FANTASY REVIEW: Shadow's Lure - Jon Sprunk

Release Date: US 21/06/11,
UK 21/07/11

SYNOPSIS:

Danger lurks in the unforgiving Northlands, and a sinister magic lurks in the shadows waiting for it's moment to strike. It's the worst place to be searching for something, even for an assassin with no loyalties and even fewer scruples ...In Othir, he was at the top of the food chain. An assassin beyond compare. A dark shadow in the night. But Caim left that life behind when he helped an empress claim her throne. And now his past has come calling again. Searching for the truth behind the murder and disappearance of his parents in the bitterly cold Northlands of his birth, Caim finds himself in a land in thrall to the Shadow. A wielder of the darkest kinds of blood magic imaginable holds his homeland in their iron fist, crushing all opposition beneath their tyrannous boot. Haunted by temptations from the Other Side, by turns in control of his magic and at the mercy of the Shadow, Caim becomes mired in a war he does not want to fight. But there are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some battles from which he can't run. If Caim is going to survive - and if he's to uncover the truth about his own magic and his parent's death - then he is going to have to fight. But will his strength and skill be enough? Can anyone resist the Shadow's Lure ...?


REVIEW:

Having enjoyed Jon’s first novel I really couldn’t wait to see what he’d do with a second outing in his fantastical world. What unfurled within is a tale that not only builds upon the success of the original but also allows the reader to become more involved with the principle hero as more of his dark past is revealed. It’s cleverly written, the characters pop from the page and above all else it’s the sense of fun and pace that really makes this a story worth the time of any fantasy reader. Whilst the original arrived to some mixed criticism, I’ve had an absolute blast and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a wonderfully woven story. Back that up with some decent prose, a twist of fate alongside some clever authorly magic and the reader really is in for something different which makes this also a great tale to help wean your reader from YA to full adult material.

NEWS: David Gemmell Legend Award Winners Announced

This past weekend saw the world of fantasy collide in London as luminaries from all aspects of the publishing industry mingled with fans at the prestigious Magic Circle in the West End to see some popularly newly crowned royalty at the third award ceremony for the David Gemmell Legend Award, named after the much missed genre author who passed in 2007.

Whilst not all the winners were in attendance, the evening’s event (hosted by Stan and Anne Nicholls) continued in the tradition of the previous years to help promote the best that the genre has to offer as well as reward the fans with the chance to meet and greet the authors and artists that they voted for in their thousands.

According to reports, emotions ran high and with sterling performances from James Barclay (who’s reading from Shield of Thunder kept the audience in rapture) was also greeted with cheers as well as humour during the auctioning of the lots this year organised by Gollancz’ Gillian Redfearn and a great time was had by all. Yet the key to the nights events were the big winners, those who’d won each of the three nomination categories.


For the Morning star Best Newcomer Award (presented by Juliet McKenna) the winner was Darius Hinks for his novel Warrior Priest (reviewed here) published by Black Library. On hearing of his nomination Darius said that it was “…an honour to even be nominated for the Morningstar award…”


Whereas the winner for the Ravenheart Award for Best Cover Artist (presented by Anne Sudworth) was taken by Icelandic Artist olof Erla Einarsdottir for the cover of Power and Majesty by Tansy Rayner Roberts published by Harper Collins Australia who was “… thrilled to be among the top in this incredible pool of talent.”





The final award of the night (and the most coveted, the Legend Award for Best Novel which was crafted by Simon Fearnhamm of Raven Armoury) was presented by last year’s winner Graham McNeill and went to Brandon Sanderson for his novel Way of Kings (reviewed here) who said that the award “… means a lot to me...” as it was fan nominated.

Congratulations to the winners and long may fantasy reign supreme.

CRIME REVIEW: The Dead of Summer - Mari Jungstedt

Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Mari Jungstedt's compelling series of novels featuring Inspector Anders Knutas continues to go from strength to strength with, The Dead of Summer , the fifth crime adventure set on the island of Gotland. Her trademark combination of rich characterisation, taut crime plots and the continuing unfolding drama of her series characters' lives add up to a mix that rivals Henning Mankell's Wallander series. The murder of a jogger on the beach at Faro is an opportunity for Anders Knutas' newly-appointed deputy, Karin Jacobsson, to prove her worth while her boss is on holiday. But when a second body is discovered, murdered in the same style, Jacobsson's investigations point to a horrifying conclusion.


REVIEW:

To be honest I’ve enjoyed Mari’s writing for a little while now and whilst she’s a little different to a lot of crime writers out there the plots are always tight, they have some decent twists and bring the whole thing together in the setting of Gotland, an area of Sweden where the natives are as tough as the landscape.

Add to this reasonable pace, police procedure that allows the tale to unfurl and whilst it isn’t outlandish reasoning, it does follow a pattern that I believe to be more of a typical police investigation than a lot of the other titles out there. Back that up with a high emotional charge between characters and it was a title that I enjoyed purely for the fact that it was different to a great many other books out there.

CUISINE REVIEW: Food Britannia - Andrew Webb

Release Date: 01/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

British food has not traditionally been regarded as one of the world's great cuisines, and yet Stilton cheese, Scottish raspberries, Goosnargh duck and Welsh lamb are internationally renowned and celebrated. And then there are all those dishes and recipes that inspire passionate loyalty among the initiated: Whitby lemon buns and banoffi pie, for example; pan haggerty and Henderson's relish. All are as integral a part of the country's landscape as green fields, rolling hills and rocky coastline. In Food Britannia , Andrew Webb travels the country to bring together a treasury of regional dishes, traditional recipes, outstanding ingredients and heroic local producers. He investigates the history of saffron farming in the UK, tastes the first whisky to be produced in Wales for one hundred years, and tracks down the New Forest's foremost expert on wild mushrooms. And along the way, he uncovers some historical surprises about our national cuisine. Did you know, for example, that the method for making clotted cream, that stalwart of the cream tea, was probably introduced from the Middle East? Or that our very own fish and chips may have started life as a Jewish-Portuguese dish? Or that Alfred Bird invented his famous custard powder because his wife couldn't eat eggs? The result is a rich and kaleidoscopic survey of a remarkably vibrant food scene, steeped in history but full of fresh ideas for the future: proof, if proof were needed, that British food has come of age.


