‘Ere we go, off the starting block with MBC children’s ceramics. The children were soon busy creating  ceramic egg cups, which are very suitable for painted hard boiled eggs. ‘Do you remember how kids like us, says Margaret, ‘painted hard boiled eggs, then popped them into egg cups?’  All the egg cups were wonderful, so the children deserved the boxes of lunch sandwiches dropped off by Andrew Leach.

ACT came and decorated, and also fitted the sky light. Apparently it’s a lot lighter in the corridor with the new sky light in place, while the ever cheerful  Davey assessed preparations for the Loft ladder due to be fitted any minute now. Oh, by the way, Red Shoes Bob reckons he can hide up there. ‘No way,’ came the cry from Marion. ‘There’s no hiding place for you, Matey.’ Be afraid Bob, very afraid.

Marion advertised for photo frames and low and behold the CCA have had an amazing donation from the lovely Lorna to get them started on their mission. These were followed by Harry, Jeane and Gillians’ donations. What would we do without social media on these cocasions?

Aimee and her wonderful dancers did amazingly well at the weekend, when they attended the Karen Llewellyn Comp and once again came away with an array of prizes in all categories. Everyone is so very proud of you all.

Arthur, the decorator’s wife sent a handmade gift, which the team thought was, ‘Lovely and thoughtful of her, people are so kind,‘ said Marion.

Clean and Green are in the area doing a wonderful job and were welcome to use the CCA’s  facilities, on the basis that ‘It’s all about community lending a hand and working as a team. Our very own Dianne lent a hand, for the photo shoot anyway,‘ said Marion.

Brickies arrived, to brick up an external door to the computer room, leaving internal access only. Everyone is very security conscious at the CCA, safety first every time. Next week the grinder will be here removing concrete from the outside wall, ‘Out with the old and in with the new.’ says Marion, briskly, a glint in her eye. Perhaps you should hide in the loft after all, Red Shoes Bob!?

JLA are scheduled for the coming  week, assessing what electrical work is left  – heavens – that should be it for the electrics.  Then the CCA had a visit from their  surveyor Richard. Everyone was so pleased to see he had recovered from a broken foot and what’s more, he was over the moon with the progress and left a happy man.

Yvonne called in with a huge bag of Seahouses shells for a display that has been created in the toilet, which  looks fab. The team have run some pictures off Sponge Bob Square pants for the little people’s loo, they even have their own reachable hand towel dispenser which the kiddie winkles think it’s great.

The Forever Young ladies had an Easter Buffet with  goodies galore, and although the CCA is closed for business on Good Friday, the team have decided that this will be an excellent opportunity to hang some pictures in the newly decorated Cross Streets room. The team are determined to re-create the journey they have travelled, however, there is still a way to go and if your picture is not yet printed don’t panic, the team are sure it will appear through time.

Talking of time, here we all are in the midst of Easter, which is Margaret Graham’s  favourite time,  and she and Frost Magazine join everyone of her friends  at Columbia Community Association in sending warmest wishes for a peaceful EASTER and may the next few days be filled with joy, happiness and sunshine.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) marks its 70^th Jubilee year in 2023 with a series of events, including an exhibition of memorabilia from its archives.

Official archivist of the CWA, Martin Edwards, said the anniversary is a, “cause for celebration, not just among its members, but among crime genre fans everywhere.”

The exhibition will be part of the Alibis in the Archives crime writing weekend which runs 9—11 June at Gladstone’s Library in Wales, as well as other special events linked to National Crime Reading Month in June. There will also be a special Jubilee reception at the Mansion House, York, as part of the CWA’s conference.

One of the UK’s most prominent writers’ societies, the CWA was founded by the prolific author John Creasey, who wrote over 600 books under various pseudonyms.

The first CWA meeting was on 5 November 1953 at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall.  The invite from Creasey for the very first meeting, read: ‘The threatened meeting of mystery writers planned for the afternoon of Thursday, November 5^th, has been arranged to take place at the  NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB, WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, S.W.1 …at 2.45 for 3 p.m. (It cannot go on much longer than about 5.15 p.m. as the room is needed for politics) On arrival at the Club ask for (a) Creasey and if you get a blank stare, (b) the Oak Room…IF YOU DON’T WANT AFTERNOON TEA, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I SHOULD HATE TO ORDER IT AND SEE IT WASTED.’

Its founding aims were to provide a social network as well as help crime writers with business matters. In Creasey’s words: ‘to give reasonable hope that both the prestige and the fortunes of crime writers generally should be improved.’

In 1956, it hosted its first awards ceremony for the best crime book of the year, which went to Winston Graham, best known for Poldark. Agatha Christie was the principal guest. The oldest awards in the genre, the CWA Daggers feature the highest honour in crime writing – the CWA Diamond Dagger – which recognises careers marked by sustained excellence. Recipients over the years include PD James, Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, John Le Carré, Lee Child, Ann Cleeves, Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Val McDermid, and Walter Mosley.

