Books and Biscuits

Recently someone recommended  'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'. When it came out a good friend suggested it and most likely I will now make time to read it. Another book that came up via FB caught my eye which is 'The Language of Blooming Things'. I even put an Oprah Winfrey pick in my eBay shopping basket - at a bargain price - 'The Emperor of Gladness' by Ocean Vuong. Most of these are hidden gems I think - possibly not the first - I think it was quite well received at the time and a lot of people know about it. The image is of Anna Sewell's house - or maybe it is somewhere she stayed in Great Yarmouth - I am quite fond of Great Yarmouth - it is fairly maligned but still has a lot to recommend it - easy to find your way around, lots of charming old houses in varying states of delapidation, completely unpretentious - 'bouji' is not a thing there in case you were wondering.

When I began planning 'The Leiston Riddle', one of the first decisions I made was about where the murder would take place. Not just any backdrop would do. I needed a setting with atmosphere, history, and the kind of quiet menace that makes a murder mystery truly unsettling. That’s when Suffolk called to me. Suffolk, with its windswept coastline, sprawling heathlands and close-knit villages, offers a unique blend of beauty and isolation. It’s a place where the mist hangs low over the fields in early morning, where narrow lanes twist through centuries-old parishes, and where everyone knows each other—or at least thinks they do. That kind of landscape creates the perfect breeding ground for secrets. There’s a certain timelessness in Suffolk. You can stand on the edge of a crumbling cliff or inside a church that’s stood since the Middle Ages and feel history pressing in. It makes you wonder: what stories have these walls heard? What might still be buried—both literally and metaphor...

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...