News and Reviews

Newsletter

MAY - 2025

Hi there

I hope you are well.

I had a simply GREAT May! Which is partly the reason why this newsletter is a few days behind schedule.

Starting with the books, on the first of the month I did a talk to the book club at Radcliffe Library, which went really well, and my thanks to Zelda for inviting me along. Shortly afterwards, on Saturday 3 May, I was back at WHSmith in Altrincham for a book signing. A big thank you to Sarah and John for hosting the event and, as always, I spent a very enjoyable - and successful -  day meeting readers new and old (old as in 'existing', that is!)

Two further talks at Tottingham library on 8th and The Metro in Bury with the Bury U£A  on 13th were both well received. I seem to have hit upon a winning formula for telling people about the book by assuming the position of Senior Investigating Officer myself  and assigning the audience the role of  the CID team investigating the incident which starts the story. I've been so impressed and gratified by the way they have embraced that responsibility and pitched in with their questions and theories. (I'm sure Bury Police would love to have a CID team of 73 people, the size of the U3A audience }

 On Saturday 10 May I was interviewed by Tim Moore on Roche Valley Community Radio. That's the third interview with Tim over the past few years - each time at a different location. I always manage to find him though! Tim is great to talk to in that situation; he's really good at putting you completely at ease and I always enjoy the experience. One of my friends once commented that with my looks I was a natural for radio, as opposed to television. Well, I resent that; although I don't deny it!!

The second half of the month was spent on the beautiful Isle of Skye visiting my brother, who lives on the northern tip in Kilmaluag. The first week we had the best weather I can remember during the twenty or so years we've been going there. And, even accepting that wonderful scenery can never be fully appreciated by viewing holiday photographs, here goes anyway.

This is 'Carol-on-the-rocks' at the bay close to the cottage. Note the Skye sky.

The lower level peninsula is Rhuba Hunish, the most northerly point of the island; the hills on the horizon are on Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Check out the sky again.

Above left is the tower at the top of a hill in the centre of Portree, romantically called 'The Lump'

(that's the hill not the tower) . I'm not sure how old it is or what its original purpose was, other than to enhance the already spectacular viewing point. And the view itself over the harbour is much better without some old guy getting his head in the way with a rather clumsy selfie.

See what I mean!

One last Skye picture. 

When we arrived on the 17th May, this field next to the cottage was a uniform lush green. This was one week later covered by a carpet of buttercups and daisies. These are the flowers that we gardeners are so desperate to get rid of from our own green patches. Ironic really. 

We got back from Skye just a couple of days ago - hence the lateness of the newsletter.

Sandwiched between the book activity and the trip to Skye was a true highlight and a wonderful treat- my TRACTOR DRIVE. This was an 80th birthday present from our daughter, Hannah. I have always said that the best job I ever had - and I've had a few! - was driving a John Deere tractor during the summer months between the years of my degree course. I'm so grateful that Hannah was listening on at least one of the times I said it. On Friday 9 May we set off for Hill Top Farm, Masham, near Ripon in North Yorkshire and I had an hour at the wheel of a massive tractor, which was substantially different to the vehicle I drove nearly 60 years ago! It was simply MAGIC! The following images are compulsory viewing, 

After which time I did actually drive the thing and coupled and uncoupled a trailer. My trainer, when I asked him how I had done, said 'I've had worse' just when I expected him to say 'Absolutely brilliant'. Well, the experience was brilliant, anyway.

And there was more to follow. When we arrived at The White Bear in Masham for a pub lunch - part of my birthday present - this was the table awaiting us.

Actually, my birthday was last December, but what a lovely gesture by the pub. The food was great as well - and the Guiness (I wasn't driving, by the way)

So looking ahead to June, I've already met with a group at Haslingden Library. yesterday This was a bit intimidating in that the action in the book starts in that area, so the audience knew a lot more about local geography than I did. But they were very kind to me and we had a really enjoyable evening. Next up are three book signings:

Saturday, 7 June at Waterstones in Ormskirk

Saturday 14 June at WHSmith in York

Saturday 28 June at WHSmith in Bury

Sadly this will be my last signing at the store in Mill Gate, Bury, as it is in the process of closing down. I am really gutted for the staff and particularly the manager, Sharon, who has been with the store long before I started with my book signings there eleven years ago and who has given me so much support over that period. I have always regarded this as my 'home fixture;' and I send my sincere thanks to Sharon and wish her all the best for the future. So if you're around on Saturday 28 June, do stop by..

Congratulations if you have got this far reading the newsletter - my longest to date. Stay safe and well.

With best regards

Michael

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