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The parents story: Our one-year-old daughter Melody should be learning to play and laugh, not fighting for her life. Instead, she is battling a devastating cancer, with the only drug that could save her costing more than £20,000 per month and not funded by the NHS.
Melody was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) when she was just four months old. She endured two rounds of intensive chemotherapy, requiring countless blood and platelet transfusions, a prolonged stay in Intensive Care, and several weeks on a ventilator. Doctors then told us that a bone marrow transplant was her only chance of survival. Melody underwent her transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and for a brief moment, we dared to hope.
But that hope was soon shattered. Melody suffered every conceivable complication, including severe acute Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and despite everything she fought through, devastatingly, within just 30 days she relapsed. The leukaemia remained.
We have now been told that there are no other treatment options available in the UK, as all have been exhausted, and that our only remaining path is palliative care. We have been encouraged to spend time at home and cherish the remaining weeks we have left together, but as parents, we cannot accept that this is the end of the road while there is still a chance to help our little girl.
Right now, there is one final glimmer of hope: a specialised drug available only in America that could give Melody a chance to reach remission. Time is absolutely critical. Our incredible oncology team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) made an emergency specialist request to the MHRA to approve the use of this drug for Melody, and we are profoundly grateful that approval was granted.
However, approval alone does not save Melody.
The drug costs £20,500 per month, and without the funds in place, it cannot be ordered or started. Crucially, we are able to order the drug as early as this week, but only if the money is raised in time. Every day we lose, risks the leukaemia progressing beyond the point where this treatment can help her.
Melody needs this treatment to have any chance of achieving long-term remission and becoming eligible for a second bone marrow transplant, something that cannot be considered for at least two years after her first transplant. Without this drug, there is no bridge to that future at all, making this medication her lifeline in the meantime.
This means that without this fundraiser, Melody cannot receive the treatment.
Melody will be the first person in England ever to receive this drug. While that is daunting, it also represents a vital opportunity, not only for her, but for what this treatment could mean for other children facing the same diagnosis in the future.
Asking for help as parents is incredibly hard, but we are running out of time. This treatment represents hope where there is otherwise none. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to ordering the drug and starting treatment before it’s too late.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with Melody when she needs it most.
British icon calls reading a ‘superpower’ as he supports national campaign tackling the UK’s reading crisis. (Image credit: Adama Jalloh)
Stormzy has thrown his support behind The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads, the flagship UK-wide initiative designed to engage adults who don’t yet see themselves as readers. Almost half of adults in the UK say they are not readers*, and in 2026 – the National Year of Reading – Quick Reads celebrates its 20th anniversary with its most ambitious programme to date.
Quick Reads are short, accessible books written by bestselling authors and created specifically for non-readers, lapsed readers, people with short attention spans, and neurodivergent readers. The programme has grown into a national reading movement centred around World Book Night on 23 April, when thousands of Quick Read titles are gifted to libraries, prisons, community groups, charities, and foodbanks across the UK.
Derek Owusu (Image copyright Josima Senior)
Among the six new Quick Reads titles for 2026 is Hunger Pains by Derek Owusu, published by #Merky Books, Stormzy’s imprint at Penguin Random House. Stormzy said: “Reading helped me when I was young and it still does today. Books have the power to carry you through life. So I’m really proud that Derek Owusu, one of our incredible #Merky Books authors, is taking part in The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads. His words will reach the people who need them most.I encourage anyone who doesn’t usually read to pick up a Quick Read – because reading really is a superpower.”
Known for his creative and cultural impact as well as his commitment to social change, Stormzy has long used his platform to tackle inequality and champion access to the arts. In 2020, he founded the #Merky Foundation, pledging £10 million over 10 years to support racial equality and justice reform.
Stormzy added: “Music and books are both about finding your voice. We are all made of stories – they define who we are – and that’s why #Merky Books exists: to make sure every voice has a platform.”
Award-winning writer and poet Derek Owusu said: “Having never read a book until the age of 24, I wish I had come across Quick Reads sooner. They’re accessible, affordable, and gentle in their approach, allowing new or lapsed readers to find their way into the pleasure and fulfilment of reading fiction and non-fiction.I’m excited to be part of their legacy and to add my voice to something that helps people feel confident enough to pick up a book and look forward to spending time with it.”
