News and Reviews

Newsletter

AUGUST - 2026

Hello again

Isn't rain wonderful? I never realised how much I could love it until just recently. But I guess it's no joke, given the impact the successive heatwaves have had on farming,and the environment in general. And I find it  extremely painful to think of the devastating impact the wildfires, and even the drought, have had on the wildlife in the affected areas of  the UK and even more so across mainland Europe. If this is the new norm then it seems our lives, and our outlook, will need to change..

In spite of all the above, I had a very satisfying July. With the effective closure of T G Jones (formerly W H Smith) stores as outlets for my book signings, I have been pursuing other opportunities for raising the visibility of my books. Two that I've mentioned before - and big favourites of mine - are the Costa cafes in Tesco Supermarkets in Bury and Prestwich. In July I moved further north, to where the story of The Moorstone begins, in Helmshore, and the Costa cafe in the Tesco superstore there,This following a visit, the week before, to the Rawtenstall store just a mile or so further away. (Which gives me an excuse to include again below one of my favourite pictures. Well it's a good one of the book, anyway.)

 I had two great days with sales much higher than expected leaving me short of books for a signing on 1 August at Newbank Garden Centre  in Radcliffe, where for the first time ever I sold out my entire stock, and by three o'clock as well. And here's me again, this time at the garden centre with my new friend, Elaine, who bought the final book. Many thanks, Elaine, for being part of a sales record!

I have no further signings arranged for August as we are heading even further north on the 15th to visit my brother on the Isle of Skye, where it will be 100% certain that we shall be seeing rain again. Having said that, earlier this year, in May, we spent two weeks up there with sunshine every day. I think they have been paying for that ever since. Just a reminder from the July Newsletter of a picture sent to us by brother Geoff from his cottage on the north coast of the island, at the height of the heatwave south of Hadrian's Wall ...

With the caption 'Summer in the Hebrides'. At the time we were praying for rain down here but I guess you can have too much of a good thing!

September will be a lot buster and I'm really looking forward to giving a talk and doing a book signing over the Pennines in the lovely town of Beverley. And both on the same day.

In the meantime, stay safe and well.

With very best wishes

Michael

Recent NEWS AND Reviews

‘I really enjoyed reading this debut novel from Mike. I was captured immediately & found the book to have a thought-provoking theme. It kept me interested throughout, so much so that I spent a whole day around the pool on holiday with my head immersed in the book! (Only surfacing for a cool beer.) Now I am looking forward to a sequel...or there will be a riot!’ - Amazon Reviewer

'I've just finished your first book, Catalyst, and can't wait to get hold of the next book. Very difficult to put down. I'm an avid reader of murder mystery novels but found this one so different. The balance of story, dialogue and description is brilliant. Well done you for a super novel!' - Sheelagh Taaffe