The Suffocating Sea Coming In Large Print

I'm pleased to say that The Suffocating Sea, the third in the Inspector Horton Marine Mystery series of crime novels set in the Solent area, is to be published in Large Print in September.

It will be available to buy via the Internet and on order from bookshops. It will, of course, also be available from libraries certainly in the UK and I believe also in America.

I have been told that the talking book or audio version and download of The Suffocating Sea is also being published but I'm yet to have a date for this. When I do get one I will post something here and on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk/

The Suffocating Sea was recently chosen by The Book Depository as one of ten 'Best of British Crime Fiction.'

The Suffocating Sea

DI Horton is called to investigate a suspicious fire on board a boat, but as soon as he arrives at the marina he experiences a premonition so strong that it’s almost audible. As he views the charred remains of the dead man he knows instinctively that this investigation will be like no other, and he’s right. Soon Horton is forced to confront the past, not just the victim’ past, but the mystery surrounding his mother’s disappearance over thirty years ago. As the pieces of a long ago puzzle begin to unravel, it soon becomes clear to Horton that this is one case someone is determined he should never solve – masterminded by a dangerous adversary who will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out...

'A gripping, suspense-filled murder case...an entertaining read in an engaging series...' Booklist

Hayling Library Grand Re-Opening 27 July

I'm delighted to have been asked to help celebrate my local library's grand re-opening on 27 July at 4pm.

Hayling Library is in the process of undergoing a major refit and I know it has been missed by many people since it closed on 30 May. However, I am sure the wait will be worthwhile as we will have new shelving, new furniture, a much needed new community room and MORE books - 300 to be precise, great news.

The makeover at Hayling Library (and nearby Havant and West Leigh) has been made possible after Hampshire County Council won lottery funding. The Library at Waterlooville is also due a re-fit.

I have been asked to be present at the re-opening ceremony on 27 July which takes place at 4pm and the celebrations will then continue into the evening until 7pm. So I will be at the library for a while to sign books and to talk to anyone about my marine mystery crime novels which are set in the Solent area. I'll also be happy to answer questions and provide advice to any budding writers. So if you're in the area do come along.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/library/library-finder/hayling-library/hayling-library-map.htm

A great review from America

My latest crime novel Dead Man’s Wharf was published in America on 1 July 2009 in hardcover. I'm delighted that it immediately received an excellent review from Kirkus Book Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews is published 24 times annually, with nearly 5,000 book reviews each year. It is one of the most prestigious names in the publishing industry and is read by publishers, libraries, agents, film and television studio producers, as well as commercial booksellers. I've put the link to their web site here but what I didn't realise is that it's a subscription only web site, so you won't be able to read the review. That might not be a bad thing as it does rather give the plot away.

Here, however, is what they say about Dead Man's Wharf:

‘Rowson turns out an exemplary procedural with the requisite plot twists, double-crosses and all loose ends tied up neatly in a sailor’s knot.’

Dead Man’s Wharf was published in hardcover in the UK in April 2009.

It is the fourth in the marine mystery series of crime novels to feature the flawed and rugged Inspector Andy Horton, whose patch is Portsmouth CID on the south coast of England. It is available from on line bookstores and can be ordered through any bookshop.

Read an extract from Dead Man's Wharf.

Beside the seaside - beside the sea

I'm back from Hayling seafront, lovely breeze, the sea looks & feels great. Oh, I do love to be beside the seaside... especially on a very hot day like today. Though, honestly, I love the sea no matter what the weather and as many of you know it is the inspiration for my crime novels.

Having been brought up close to the sea in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, it is part of me. I spent many days of my youth sprawled out on Southsea and Hayling beach sunbathing, and no, I didn't know anything about skin cancer then. Like all my friends I smothered myself in baby lotion and cooked under a blistering sun. It sends shudders up my spine to think what damage I must have done to my skin. Now, like a good girl, and of more mature years, it's sun factor 25 and a hat.

The forecast is for a hot sunny week so plenty more sea breeze and walks along the beach on Hayling Island and on the Isle of Wight where I have a little bolt holt, which enables me to do lots of lovely creative writing. It beats working for a living!! I only have to remember all those days I spent in an office looking longingly at the lovely weather and wishing I was outside enjoying it to appreciate what I now have.

I'm currently working on a new Inspector Horton marine mystery crime novel, which is set in March, so it's winds, rain and the odd glimpse of spring breaking through as the backdrop to a tantalising tale full of twists and turns and surprises. That's what I so love about England. OK, so we all moan about the weather, but it always give us lots to talk about, and provides great variety. We have the beauty of the changing seasons and of course, the sea: beguiling, beautiful, bewitching - dangerous, deadly, deceptive - mysterious, masterly, moody - tempestuous, tidal, tranquil. What more, I ask you, could a crime writer want as a backdrop to a murder mystery novel?

Crime novels are the new black

Crime and thriller novels triumph in a boom and recession. That's the good news for crime writers and readers and it comes from a recent survey commissioned by The Bookseller magazine and conducted by The Next Big Thing.