All Quick Reads titles go through a rigorous accessibility review process, including testing for readability, concentration, and suitability for adults rebuilding reading confidence. To mark the 20th anniversary of Quick Reads, The Reading Agency has unveiled ambitious expansion plans for 2026. For the first time, the charity will:
Launch Quick Reads as audiobooks for the first time
Announce a major new partnership and special Quick Read title on World Book Night
Gift half a million Quick Reads books to prisons across the UK
Research from The Reading Agency shows that regular reading can transform lives, improving wellbeing, social mobility, and long-term life chances.Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “Quick Reads are a proven, high-impact way to reach adults who don’t yet see themselves as readers. During the National Year of Reading and on World Book Night, we want to show that reading is for everyone – and that a single book can be the start of a lifelong habit.”
Since its launch in 2006, Quick Reads has:
Distributed over 5 million books
Worked with more than 30 publishers
Generated over 6 million library loans
The other 2026 Quick Reads titles span thrillers, romance, and contemporary fiction, with books by Rachel Hore, Leye Adenle, Rosie Goodwin, Louise Jensen, and Carmel Harrington.
Stand by for a flirty and fun romance in The Groom that Got away by Sally Clements. Matthew did the unthinkable – he left June, his fiance, at the altar – 7 years ago. Yes, yes, he did. Now, her heart well and truly healed, June is to pledge her troth to another and has invited Matthew as her ‘something old’. Oh, I love it. Revenge is best served cold. April June’s sister then finds herself attracted to this bounder – gasp! Or is he really a bounder?
Perhaps not, so should April draw closer to the sparks that are ignited between the two of them, or would June object? But doesn’t Matthew deserve a second chance? Oh, no. I’m not telling you any more. It’s fun, and that’s what we need. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G4HCCC1N/ @ £2.99 Kindle Edition
The Menu Match (Maple Gardens Matchmakers Book 3) by Philippa Nefri Clarke. Kindle edition
Quinne is a social media influencer. Peter is the somewhat grumpy cook at Maple Gardens Assisted Living. Two different people, why would they get together? Ah, Quinne’s mum is a resident who likes to put in her two pennyworth. She feels Quinne should showcase Maple Gardens but it is the last thing on Quinne’s mind until Peter’s ten-year-old daughter persuades her to reconsider. Peter is less than thrilled, he has enough to do being a newly single dad. But it seems it might be a good move as as Quinne rediscovers her love of cooking, and Peter watches his daughter come out of her shell. Add to this unexpected feelings grow between Quinne and Peter. Is it plain sailing? Certainly not, as an accident confirms their differences. However, remember the formidable Maple Gardens residents … This is a mere hiccup in the road of a group of grannies intent on their matchmaking skills. Do read it. And never forget, Grannies are supreme! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FDQRXV4M/ @ £2.99
Suzy Henderson has written an empathetic novel which grips, informs and moves. This historical romance is an evocation of bravery, suffering and hope, set as it is around the Guinea Pig Club and surgical pioneer Sir Archibald McIndoe.
Bassingbourn, England, 1942 Stella Charlton joins the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force which displeases her mother, who would love her to settle down with Alex, the perfect match for her daughter. But too late, for a US air force pilot is the focus of her interest, but will he survive? John ‘Mac’ Mackenzie is conscious of the responsibility he shoulders as a bomber pilot – for himself, his crew and the people he wants to protect. But what happens when he becomes a burns casualty? How can he inflict this situation on Stella, and anyway, he’d rather he pushed her away than she reject him. Only when Mac meets maverick New Zealand doctor Archie McIndoe does a glimmer of hope return. The unorthodox surgeon is determined to help badly injured soldiers such as Mac to return to a normal life, not only through conventional medicine but through plastic surgery – and by starting to heal their emotional wounds. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNN3QHCG/ @ £1.99
By the Sword: A compelling and romantic historical saga (Guardians of the Crown Book 1) by Alison Stuart Kindle Edition. The first volume of this gripping historical drama about having the courage to stand up for your beliefs and fight for your love
