In a week from now I’ll be travelling to Lisbon for Eurovision, so when better to release this book?
Here are the blurb and an excerpt:
On her return from a cruise ship gig Bebe Bollinger learns that fellow Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has decided to enter a European Song comptition for the UK. While Bebe jealously watches the pre-publicity trail for ‘Eurovision’ in Malmö, a string of ‘odd accidents’ endangers several participants of the competition. This stirs her desire for playing detective again but also a curiosity to check out the suitability of Eurovision for her own career.
Follow Bebe’s continued search for fame and a comeback before it’s too late, step into the weird world that is Eurovision fandom and see how Bebe gets on with her naughty daughter and deals with those evil TV presenters.
Praise for The Body in the Snow:
This comical romp of shenanigans and investigation will keep you reading with curiosity and hoping that Bebe still gets her last shot at renewed stardom. A fun read!
This delightful and sometimes comical whodunit will keep you guessing to the very end.
For a first dip in the cozy field, this award-winning historical and crime fiction writer has taken the gold. I highly recommend this book for an intriguing and never boring read!
A very enjoyable book. With a fantastic cast of characters plus humour, murder, romance this is a cracking mystery.
In Body in the Snow, Mr. Fischer proves his versatility as he leaves his comfort zone to wonderful effect in weaving this story and creating these great characters. It is a book I recommend highly.
Here is an excerpt:
Malmö, Sweden, May 2013
Bebe couldn’t keep up with all that was going on around her on the media balcony. A team of paramedics were busy working on the victim lying only a few metres away. Their actions spoke volumes. Bebe had seen enough of her fans fainting in over-heated concert halls to know that this patient would not be resuscitated any time soon. As if to confirm her fears, the paramedics exchanged a look and shook their heads. A chill ran down her spine. The dart made it clear that this was a premeditated murder, and put all the dubious events and ‘accidents’ that had gone on in the run-up to the contest into a sinister context.
The security guards were quick to respond. They cleared the balcony, ushering the journalists and TV crews to a conference room on the mezzanine level.
“You may continue your coverage for now,” they were told by a suited man with a headset and clipboard. “When the police arrive they’ll decide what happens next. To make sure they can carry out their investigation, we have strict instructions to keep you all here for questioning.”
A TV audience of over one billion people was watching the contest ‒ the British TV viewers waiting for Bebe to chat to them in less than a minute ‒ while a murderer was still on the loose. What were the organisers and the police thinking? Would he strike again, and if so, who would be his next victim? Was the dart maybe meant for Bebe? Was she safe? And what could she do to prevent the murderer from striking again and ruining her moment in the Eurovision sunlight?
Leonard took her softly by the wrist.
“We’re on in ten seconds,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Forget about the guy and focus on the show. Security and the police have this covered, you’re not in danger. Just be professional. Can you do that for me?”
Bebe gulped and nodded. Her thoughts went to the dead presenter and she regretted her earlier irritation with him. The poor man. She took a deep breath, glanced to the stage to remind herself what a big deal the next few minutes were for her career and what she had to do now. This light on the camera turned to red and she was on…
Growing up in Dublin’s inner-city northside, my childhood was filled with crime.
Ironside, Mannix, Banachek, The Rockford Files, Hawaii Five-O, The Streets of San Francisco, Cannon, Kojak, Columbo, McCloud, Petrocelli, Quincy M.E… I watched them all.
They were cops and private detectives mostly, armed with snub-nosed Smith & Wesson’s, screeching around corners in Buicks, Chevrolets and Dodges, hubcaps flying off as they frantically pursued the bad guys.
Sometimes the cars got cooler – like Jim Rockford’s Firebird, or, later, Starsky and Hutch’s white-striped Gran Torino. One thing that was a given, though, was that all crime fighters were men. Then the female detectives Cagney & Lacey came along, and a small blow was struck for feminists. To teenage me, though, that last one seemed a bit, well… contrived.
Am I really expected to believe that these women can haul the killers off the street and lock them in the clink…
Today I bring you a particularly long review as I got a paperback copy of a trilogy by an author I’ve read before (and you must visit if you haven’t, as he’s not only talented but a great supporter and advocate of other writers and good causes, oh, and Eurovision) and I decided to review each book separately, but…
The Fraud or Miracle Trilogy by Christoph Fischer
The Fraud or Miracle Trilogy by Christoph Fischer Great characters, mind-bending twists and turns, and a fantastic ending.
