News and Reviews

Newsletter

MARCH - 2026

Hello Again

 I hope you are well and enjoying the first hints of Springtime. The signs are unmistakable - snowdrops, daffodils, green buds on shrubs and trees, warmer weather and the first outing of the year for my Tilley hat.

And just look at that sky!

After what seemed like a month's holiday in January, I had a fairly active February, with talks at the beginning and end. On the 9th I gave a talk on my latest book, The Moorstone, to the U3A group in Littleborough who provided me with my largest audience to date - around 130 people. They treated me very well and I had a great time. I had another good turnout on the 25th with over sixty people attending a talk arranged for me by the Holcombe Moor Heritage Group at Greenmount Cricket Club in Bury.. That was particularly appropriate, given that Holcombe Moor features prominently in the novel and Bury Police investigate the case. 

The format of the talk requires the audience to assume the role of the Bury CID team with me, as the Senior Investigating Officer, briefing them on the events surrounding the disappearance of a young woman, last seen on Holcombe Moor, just a few days before Christmas. The success of the talks so far - the two last month were the fifteenth and sixteenth - is as much to do with the audiences embracing their temporary assignments and asking questions, as it is to anything I do. 

March will be a bit different, because I'm back on the road again with more book signings of 

The Moorstone at T G Jones stores (formerly W H Smith), as follows:-

• Saturday 7 March In George Street, Altrincham

• Saturday 14 March in Toll Gavel, Beverley

• Saturday 21 March at the Trafford Centre, Manchester

All events start at 10.30 a.m. and will finish around 5.00 p.m.

If you're around at any of the above times at any of the above places, do call in for a chat at least and, who knows, perhaps a book as well.

The Christmas period was very good to me as far as sales were concerned. This was especially the case in and around the Greater Manchester area where the story is set. And as the plot happened around Christmas time as well, it made it a bit more attractive to crime fiction fans and also as presents for family members and friends.

Easter is a bit different as that type of synergy doesn't exist. So I have decided to meet the challenge of the season by going head-to-head with the traditional Easter gift and draw the favourable comparison between a book and a chocolate egg.

And i reckon the book wins hands down, as follows:-

A book....

• Is  fairly priced - you don't have to pay a premium for a posh branded one

• Is low in calories

• Is high in fibre

• Is portable - it will fit into a handbag, man-bag or even a large pocket

• Has no storage issues - perfectly safe near or on radiators

• Requires no careful repackaging after sampling a bit

• Can be left lying around without worrying that the dog will eat it.

And here's the real biggy

• A week after receiving it, you've still got it!

I rest my case. (Although we did once have a dog that attempted to eat a stone fireplace,)

So, now that I have convinced you, and if you can't get to any of the above events, then check out my website www.michaelknaggs.co.uk and I'll guarantee, whichever book or books you choose, I'll get them to you in time for Easter.

Before I sign off,, I'm delighted to say that I have been invited to participate in the annual Stretford Festival, the Stretfest, on Saturday 28 March, where I'll be giving a talk at Stretford Library between 4.30 and 6.00 p.m. It's just one of many events happening on that day. You can check it out online.

In the meantime, stay safe and well.

With best regards

Michael

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