REVIEW:

Whilst I’m just an amateur cook, I do love to hear about regional delicacies and where to get the best to try. As such whilst some have been on my scope for a while (such as Mr Fitzpatrick’s Cordials in Rawtenstall) some I’d never heard of such as the Manchester Sausage.

As such to have a title that details some special treats to look out for when I’m out generates something a little special for your own culinary pursuits. After all finding that something special not only increases the options you have at your own meal times but also allows you to discover a few thing that you never know about (or are regional secrets) prior to reading this title.

All in this book was a wonder and I’ve more than got a few things that I want to try and with friends visiting from other area’s I know what to ask them to bring for me to utilise which makes this, whilst not a book of recipes, one that brings the joy of quality products that are lovingly prepared that aren’t available in the supermarket which not only keeps local business alive but tradition as well. Great stuff from Andrew Webb and a title that I’ll have to guard as I already know one or two who are eyeing it up for “borrowing” on a permanent basis.

FANTASY REVIEW: Destiny's Star - Beth Vaughan

Release Date: 09/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

Bethral is a mercenary, wise in the ways of weaponry and warfare, but not so good when it comes to dealing with people. Ezren is a quick-witted storyteller, a weaver of mesmerising tales - and more, for the rarest magic, wild magic, runs through his body. But wild magic is rogue, uncontrollable and deadly, and if Ezren is to survive, he will have to rid himself of it, or learn to wield it. And the unlikely couple find they have other, equally pressing concerns, for the portal that wrenched them from their home has dropped them in the middle of the Plains, leaving Bethral badly injured. And not only are the people of the Plains warriors, with their own code of honour and their own rules of pleasure and partnership; they are also in the middle of a civil war. To stay alive, Bethral and Ezren must learn new customs, confront their enemies, and conceal Ezren's fiery power . . . for the wild magic in Ezren is also of the Plains. And when they find that out, they will want it back - even if they have to kill Ezren to do so.


REVIEW:

Having loved Red Gloves by Beth I really had been looking forward to this title. As with the former the lead characters stand out, there’s an epic battle and the emotional journey is just as gripping as the physical as the tales two lead characters take the reader back to familiar territory in this no holds barred story.

As usual with Beth, in addition to strong characterisation, the plotline is fast paced, the battle sequences gripping and when backed with a colourful turn of phrase alongside solid storyline, the reader is kept up in the maelstrom from start to finish.

All in a satisfactory title to enjoy and whilst I haven’t yet had the pleasure of Warprize, I think it’s going to be a title I’m going to have to obtain and devour when time allows. Thanks for a great read.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Black Swan Rising - Lee Carroll

Release Date: 12/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Jeweller Garet James isn't the same as everyone else. She just doesn't know it yet. With her fair share of problems - money (lack of), an elderly father, a struggling business - Garet should be just like any other young, feisty, single New Yorker. If only it was that simple...It begins with the old silver box that had been soldered shut. All Garet has to do is open it. A favour for the frail owner of the antiques shop. Who wouldn't help? Only it's then that things start to change. Garet doesn't notice at first, the shifts barely perceptible. But the city in which she grew up is beginning to reveal a long-hidden side - darker, and altogether more dangerous: parallel world of chaos, smoke and blood. And now it's out of the box...and it has no intention of going back in.


REVIEW:

To be honest I put off reading this title as I was a little apprehensive as to what to expect from this new author. What actually unfurled was a huge epic urban fantasy tale that has dug into the surface of an unknown world, blended it with modern interpretations and also added more than a handful of characters that the reader will come to love. Each is clearly lovingly created, each has their own role to play and when added to the huge overall arc scheme within, creates something pretty unique and special.

Add to this a great turn of pace, some wonderful dialogue and a lead characters that readers will not only associate with but also explore the unknown with and its clearly a title that is special. Finally whilst some of the training feels a little like an 80’s montage, it is well thought out and clearly defined which makes this, the first in a multipart series definitely one to enjoy.

WRITING ADVICE: The Novel Writers Toolkit - Ed. Caroline Taggart

Release Date: 26/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Novel writing is a popular hobby and this book will provide the would-be and starter novelist with all the tools needed to get started. This title includes a thorough grounding in essential fiction writing skills and clear guidance on how to get published from top industry names.

It provides a complete glossary of terms and listing of all publishing contacts needed by an author, from book publishers and agents to festivals and online links. It includes tremendous resource of instruction and information that will prove invaluable to the armies of would-be and practising novel writers.


REVIEW:

The creation of a novel is something that many of us would love to do. Yet where do you start as there’s so many different methods out here and not everyone will work for you. What this title does is take you by the hand and introduce you to the basics from getting down and persevering with your script right the way through to the later stages such as submitting and who to submit too. Whilst in some respects it a more slim line version of the Writer’s Digest Writers Market it does offer some solid advice that works extremely well for the UK market.

All in a decent book that will help you more in the later stages rather than the early ones but the motivation is there to help get you started in the first place. Decent enough although I’d say that this title is more a companion to another title such as Writing the Paranormal Romance (or a title specific to the genre you wish to write in) rather than a pure standalone.

HISTORICAL CRIME REVIEW: Mist Over Pendle - Robert Neill

Release Date: 31/03/11

SYNOPSIS:

Seventeenth century England is a place of superstition and fear.

Deep in the Forest of Pendle, people have been dying in mysterious circumstances. The locals whisper of witchcraft, but Squire Roger Nowell, in charge of investigating the deaths, dismisses the claims as ridiculous. Until a series of hideous desecrations forces Roger and his cousin Margery to look further into the rumours. And what they discover brings them face to face with the horrifying possibility that a coven of witches is assembling, preparing to unleash a campaign of evil and destruction...

Robert Neill’s novel is a classic tale of witchcraft set in a wild inaccessible corner of Lancashire and in a time when the ancient fear of demons and witches was still a part of life… and death.


REVIEW:

Living in the county to which this title is set, I was looking forward to see how the author would adapt and bring the 17th Century to life for the reader. It’s beautifully done, the landscape speaks and above all else the authors prose as well as pace leads the reader to a time of Witches and superstitions without fail.

Add to this a touch of archaic language through the dialogue and it’s wonderfully refreshing. The characters are outstanding; they feel real and as such allow the reader to find faults as well as boons within to allow them to connect. Back this up with great understanding as to the situations alongside a masterful story arc within and it’s a wonderful title. All in, it’s a story that will intrigue, it’s a title that will enthral and if you happen to have access to the wonderful Spooks Young Adult series by Joseph Delaney it’s one that will feel all too familiar. Cracking.