England 1650: In the aftermath of the execution of the King, England totters once more on the brink of civil war. Kate Ashley’s loyalty to the Parliamentary cause clashes with her sense of responsibility for the estate of the Royalist Thornton family. She will need all her wits to restore its fortunes and fend off the ever-present threat of greedy neighbours, as well as protect those she cares about. Jonathan Thornton, exiled and hunted for his loyalty to the King’s cause, returns to England to drum up support for the young King. Haunted by the demons of his past, Jonathan risks death at every turn and brings danger to those who love him. Finding Kate in his family home, he sees in her the hope for his future, and a chance at a life he feels he doesn’t deserve. Kate and Jonathan’s love is fragile, and their lives are manipulated by events out of their control. What hope can one ragged soldier and a brave woman hold in times like these? Read it, I won’t tell you. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FJRVY1LZ/ @ £1.99 kindle edition
King of My Fears: A romantic suspense of desire, lies and second chances (The Kingdom Book 2) Kindle Editionby Abby NorthSpice, secrets, and redemption in the thrilling second installment of The Kingdom series. More titles in this series King of My Scars (ISBN: 9782386191343)
Arianna believes she’s left hell behind. At Denham King’s side, she’s discovered for the first time what it truly means to live – and to love. But happiness is a fragile illusion. When the shadows of her past return, safety turns into fear, and trust becomes a dangerous game. Someone knows where she is. Someone wants her back. And this time, running isn’t enough. Caught between betrayal and desire, Arianna must decide whom she can truly trust: the man who she loves – or the one who once broke it … https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G139YC8L/ @£2.99
The Wedding Shroud: A heartbreaking tale of love and destiny in Ancient Rome (A Tale of Ancient Rome Book 1) Kindle Edition by Elisabeth Storrs. “All the drama and sensuality expected of an historical romance, plus a sensitivity to the realities of life in a very different time and world …” – Ursula K. Le Guin
In 406 BC, the young Roman, Caecilia, is wedded to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from Veii in the cause of peace. Leaving her militaristic homeland, Caecilia is determined to remain true to Roman virtues while living among the Etruscans who wouldn’t know virtue, she thinks, if it bit them. But, is that statement true? Caecilia is seduced by a culture that offers women education, independence, sexual freedom, and an empowering religion. Enchanted by Veii but terrified of losing ties to Rome, Caecilia performs rites to delay becoming a mother, thereby postponing true entanglement. Increasingly she becomes torn, because she is by now in love with Mastarna, As war looms where will Caecilia’s allegiance lie? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP2847X6/ @ £0.99.
There is more:
!!And now, for the dp Publishers Valentine’s Giveaway Alert!! dp Publishers tell Frost Magazine: ‘Love is in the air… and so is a little treat for our readers. We’re spreading the love over on Instagram this month! ♥︎ We’ll be running a Valentine’s giveaway on the big day – giving everyone the opportunity to win some of our most-loved romance titles. So, if any readers are not following us yet, now’s the perfect time. ❥ Follow us here!
Milly Adams is the author of The Waterway Girls kindle edition: here
25 years ago, Mark Billingham’s debut novel Sleepyhead became an instant bestseller, launching a prolific career as a novelist.
Mark Billingham Image credit: Steve Best
Born in Birmingham, he worked as an actor and stand-up comedian before becoming a full-time author, best known for playing the role of Gary in the cult children’s TV show, Maid Marian and Her Merry Men. Mark continues to be a regular face and voice on TV and radio.
Sleepyhead introduced Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, leading to a further 18 books in the series, which was adapted to screen by Sky 1 in 2010, starring David Morrissey as Thorne. The latest Thorne book, What the Night Brings, was published in June 2025 – Billingham’s 25th book. Mark said: “Presuming this is not an administrative error, I could not be more thrilled or honoured. To be added to a list that features most of my literary heroes is fantastic. That so many are also friends is the icing on the cake and, for me, a mark of how very special the crime-writing community is.”
The CWA award recognises authors whose crime writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre. One of the UK’s most prominent societies, it was founded in 1953 by John Creasey with the awards making an entrance in 1955 with its first award going to Winston Graham, best known for Poldark.
Recent recipients of the Diamond Dagger include Mick Herron, Lynda La Plante, James Lee Burke, Peter James, Walter Mosley, Lee Child, Lawrence Block, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Andrew Taylor, Martina Cole, Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Robert Goddard, Martin Edwards, Catherine Aird and Simon Brett. Past icons of the genre acknowledged with a Diamond Dagger include Ruth Rendell, PD James, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, and John le Carré.
