Crimson Rose

     I've just finished reviewing the latest novel in the Kit Marlowe series by M.J. Trow - no spoilers, I promise but I wanted to share my enthusiasm for this and other books in the series.  They are set at the time when dark events were happening in Tudor England and this one begins with a sudden death at the premiere of Marlowe's Tamburlaine.  Crime was rife and life was cheap (sorry about the clichés) during this period and events become more sinister still when Walsingham, Elizabeth's spymaster, takes an interest.  Those who know a little about the short but remarkable life of Christopher Marlowe will find this a fascinating read.  Do try it, and others in the series if you haven't yet done so.

     Mei Trow's writing covers a huge range from historical & recent true crime, historical biography, and other historical crime fiction (have you discovered Inspector Lestrade of Victorian Scotland Yard yet?) to my own personal favourites, the series of crime novels featuring the wonderful Peter Maxwell, head of history and accidental detector into local crimes.  I've worked in various secondary schools over the last 25 years and, believe me, every staff room has its own Mr Maxwell, saviour of disenfranchised children, supporter of unhappy staff, supporter of justice and protector of the vulnerable.  I have a feeling that Peter Maxwell may have a touch of the autobiographical about him...

     I've been choosing and reviewing books for libraries for a number of years and now that I'm freelancing and doing some proof-reading, etc., I thought people might be interested in some of the new and forthcoming titles I've been reading and reviewing so from now on, you will find my thoughts here as I read my way through the cream of the new season's titles.

     My favourite leisure reading is crime fiction and I've enjoyed crime fiction conventions across the UK so one thread of these blogs will be recommending the best new crime fiction from the UK, the USA and Europe, including some of the brilliant new crime fiction from Italy as well as the Scandinavian writers who produce "Nordic noir".  I certainly won't be forgetting Tartan noir either, as Scotland currently have some of the greatest crime fiction in the world, from the genius of Rankin & McDermid to the bizarre and brilliant humour of Christopher Brookmyre and the warped and disturbing work of the fantastic Stuart MacBride (I first encountered him in a coffee queue at a talk at the Harrogate Festival when he came up to me and asked, without introduction, how I would dispose of a corpse...don't ask).