“The Fraud or Miracle Trilogy” comprises three novels that explore – both, seriously and light-heartedly – the conflict between facts versus faith and trust versus doubt. In “The Healer” advertising executive Erica Whittaker, diagnosed with terminal cancer, seeks help from retired, controversial healer Arpan. He has retired for good reasons, casting more than the shadow of a doubt over his abilities. So begins a journey that will challenge them both as the past threatens to catch up with him as much as with her. On one level this is just the story of a young woman trying to survive, on the other it’s about power, greed and selfish agendas, even when life or death is at stake. Can Arpan really heal her? Can she trust him with her life? And will they both achieve what they set out to do before running out of time? In “The Gamblers” Ben, an insecure accountant obsessed with statistics, gambling and beating the odds, wins sixty-four million in the lottery and finds himself challenged by the possibilities that his new wealth brings. He soon falls under the influence of charismatic Russian gambler Mirco, whom he meets on a holiday in New York. He also falls in love with a stewardess, Wendy, but now that Ben’s rich he finds it hard to trust anyone. As both relationships become more dubious, Ben needs to make some difficult decisions and figure out who’s really his friend and who’s just in it for the money. In “The Sanctuary on Cayman Brac” the loose ends from both novels come to a head in a sizzling finale. Praise for “The Healer”: Lots of twists and a brilliant ending I like a book that has me second guessing all the way through. It grabs hold and takes you on a wonderful journey. This book is exactly like that. I changed my mind as to who is wrong and who is right, who could be trusted and who couldn’t, from the start through to the finish. Praise for “The Gamblers” This story is thrilling, fascinating, fast-paced, and it presents interesting physiological questions on human natural in general and Ben Andrews in particular. A wonderful story I highly recommend!
Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years, he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums, and for an airline. ‘
The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and ‘The Black Eagle Inn’ in October 2013 – which completes his ‘Three Nations Trilogy’. “Time to Let Go”, his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.
His latest novel “The Body In The Snow” is his first cozy mystery.
He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.
I have decided to review each story separately. So here goes…
First:
The Healer (Fraud or Miracle? Book 1) by Christoph Fischer A psychologically astute book that will make you think about your own mortality. And what an ending!
I have read and reviewed a couple of the author’s books in the past and enjoyed them, and I was intrigued by this book when it came out, but due to my personal circumstances (my father suffered from cancer and died around the time of its publication) I didn’t feel I was in the best frame of mind for it. Now that it has been published as part of The Fraud and Miracle Trilogy, I was very pleased to receive a paperback copy and finally get to read it.
The story is deceptively simple. A woman suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer, desperate, follows the advice of her personal assistant and approaches a healer, Arpan. I am not sure if he would call himself a “faith” healer, but he insists that those he treats should be totally invested in the process, including transferring 50% of their assets to his account. Although he states all that money goes to charity, it caused suspicion and scandal years back, and he has been keeping a low profile ever since. After much insistence and a different deal, he agrees to treat Erica, who also has secrets of her own. There are strange conspiracies surrounding Arpan and his healing process but Erica’s life is changed forever. Things are not as they seem, of course.
The story is written in the third person from Erica’s point of view, and we get to share in her doubts, suspicions, paranoia, hope, and also to experience the healing with her. The book transmits a sense of claustrophobia, and although there are treks around the Welsh countryside and later we move to a different country, most of the story takes place within Arpan’s tent, and there are only a few main characters (mostly Erica (Maria), Arpan (Amesh), and Anuj) with some secondary characters that we don’t get to know very well (Hilda, Julia, Gunnar). There are no lengthy descriptions of settings or of the appearance of the characters, because we follow the point of view of a woman totally preoccupied with her health and her mortality, and that makes her not the most reliable of narrators. She describes the physical and mental effects that the illness and the healing process have on her, and we are also privy to her suspicions and doubts. The book offers fascinating psychological insights into how much our “rational” point of view can change when our life is at stake, and it is impossible to read it and not wonder what we would do in Erica’s place.
I kept thinking that the story, which relies heavily on dialogue (both between characters and also internal dialogue), would make a great play, and its intensity would be well suited to the stage. Although most of the characters are not sympathetic, to begin with, their humanity and the big questions they are forced to deal with make them intriguing and worthy subjects of our observations.
The ending brings a great twist to the story. Although I think most readers will have been suspicious and on alert due to the secrets, false information, continuous doubts, and different versions of the truth on offer, the actual ending will make them question everything and re-evaluate the story in a different light. And, considering the nature of the subject it deals with, that is a great achievement.
I recommend it to those who enjoy stories that make them think, to readers who are not searching for cheap thrills and prefer a psychologically astute book and especially to those who want to feel personally invested in the stories they read. I look forward to the rest of the books in the trilogy.
This is the second book I read in the Fraud and Miracle trilogy, and its inclusion there is sure to put readers on their guard. But that is the beauty of it. You know something is going on, and you might even suspect what (although not, perhaps, in detail) but you can’t help but eagerly keep reading and follow the story, enmeshed in the same web of illusion and deceit that traps the main character, Ben.
The story is written in the third person and follows the point of view of Ben, the protagonist. He is a somewhat socially awkward young accountant who leads a modest life in London, who is not precisely streetwise, and who feels more at ease playing games in online communities than interacting socially in person. He is obsessed with numbers (in real life, I wondered if somebody with similar personality traits might fit into the very mild range of autistic spectrum disorder. He acknowledges that he is bad at reading people’s emotions and expressions, he is anxious in social situations and functions by imitating other people’s behaviour, he displays obsessive personality traits…) and does not believe in luck and chance. He is convinced that random events (like lottery or games of chance results) follow a pattern and he is determined to find it. He gets a bit lottery win (£64 million), and although he does not value money per se (at least at the beginning of the story), he decides to treat himself travelling to New York. Everything seems to change from that moment on, he makes a new friend (the glamorous and charming Mirco) and meets the girl of his dreams, Wendy.
