In recent weeks, I have been breathing a little easier, having just finished a huge novel,  HONESTY’S DAUGHTER, which will be launched on September 7th. I was inspired in the writing of this book by Whitworth Hall, a manor house in County Durham which was the seat of the Shafto family of Bobby Shafto fame. One of the great pleasures in the writing of this book was the time I spent with local artist, Fi Horner, who was creating a series of paintings of the hall and its grounds as I was creating my novel. 

I'm too restless to kick back for too long, though. I am just embarking on a new novel which requires a lot of research about the art of the poisoner.  I have to tell you my husband, Bryan, is giving me strange looks and treating me very gently…

For very necessary relaxation, I have been reading Joanne Harris’ beautifully written HOLY FOOLS, which I can highly recommend, and DEAD ALONE,  a fast-paced, compelling thriller by Gay Longworth which has a wonderful police heroine, Jessie Driver, whose exploits I relished.

It’s a breathing-out summer. As well as my finishing the Big Book, my clever son had just got his degree, my clever daughter has just got a very plum job writing for the excellent RED magazine, and my house is just about to get a new bathroom with a state-of-the-art shower.  Can a woman expect more?