Today, the CWA’s determination to promote the genre remains central to its mission, seen by the success of more recent initiatives including, starting in 1999, the Debut Dagger, a competition for uncontracted writers, and National Crime Reading Month (held annually in June), both of which help to connect crime writers and readers, as well as supporting libraries and bookshops.

Maxim Jakubowski, CWA Chair, said: “As my two-year term as Chair of the CWA winds down to an end, I feel I can’t leave the scene of the crime on a better occasion than the celebration of an impressive 70 years of so many activities indefatigably supporting the crime writing community and promoting our beloved genre. We have achieved so much and it makes me very proud that we are toasting such a jubilee in 2023. I raise the tip of my fictional fedora to another brilliant 70 years, which I’m sure my successors will make as memorable.”

Vaseem Khan, Vice-Chair of the CWA, said: “Longevity in any organisation is a sign that something is going right. The CWA’s star has shone over British crime writing for seven decades, never more brightly than now. Over the years, the CWA has welcomed, championed, and recognised the greatest writers of the genre, whilst nurturing future stars. Today, the CWA continues to evolve, just as the genre has evolved to become the most popular and most inclusive in publishing. Next stop…the CWA centenary!”

About the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA)

The aim of the CWA is to support, promote and celebrate this most durable, adaptable, and successful of genres, both fiction and non-fiction, and the authors who write within it. It supports author members, plus literary agents, publishers, bloggers and editors with a monthly magazine; a digital monthly newsletter from sister organisation the Crime Readers’ Association, showcasing CWA authors’ books and events that goes to circa 12,000 subscribers; and Case Files, a bimonthly ezine highlighting new books by CWA members. www.thecra.co.uk  The CWA supports as yet unpublished writers with a bespoke group, The Debuts, many of whom enter the Debut Dagger competition and the Margery Allingham Short Mystery competition.

The CWA run an annual conference and hold chapter meetings throughout the UK, so members can access face-to-face networking and socialising.  It also runs National Crime Reading Month in June: www.crimereading.com  The CWA supports libraries and booksellers, with three Library Champions and a Booksellers Champion. It has links with various festivals and other writers’ organisations such as the Society of Authors.

CWA website, Facebook, Twitter #CWADaggers and YouTube.

Joffe’s book of the week is a psychological thriller from bestselling author McGarvey Black — THE FIRST HUSBAND is out now for just £0.99 | $0.99*.Kat Sullivan finally has the perfect life. A great job. A handsome, devoted husband. A beautiful New York home. A baby on the way. But her first husband wants to destroy it all. The secret that she thought she’d buried forever puts Kat, and everyone close to her, in danger . . . It’s a humdinger of a page turner. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FIRST HUSBAND BY MCGARVEY BLACK FOR £0.99 | $0.99.

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.

Constable Nick (box set 1-10) by Nicholas Rhea –  OUT NOW — JUST £0.99 | $0.99

GET TEN UTTERLY CHARMING MYSTERIES IN ONE MASSIVE-VALUE BOX SET.
Meet Britain’s best-loved village policeman in the books that inspired TV’s Heartbeat.  ‘It’s original, it’s funny . . . one of life’s little pleasures.’ Yorkshire Post.   ‘Recommended if it’s laughter you’re after’ Bolton Evening News

The Complete Detective Jim Ashworth Box set. Books 1-8   £0.99/$0.99

GET EIGHT GRIPPING BRITISH CRIME MYSTERIES ALL IN ONE BOX SET.
Meet Detective Jim Ashworth, a 30-year veteran policeman with a fierce pride in his job.  ‘Battison, a dab hand with a satisfyingly tricky plot.’ Wall Street Journal.’ ‘What a great offer for all SAGA lovers.

The Sinclair Family Saga – all 5

Each at £0.99/$0.99

Moorland Mist by Gwen Mirkwood The first of the Sinclair Family Saga

Scottish Highlands, 1895. On the eve of Emma’s birthday, she is sent to work on the edge of the moors under the critical eye of the Sinclair family matriarch.  Love begins to blossom between Emma and their youngest son, William. But when William is swiftly sent away, the two must find a way back to each other — and their newborn son. Find out how the story evolves over the next four books.

Get all five at £0.99/$0.99 each.

NEW FROM CHOC LIT  OUT NOW —  £2.99 | $4.04

Masquerade on the Riviera by Evonne Wareham   

EMBARK ON A GLAMOROUS AND THRILLING RIDE TO THE RIVIERA.
Renowned Egyptologist Dr Elliott Elwood’s weekend away to Torquay for a bizarre bidding war ends up involving far more than afternoon tea and historical chit chat.
Cunning thievery and clever games culminate in a glitzy but perilous masked ball

This week Joffe Books has announced that CEO Jasper Joffe has acquired Choc Lit from previous owner Lyn Vernham.

Jasper Joffe, chief executive officer of independent publisher Joffe Books, has acquired Choc Lit from previous owner Lyn Vernham.
Founded in 2009, Choc Lit is an independent publisher of romance and women’s fiction. Joffe will be taking over Choc Lit’s list of around 250 titles, and relaunching the books specifically for the digital market, with a focus on marketing and design.

