Books and Biscuits

I am pleasantly surprised to have finished - a first draft at least of 'The Leiston Riddle' well in advance of the publication date I have set at the end of the year. Yes it could do with a good editor - of course! Terry (Doggett's old pal from the sailing club) remains a key figure who will keep Jake (the girl in the caff's bf) grounded. While Jake starts unraveling the truth behind the murder, Terry’s warning will be the touchstone that keeps him from veering into reckless action or getting swallowed by the weight of the town’s expectations. Terry knows the town’s dark undercurrents, but he’s also deeply aware of the limitations of fighting against them. The question for Jake becomes: will he find a way to act on this knowledge, or will he be consumed by it? As for Maggie (the girl in the caff), knowing that the murder will be resolved by the police — and that she doesn’t need to involve herself further — allows her to focus on her own journey as well. The backdrop of...

‘Oh my GOD — why us!!!’ Shirley looked back towards the caff — only ten minutes ago they had been purchasing a take away drink as if they were care free holiday makers who had left the stresses and strains of working life well behind them. It was unmistakable though, the girl was staring straight back at her, standing at the plate windows which promised a delightful view of the unspoilt nature about from the cosy comfort of a well-run hostelry. Shirley forced herself to hold her gaze — was this really an attempt to intimidate her? Get back on your bikes — there was a small voice — not her own — she realised. She suddenly and instinctively reached to embrace Mike.  ‘Come on love, we need to get a little bit closer, maybe we are just imagining this — you know old age is starting to to play havoc with my eye sight too!’ Mike said nothing — but she felt him grip her hand tighter. ‘In for a penny in for a pound eh?!’ ‘Something like that. You know what, that girl in the caff is staring ...

Down near the power station - near the beach - was an old pub, not so amusingly named after a science fiction movie. Someone somewhere must have decided that there would be an above number of these sorts of aficionados hanging about after a mug of char at Sizewell Tea in need of something stronger than a lukewarm brew could provide. It was only a short hop to Leiston and the dreary wind-swept decay of a typical British seaside town which necessitated liquid refreshment especially after taking in the wonder of the imposing reactor staring sternly from the beach onto the grey North Sea.

Maggie and Jake are two teens who inadvertently become involved with a murder investigation headed up by DCI Mike Doggett. Unveiling Maggie’s connection to the gang (who orchestrated the murder) will open up several intriguing avenues for plot development. Here’s my strategy to explore this revelation in the chapters I am working on at the moment. It is a slow business – writing a novel – although I understand some dash them off. Lucky people! Maggie’s Backstory : I will begin by delving into Maggie’s backstory to explain how and why she became involved with the gang. This will include her motivations (financial need, emotional vulnerability, peer pressure, seeking protection – to name just a few examples) and the initial circumstances of her involvement. Internal Conflict : I will highlight Maggie’s internal struggle. She is regretful, fearful and even feeling a sense of loyalty to the gang at times. This conflict will drive her actions and decisions moving forward. Interaction with K...

I began writing crime fiction in the first instance using the name of Ellis Johnson (there is another L. S. Johnson out there, in California). This includes my ongoing DCI Doggett series – kicking off with ‘The Sizewell Murders’ (where a rotating cast of criminals, set in sleepy Suffolk, confront murder most foul against the backdrop of the construction of a new nuclear power facility in the area). I was initially approached by an alternative fiction fan who wanted to develop his publishing company (using my writing) and then branched into doing my own imprint, encouraged by the positive reception my first book received. As of December 2024 'Case Closed Monday' has sold well over a thousand copies, all digital, via Amazon. I consider myself a professional novelist. In ‘The Sizewell Murders’ I redefine the crime genre for the 21st century taking all the well-worn but much-loved tropes fans will recognise and giving them a new spin that update the time-honoured staples of the gen...

My advice as a writer to anyone who is finding the current situation unduly perplexing/perturbing would be:   Don’t alienate people.  Be humble: You may think YOU have something to say, but give all credit to the muse whatever ever or whoever you consider it to be!  Globalisation could be supposed to be a facet of internationalism, which was always much lauded by the left – I think Tony Blair once memorably proclaimed ‘We have failed to sell (communicate?) the benefits of globalisation.’ What I am trying to say is that globalisation is a recently coined word which describes a phenomena that anyone would be stumped to come to a consensus as to what exactly it is. I fear this proclamation sums it up and could very well explain the success (electorally anyway) of the current administration in The States, as when all is said and done most people need jobs. Very few people are fortunate to call their time their own.