It’s (almost!) here. Cut Out is now available to pre-order for kindle on Amazon, with the formal launch on 6th June 2018.

Recently released from prison, Cookie has begun a reckless and unorthodox relationship with DCI Ollie Sullivan. The action has shifted to London where Sullivan, now partnered by larger-than-life DI Dawn Sayler, is investigating a financial fraud. A shooting that puts Sullivan in hospital leads Cookie to take matters into her own hands, and events soon turn sinister and dangerous. Then a death in the family resurrects the ghost of a crime that Cookie thought was behind her.

Hastings Literary Festival is happening! Lots of exciting developments on the LitFest front. You can find the full programme on the site: www.hastingslitfest.org where tickets for some events are already on sale, with more to follow. Sir David Hare has kindly agreed to be Festival Patron, and we now have a very full three days, with speakers including Mavis Cheek, Michael Arditti, David Videcette and Jane Harris. Alongside author talks and readings there are seven workshops for writers, panel discussions, a book fair, opportunities to pitch your novel to an agent, plays, films, a concert from the London Mozart Players, and three competitions (short story, crime novel and sports journalism – all now open for entries). Festival dates are 31 August to 2 September 2018: please come along and say hello! Hastings welcomes writers.

Other news

Forthcoming: The Habitat of the Dartford Warbler – Three middle-aged men, apparently unknown to each other and in three seemingly unconnected incidents, disappear from their homes in the space of a few days. What does this have to do with an estate agent, a nightclub tribute act, and a teenage boy? I’m working on it.