The third person point of view suits the story perfectly. On the one hand, we follow Ben’s point of view and his thought processes. We are aware of his misgivings and doubts. He does not believe in luck, after all, and he cannot accept that all these good things are happening to him, especially as they seem to coincide with his lottery win. At the same time, the third person gives us enough distance to observe and judge Ben’s own behaviour (that does not always fit his self-proclaimed intentions and opinions) and also that of those around him. There are things that seem too good to be true, there are warnings offered by random people, there are strange behaviours (both, Mirco and Wendy, blow hot and cold at times), and there are the suspiciousness and rivalry between his new friends. We warm up to his naiveté and to his child-like wonder and enjoyment at the fabulous new life that falls on his lap, but we cannot help but chide him at times for being so easy to manipulate.
The author reflects perfectly the process Ben goes through in his reading. Mirco keeps telling him that he should forget about methods and just “feel” the game, and despite his attachment to his theories, there is something in him that desperately wants to believe in miracles, in good luck, and, most of all, wants to believe that he deserves everything he gets: the money, the friendship, and the love. This is a book about con artists and the book implements their technique to perfection. Con-games are a big favourite of mine, and I love how well the book is designed, and how it treats its readers to a peep behind the scenes of the big players, while at the same time making them play the part of the victim. Yes, we might be shouting at Ben and telling him not to be so gullible, but what would we do in his place? Wouldn’t we just want it to be true too?
The story takes place in glamorous locations and it revolves around the world of high-stakes gambling, night-clubs, and big spenders. It might be particularly interesting to those who love casinos and betting, but that is only one aspect of the book. It can be read independently from the first book in the series, and although there are tense and emotionally difficult moments, there are no violence or extreme behaviours. And the ending… You might be more or less surprised by the big reveal, but the actual ending is likely to leave you with a smile on your face.
A book that will make you question yourself and that will keep you guessing until the end. A fun read for lovers of con-games and those who always wondered what they would do if their luck suddenly changed. I’m looking forward to the third book in the trilogy.
The Sanctuary on Cayman Brac: Key to the Truth (Fraud or Miracle? Book 3)
My review:
This is book three in the Fraud and Miracle Trilogy, and after reading it, I confess I’ll miss the characters and the twists and turns.
The series deals in subjects that seem more relevant now than ever. In a world dominated by fake news, where elections are doctored, and the future of a nation might be in the hands of people who manipulate data to benefit the highest bidder, the status of the information we take for granted, who deserves our trust and how far we would be prepared to go to learn the truth have become pressing matters we all must seriously think about.
Author Christoph Fischer brings together the cast of the two previous novels, delighting the many readers who felt, like Erica, that things were not settled and they wanted to know what would happen next. Had she really discovered the truth, and was she going to let it go at that? Like we did in The Healer, we follow Erica, who has managed to locate Arpan in Cayman Brac, and has decided to confront him, gun in hand. But, no matter how determined she is, she cannot resist the connection she felt to Arpan, and she accepts his version of the truth. Of course, that might be “his” truth, but is it what really happened? Erica once again cycles from belief to doubt and back again, and although her feelings for Arpan intensify, she needs to know if she was ever “healed” or not. Thanks to her insistence we get to meet Hilda, but like many other characters in the story, appearances can be deceptive.
Readers of the series will recognise some of the characters from The Gamblers and that will make them keep a close eye on what they do. But even with the advantage we have over Erica (we follow her and share in her clues, but have good reason to doubt some of the events, as we know who some of the students at Arpan school really are), the author once more keeps adding twists to the story, and the final reveal scene (worthy of an Agatha Christie novel) is as tense as any of the poker games in The Gamblers. I will not reveal the many bluffs, but if I had to summarise it I’d say… Wow.
I particularly enjoyed meeting Erica again. Although the nature of her healing might not be what she had initially expected, she is much more open and human, able to recognise her own limitations and weaknesses, and prepared to experiment and enjoy life. While some of the other characters might not have changed much (and continue to play for high stakes), others, like Ben, have learned their lessons and now focus on what really matters. Beyond the twists and turns of the plot, there are solid characters that grow and change throughout the series and we root for them and care for their well-being.
The island and the retreat, which we enjoy both as visitors and as participants thanks to Erica, are beautiful and inspiring and although most of us would find it difficult to cope with some of the rules and restrictions of the sanctuary, we’d all love to visit it and spend some time recovering and reenergizing. Personally, I would love to experience the inner workings of such a place and perhaps even to bear witness to some of the mind games.
A great ending to the trilogy, entertaining, satisfying, and surprising, that will leave readers feeling hopeful and confident. Sometimes the teachers are the ones who need to learn the lessons and letting go of control is the way to progress and evolve. My congratulations to the author.
Over My Dead Body: Murder at Eurovision (Bebe Bollinger Murder Mysteries 2) is now available on pre-sale – to be whisperlessly delivered to your kindle on April 30th.
The paperback copies can already be purchased from https://www.amazon.com/dp/1717148565
If you want an ARC (Advance Review Copy) I can send you the mobi file.
In a few weeks from now Eurovision will take place in Lisbon, so when better to release this book?
