxford. He worked in the nuclear industry before becoming a dot com entrepreneur. He writes sci-fi and thrillers at stevemorrisbooks.com

Aspire to Die by M.S. Morris OUT NOW — JUST £0.99 | $0.99

A GRIPPING OXFORD-BASED MURDER MYSTERY.   When a student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. No one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where a ruthless killer waits to strike again.

Q  &A WITH M S MORRIS:   How do you find writing as a couple? What poses the most challenges?  We love writing as a couple. We both have books that we’ve written individually, as Margarita Morris and Steve Morris, so we know how hard it can be to write a book on your own. That’s why we appreciate the support that comes from a collaboration. The first step in our joint process is the planning stage. When you’re writing a book together, you really need to have a plan! We have daily meetings where we sit down and plan the whole book from start to finish, writing up a scene-by-scene outline as we go. This usually takes about four weeks. All the suspects, clues, red herrings, twists and reveals are mapped out, as well as the personal stories of the main characters. Then Margarita spends 6–8 weeks writing the first draft, after which Steve takes over and writes the second draft, fleshing things out. It helps that Margarita is good at beginnings and Steve is strong on endings! Once the book is finished, we both go through it at least once more, polishing the prose and making it as good as it can be. As indie authors, of course, there are lots of other jobs besides the writing. Steve designs the book covers and runs ads. Margarita manages the website, the mailing list, proofs the audiobooks and manages the publishing process. We’re both active on our author Facebook page. We rarely disagree on plot points or characters, and any differences of opinion are soon sorted out by talking the matter through, usually at the dinner table!

What do readers like most about your books?   Well, from what they tell us, they seem to really like the characters and the settings. Our Bridget Hart series is set in Oxford, and as alumni of Oxford University ourselves we’ve really tried to make the most of the university setting, featuring colleges, faculties and the Bodleian library. But as Bridget muses in Killing By Numbers, Oxford isn’t all ‘punting and poetry’. The traffic is a nightmare, there are hordes of tourists, and homelessness is a real issue. The North Yorkshire coastal setting for our Tom Raven series is very different, but Scarborough is very historic and scenic. When it comes to characters, we try to create flawed but relatable individuals. Both Bridget Hart and Tom Raven are utterly dedicated to their jobs, but this comes at a price for their personal lives and relationships. A strong theme that runs through our books is family. Dysfunctional or otherwise, it’s always hugely important.

Which writers would you say influence and inspire you the most?   We both read widely, and not just crime fiction. Different writers influence and inspire us in different ways. When it comes to crime fiction, we both enjoy Anthony Horowitz for the brilliance of his plotting and the quality of his writing. We love Belinda Bauer for her dark humour. Margarita enjoys Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves, whilst Steve likes Harlan Coben and J.D. Kirk. Margarita is a great fan of Charles Dickens for his characters and his intricate plotting. Amongst contemporary authors her favourites are Sarah Waters, Kate Atkinson and Robert Harris. Steve reads quite a lot of fantasy, particular favourites being George R.R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie, but also thrillers, sci-fi and horror. Everything you read influences you in some way, even if you’re not consciously aware of it.

Your second series featuring DCI Tom Raven, is set in Yorkshire. Do you have a particular connection to the region?  Yes, Margarita is from Harrogate in North Yorkshire and we’ve enjoyed many family holidays in Scarborough when the children were growing up. We chose Scarborough as the base for our North Yorkshire detective because the town has so much character and charm. Layers of history are constantly present, from the castle on the headland to the Victorian hotels and spa and even the twentieth-century amusement arcades.   The books also venture beyond Scarborough into the stunning North York Moors and the medieval city of York. We’re planning to head up the coast to Whitby for one of our future books.

Who would be your ideal choice to play Bridget Hart in a TV/Film adaptation and why?   Ooh, tricky question. Bridget is approaching forty, short and slightly overweight. She drives a red Mini convertible and is partial to pasta, pinot noir and chocolate cake. We can’t think of anyone off the top of our heads, but if anyone has any ideas, let us know. Or better still, tell Netflix!

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?  It must be stumbling into Blackwell’s bookshop in Oxford, where we bought all our books as students, and finding our own books filling up almost a full shelf. Fame, at last.

Readers can find M.S. Morris at their website http://www.msmorrisbooks.com/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/msmorrisbook

For more information: Joffebooks.com