Why Do You Write About Crime?

This is a question I am often asked. I didn't set out to write about crime. My short stories (many moons ago) were all romance. Then one day a short story grew and grew and became a novel. I am thankful to report that, although I sent to a publisher, it sank without trace.

That book was written when I was living in Mallorca and working as a courier. We were very busy in the summer but not so in the winter which gave me lots of time for writing. All romances.

As well as living in Mallorca, I have also worked on mainland Spain, Italy, San Francisco, lived in Florida (Sarasota and Bradenton with lots of visits to Miami Beach), and I have even worked on cruise ships - hence my love of cruising.

So how did I come to crime writing? We-e-ll, I was writing a romance then the heroine found a body. After that there was no contest. I love the intricacies involved with crime. Working out all of the whys and wherefores and sometimes even surprising myself. It is like working out a vast jigsaw puzzle.

My first successfully completed book in this genre was 'Homicide in Hampshire' which introduces the cockney millionaire Cleo Marjoribanks. Yes, people do ask me if that is her real name - I don't know. Maybe some time she will tell me. To date there are five books about her.

With 'Antiques in the Attic' I took a foray into police procedurals and followed it up with 'Model Murder'. DI Sinclair, DC Chris James, Sarah Stewart and their friends are currently keeping me busy with a third book in the series. Once I can think up a title I will let you know!

All of these books and some 'stand alone' ones are available on Kindle (APP). What I find exciting is checking to see which books have sold where around the world. Yes, I do mean around the world. The UK and Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Can I ask you all a big favour? Give my books lots of lovely 5* reviews. The more of those I get - such as 50 - the more publicity I get from Amazon.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying my books.

Cosy Crime on Kindle

I have just been checking my book sales on Kindle and found a lovely surprise - lots and lots of people are buying and reading my books. Thank you, everyone.

For those of you who didn't know that I write 'cosy crime' let me tell about my books. There are two 'series'...

The Cleo Marjoribanks Murder Mysteries is set in the New Forest, Hampshire. No, not New Hampshire but Hampshire in southern England. Cleo is a lady of a 'certain' age who is happy in her body, has a sense of humour, decided views on things and lots of money. She won the lottery and bought an almost derelict house which has been renovated as has the gardens. Due to some tragic circumstances - a double murder - she quickly became integrated into village life. And having for most of her life been scared of horses, eventually comes to like them. Not enough to get up on one, but to pet and talk to them.

There are - so far - five books. Most of the action takes place in and around the New Forest and London (where she has a studio flat) but one, 'Ghosts in the Guest House', takes place in southern Spain when she and her gentleman friend, DCI David 'Steaming' Kettle go for a holiday.

The most recent one is 'Trouble in Trewith Green', which is the name of the village where she lives. A few murders and lots of mystery. And, I am glad to report, it is selling like the proverbial hot cakes.

'The South Downs Mystery' series is the second set. These are set in and around England South Downs (near to where I live). These are more serious as they are basically police procedurals - with thanks to Sussex Police (mistakes are my own!). 'Antiques in the Attic' introduced Sarah Stewart to DI Alan Sinclair and it took more than two books for them to get their act together! Sarah is a divorced lady whose former husband dies in mysterious circumstances. After the police have broken the news and left she remembers that her husband had left a few articles in the attic - and discovers a computer and some antique silver. She goes out for lunch to her mother-in-law's and, when she comes home and returns to the attic the silver has disappeared. Lots of twists and turns to reach the answer.

The second book 'Model Murder' also takes place on the South Downs. A well known and beautiful model is murdered and there are lots of possible suspects and about halfway through the story takes a twist that totally changes the police thinking. As one reader said of the ending, 'I totally did not expect that'. Which is how it should be with all mysteries.

I am currently working on the third book in the series but don't yet have a title. As soon as I think of a good one I will let you know. In the meantime, if you haven't read my books, give them a try. From the 5* reviews and comments I do know that people enjoy them.

Happy reading - and thank you for buying my books.

Sea Defences in Sussex

I don't know who had the bright idea of using tonnes of stones piled up against sea walls as a defence against the sea, but whichever councils approved the idea, should have had their brains checked....

 Due to these 'fields and hills' of stones the disabled and elderly no longer have access to sea and sand. With all the laws on disability access, surely this is against the law?

Whenever the tide recedes it takes stones with it so that gradually the soft sandy beaches (or what was left of them) will eventually no longer exist.

In areas where the tide has reclaimed swathes of stones and is gradually reaching the sea walls, during strong storms stones are now thrown over onto the promenade. A hazard for walkers and joggers if they haven't been cleared away.

One assumes that this method of sea defences was the cheapest available at the time. As it will have to be renewed when the current stones disappear, a false economy.

I haven't visited all seaside resorts in the U.K. so there may be other councils who also used this method.

Cruising Ireland and Scottish Islands

Just back from a fantastic new P&O cruise on the Oriana (my favourite ship). Leaving Southampton we sailed to Guernsey for a day in St. Peter Port from where some passengers took tours to discover this lovely island. As I have spent much time there I decided to have a restful day.

From there we cruised to Cork in southern Ireland - again, been there and got the T-shirt so I continued to rest. With tours on the following four days I needed to conserve my strength!

In Dublin I did the city tour and a visit to the Castle. From Belfast it was to see the wonderful countryside, up into the hills, down the other side and along the coast. On arrival at Stornoway it was time to take to the tenders to get us ashore - I was on the fabulous tour across Lewis and on into Harris where I treated my Kindle to a new Harris Tweed cover! The fourth day we sailed into Kirkwall (the Orkneys) where we stayed overnight and, no, I didn't go ashore in the evening because I wanted to see the show on board, but I did take a fascinating tour during the day.

Break time and another day at sea. This time to the Isle of Skye where we were again tendered to the dock at Portree from where it was a lovely circular tour of the countryside. The last day we were anchored at Greenock-for-Glasgow. As I have spent much time there I opted for a day of rest.

Once I have my photos sorted out I will do individual blogs for each port and post them on auntiestravels.blogspot.com.

Why was it so important that I see the on-board show while we were in Kirkwall? The wonderful and ever popular Tom O'Connor was the show. No matter how many times I see/hear him he still makes me laugh - and without swearing or shouting. Thanks, Tom.