New Posts
My 2026 writing course on Lesbos
I’m leading a writing course on the beautiful Greek island of Lesbos from 5-12 September 2026.
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”.
“Travels with My Aunt” – Aunt Augusta
Aunt Augusta, the heroine of “Travels with my Aunt”, is an amoral but passionate advocate of living life to the full – and a great role model.
Leigh Turner public talk, on-line, 18 November
Dear all, I am giving an illustrated public on-line talk to the Friends of Belsize Library on 18 November. Key details: Venue: Zoom – CLICK HERE Time:
How to do book readings
How to do book readings: it’s easier than you think! Check out examples of talks I gave in Salzburg and Graz in Austria, and elsewhere.
Book Gifts: the wonderful Heywood Hill
Want to give someone something special? UK firm Heywood Hill offers a brilliant book gift I’ve enjoyed this year. Hands up if you love Amazon!
Mr Smith Sees Red: “Hotel Story” No.11
“Mr Smith Sees Red” is the eleventh dark, feminist comedy tale in the “Hotel Stories” series. Like many of the stories, it is based on actual events.
How retirement feels
How retirement feels: writing full time may not be for everyone. But retirement can be a relief, as well as offering unexpected opportunities and challenges.
Problems caused by men: The “Hotel Stories”
Problems caused by men: The “Hotel Stories” see many of them solved, in ingenious and often entertaining ways. Find out how, here.
How books sell? “Blood Summit” sales surge
How books sell? A surge in sales of my Berlin thriller “Blood Summit” may reflect generous publicity from a top author
The Nameless Ones
The Nameless Ones: the 19th in Irish author John Connolly’s Charlie “Bird” Parker series is a rich, rewarding read with a satisfying climax.
FAKE ACCOUNTS by Lauren Oyler – worth a read
“Fake Accounts”, by Lauren Oyler, includes the following acknowledgement. “Special thanks to Dave Wingrave for being an essential reader and patient friend, even though I
The Machine Stops
The Machine Stops, by E M Forster, is a brilliant analysis of how humankind is going wrong right now – and was written in 1909.
The Zhivago Affair: how censorship worked in Soviet Russia
“How many men are able to go boldly, and uprightly, to the scaffold? Unfortunately, I do not belong to their number” – Sergei Nikiforov, English
Quotations from Orlando: still worth reading?
Quotations from “Orlando” show Virginia Woolf’s classic has not lost its power to shock and entertain, even as its language and content dates. What to
How to get published: introducing my Istanbul thriller PALLADIUM
How to get published: my Istanbul thriller PALLADIUM is a white knuckle ride to save a city from destruction. A publishing tale, too!
Middlemarch quotations
Here is a final collection of quotes from Middlemarch. I have divided them into five categories. These are: humour, existential questions, countryside; “unqualifiable”, and “the final words”. Enjoy.
Middlemarch characters
Middlemarch characters are a firework display whose colour and brilliance matches anything in Dickens. Let’s take a look.
Population crash: why it’s coming and why it’s good
A population crash will halve populations in many countries including China, Italy, Spain and Japan. Why this matters and why it’s a good thing
Making more of life
Making more of life: 4 tips on how to stay sane, have fun, thrive, and to make the most of your life. That includes taming your time online
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