CUISINE REVIEW: Orient Express - Silvana Rowe

Release Date: 12/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Orient Express is for busy cooks who want a touch of the light, beautiful cuisine of the eastern Mediterranean. Following her acclaimed Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume , Silvena Rowe turns her focus to the delicious small dishes that you would find in the bustling street markets of Damascus or Istanbul - koftes, falafels and pilafs - as well as delicious puddings such as vanilla baklava, and chocolate and pistachio mousse. In this treasure trove of a book she presents 100 light, enticing new recipes, perfectly balanced for mezze-style summer meals. This is a cuisine both for celebrating and sharing: Ottoman-inspired food, based around stunning combinations of sweet and sour - honey and cinnamon, saffron and sumac - and given a brilliant modern twist by one of the most exciting chefs working in Britain today. Silvena Rowe has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the foods and culinary traditions of the eastern Mediteranean. Her cooking is light and the presentation of her dishes is elegant and sophisticated, while the flavours are powerful and the textures balanced. Her enthusiasm for the food of her heritage is evident on every page.


REVIEW:

Whilst most people would automatically think that this title is a quick and easy way to create Asian dishes, it’s not. It brings the flavour and culture of the eastern Mediterranean to the palette of the western world and whilst some of the dishes may seem quite exotic they have a wonderful taste sensation all of their own.

Taking influences from as far afield as North-Eastern Africa as well as Turkey, it has something for all palettes. It’s accomplished, it’s easy to follow and above all else it will give you a set of flavours that are not matched anywhere else in the world where savoury dishes vie against the sweetness of some of the ingredients. Its creative, it will give you something special for a dinner party and with a quick turn around on their creation, can be something that will wow a surprise party that very few will have experienced before.

FACTUAL REVIEW: Crooked Talk - Jonathan Green

Release Date: 25/03/11

SYNOPSIS:

The language of crime has a long and venerable history - in fact, the first dictionary of words specifically used by criminals, Hye-Way to the Spittel House, dates from as early as 1531. Jonathon Green is our national expert on slang, and in Crooked Talk he looks at five hundred years of crooks and conmen, from the hedge-creepers and counterfeit cranks of the sixteenth century to the blaggers and burners of the twenty-first. Not to mention a substantial detour behind bars into the world of prisons, and, of course, the swag, the hideouts, the getaway vehicles and allied 'tools of the trade' - not forgetting the cops, peelers, fly cops and all other varieties of the boys in blue. Arranged thematically, the book shows where particular words came from, how they have evolved and why they mean what they do. If you have ever wondered when the police were first referred to as pigs (the eighteenth century), why prison guards became known as redraws ('warder' backwards), or what precisely the subtle art of dipology involves (pickpocketing), then this book has all the answers.


REVIEW:

From what I know of a lot of fantasy readers, many have a secret yearn to be a writer (I know I do) and whilst my own efforts are more for personal pleasure than to ever see the light of day, I’m always looking for something a little different that can help add not only authenticity but also add a unique cast upon the characters. Whilst this usually requires a great deal of research there are occasional titles that not only jump out but also are books that are pretty hard to put down. Such is the case with this title by Jonathan Green which whilst aimed more as a factual curiosity for the coffee table is one that’s going to be utilised time and again by myself.

Split into helpful chapters, I can easily flick through and locate thief parlances that will add a flavour of something dangerous as well as believable to the characters and once you have your timeline to hand (roughly the time period to which the technology has advanced within your writing) you can pick up some cracking phrases to utilise that add another flavour to your work. Add to this a wonderfully fascinating look at a section of humanity, answers to curious questions (for example I always thought a Grass was a shortened version of snake in the grass, however it actually comes from 1920’s Rhyming Slang for Grasshopper meaning shopper) and all in it’s a cracking title that you really can’t pass by.

INTERVIEW: Elspeth Cooper

Here at Falcata Times, we just love the chance to try a new author, so when this title from Gollancz landed we jumped straight in. We were so impressed with this debut (Songs of the Earth also reviewed here) that we couldn’t wait to interview Elspeth and discovered a few things of interest.

Presented here, for the first time is our chat where some of the revelations included bribery by muffin, paw print covered manuscripts alongside a penchant for dark chocolate…


Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Elspeth Cooper: As far as I'm concerned, this statement is absolutely true. It is a compulsion, but it's one I rather enjoy. If I don't write when I want to I get twitchy and restless, as if I'd rather be somewhere else. I carry a notebook and pens (plural - in case the first one runs out) around with me whenever I leave the house.

Those times in my life where I wasn't actually committing words to paper for whatever reason, ill health or what have you, stories were still unfolding in my head, characters were still talking to me. I get no peace from them, the bastards.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

EC: It never occurred to me to be anything else. I have revelled in writing since I was old enough to be given homework assignments like "What I Did on My Holidays" - my stories would be seven or eight pages long, when my classmates were struggling to manage a page and a half. Not because I was making stuff up, I just had to "tell the story" if you know what I mean. Set the scene. Take the reader on an adventure.

If I had to pin it down to an age, I'd say it was probably about 14, when I made my first attempts at novel-length fiction.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

EC: Short stories are great for teaching you to write tightly, with not a wasted word. In many ways, they're harder than writing a novel - less room to move. Every writer should try them, if only as an exercise to learn that discipline. But becoming proficient at short fiction does not guarantee that you can sustain a story over 100,000 words or more, managing multiple POVS or story arcs, keeping up the pace and tension or developing characters over time.

Having said that, I can't write short stories to save my life - I am not comfortable painting intricate miniatures; I'm more the Rolf Harris type, working on twelve-foot canvases with a 6" brush. The one and only short story competition I won had a word-limit of 10k and by crikey I used every one of them. No surprise I ended up writing epic fantasy, then.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

EC: I'd offer them home-made muffins - or if bribery failed, threaten them with my walking stick. Not that it would fail, mind; I bake exceedingly good muffins.

Seriously? I'm not sure. I believe very strongly in my abilities, I'm just not particularly good at selling myself. I'd probably lurk round the 3 for 2 table at Waterstones and say "Looking for a third book to go with those two? Try this; what have you got to lose?"