Here are the blurb and an excerpt:
On her return from a cruise ship gig Bebe Bollinger learns that fellow Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has decided to enter a European Song comptition for the UK. While Bebe jealously watches the pre-publicity trail for ‘Eurovision’ in Malmö, a string of ‘odd accidents’ endangers several participants of the competition. This stirs her desire for playing detective again but also a curiosity to check out the suitability of Eurovision for her own career.
Follow Bebe’s continued search for fame and a comeback before it’s too late, step into the weird world that is Eurovision fandom and see how Bebe gets on with her naughty daughter and deals with those evil TV presenters.
Praise for The Body in the Snow:
This comical romp of shenanigans and investigation will keep you reading with curiosity and hoping that Bebe still gets her last shot at renewed stardom. A fun read!
This delightful and sometimes comical whodunit will keep you guessing to the very end.
For a first dip in the cozy field, this award-winning historical and crime fiction writer has taken the gold. I highly recommend this book for an intriguing and never boring read!
A very enjoyable book. With a fantastic cast of characters plus humour, murder, romance this is a cracking mystery.
In Body in the Snow, Mr. Fischer proves his versatility as he leaves his comfort zone to wonderful effect in weaving this story and creating these great characters. It is a book I recommend highly.
Here is an excerpt:
Malmö, Sweden, May 2013
Bebe couldn’t keep up with all that was going on around her on the media balcony. A team of paramedics were busy working on the victim lying only a few metres away. Their actions spoke volumes. Bebe had seen enough of her fans fainting in over-heated concert halls to know that this patient would not be resuscitated any time soon. As if to confirm her fears, the paramedics exchanged a look and shook their heads. A chill ran down her spine. The dart made it clear that this was a premeditated murder, and put all the dubious events and ‘accidents’ that had gone on in the run-up to the contest into a sinister context.
The security guards were quick to respond. They cleared the balcony, ushering the journalists and TV crews to a conference room on the mezzanine level.
“You may continue your coverage for now,” they were told by a suited man with a headset and clipboard. “When the police arrive they’ll decide what happens next. To make sure they can carry out their investigation, we have strict instructions to keep you all here for questioning.”
A TV audience of over one billion people was watching the contest ‒ the British TV viewers waiting for Bebe to chat to them in less than a minute ‒ while a murderer was still on the loose. What were the organisers and the police thinking? Would he strike again, and if so, who would be his next victim? Was the dart maybe meant for Bebe? Was she safe? And what could she do to prevent the murderer from striking again and ruining her moment in the Eurovision sunlight?
Leonard took her softly by the wrist.
“We’re on in ten seconds,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Forget about the guy and focus on the show. Security and the police have this covered, you’re not in danger. Just be professional. Can you do that for me?”
Bebe gulped and nodded. Her thoughts went to the dead presenter and she regretted her earlier irritation with him. The poor man. She took a deep breath, glanced to the stage to remind herself what a big deal the next few minutes were for her career and what she had to do now. This light on the camera turned to red and she was on…
I’m delighted to share the finalised cover for the next book in the Bebe Bollinger Murder Mystery series. The book is set 2013 when Eurovision was held in Malmo. A month from now Eurovision will take place in Lisbon and the book will be released well before then.
Here are the blurb and an excerpt:
On her return from a cruise ship gig Bebe Bollinger learns that fellow Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has decided to enter a European Song comptition for the UK. While Bebe jealously watches the pre-publicity trail for ‘Eurovision’ in Malmö, a string of ‘odd accidents’ endangers several participants of the competition. This stirs her desire for playing detective again but also a curiosity to check out the suitability of Eurovision for her own career.
Follow Bebe’s continued search for fame and a comeback before it’s too late, step into the weird world that is Eurovision fandom and see how Bebe gets on with her naughty daughter and deals with those evil TV presenters.
Praise for The Body in the Snow:
This comical romp of shenanigans and investigation will keep you reading with curiosity and hoping that Bebe still gets her last shot at renewed stardom. A fun read!
This delightful and sometimes comical whodunit will keep you guessing to the very end.
For a first dip in the cozy field, this award-winning historical and crime fiction writer has taken the gold. I highly recommend this book for an intriguing and never boring read!
A very enjoyable book. With a fantastic cast of characters plus humour, murder, romance this is a cracking mystery.
In Body in the Snow, Mr. Fischer proves his versatility as he leaves his comfort zone to wonderful effect in weaving this story and creating these great characters. It is a book I recommend highly.
Here is an excerpt:
Malmö, Sweden, May 2013
Bebe couldn’t keep up with all that was going on around her on the media balcony. A team of paramedics were busy working on the victim lying only a few metres away. Their actions spoke volumes. Bebe had seen enough of her fans fainting in over-heated concert halls to know that this patient would not be resuscitated any time soon. As if to confirm her fears, the paramedics exchanged a look and shook their heads. A chill ran down her spine. The dart made it clear that this was a premeditated murder, and put all the dubious events and ‘accidents’ that had gone on in the run-up to the contest into a sinister context.
The security guards were quick to respond. They cleared the balcony, ushering the journalists and TV crews to a conference room on the mezzanine level.
“You may continue your coverage for now,” they were told by a suited man with a headset and clipboard. “When the police arrive they’ll decide what happens next. To make sure they can carry out their investigation, we have strict instructions to keep you all here for questioning.”