In 2023, Billingham introduced a new series featuring DS Declan Miller with The Last Dance followed by The Wrong Hands (2024). The third book in the series, The Shadow Step, is due out this year. His stand-alone novels include In the Dark, Die of Shame and Rabbit Hole. A series based on the novels In the Dark and Time of Death was screened on BBC1 in 2017.
Nadine Matheson, Chair of the CWA, said: “Across a remarkable body of work, Mark has consistently set the bar for contemporary crime fiction, while also being generous with his time and support to emerging writers. His influence on the genre extends far beyond his own novels, shaping the crime writing community as a whole. For his outstanding contribution to crime fiction, his lasting impact on readers and writers alike, and his commitment to the genre, Mark Billingham is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Diamond Dagger.”
In 2022, Billingham won the CWA’s Dagger in the Library, voted by librarians, for his body of work. He’s also been awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year twice (Lazybones, 2005 and Death Message, 2009).
Sponsor of the CWA Diamond Dagger, Karen Baugh Menuhin, said: “As sponsor of the CWA Diamond Dagger, I am thrilled to congratulate Mark Billingham on being chosen as the 2026 recipient of crime fiction’s highest honour. His place amongst crime writing royalty is hard won and richly deserved.”
Mark is also a member of the rock band, The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a combo of bestselling crime and thriller writers (Val McDermid, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville, and Chris Brookmyre) who performed at Glastonbury in 2019 and 2024.
The CWA Daggers are now regarded by the publishing world as the foremost British awards for crime-writing. As the oldest awards in the genre, they have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century. Nominations for the CWA Diamond Dagger are recommended by CWA members. Industry experts then narrow these down to a shortlist. The winner is then voted for by a panel of past Diamond Dagger winners. The Crime Writers Association can be found here Plus , Facebook, Twitter #CWADaggers and YouTube
Some secrets never stay buried… Nina inherits a house but what house, and from whom? A man she’s never heard of, John Moore, that’s who. But how does he know her? This is a mystery that needs unravelling, so off she goes to the south, and there it is, the house. It’s old and neglected but when she sees the door to the attic, echoes of memories are stirred.
Nina digs deeper into the house’s history, perhaps she wished she had done no such thing when a disturbing truth is revealed, which, it transpires, someone is desperate to keep hidden. Should she dig and delve, or will that bring her into danger? The Attic Room is a page turner, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, and Ruth Ware, and it is FREE. Yep, that’s right. FREE.https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FMFLQ78T/
When her mirror twin goes missing, Casey is led to a deadly paradise where no one escapes… This is a tense, unputdownable psychological thriller by Bonnie Traymore.
Casey and Nora are mirror twins, for while Casey is right-handed, Nora is left and so on. In terms of personality, they are also complete opposites. So, when Nora, who is a bit of a drama queen, or perhaps just highly strung, has a fight with her husband she disappears. Should Casey be concerned, or is this a repetition, as Nora has done it before?
Her husband seems stunned, or is it bemused? Should Casey be as concerned as she is? But Casey feels something is very wrong. She hires private investigator Hank Mercer, and Hank discovers that Nora’s been on the dark web—lured by an entity that calls itself Switzerland, promising to lead you to eternal bliss, for a hefty fee. Casey sets off in pursuit, posing as a guest, arriving at a luxury wellness retreat hidden in the Mexican jungle, but she begins to feel there is something else going, something far more sinister. Will either twin survive? I am not going to tell you, so very there. It’s a good read, you’ll enjoy the ride. Pre-order today for £0.99https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GH2BR3PQ/
Reviewed by Milly Adams: The Waterway Girls trilogy: here @ £5.97
In my novel, Where The Light is Hottest, Natasha Jones makes it as an actor. Going from small-town Scotland to big-time Hollywood. I was an actor for over fifteen years. I acted opposite Eddie Marsan in Junkhearts and performed on the West End in And Then They Came For Me. A play based on the life of holocaust survivor, Eva Schloss, who sadly passed away recently.
My own journey as an actor is similar to Natasha’s journey as we were both born in small towns in Scotland and moved to London to ‘make it.’ The difference is that I did not become a Hollywood superstar! You can read about why I put acting on the back burner here. I also worked as a director, casting director and producer. I still have a toe in the industry in general. Here are the essential things actors can learn from my true-to-life novel. If you want to know the truth about the film industry and acting then I recommend that you read it. It is available from Kindle Unlimited, paperback, ebook and from your local library.
