New Posts
Book promotion: “Palladium”
Book promotion: my recent visit to Istanbul was a textbook book tour backed by great promotion. I met many old friends and made some new ones.
In Istanbul: launching “Paladyum”
In Istanbul again. I’m delighted to be back in one of the greatest cities on earth to launch “Paladyum”, at 18.00 on 20 October at D&R Kanyon in Istanbul. All are welcome!
A good writing day: what is it?
A good writing day will look different for each author. But here’s one I had this week. What’s your experience of a good writing day – or a bad one?
Paladyum: Come to the 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.
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