Joffe said: “We love Choc Lit and are delighted to acquire the company from Lyn Vernham. Lyn has built one of the most outstanding publishers of women’s fiction and romance in the UK. It’s an honour to take forward this brilliant publisher with its unique tasting panel of readers who help select the books to publish.

“We aim to build on the list’s exceptional quality and to find new opportunities to reach even more readers. It’s a great fit for our future as an all-genres commercial publisher.”

Vernham added: “I’m delighted to see my baby go to such a good home in Joffe Books. It has been almost 14 years of absolute fun and an honour to help so many authors. We set out to create a romance brand that would support debut and lesser known authors on the road to publication.

“We have launched over 60 authors, two-thirds of which were debuts. Some have gone on to be very successful in our genre. I’m very proud of them all and what the team has achieved. I wish Jasper every success as they continue to develop the brand.”

In 2019, Joffe Books acquired the Robert Hale backlist from Crowood Press, reissuing authors including Roger Silverwood, Frances Lloyd, David Hodges and Bill Kitson. The publisher went on to acquire Ostara Publishing in 2022, reissuing and rebranding crime writers as D. M. Greenwood, V. C. Clinton-Baddeley, Frank McAuliffe and Ian Morson. 

Quite a story, eh? Fantastic.

Read the announcement on the Bookseller here: www.thebookseller.com/news/joffe-acquires-choc-lit-f….

Information on all Joffe Books, including this week’s newbies. HERE

Well, Marion advertised for a pendulum walk clock and now CCA have two. ‘What next?’ she asks. Margaret hardly dares to think.  But here we go, with lots and lots…

The team have had the honour of being visited by Geoff Millington, the school teacher who initiated the original mural, painted by the children of the then Biddick Primary School in 1983. Geoff (shown with the CCA print, hanging in the Brady Square Room) has promised to write the story of the mural in more detail and the CCA cannot wait. Special thanks go to Brian Mason for without him this print would never have happened, Brian we have recreated history. Margaret had a wonderful art teacher, a Miss Richardson, who always told the class, ‘Look up, everyone, when out. See what’s above, not what’s below the feet.’ Instructions suitable for life really. She meant to study the roofs, the angles, the shadows. Again, much like life. 

Arthur is getting on with the decorating, he has a big job to tackle this week but he assures Marion he can manage, he is such a perfectionist which is fantastic. Marion had a meeting  with the Surveyor and contractor to discuss jobs outstanding and there is now  a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, a bit dim, but there all the same. The CCA  now have Simon, site Manager from SCC, overseeing the outstanding work which is enormously helpful, and  someone with whom to liaise.

CPR/ Defibrillator training was organised for the volunteers on Tuesday with the lovely Nev. As Marion said, ‘That will be another Ology they have.’

The Council have collected the two very large planters from the front of the building, so now there are parking spaces and soon there will be some hanging baskets for the front.

The lovely Julie Milne from Equans came to do the weekly meeting and said that  Stu and Steve would be popping in for a chat. They just could not believe the progress since their last visit and as usual they asked what they could do to help. ‘Thank you, Stu, I am sure we can think of something to keep you busy. We all love Equans they are always there to lend a hand in the community,’ says Marion.

The visit by Eileen from Sharp Advice Services  went down really well and all were enlightened as to the wonderful service they provide; free confidential, independent advice and help and support on a multitude of issues.The lovely Liam  installed sockets in the corridor so  table lamps can be strategically placed in the entrance to enhance the ambience and make it welcoming.  Then Ross the joiner dropped in to box some pipes, after Mick, from Equans, delivered the materials. Such teamwork!

Julie, Community Opportunities, who has been using our centre, and feels she is now an honorary member of the “Brady Bunch” dropped off a gift. Well, you are even more a member of the ‘Brady Bunch’ now, pet. 

But heavens, the gifts kept on coming. Staff from Equans attended the last Coffee morning before Easter and they didn’t come empty handed. They brought an array of chocolate eggs for the community and flowers for Marion, so much excitement.

More gifts, this time from Brady Square’s  very own Edith Bradley, who had brought daffodils for everyone, painstakingly wrapping each bunch and tying them with gold ribbon. What a marvellous and thoughtful thing to do.

Thelma won the food hamper and was cock-a hoop, poor Jen shouted she was one number off again, maybe next time it will be her turn. Red Shoes Bob entertained  with his stand-up Bingo. The food was delicious and the Easter Chocolate cake from Di’s Diner was simply scrumptious.

The floral arranging class has been a huge succes. Clearly Tina is a wonderful teacher and the ladies were so thrilled with the floral pieces they created – just look at these springlike offerings – quite splendid. They say they are very much looking forward to the next class.

As Easter approaches, a time of hope Margaret always feels, all at Columbia Community Association would like to wish everyone a very peaceful Palm Sunday. Frost Magazine echoes this sentiment, and thanks you all for allowing them to accompany the CCA on this wonderful community journey. 

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

 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