A TV audience of over one billion people was watching the contest ‒ the British TV viewers waiting for Bebe to chat to them in less than a minute ‒ while a murderer was still on the loose. What were the organisers and the police thinking? Would he strike again, and if so, who would be his next victim? Was the dart maybe meant for Bebe? Was she safe? And what could she do to prevent the murderer from striking again and ruining her moment in the Eurovision sunlight?
Leonard took her softly by the wrist.
“We’re on in ten seconds,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Forget about the guy and focus on the show. Security and the police have this covered, you’re not in danger. Just be professional. Can you do that for me?”
Bebe gulped and nodded. Her thoughts went to the dead presenter and she regretted her earlier irritation with him. The poor man. She took a deep breath, glanced to the stage to remind herself what a big deal the next few minutes were for her career and what she had to do now. This light on the camera turned to red and she was on…
Graham is a very popular and gifted public speaker and his subject matters never fail to grab his audience. After holding a very successful session on Welsh Legends and Myths last year, he’s back at the Llandeilo Lit Fest with a fascinating subject:
The Iron Masters of Merthyr- Fact and Fiction. – Saturday April 28th 15:00 Angel Inn
In the 18th Century five men created the biggest industrial city civilisation had ever seen. They were the Iron Masters, masters of metal and men. Their cannons saved a kingdom, forged the greatest empire in the world and changed the history of the human race.
Merthyr Tydfil, a town where the furnaces burned day and night, the sun seldom pierced the soot filled sky and the Iron Masters ruled without pity.
Nye Vaughn, a humble farm boy from Llangadog, walked to Merthyr to find his destiny, unaware that a war was coming which would engulf the known world and make bold men rich. To fight Bonaparte, Britain needed cannons, thousands of them. Vaughn built the largest foundry of them all and made his fortune but, when the world changed, the iron behemoth he constructed turned on him.
Author Graham Watkins surprises and entertains with the real stories behind his Welsh historical novel ‘The Iron Masters’.
Yn y 18fed Ganrif creodd pum dyn y ddinas ddiwylliannol fwyaf a welodd wareiddiad erioed. Nhw oedd y Meistri Haearn, meistri ar fetel a dynion. Achubodd eu gynnau mawrion deyrnas, creu’r ymerodraeth fwyaf yn y byd a newid hanes dynol ryw .
Roedd Merthyr Tudful yn dref lle’r oedd y ffwrnesi’n llosgi ddydd a nos a’r haul yn methu torri trwy’r caddug yn yr awyr a lle’r oedd y Meistri Haearn yn rheoli’n ddidrugaredd.
Cerddodd Nye Vaughn, crwt fferm o Langadog, i Ferthyr i chwilio am ei ffortiwn heb wybod fod rhyfel ar fin dod y byddai’n traflyncu’r byd a chreu cyfoeth i ddynion dewr. Er mwyn ymladd yn erbyn Bonaparte roedd angen gynnau mawrion, miloedd ohonynt. Adeiladodd Vaughn y ffowndri fwyaf oll a gwnaeth ei ffortiwn ond, wrth i’r byd newid, fe drodd y behemoth a greodd arno.
Mae’r awdur Graham Watkins yn diddori ac yn synnu gyda’r straeon gwir sydd tu ôl i’w nofel hanesyddol ‘The Iron Masters’.
I’m delighted to present the newest in this brilliant and rightfully so highly praised series (which my newly wed husband annoyingly read like an addict on honeymoon instead of my own very latest book. Ok, that was my fault for featuring Lucy and her books on my blog several times. Will never happen again, well, wait… what am I doing right now? Anyway, so) Clearly…
Sometimes the opposite of right isn’t wrong. It’s left.
Tragedy strikes once more at Old College… The Porters’ Lodge is down to its last tea bag and no one has seen a biscuit for over a week. Almost as troubling are the two dead bodies at the bottom of the College gardens and a woman has gone missing. The Dean is convinced that occult machinations are to blame, Deputy Head Porter suspects something closer to home.
The formidable DCI Thompson refuses to be sidelined and a rather unpleasant Professor gets his comeuppance.
As the body count rises, Head Porter tries to live a secret double life and The Dean believes his job is under threat from the Russian Secret Service.
Deputy Head Porter finds herself with her hands full keeping Old College running smoothly as well as defending herself against the sinister intentions of the new Bursar.
Spies, poisoning, murder – and none of this would be any problem at all, if only someone would get the biscuits out and put the kettle on…
This is the third instalment of the world-renowned PorterGirl series set in the ancient and esoteric Old College. Author Lucy Brazier opens the lid on a world which has sinister overtones in this cozy, BritLit mystery.
One of our most exciting sessions is an All-Star poetry event in honour of the late Anthony Jones, who performed only at last year’s festival. Four brilliant poets, the Rockhoppers, will alternate with the excellent Llansteffan poet Peter J Jones and Robert Walton, back to Llandeilo by popular demand after his performance in December. For me, poetry sessions don’t get much better than that.
Book Ticket: £5
With the Rockhoppers (Mel Perry, Jackie Biggs, Maggie Harris and Anne Marie Butler), Peter J Jones from Llansteffan, and Robert Walton from Bristol
Aclysur barddoniaeth er clod I’r diweddar Anthony Jones Gyda’r Rockhoppers (Mel Perry, Jackie Biggs, Maggie Harris ac Anne Marie Butler), Peter Jones o Lansteffan a Robert Walton o Fryste.
