Song of the Sea Maid, by Rebecca Mascull
I’m trying out a new format for reviews today, and I’m delighted that Rebecca Mascull, ace writer and fellow Prime Writer, has agreed to be my guinea pig. Rebecca’s gorgeous second novel, Song of the Sea Maid, came out in paperback last week. Set in the 18th century, it follows the fortunes of Dawnay Price as she evolves from destitute orphan to educated woman. Questions for the author: Who, What, Why, When, How? Who (is Song of the Sea Maid about, and who is it aimed at)? It’s about Dawnay Price, an C18th orphan who dreams of being a scientist. It’s a novel for adult readers. What (is Song of the Sea Maid about)? Dawnay becomes a scientist, travels abroad and makes a remarkable discovery… Why (did you want to write this...
Interview with Claire Fuller, author of Our Endless Numbered Days
Claire, great to welcome you onto the blog to celebrate the paperback publication of Our Endless Numbered Days! It’s been a great year for you, starting with the Observer’s list of debuts to watch and including the Desmond Elliot prize and being nominated for the Edinburgh Festival First Book Award. Is there one moment which stands out? Which did you least expect? What a difficult question! I don’t suppose I’m allowed to say having my book published at the end of February? Because of course it wasn’t exactly a surprise since the book was sold to Fig Tree/Penguin nineteen months prior to that. But the launch party for the publication, held at a wonderful independent bookshop near where I live called P&G Wells, was an amazing moment. So many...
The Butcher Bird, by S.D.Sykes
Thursday is publication day, and one of the books to be making its way into the world tomorrow will be The Butcher Bird, S.D.Sykes’ second novel about Oswald de Lacey, the hapless Lord of Somershill Manor. And to celebrate, I have a proper treat: read on to get a taste of the opening prologue, plus a Q&A with the author. You’re welcome! The threat of the Black Death has receded, but its toll on the village has left Oswald short-handed in the farms and fields, with those left clamouring for a better wage. Then rumours of a huge creature in the sky begin to spread, and the village begins to whisper of the Butcher Bird… Read on to see how the story begins: Prologue Somershill Manor, September 1351 It was the tail-end of the morning when...
Her Name Is Rose, by Christine Breen
I’m really thrilled to be chatting to Christine Breen today as part of the TripFiction and Book Connectors’ Around The World Blog Tour. Basically, the tour is a way of travelling the world by fiction, one country at a time. This month, we’re in Ireland, the setting for Christine’s beautiful book Her Name Is Rose. Christine is a fellow member of The Prime Writers, which is how I met her. An American, she lives in the fabulously named Kiltumper in the west of Ireland, in the cottage where her grandfather was born. (I can really relate to this: my grandmother came from Kerry, and I’ve felt a huge sense of connection whenever I’ve been there to visit). Her Name Is Rose opens in the X-ray department of a hospital as Iris has a...
Fudge That Grudge, by Beth Miller
September 10th. The 253rd day of the year. The day that the Empress Elisabeth of Austria was assassinated in 1898. The annual moment set aside to celebrate TV Dinner Day (oh yes!). This year, though, it’s special mainly because it’s publication day for Beth Miller’s new and wonderful novel The Good Neighbour, and I’m DELIGHTED to be hosting her blog tour stop. So set aside any plans you’ve made for National Swap Ideas Day and have a read of Beth’s contribution to my occasional series known fondly as Not The Guardian Family Section: ‘Your father…’ my mum would say, accusingly, as though it was my fault. That I had chosen my father badly. ‘Your father behaved like an absolute shit.’ My mum never recovered from my dad leaving...
The Good Neighbour, by Beth Miller
Minette has been having a tough time with her neighbours so, when they move out, she’s delighted to find that the new family are immediately warm and friendly. Minette pops round to welcome them, and Cath asks her who else lives in the street. Although she’s been there for about a year, Minette’s knowledge is limited: ‘We’re next to you, obviously, that’s me, Abe, and Tilly. Priya’s next to me, she’s really nice, Indian family with kids and her mother living with them. Then opposite, number 36, is Kirsten, who I know because she’s a cranial osteopath and she’s doing a few sessions with Tilly.’ ‘Wow, she has her own osteopath already, impressive.’ God’s sake, Minette, first...
The Penny Heart, by Martine Bailey
It’s a cold winter’s evening in 1787, and Michael Croxon is racing to make it onto the Manchester Flyer. His younger brother, Peter, has neglected to make sure he has the right coins for his fare, and there is no guarantee that the coachman will change his pound note. Privileged and comely as the Croxon brothers are, they are no match for the sharp eyes and swift hands of Mary Jebb, ready to change their money with a confidence trick she has used many times before. But she’s not quite fast enough. Michael gives chase and tracks her back to an icy backyard. Though Michael, as a respectable and righteous business man, may have the upper hand, Mary can see through to the depths of his desires, desires he would rather no-one would ever uncover. He...
Coming March 2020, click to pre-order on Amazon
I’m Reading
To The River, by Olivia Laing