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

EC: "100% organic fantasy adventure, guaranteed free from artificial ingredients, magical jewellery and elves." That line got me an agent.


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

EC: Joe Abercrombie and Pat Rothfuss, no question. I've not had time to read much lately, but The Name of the Wind kept me occupied during a miserable week in hospital last September (acute pancreatitis - not recommended) and I couldn't put it down. I want to write like Pat when I grow up.

I'm currently reading The First Law for the fourth? fifth? time in preparation for sinking my teeth into The Heroes and I haven't tired of it yet.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

EC: I am a very organic, free-range sort of a writer. I abhor detailed planning, and the idea of sitting down and writing profiles kills the character stone-dead for me. Planning to the nth degree, with charts and timelines and chapter summaries on 3x5 index cards pinned to the wall is my idea of purgatory.

I generally have a rough idea of beginning and end and a few high points to hit along the way, but how I'm going to get there is a function of where the characters take me. Think of an old-fashioned stage conjurer inviting you to pull his handkerchief from his pocket. Out it comes, and there's another one tied to it, and that leads to another, and another . . . That's usually the way stories develop for me, scene by scene, or chapter by chapter.

Sometimes as the book evolves I realise I have to go back a bit and fill in a missing scene or two, or move stuff around, but I do it all on feel and gut instinct. Possibly not the most efficient way to go about things, but I'm comfortable with it. And it seems to be working so far.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

EC: To relax I like to read, watch movies, go for a soak in the bath. I love being outside - summer mornings before the rest of the world wakes up are just priceless.

Recent reading: apart from the aforementioned The First Law trilogy, Best Served Cold was the last book I read. I have had zero time lately for anything but writing, editing, proofing and stressing. My to-be-read pile is downright intimidating.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

EC: If you're expecting me to say American daytime soaps or trashy romance novels, or something of that nature, I'm going to have to disappoint you. Anyone who knows me knows I like indulgent bath products, expensive bedlinen and really good dark chocolate. Anything more secret than that is between me and my husband ;o)


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

EC: Cats, what else? I currently have a tabby and white brother and sister that we adopted from the local animal shelter last February. Their previous owners had named them Tigger and Tinkerbell (and yes, I stand at the door and shout for them using those names - I have no shame). Tigger is a muscular, neckless chap with a wake-the-dead purr when he feels like being affectionate, and his sister is an attention-seeking, squeaky-voiced ball of fluff.

They're too new to have made an appearance in any of my books, although madam's paw-prints are all over the page proofs . . .


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

EC: In SONGS, Aysha was huge fun to write. She's sexy and up-front - the kind of woman who'll come right out and say what others dare only think - but complex under the surface. It's very hard to pick favourites. It's like asking a mother which of her kids she likes best.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

EC: Physically, not at all - Gair's 6 foot 5 of prime bloke, and I'm, well, not. Although I do own a longsword.

Emotionally, we both love horses, are content in our own company or reading a book, and both love being outside in the high, wild places of the world. Mountains, moorland, coasts, cliffs, that sort of thing. In terms of temperament, his introspection, his honour, his absolute sense of right and wrong, came from my husband.


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

EC: I love cooking, reading (obviously), watching movies - I often write with a big epic movie on the TV, volume turned right down low or switched to soundtrack-only. That's great for working through a sticky patch, or getting a scene that just doesn't want to come, or for getting into the mood for a big set-piece battle, say. I used to enjoy gardening and cross-stitch, but my MS has rather put paid to those. I fatigue really easily, and have lost some sensitivity in my fingertips that makes handling needles and thread difficult.

Oh, and I loved going pillion on my husband's motorbike. That was close to how I imagine flying feels.


FT: Where do you get your idea's from?

EC: Everywhere. Ideas spring into my head based on things I've read or seen on TV, a song lyric, an overheard conversation on the bus, something that's happened to me. It's all grist to the mill. For instance, I came up with the idea of the Song whilst standing on the patio with a cup of tea early one summer morning. The sun was only just up and there was still dew on all the plants. Everything was so quiet and still, I swear I could hear the garden growing, and there was the Song, right there, fully-formed.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

EC: For me, there's no such thing - I think it only exists if you believe in it, sort of like the monster under the bed. I get sticky patches, days when the words just won't come, and I usually find that changing my writing environment does the trick. I go downstairs with the laptop and put a DVD on, like The Last Samurai or Gladiator. Or I sit on the patio in the sunshine with my mp3 player and noise-cancelling headphones, or go back to paper and pen.

If all else fails, I put the writing away and do something else like read a book, anything to stop thinking about it. It's amazing how often the solution comes to me in the shower the next morning.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

EC: Guilty as charged, m'lud, especially when I still had a full-time job. I wrote the opening of SONGS at oh-my-god-o'clock - I actually wrote through the night for a week solid, because I was going through some personal problems at the time and that was how I dealt with it. Writing as therapy. Like I said, it's all grist to the mill.

Now that writing is my full-time job, I find I'm most productive in the afternoon and evening, so I do emails, social networking, household chores etc in the a.m. and start churning out the words after lunch. Of course, sometimes the story has its own ideas and I'm at my desk at sparrowfart . . . My energy levels being what they are, it's best to catch the tide when it's running and make the most of it.

As for the other people in the house, there's only my other half, and he could sleep through a hurricane so it's not a problem. He encourages me to write whenever I feel the urge, and not to think about the clock. I tend to keep more civilised hours these days, though, as I need my kip.


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

EC: I don't have a specific soundtrack. Some days I prefer silence, other days I just set the mp3 player to random. Sometimes I need specific music to set the mood for a scene - the Gladiator score for a battle, or the Kingdom of Heaven soundtrack, or classical pieces like the Concierto de Aranjuez. I'm really into Tudor choral music at the minute - Tallis, Byrd, Palestrina etc.


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

EC: Very few, actually. I'd been a long-time subscriber to Writers' News & Writing Magazine, so I was probably more clued-up than the average novice writer, though I hadn't realised just how arcane publishing contracts were until I saw one in the flesh!