A poetry session with Llansteffan poet Peter J Jones, Robert Walton and The Rockhoppers: Anne Marie Butler, Jackie Biggs, Maggie Harris and Mel Perry
The Rockhoppers is a group of four poets based in west Wales. Annie, Jackie, Maggie and Mel are four strong distinctive individual poetic voices. They also work well together and collaborate to produce innovative and sometimes surreal pieces for performance. They have a strange and unexplained affiliation to small penguins.
Grŵp o bedwar bardd sy’n byw yng ngorllewin Cymru yw’r Rockhoppers. Mae Annie, Jackie, Maggie a Mel yn bedwar llais barddol unigryw. Maent hefyd yn cyd-weithio’n dda gan gynhyrchu gwaith arloesol, weithiau’n swrreal, i’w perfformio. Mae ganddynt gysylltiad rhyfedd anesboniadwy gyda phengwiniaid.
Peter J. Jones was born in Llanelli in 1945 and has worked in the public sector and overseas in the mining and oil industries. Since 1984, he has lived in the Llansteffan area where in the last few years he has resumed painting again. His paintings have been shown in solo exhibitions at leading galleries in Wales and Ireland. His university studies include education and Anglo-Welsh literature.
A Fox in the Yard is a remarkable sequence of poems centred around an enduring and hard-earned sense of place, combined with a deep respect of the natural world, its mysteries and our perception of them.
Ganed Peter J Jones yn Llanelli yn 1945 ac mae e’ wedi gweithio yn y sector gyhoeddus a thramor yn y diwydiannau glo ac olew. Ers 1984 mae e’ wedi byw yn ardal Llansteffan ac yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf mae wedi dechrau peintio unwaith yn rhagor. Arddangoswyd ei beintiadau mewn arddangosfeydd yn orielau pwysig yng Nghymru ac Iwerddon. Mae ei astudion brifysgol yn cynnwys llenyddiaeth Eingl-gymreig.
Mae ‘A Fox in the Yard’ yn gyfres ryfeddol o gerddi sydd â’i gwreiddiau mewn synnwyr cadarn o le gyda pharch dwfn tuag at y byd naturiol, ei dirgelion a’n dirnadaeth ohonynt.
Born in Cardiff in 1948, Robert Walton’s first collection of poems, Workings, won the Welsh Arts Council New Poet Award in 1978 but, for reasons which are still a mystery to him, he stopped writing for almost twenty years. Robert resumed writing in the late 90s, initially working with artists in other media music, dance, storytelling, film and installation. His poetry pamphlet, Waiting for the Wave, was published by Pighog Press in 2012. He has co-wr tten two plays for Inkling Productions Labyrinth (2012) and Green Shoots (2014). He is a member of the poetry workshop and performance group, The Spoke, which regularly presents its work in Bristol Poetry Festival, and is an experienced reader of his work.
Cafodd Robert Walton ei eni yng Nghaerdydd yn 1948 ac enillodd ei gasgliad cyntaf o gerddi, ‘Workings’ Wobr Bardd Newydd Cyngor y Celfyddydau yn 1978 ond, am resymau sy’n ddirgelwch iddo ef ei hunan ni ysgrifennodd ddim am ugain mlynedd, Ail gydiodd ynddi yn y 90au hwyr, gan weithio yn y lle cyntaf gydag artistiaid mewn cyfryngau eraill, cerdd, dawns, adrodd chwedlau, ffilm a gosodiadau. Cyhoeddwyd ei bamffled, ‘Waiting for the Wave’ gan Wasg Pighog yn 2012. Mae wedi cyd-ysgrifennu dwy ddrama aer gyfer Inkling Productions sef ‘Labyrinth’ (2012) a ‘Green Shoots’ (2014). Mae’n aelod o weithdy barddoniaeth a grŵp perfformio, ‘The Spoke’ sy’n cyflwyno’i waith yn rheolaidd yng Ngŵyl Barddoniaeth Bryste, ac mae’n ddarllenwr profiadol o’i waith ei hun.
Here are some comments from audience members after The Rockhoppers’ gig at The Brown’s in Laugharne:
Dyna rhai sylwadau gan aelodau o gynulleidfa yn Nhalacharn ar ôl perfformiad gan y Rockhoppers:
‘Surreal, musical, sublime!’
‘They play off each other very well’
‘Excellent, varied’
‘Lovely mix of styles, very amusing’
and at Rhosygilwen:
ac yn Rhosygilwen:
“The Rockhoppers do something different – they grab the audience’s attention, so that we’re alert, eager to listen – and want to keep listening. Very clever, in fact.”
“It was great seeing the Rockhoppers – it really works. The whole concept adds something to poetry reading – livens it up, without distracting from the writing.”
Anne Marie Butler
Annie worked as a civil servant. Her career brought her to west Wales where studied Fine Art and Design. She now works as a landscape artist and fulltime writer. Her work has been published in various anthologies and in 2017 she won the R.S.Thomas Poetry Prize. Her debut collection is due to be published by Three Throated Press. Her written work is often off- beat and deals directly with the rural landscape and people who inspire her. She likes birds best.