Natasha’s persistence.
Natasha does not give up. That is what makes her successful. Most people who fail at acting do so because they quit. Especially as people get older and get sick of the erratic lifestyle. You lose 100% of the chances you do not take. The best way to become successful is not to quit. You can take time out, but get back to it.
Keeping her goal in mind.
Natasha focuses on the win. She knows what she wants and what she needs to do to get there. When you focus on a goal it stays in your mind. You work towards it without even knowing sometimes. Read the trades like The Stage, know what is being cast. Network.
Perfecting her RP accent.
You need to be able to do a good RP (received pronunciation) accent. You should also be able to do a good American accent. I was once at an audition and they saw I put that I was good at an Australian accent on my CV. I had never done one before, but I had to do it on the spot. Thankfully, I passed, but it is better to be prepared.
Putting herself out there.
You should be proud at your courage. To choose a creative life is brave. It can be a hard life and a lot of people would never put themselves out there. It is hard to be on stage and make yourself vulnerable. To go to auditions and face rejection again and again. Do it, and be proud. Putting yourself out there is the only way to become successful.
Making her own work.
Natasha starts a production company and starts making films with her friends. Even the best, and most successful, actors can be out of work for years. We live in a new world and making your own work on TikTok and Instagram can get you seen and make you money. YouTube is another great option. I made a comedy web series which a casting director saw and then they cast me in a few things. Acting has never been more democratic than it is now. It is not easy to make successful social media accounts, but it is possible. My socials are below if you want to follow me. I will follow you back.
Not forgetting to actually live.
Being an actor is all-consuming. It feels like if you step off the treadmill then you might miss an audition or a job. I certainly thought that and I put my life on hold too much. I remember I went skiing once and my agent called me when I was up a mountain. I seriously considered jumping on a plane home, after skiing down the mountain, of course. I am glad I saw sense and turned the job down. Life is for living. Life experience also makes you a better actor.
Be in no doubt that this is a very special occasion, as the London Philharmonic Orchestra is joining the London Philharmonic Choir and the Central Conservatory of Music Choir of China for Symphony Kūkai, a stirring work by composer Zou Ye.
Symphony Kūkai is a modern meditation on ancient eastern wisdom and is inspired by the odyssey of the 8th-century Japanese Master Kūkai, who journeyed across the sea to Tang-China to study esoteric Buddhism. Returning to Japan in the year 806, he brought back profound wisdom and knowledge, shaping the cultural foundation of the country. This is a story that embodies the shared wisdom of humanity, transcending nations, time, and language.
The symphony is an ambitious six-movement choral-symphonic work that tells the monumental story of Kūkai’s life. Shifting between quiet reflection and expansive grandeur, its vast choral forces perform lyrics written by Kūkai over a thousand years ago. Combining Western symphonic form with East Asian musical aesthetics, the work features unique Japanese and Chinese instruments.
This groundbreaking symphony marks a remarkable international collaboration: UK- and China-based choirs unite for a powerful expression of hope, compassion, and shared humanity. Shaped to inspire contemplation, the symphony invites listeners to reflect on their own search for meaning, Twelve centuries on, Kūkai’s wisdom feels strikingly modern to many. His words and practices are a reminder to audiences that we are all equal and capable of compassion and selflessness.
Although the story of Kūkai might not relate to everyone directly, it touches on themes we all understand, such as a search for meaning in one’s life.’ Symphony Kūkai is an ambitious 85 minute choral symphony, composed by Zou Ye (above) for large orchestral and choral forces, commemorating the life and vision of the revered cultural figure Master Kūkai.
In the late 8th century, the young Japanese scholar monk Kūkai travelled to Tang Dynasty China in search of knowledge and deeper understanding of spiritual practice. In a short yet profound apprenticeship, he was entrusted with the vast esoteric teachings grounded in compassion, illuminated presence, and the harmony of all things. When Kūkai returned to Japan in 806, he carried with him not only spiritual insights but also a vision for human wellbeing and creativity. He introduced new approaches to education, established Japan’s first public school for common people, advanced water management systems, and fostered the arts.
He is traditionally credited with the development of a phonetic script that transformed the way the Japanese language was written and widely accessible for centuries to come.