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

EC: Writing is the food of the soul, for me, anyway. Creating a whole other world, peopled with individuals who live and breathe and feel utterly real, is satisfying at such a fundamental level I can think of no other way to describe it. Actually, anything truly creative has a similar effect: planting my garden, building the pond and seeing it thrive, laying out the patio . . . it's dirty, sweaty, hard work but at the end you have something to be proud of that will pretty much outlive you.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

EC: The next one to be published will be TRINITY MOON, the sequel to SONGS OF THE EARTH. The scope of the story broadens, and Gair finds his personal trials have to be set against a much bigger picture. He's got to go south, into Gimrael, which is a pretty dangerous place to be a northerner with all the religious tension just coming to the boil. Unfortunately, nothing goes to plan. Meanwhile, in the far north, events are unfolding which mean the Empire is teetering on the brink of war and it doesn't even know it yet.

In many ways it's deeper and darker, more complex than SONGS. There's new characters, more is revealed about the Empire's history and the scope of the disaster that faces it, and every triumph, however small, is marred by tragedy: physically, emotionally, spiritually. Da-da-DAAAAH!


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

EC: Umm: Google, IMDB.com, Twitter.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Sainsburys to do my grocery shopping. Incredibly boring, eh?


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

EC: Does A Level Eng Lit count? I never took creative writing classes, but I did earn a place on a Northern Arts writers' retreat thingy in the Lake District when I was a teenager. And I bought (and laughed like a drain at) How Not To Write A Novel. As I mentioned up there somewhere I have a subscription to Writers' News & Writing Magazine and I was a heroic reader before my publishing contract, so I guess I learned most of my craft by osmosis. Either that or I'm unspeakably gifted ;o)


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

EC: You'll hate me for this, but I've never really suffered any rejection. The first agent to read my opening chapters said "Well written, but my list is full." The second one requested the full ms and signed me up within 48 hours of receiving it. The six others I'd submitted to all rejected me, but by then it was too late, too late, I tell ya, muahahahaha etc. Ahem.

As for criticism, as a member of a couple of writers' sites (YouWriteOn and Authonomy - where I still pop up from time to time) I came across a few people who really didn't like what I wrote, but nobody actually came out and said it was crap. Even if they had, I'm a big girl: if there's something in what they say that I can learn from, great.

Ask me again when the reviews come in for SONGS.


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

EC: Best: I no longer have to leave the house at 7am, commute 2 hours, work a full day, then commute two hours home, five days a week. I can sit outside in the garden on a nice day, or listen to music if I feel like it. And if I want to go to work in my jim-jams, I can.

Worst: I'm happy in my own company, but sometimes I do get a bit lonely, or the cat annoys me with her demands for attention (she sits on what I'm trying to read, or parks herself between me and the keyboard) or I long for human conversation - when that happens I usually ring my mum for a moan. Facebook and Twitter can be dreadful time-sucks too.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Wild Hunt Trilogy 1: Songs of the Earth - Elspeth Cooper

Release Date: 16/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

Gair is under a death sentence. He can hear music - music with power - and in the Holy City that means only one thing: he's a witch, and he's going to be burnt at the stake. Even if he could escape, the Church Knights and their witchfinder would be hot on his heels while his burgeoning power threatesn to tear him apart from within. There is no hope . . . none, but a secretive order, themselves persecuted almost to destruction. If Gair can escape, if he can master his own growing, dangerous abilities, if he can find the Guardians of the Veil, then maybe he will be safe. Or maybe he'll discover that his fight has only just begun. SONGS OF THE EARTH is the most compelling debut fantasy novel since Patrick Rothfuss first hit the shelves four years ago, with the stunning THE NAME OF THE WIND. Combining superb characterisation with an epic story, it is beautifully told and engaging from the very first word.


REVIEW:

As usual with a new author I read the book back to see what tempts me, obviously the more tempted I am the faster it accelerates up the reading pile. What instantly struck me about this title was the beautiful cover art which when backed with a more than intriguing synopsis really meant that I couldn’t put it down.

Within this title are so many good things that whilst individually would be wonderful when blended create a greater whole that transcends the individual flavours. As it is with baking, so it is with writing. Elspeth’s first major achievement within this title was the world creation, it is pretty huge, has a great background and of course a history that whilst unfamiliar to the reader does strike chords within the readers imagination. Back that up with some great characters that are fully rounded with flaws alongside strengths that endear them to the reader from Gair’s innocence through to his magical affinity, from Aysha’s emotional disability fighting against her ability to love. It’s deep, it contains a lot of hooks and each of the characters speaks to the reader in different ways.

Add to this a story that will keep you enchanted from start to finish, great pace as fast paced action vies against emotional lulls and when added to a whole host of villains, a deeper evil lurking beneath the surface makes this a series to get into now before hype hits.

Finally, and this is just something we wanted to add as an extra the last time we felt this strongly it was over Patrick Rothfuss’ Name of the Wind so get in now, enjoy a wonderful tapestry of fantasy and get to know an author who I suspect will be one of the names for the new decade as she blends the strengths of Erikson and Jordan with the accessible writing style of Gemmell, Eddings and Hobb.

NEWS: David Gemmell Legend Award Auction Lots

Hail Mighty Readers,
The David Gemmell Legend Award has let us know about some of thier very tasty auction items that you can prebid on before the award night. The lots so far are:

1) A one-to-one workshop, on your manuscript, with Jo Fletcher, the exceptional editor and publisher! Kindly donated by Jo Fletcher. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless

2) A stunning signed, framed Edward Miller print of THE EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGE OF JULES VERNE, measuring 31 x 24 inches. Kindly donated by Les Edwards. Bids start at £20. Retail price: £150

3) An exclusive Orbit Books bag filled with the complete DRESDEN FILES series of thirteen books by Jim Butcher. Kindly donated by Orbit Books. Bids start at £20. Retail price: £120

4) A cameo in Scott Lynch’s forthcoming novel THE THORN OF EMBERLAIN. Escape a horrible death by the narrowest of margins! Kindly donated by Scott Lynch. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless!

5) A bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne and two LEGEND AWARD champagne glasses. Kindly donated by Gollancz. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless!

6) Two tickets to the GOLLANCZ 50TH PARTY – the genre publishing event of the year. Invitees include famous genre authors, agents and editors. Kindly donated by Gollancz. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless!

7) A gold chalet (for 6 people!) at the SFX Weekender, taking place in Prestatyn from 2nd-5th February 2012! Kindly donated by SFX. Bids start at £20. Retail price: £690

8) A one-of-a kind print of THE ROGUE cover, framed and signed by Trudi Canavan. Kindly donated by Orbit Books. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless!