Gweithiodd Annie fel gwas sifil. Daeth a’i gyrfa â hi i orllewin Cymru ac yna astudiodd y celfyddydau cain a dylunio. Mae hi nawr yn gweithio fel tirlunwraig ac ysgrifen wraig amser llawn. Cyhoeddwyd ei gwaith mewn nifer o ddetholiadau ac yn 2017 enillodd Wobr Barddoniaeth R.S.Thomas. Cyn hir caiff ei chasgliad cyntaf ei gyhoeddi gan Three Throated Press. Mae ei gwaith ysgrifenedig yn aml yn wahanol ac yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â’r tirlun gwledig a’r bobl y’n ei hysbrydoli. Mae’n well ganddi adar:
Jackie Biggs
After a successful career as a journalist and editor, Jackie Biggs started writing poetry seriously six years ago. Her first collection, The Spaces in Between was published in September 2015 by Pinewood Press (Swansea). She has also had poetry published in many magazines and anthologies. She’s co-organiser of The Cellar Bards in Cardigan and reads her work at spoken word events all over west Wales.contact: jackienews@hotmail.co.uk
Yn dilyn gyrfa lwyddiannus fel newyddiadurwraig a golygydd, dechreuodd Jackie Biggs farddoni o ddifri’ chew mlynedd yn ôl. Cyhoeddwyd ei chasgliad cyntaf, The Spaces in between ym mis Medi 2015 gan Pinewood Press (Abertawe). Yn ogystal cyhoeddwyd ei barddoniaeth mewn nifer o gylchgronau a detholiadau. Mae hi’n gyd-drefnydd ‘The Cellar Bards’ yn Aberteifi ac yn darllen ei gwaith mewn achlysuron llafar ar draws gorllewin Cymru. Cyswllt: : jackienews@hotmail.co.uk
Maggie Harris
Maggie Harris writes poetry and prose. Caribbean roots and Kentish shoots now growing in west Wales. Proper jobs have included teaching Creative Writing and an International Fellowship at Southampton University. Maggie has won the Guyana Prize twice for poetry and the Commonwealth Prize for a short story. Now loiters in gardens and cafes and anywhere that accepts poets.
Mae Maggie Harris yn ysgrifennu barddoniaeth a rhyddiaith. Gwreiddiau o’r Caribî a blagur o Gaint yn tyfu yng ngorllewin Cymru. Mae ei swyddi go iawn yn cynnwys dysgu Ysgrifennu Creadigol a Chymrodoriaeth Ryngwladol ym mhrifysgol Southampton. Enillodd Maggie Wobr Guyana dwywaith am farddoniaeth a Gwobr y Gymanwlad am stori fer. Mae hi nawr yn loetran mewn gerddi a chaffis ac mewn unrhyw le sy’n derbyn beirdd.
Mel Perry
Mel is a writer and spoken word performer from Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, and is a frequent visitor to the north Wales island of Bardsey. She is a regular performer at spoken word events and is a member of the Coracle- Kultivera residency in Tranås, Sweden through which she is co-delivering writing workshops on line for Swedish young people. Her poetry and short stories appear in a range of publications including Two Thirds North from Stockholm University. In 2016 she collaborated with Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band to perform her Bardsey poetry to music. Mel is now also studying for an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes.
Mae Mel yn ysgrifen wraig a pherfformiwr llafar o Lansteffan, Sir Gaerfyrddin ac mae’n ymwelydd cyson ag Ynys Enlli yng ngogledd Cymru. Mae hi’n perfformio’n gyson mewn achlysuron llafar ac yn aelod o breswylfa Coracle- Kultivera yn Tranås, Sweden ble mae hi’n cyd-gyflwyno gweithdai ysgrifennu i bobl ifanc o Sweden. Ymddengys ei barddoniaeth a’i straeon byrion mewn nifer o gyhoeddiadau gan gynnwys Two Thirds North gan brifysgol Stockholm. Yn 2016 cydweithiodd gyda Band Chwyth Symffonig Caerfyrddin I berfformio ei barddoniaeth Ynys Enlli I gerddoriaeth. Mae Mel ar hyn o bryd yn astudio am radd MSc mewn Ysgrifennu Creadigol at Ddibenion Therapiwtig.
South Wales crime fiction writers GB Williams, John Thompson and John Nicholl in a panel discussion about their most evil characters. Moderator: Thorne Moore.
Seicopathiaid mewn Llenyddiaeth, Ffrainc, Sbaen
Bydd awduron nofelau ditectif o Dde Cymru, GB Williams, John Thompson a John Nicholl yn trafod eu cymeriadau mwyaf aflan.
GB Williams specialises in complex, fast-paced crime novels, book one of the Locked Series, “Locked Up”, was released in 2017, “Locked In” publishes in Feb 2018, and “Locked Down” is due in Autumn 2018. GB was shortlisted for the 2014 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition with the story Last Shakes, now available in Last Cut Casebook. Crime novels are her stock in trade, but she has had success with short stories in other genres including steampunk, horror, and erotica. She has also penned her debut steampunk novel, she launched in September 2017. And she hates every photo ever taken of her. Find out more at www.gailbwilliams.co.uk.
