New Posts
Terrorism: How to tackle it
Terrorism: you can’t stop it, despite rhetoric about a ‘war on terror’. But you can reduce its impact through training, training and training
Travis McGee, loner prototype
Travis McGee, the creation of US author John D MacDonald, is a superb prototype of a loner hero. Lee Child cites him as an inspiration for his solo tough guy, Jack Reacher.
Choosing a safari
Choosing a safari is something most of us are only ever likely to do once in a lifetime, if that. A few tips.
Phineas Finn: The Irish Member
You have to worship an author who wrote: ‘It has been the great fault of our politicians that they have all wanted to do something.’
Prigozhin: “Burnt by the Sun”
Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian mercenary leader, might have done well to watch, and learn from, the 1994 Russian film “Burnt by the Sun”.
The Tunnel Under the World
The Tunnel Under the World begins with the words: “On the morning of June 15th, Guy Burckhardt woke up screaming out of a dream.”
Christmas books: 5 options
Christmas books: I feel kind of embarrassed pointing you towards these 5 options. If you’ve already read all my books, skip to the bottom of
Ukraine Fatigue
Is the world suffering from “Ukraine fatigue”? It is, and it matters immensely. The security of all of us is at stake: wherever you live.
Deutsche Bahn: Germany in crisis?
Does the chaos at Deutsche Bahn – German railways – show Germany in crisis? What is happening to Europe’s largest economy?
Fighting Terrorism: What Terrorists Want
Fighting terrorism is about more than a tough response. In fact, the tougher your response, the happier the terrorists may be.
The Welsh Secret Service
I don’t usually reveal top secret information on this site. But here, exclusively, I want to talk about the Welsh Secret Service.
Great Expectations
“Great Expectations” is a stand-out Dickens: rich in wisdom, love and astonishing set pieces. It’s also full of great quotations – see here.
Full-time writing: 2 years on
What’s full-time writing like? What are the pitfalls? How do you make the most of it? Reflections from a newbie writer.
PALLADIUM ON AUDIBLE
My Istanbul thriller “Palladium” is on Audible. It’s a cracker! Contact me now if you’d like a free audio review copy while stocks last.
Can You Forgive Her?
Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope oozes sex and politics. It’s funny, moving and enlightening. Read it.
Mitch Rapp – Action Hero
Searching for a satisfying action hero? Look no further! Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp is an no-nonsense counter-terrorism special ops assassin.
Cocktails for women
Cocktails for women are a subject Ms N, heroine of the “Seven Hotel Stories”, holds dear. She also has views on how to deal with men who behave badly – in cocktail bars or elsewhere.
The Winter King – The Warlord Chronicles
The Winter King is a TV adaptation of The Warlord Chronicles, a trilogy by Bernard Cornwell. What are the books like? I devoured them.
Launching a book: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy”
Launching a book: how do you go about it? Here’s how I launched the German edition of my book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy”, in Austria, in April and May 2023.
Explore
Categories
- Biography (19)
- Existential/women (90)
- Fiction (88)
- Hotel stories (33)
- Novels (50)
- Blood Summit (23)
- Eternal Life (19)
- Palladium (10)
- Journalism (78)
- Leigh Turner (11)
- Lessons in Diplomacy (17)
- Miscellany (22)
- PG Wodehouse (24)
- Reviews (131)
- Russia/Ukraine (12)
- Writing tips (62)
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