9) The DGLA ‘lawn sign’. Signed by every author, artist and genre big-wig who attends the award ceremony! The perfect momento of a perfect award ceremony. Kindly donated by the DGLA. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless!

10) An exclusive, framed, signed pencil sketch original of DRUSS THE LEGEND by Didier Graffet. Kindly donated by Didier Graffet. Bids start at £20. Retail price: priceless

If interested mail Christine with your maximum bid at:

christineharrison_007@hotmail.com

Online bidding closes at 6pm on Thursday 16th June 2011. So get in quick.

CRIME REVIEW: Jan Fabel 6: A Fear of Dark Water - Craig Russell

Release Date: 10/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

Just as a major environmental summit is about to start in Hamburg, a massive storm hits the city. When the flood waters recede, a headless torso is found washed up. Initially, Jan Fabel of the Murder Commission fears it may be another victim of a serial rapist and murderer who stalks his victims through internet social network sites, then dumps their bodies in waterways around the city. But the truth of the situation is far more complex and even more sinister. Fabel's investigations lead him to a secretive environmental Doomsday cult called 'Pharos', the brainchild of a reclusive, crippled billionaire, Dominik Korn. Fabel's skills as a policeman are tested to their utmost as he finds himself drawn into an unfamiliar, high tech world of cyberspace, where anyone can be anybody or anything they want. And he quickly realises that he is no longer the hunter, but the hunted.


REVIEW:

I love a crime novel that takes me on an adventure that misguides as well as surprises me throughout. What Craig brings to the mix is a title that does all that but also throws in an unusual element to fascinate as well as confuse the reader. Add to this great writing, solid prose and a cracking pace which when wrapped with a mystery that keeps the reader guessing for the majority of the book and the reader will have a blast. Whilst this is the 6th Jan Fabel novel, all can be read as a standalone like the others and is trust me, once started you’ll be hooked.

All in, this is a great read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed, prepare for a late night, prepare for an adventure and prepare for a number of surprises that you won’t see coming which makes Craig a real mystery writer whose machinations create a cog turning world within the reader’s imagination.

FANTASY REVIEW: The Green Rider 1-3: The Green Rider, First Riders Call, The Tomb of the High King - Kristen Britain

Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Karigan G'ladheon always seemed to be getting into a fight, and today was no exception. But as she trudged through the forest, using her long walk home to contemplate her depressing future - and the expulsion it was bound to hold - a horse burst through the woodland and charged straight for her. The rider was slumped over his mount's neck with two arrows embedded in his back. Wherever his horse was taking him, he would be dead before they got there. There's nothing Karigan can do, as the young man lies dying on the road. He had sworn to carry out his mission as a Green Rider - one of the legendary messengers of the king - and he has a life or death message that must reach King Zachary. Karigan may be unable to save him, but she can deliver his message. He makes her swear to it, to keep it secret and, with his last breath, he warns her to 'beware the shadow man ...' Pursued by an unknown assassin, following a path only her horse seems to know, and accompanied by the silent specter of the original messenger, Karigan is going to become a legendary Green Rider herself. Caught up in a world of deadly danger and complex magic, compelled by forces she cannot understand, her simple promise to deliver a letter is about to become a race against time ...and a race for her life ...


REVIEW:

It’s been a while since I originally heard of this series and whilst I hadn’t started with the original I thought that with the forthcoming release of book four in the series, Blackveil that it was high time I worked my way through them.

What you get with Kristen’s first novel is a book that takes the time to carefully build a world that is full of magic, of intrigue and double dealing where the fate of the kingdom can depend upon a single messenger. It’s beautifully written, the characters rounded and definitely a batch of people that you’d like to get to know better. Add to this some great prose alongside a great set of pace and it was a real joy to read.



Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Karigan may have heard the First Rider's call, but she's not about to let it take over her life ...or at least that's what she thinks. She swore to complete a dying man's mission - to deliver a sealed letter to King Zachary. Now that task, more dangerous than she could have imagined, is complete and her work is done, Karigan wants to leave the dangerous world of tainted magic and ancient magicians behind her and return home. Exhausted in both body and spirit, she plans to return to her quiet life and her father's business. But it proves no match for the Rider's call; ghostly hoofbeats sounding in her mind, visions of the freedom of the open road, all calling her back to the king's service as a Green Rider. Karigan resists it, but when she wakes up to find herself - in her nightdress - on horseback and halfway across the country, her destiny is clear: she is a Green Rider. As she discovers, it's not a good time to be called to serve. For a thousand years the D'Yer Wall, a physical and magical barrier protecting the land from the ancient, corrupted Blackveil Forest, has held. For a thousand years the forest, an arboreal prison containing one of Sacoridia's greatest enemies, has been quiet. Not any more. The wall has been breached, unnatural, lethal creatures are finding their way into Sacoridia, a dark sentience is stirring, and the Green Rider magic itself is failing. And in the midst of it all, Karigan is about to be called to her duty ...


REVIEW:

With many authors, the second book is often the one that causes not only the most problems but can be the one that causes many a writer to fall flat on their backside. What occurs within this book allows the characters that e met in the original not only the chance to grow emotionally as well as spiritually but also with the readers connection. The plot outline is fascinating and when you realise the bigger threat alongside long term goals of the principle villain, it’s a title that will hold on to you to the last page. A wonderful addition to the series.



Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

With the ghostly help of the First Rider, Karigan G'ladheon had transported the corrupt spirit of Mornhavon the Black into the future, buying valuable time for her king and country. But how far in the future is Mornhavon now? A hundred years? Ten years? Only one year? There's no way to tell. So though the immediate threat has passed, Mornhavon's shadow still lies heavily on the land, and on their minds ...although there are threats closer to home as well. The D'Yer Wall, protecting Sacoridia from the dark, corrupted Blackveil forest, remains breached despite Karigan and her fellow Riders best efforts. They've scoured the land searching for lost documents and magical clues to help mend the breach, fend off any incursions from Blackveil Forest and, more pressingly, protect them from Mornhavon's return. Nor is the breach in the wall the only danger. Mornhavon may have gone, but the descendants of his people remain and they're ready to claim the land that their forefathers failed to conquer. These vengeful enemies, hidden within the peaceful borders of Sacoridia, have spent generations honing their dark magic ready to strike - and ensuring that their blow, when it comes, will be one that Karigan and the Sacordians have no defence against ...