John Nicholl, an ex-police officer, child protection social worker and lecturer, has written six darkly psychological suspense thrillers, each of which has been an Amazon international bestseller, reaching # 1 in multiple categories in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Australia, Canada and the USA. John reached # 10 of all books on Amazon in Australia and has been awarded three Amazon All-Star awards for being one of the 25 most read authors in the UK.
John is happily married, lives in rural West Wales, and has three adult children and one grandchild. He began writing after leaving his job heading up child protection services for Carmarthenshire.
He is represented by Toby Mundy – Literary agent at TMA.
John Thompson was born in the district of Eton in 1942, and attended Windsor Grammar School, graduated in 1965 from the University of Aberdeen with an Honours Degree in History. He followed this by reading for an M.A. in American History at the College of William and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated – tempestuous times!
John eventually became side-tracked into Law and spent the next two decades as a practising barrister.
John has always been a voracious reader. John has an abiding interest in the human psyche, having studied Psychology as a minor subject in his first degree, while twenty years of practice in divorce and criminal law exposed him to every aspect of the human mind!
John has won awards from the National Association of Writers’ Groups and been short-listed several times in other competitions, notably those contained in Writing Magazine, which John would recommend to any aspiring writer.
Moderator: Crime novelist Thorne Moore
The Brindavan Chronicle: Genesis was published in June 2015 – in which a charismatic man uses his charm to bend the will of others to his own purpose. The real interest in such a situation is not that the gullible and guileless can be taken in by such a man, but how they respond when they manage to see through the veil of delusion.
Seicopathiaid mewn Llenyddiaeth, Ffrainc, Sbaen
Bydd awduron nofelau ditectif o Dde Cymru, GB Williams, John Thompson a John Nicholl yn trafod eu cymeriadau mwyaf aflan.
Mae GB Williams yn arbenigo mewn llyfrau ditectif cymhleth sy’n symud yn gyflym Cyhoeddwyd y llyfr cyntaf yn y gyfres, “Locked,” sef “Locked Up” yn 2017, cyhoeddir “Locked In” ym mis Chwefror 2018 a disgwylir “Locked Down” yn Hydref 2018. Rhoddwyd GB ar restr fer cystadleuaeth straeon byrion Margery Allingham yn 2014 am ei stori, “Last Shakes.” Straeon ditectif yw ei harbenigedd ond cafodd lwyddiant hefyd gyda straeon byrion mewn ffurfiau eraill gan gynnwys arswyd ac erotica. Cewch mwy o wybodaeth ar http://www.gailbwilliams.co.uk.
Cyn heddwas yw John Nicholl, gweithiwr cymdeithasol a darlithydd ac mae wedi ysgrifennu chwe nofel seicolegol gyffrous ac roedd pob un yn un o lyfrau mwyaf llwyddiannus Amazon gan gyrraedd ҂1 mewn nifer o gategorïau yn y Deyrnas Unedig, Ffrainc a Sbaen a derbyniodd tair gwobr seren Amazon am fod yn un o’r 25 awdur mwyaf poblogaidd yn y DU.
Dechreuodd John ysgrifennu ar ôl gadae ei swydd fel pennaeth gwasanaethau amddiffyn plant yn Sir Gaerfyrddin
Caiff ei gynrychioli ganToby Mundy, gweithredwr llenyddol TMA
Ganed John Thompson yn ardal Eton yn 1942 a bu’n ddisgybl yn ysgol ramadeg Windsor a graddiodd o brifysgol Aberdeen gydag anrhydedd mewn hanes. Dilynodd hyn gan ddarllen am MA mewn hanes America.
Cafodd John ei ddenu gan y gyfraith a threuliodd y ddwy ddegawd nesaf yn fargyfreithiwr.
Mae John wedi bod yn ddarllenwr brwd erioed. Mae ganddo ddiddordeb parhao mewn eneidiau dynol, wedi astudio seicoleg fel rhan o’i radd gyntaf tra bod ugain mlynedd yn ymwneud ag ysgariad a throsedd wedi ei gyflwyno i bob agwedd o’r meddwl dynol.
Enillodd John wobrau gan Gymdeithas Genedlaethol Grwpiau Awduron a chafodd ei roi ar y rhestr fer nifer o weithiau mewn cystadlaethau eraill, yn enwedig y rhai hynny a gynhaliwyd gad “Writing Magazine.”
Cyhoeddwyd “The Brindavan Chronicle: Genesis” ym Mehefin 2015. Ynddo ceir ddyn carismatig sy’n defnyddio’i swyn fel bod pobl yn gwneud yr hyn a ddymuna.
Last night Gaynor and I received an award for our Literature Festival. It’s amazing to think we had an idea two years ago and people everywhere have said yes, and helped and supported us, from artists to volunteers, councils, business owners and residents.
And despite set backs, funding refusals and all kinds of teething problems, support has not wavered and now we got a sssscestificate!
DIOLCH YN FAWR – MANY THANKS
Christoph Fischer on the Red Carpet with Llandeilo artist and fellow writer Kate GlanvilleFellow winners: Brigid Jones (Art @ the Hall), Christoph Ffischer (!) and Gaynor JonesLitFest trustees: Gaynor Jones, Christoph Fischer, Nick Brunger
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