New Posts
Paladyum: Turkish launch (Türkiye lansmanı)
“Paladyum”, a beautiful Turkish edition of my Istanbul thriller “Palladium”, will be published in October. Harika!
The Rage Farm: how AI could destroy humankind
Could AI destroy humankind? My new thriller “The Rage Farm” explores one way it might happen. Read an excerpt here.
Kushner and Witkoff in Moscow and Kyiv
President Trump’s envoys seem unlikely to bring about progress in their early-September talks in Moscow and Kyiv. I hope I’m 100% wrong. US negotiators Jared
Russian threats to the UK – and Andrei Klepach
My latest post on Russia-Ukraine concludes that Russian protests about UK arms supplies coincide with President Putin looking weaker than at any time since 2014. The case of Andrei Klepach is fascinating.
New Hotel Stories: “Sense of Arrival” and “Pomegranates”
New Hotel Stories “Sense of Arrival” and “Pomegranates” have arrived on Amazon. They are the 14th and 15th tales starring hotelier extraordinary Ms N and her beautiful but naive ally, Tatiana.
Amazon availability: Why my Istanbul thriller “Palladium” isn’t on Turkish Amazon – yet
Amazon availability of my Istanbul thriller “Palladium” is great – except in Türkiye. But – great news – a Turkish-language edition is coming in October.
Ukraine-Russia update
Ukraine-Russia: how is the situation evolving? How significant are Ukrainian successes and the conversion of US influencer Laura Loomer?
New Latin America travel podcasts
A new podcast on Costa Rica concludes a series of five looking at Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica. Ever wondered what you can
Istanbul thriller Palladium as new paperback – and hardback
My Istanbul thriller “Palladium” is available as a new, good-value paperback. There’s also, for the first time, a hardback.
Lessons in Diplomacy: Reviews
I was delighted recently to see a review of my book “Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties” in H-Diplo.
TALKS FROM “LESSONS IN DIPLOMACY”
Talks from a life in diplomacy: in what “lessons” are audiences most interested? What’s the best mix of entertainment and insight?
Tristan da Cunha and hantavirus
Tristan da Cunha is improbably remote, and life there is tough. Yet islanders have repeatedly preferred to live there rather than in the United Kingdom.
Strait of Hormuz: what next?
The Strait of Hormuz: thoughts on “Project Freedom”, its pausing, hints of an imminent deal to reopen the Strait, and what might happen next.
A writing course on Lesbos
I’m leading a writing course on the beautiful Greek island of Lesbos from 5-12 September 2026. A few places still available!
Who’s afraid of autocracy?
“Mr Nobody against Putin” and “The Wave” highlight the seductive danger of autocracy, and why we should never assume “it couldn’t happen here”.
Never by Ken Follett
“Never”, by master thriller-writer Ken Follett, starts slow but the last 20% is excellent as humanity careers towards self-annihilation. Plus: great Follett epigrams.
Classic thrillers and where to find them
We all long for a cracking thriller. But where to find them? Here are some classic thrillers, suggested by me and my friend Paul.
Writing style: a bizarre labyrinth
A clutch of ancient papers reveals complexity and charm in the writing style of a university administration. A model of clarity and humanity.
The Rosie Project
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a near-perfect, laugh-out-loud comedy. Yet few people in the UK seem to have heard of it.
Explore
Categories
Pages
Sign up for my weekly updates
…and receive a FREE short story!
I won’t pass on your details to third parties / unsubscribe whenever you wish