REVIEW:

The third part in this epic series and one that really demonstrates when an authors idea’s allow the series to not only grow but expand in an organic pace so that the reader is not only satisfied with what they get but that they know that things won’t be rushed or quickly packed up in a neat little bow in the final few pages.

What Kristen does in this title is allow the world to expand, generates new characters to help replace not only those who have been lost but fulfil some of the gaps and also brings great pace as well as dialogue to the series that has been a pure joy to read. Back this up with a great overall plot, some wonderful sleight of hand and a whole host of wicked twists and the reader really has a treat in store. Whilst you can read this title having missed out on the others, I’d recommend starting with Green Rider, after all you’ll get the most out of it and by the time you’ve finished this book you’ll be all ready for the fourth book (released June 2011) which many a reader has been waiting for since 2008.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY REVIEW: Blood, Sweat and Tears - Bear Grylls

Release Date: 26/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Bear Grylls is a man who has always sought the ultimate in adventure. Growing up on the Isle of Wight, he was taught by his father to sail and climb at an early age. Inevitably, it wasn't long before Bear was leading out-of-bounds night-climbing missions at school. As a teenager, he found identity and purpose through both mountaineering and martial arts, which led the young adventurer to the foothills of the mighty Himalaya and a grandmaster's karate training camp in Japan. On returning home, he embarked upon the notoriously gruelling selection course for the British Special Forces to join 21 SAS - a journey that was to push him to the very limits of physical and mental endurance. Then, in a horrific free-fall parachuting accident in Africa, Bear broke his back in three places. It was touch and go whether he would ever walk again. However, only eighteen months later and defying doctors' expectations, Bear became one of the youngest ever climbers to scale Everest, aged only twenty-three. But this was just the beginning of his many extraordinary adventures ...Known and admired by millions - whether from his global adventure TV series, as a bestselling author, or as Chief Scout to the Scouting Association - Bear Grylls has survived where few would dare to go. Now, for the first time, Bear tells the story of his action-packed life. Gripping, moving and wildly exhilarating, Mud, Sweat and Tears is a must-read for adrenalin junkies and armchair adventurers alike.


REVIEW:

Like a great many others, I’ve watched Born Survivor with a gory fascination. Let’s face it you’d never know what Bear would be up to or perhaps more precisely what would be on the menu for that week. It became a journey into the macabre world of survival and pot luck as to what would turn up. Whilst I did know a little about him from the show, when I had the opportunity to read his autobiography I felt that I’d best give it a go just so that I could get a fuller picture as to how the character you see on the screen meets up to the standards of real life.

Whilst the autobiography can be revealing I did wonder why Bear (or rather Edward) felt it necessary to bring in his lineage into the whole thing, yes parts of it did allude to his sense of fun but when a fair amount felt more like dropping into the social circles that his family moved in, for me it left me unable to associate with the privileged upbringing to which fate allowed him. Add to that a fair bit about his religious convictions and whilst I can see how each part formed his character it was stuff that could have been edited to quite a small part of the story.

Another area that did get to you was the writing style, it felt more like a dictated anecdotes that were tailored together to help form a whole. As such the timeline jumped all over the place and whilst the wording fitted in with what the reader will know of him, it does take quite a while to get used to this style, especially when you’ve got what felt like 50 pages of waffle to start. It is a title that is going to be hard going for a number of readers and whilst some of the tales within will make you laugh, a fair few of the others will have you wondering exactly who this guy thinks he is. In addition the title could have been better edited to get the reader to the nitty gritty of the story rather than taking the round the houses route and personally I’d have preferred maybe a little backstory but the majority to be about the skinny on behind the scenes of the show.

ART BOOK REVIEW: Sketch Card Mania - Randy Martinez and Denise Vasquez

Release Date: 26/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

Sketch cards are trading-card-sized pieces of original art, usually 2.5' X 3.5,' randomly inserted into non-sports trading card sets with themes like Star Wars , Indiana Jones , Hulk , Lord of the Rings and the popular 1998 Marvel Creator's Collection by Fleer . Companies typically commission them from artists in series, and the companies randomly insert them into packs of cards that fans hope to pull when purchased. It's so popular now that fans want more than the cards from packs; they want personalised sketch cards directly from their favourite artists, including many up-and-coming artists. This title includes: a history of sketch cards; step-by-step process of creating sketch cards; personalising your cards with your own designs on the back; creating a portfolio; and, selling and trading your work. It also includes profiles/case studies of different artists in sidebars throughout the book. It's easy, it's fun, and you can do it too!


REVIEW:

I’ve read a fair few books about how to create wonderful pieces of art but very few ever really deal with getting yourself out there and getting your work seen by the people in the know. Whilst this title does deal some of the basics the majority is a book about creating small pieces of art that can go into a portfolio as well as creating a set of cards that can be tailored to your audience. It has great marketing techniques (that artists and writers can utlise) as well as tips and tricks on the use of social media and how to behave mixed in with artistic tips.

All in a satisfactory book that gives a lot back to the upcoming artist through experience gained by the authors. It’s a great tool for others to use and whilst it won’t guarantee you a job it will help you make the right first impression in a tough industry. Great stuff.

PARANORMAL REVIEW: The Black Book of Modern Myths - Alasdair Wickham

Release Date: 05/05/11

SYNOPSIS:

'True are The NIGHTmare Of a person that FEARs. Safe A re the BODIES Of tHe Silent World'. When a young man first saw this message typed out on his computer at home a shiver ran down his spine. It was clear what was happening - the poltergeist which had plagued him for months was now manifesting itself in a most original, modern and terrifying way. As the world around us experiences an epidemic of supernatural events, Alasdair Wickham collects together the strangest, creepiest and most enthralling in a compendium of brilliantly told and chillingly convincing tales. The Black Book of Modern Myths explores the richness and malevolence of the supernatural from across the globe, including possession, witchcraft and Mothmen sightings to cursed movie sets and ritualistic killings in the Cornish countryside. No mystery is left unexamined. But beyond these traditional notions of the supernatural, The Black Book of Modern Myths shows us the paranormal connecting with the hi-tech world. These days, the ghosts really are in the machines...Do you dare enter?


