About me
Hello, and thanks for visiting my blog.
My name is Leigh Turner, writer and ex-ambassador. I used to write under the name of Robert Pimm. You’ll find references to him in older posts on this site.
I started writing in 1986 when I was working at the British Embassy in Vienna. One night, my girlfriend was late for a date. While I waited, I had an idea that turned into my first novel. When worked at the British Embassy in Moscow 1992-95, someone told me to “write about what you know”. I wrote a thriller set in early 1990s Russia.
The first became my satirical thriller Eternal Life – my first book published under my own name, Leigh Turner. The second is “in the drawer” – not yet among my first four published books.
My next two books are my Istanbul thriller Palladium, due out with Immortal Works Press in May 2022; and my handbook The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy, due autumn 2022 or spring 2023. Again, both will be published under the name Leigh Turner, rather than Robert Pimm.
If you’d like to find out more about me, click on the “Read More” link below. Otherwise, “Books” or “New Posts” are good places to start. Happy reading!
Latest Articles
“Palladium” published – but how?
How a Russian banker’s murder in 1993 and the Gezi Park protests of 2013 led – via a gruelling path – to publication of my international thriller “Palladium” on 17 May 2022.
Will Elif Mutlu discover the mysterious “Palladium”?
As archaeology professor Elif Mutlu races against time to complete research at the site of Arzu Pasha’s smart new “Heart of Istanbul” mall, rumours swirl that Elif will discover the Palladium itself. An exclusive interview by Misty Anderson.
A beautiful new cover for “Seven Hotel Stories”
I am terrifically fond of Seven Hotel Stories. Other people like them, too. But readers have said they don’t like the cover.
Russian official statements: never confess; and lying is official policy
Russian statements about the war in Ukraine – or anything else under the present regime – obey key rules. First: never admit to anything. Second: lying to mislead your enemy, or your own people, is entirely legitimate.
PALLADIUM an Istanbul thriller – one month to go
Palladium, an Istanbul thriller, will be published on 17 May. What’s it all about?
Palladium begins like this:
The Janissary warrior, Yusuf Ali-Bey, had triumphed in countless battles. He had slain numberless foes.
He had never known horror such as this.
My readings in March and May 2022
I am delighted to announce three talks and readings on 28, 29 and 31 March in Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz; and three more in Vienna from 23-26 May. You can sign up now for four of the events.
Pleasure Pathways
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