REVIEW:

Fascinated by the paranormal world for a number of years I was more than happy when I received this book. Although to call it a book would be a disservice as it’s more an encyclopaedia than a straight out novel. Whilst you can read it in this way, personally I’d advise reading it as a bathroom title, something that you can dip into here and there which will keep it fresh and enjoyable with each visit with one of the features that I really liked being the small boxes with stories pertaining to the material to which I’d been reading to that point.

Whilst the title has a lot of good stuff in there, there’s also the overdone material. For example the film set curses and possessions has all appeared in other titles and I’d have liked it had they gone for some other films with perhaps a more modern twist that haven’t been done to death already in documentaries or even in other titles. Add to this the pointless addition of a Ouija Board on the back cover (which the book doesn’t even look at) and it was something that is there more for a scare factor than anything else. Personally I’d have been happier had this been omitted and kept the cover plain black, it would have looked smarter all in and, if we’re being honest here, wouldn’t make this a title that some will avoid purely for its addition.

FICTION REVIEW: The Goldsmith's Secret - Elia Barcelo

Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

One snowy night in New York City, a successful but solitary goldsmith reflects on his life, and his unreliable memories intertwine and collide. Returning to the village where he grew up, he hopes with some trepidation that he will encounter Celia, 'the Black Widow', a beautiful and mysterious friend of his mother with whom he had a short and passionate affair when he was a teenager, before she rejected him. But instead he meets a young woman who opens doors onto a strange world, and takes him back in time. The Goldsmith's Secret is a remarkable story with a magical twist, of a love trapped between two parallel times, set Spain in the fifties, seventies, and in the last year of the twentieth century.

In beautifully economical language, and with a structure as intricate and refined as a bevelled jewel, The Goldsmith's Secret is filled with intense nostalgia, memories and desires. Elia Barceló has come to be known across Europe as a truly original voice, and her books as poetic works of great subtlety.


REVIEW:

To be honest when this landed I was surprised that it was quite a small title but following the old adage of the best things come in small packages I decided to give it a go. Whilst this book is small, it does have a wonderful sense of whimsy as the principle protagonist looks back on his life and recants his tale to the reader. Its cleverly done although the confusion between reality and fantasy within the tale does throw the reader a few red herrings and unable at times to separate between the two. Not that it’s a bad thing but when you listen to a tale from an older relative it has similar threads within and at times they do simplify which this title didn’t do.

Add to this only the one fully rounded character (the protagonist), some cleverly written dialogue and a reasonable pace and it was a decent enough read. Whether confusion arose within due to translation problems I’m not so sure but whilst entertaining it’s not a title that will stick with me for that long a time. A great shame as the premise was one of interest due to the fact that it tried to do a few things on story building that so many titles seem to forget these days.

FEATURE BLOG: The Leaf Killers

A while ago I pondered the question of what attracts us to the Modern Mystery, so having reached a conclussion I wanted to share it with you. As such I hope you'll enjoy the case: The Leaf Killers...

There’s nothing grander than a mystery or thriller when you want to get the blood pumping and try to relax from the stresses of the real world after a hard days slog. Whether it’s high octane murder mystery like Rizolli faces or you prefer the more sedate and Victorian singularity of Holmes, there’s nothing finer than a glass of your favourite tipple, a snug place to relax and a book to keep you guessing to the last.

Partly I suspect that it’s one of the reasons why we all feel so drawn to it, another part is that we all seem to have a fascination with the darker murderous aspect of the macabre that keeps us wanting to see more of things that leave us disturbed. After all, we’ve all be raised on stories of death, murder and bloodshed in one form or another, whether it’s the fairy-tales that were read to you as a child or perhaps even the lessons learned from Sunday school (which all it feels like it taught me was “Do unto others as they would do unto you” with the modern addition of “But do it first.”)

Personally I love a story where I get to walk on the wild side, to dance with the devil without the risk and I suspect that deep down it’s the simplicity that usually has the villain getting their comeuppance in a world where too often they get away with it. There’s always a reason, perhaps possibly a prevented sense of logic to our modern mind but we always love to be bamboozled to the last which happens so often in crime books where it feels like it’s us (the reader) against the author who try their magical tricks out on us, the slight of hand directing us one way whilst doing something with the other. We like to test our mental power against the logistics and almost feel disappointed when we beat the writer to the punch.

Or perhaps it is the darker side of our psyche as we slink into the background with the killer, stalking the victim and then admire their macabre art as each scene is discovered. Whichever reason you pick there’s probably a whole psychological course out there available. Yet, over the years, the crime novel has evolved from the simplistic Three Apples (as told by Scheherazade in One Thousand and One Nights) through to modern tales by authors like Chelsea Cain where we get the book from mostly the serial killers point of view, right through to the almost tributary Faber titles by Craig Russell who weaves mysterious murders into his own modern Police thrillers (almost Doylesque in their own way.)

Personally I love a book that takes me on a journey, I love to be driven slightly mad as I figure out the solution to a mystery or the identity of a murderer and perhaps best of all the only real victim of the tale are trees or electrons (depending on your medium of choice.) Crime is often said to not pay, apparently whoever said that was very wrong, as to be honest it has and will continue to do so for a great many writers in years to come.

SCIENCE FICTION AUDIO BOOK: Warhammer 40K: Caiphas Cain: Dead in the Water - Sandy Mitchell

Release Date: 09/06/11

SYNOPSIS:

Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowned and revered hero of the Imperium, a man who has faced and survived some of the vilest creatures the universe can throw at him. But when he is sent to a river-world, he must deal with a dangerous enemy, an enemy whose true identity remains unknown. As his vessel traverses the straits of the planet, Cain must uncover the face of this new foe so that he can understand and escape it. Caught in the enemy crossfire, the commissar has no place to run, and his nerve will be tested to the very limits.


REVIEW:

Fans of Caiphas will love this audio book as not only can they put a voice to the name but the character tongue in cheek storytelling is brought to the fore in such a wonderfully dramatic manner that this will fast become a firm fan favourite. Add to this the wonderful scripting of Sandy Mitchell, serious vocal talent from Toby Longworth and the listener is in for a real treat. Back that up with the hustle and bustle of real life and the ability to start and stop as the journey demands and its high value entertainment for the modern world. My only grumble is that there wasn’t enough Jürgen. Come on Sandy, he deserves a tale (or even a short story) all to himself.