Despite tightening purse strings people still enjoy a good crime novel, me included.

The survey throws up some interesting data and although should not be taken as gospel it provides a snapshot into the reading and buying habits in the UK. You can read about the findings at http://www.thebookseller.com/in-depth/feature/88461-reading-the-future.html but here are a couple of juicy bits that particularly concern crime writers like myself.

"3,159 people responded (just over 1,000 were surveyed in 2008 and all in face-to-face street interviews). They came from across all regions of the country, included a broad spread of adult age groups, a representative spread of all socio-economic groups, and an equal number of men and women."

In 2009 interviews were conducted on line, which of course could slew some of the findings, but nevertheless there are some interesting findings.

"The overall favoured genres and the most popular genre in the downturn is the same as in the better economic climate: crime/thriller novels. "

"Crime/thrillers and science-fiction fans are the two categories that are more likely than average to continue to buy books at the same rate, at 45.5% and 41% respectively."

"The crime/thriller genre is most popular with the over-40s"

The survey also highlights the shift to online buying over other channels such as bookshops and supermarkets, which probably comes as no surprise to most of us. (This answer could be slewed because the survey was conducted on line.).

And although crime novels came out tops that doesn't mean writers of other genres or readers need despair. Sci fi was also a popular choice and the popularity of literary fiction appears to have risen. "In 2008 it was behind romance but in 2009 it is on a par."

There is a lot more in the survey about buying patterns and e book readers so if you're interested take a look at http://www.thebookseller.com/in-depth/feature/89074-reading-the-future-2.html

I'm tickled pink- a starred review

I've just heard from my publisher that DEAD MAN'S WHARF, the fourth and latest in the marine mystery crime series featuring my rugged and flawed detective, Inspector Andy Horton, has been given a *starred* review by the American review magazine, Kirkus.

I'll put a link to the Kirkus web site when the review goes live, which will be (I am told) in a couple of weeks time. But be warned, their synopsis does rather give away a lot of the plot, so I won't reprint it here because I don't want to spoil it for those of you who want to read the novel. This, however, is their summing up of DEAD MAN'S WHARF.

'Rowson turns out an exemplary procedural with the requisite plot twists, double-crosses and all loose ends tied up neatly in a sailor’s knot.' Kirkus (USA)

It's important for new authors to get positive reviews because it takes time in a crowded and competitive marketplace for readers to discover your work. These positive reviews help to raise the author's profile, and introduce him or her to new readers. They also help to boost sales, which keeps the publisher happy!

But it's not only these 'official' reviews that are important to an author, equally important (and often more so) are readers reviews because they help to spread the word. Word of mouth recommendation is a powerful marketing tool. Although I know that I can't please all the people all the time, and that not everyone will love my novels (it is art and therefore subjective), I am always delighted when my readers take the time and trouble to let me know how much they enjoy my crime novels. Thank you. I'm also delighted when the reviewers give me good reviews!

How I started writing

I've just uploaded a new video. In this video I talk about how I began writing and the long road to publication. It takes a while for many writers to discover their writing style and to find what they truly want to write, and that's how it was for me. It also takes time to learn your craft and resilience to cope with the rejection letters and disappointments along the way. But if you truly want to be a writer then you must never stop writing, but keep seeking to improve every step of the way.

I first seriously started to write fiction with the aim of publication over twenty years ago. I wrote at weekends while running my own marketing and training company during the week, first trying my hand at historical romantic fiction before turning to crime! (Writing it that is, not committing it). My historical novels are still on computer... maybe one day I might revive them!

I hope you enjoy listening to and watching the above video. If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear from you.

Tea, talk, red-eyed frogs and giraffes

Question: What has a crime writer, giraffe, red-eyed frog and bat-eared fox got in common?

Answer: We'll all be at Marwell Wildlife on 23 July 2009 between 3pm and 5pm.

Join me for a sumptuous tea and talk on 23 July 2009 in the spectacular setting of Marwell Hall at Hampshire Marwell Wildlife. But don't worry you won't be going on safari, (shame, I hear some of you cry), instead you'll be listening to me talking about my crime novels and how I write. I'll be reading extracts from my books and I'll also be answering questions (about writing - not exotic animals).

Marwell Wildlife is a registered charity so visiting it is not only a chance to get up close to the wonders of the natural world but also helps play a big part in saving the animals. From pink-tailed sharks to red-eyed tree frogs, laughing kookabura to frilled lizards, giraffe-nosed catfishes to bat-eared foxes – the 140-acre park is home to over 250 exotic and endangered species, ( not including crime writers) in beautiful, landscaped surroundings.


This summer, for the first time ever, Marwell is holding a series of literary teas and I am delighted to be the first author to kick start this exciting programme of entertainment. I will be reading from my novels, answering questions and signing books. There will be afternoon tea, cakes and scones. Yummie!

Pre-booking is essential. Please call 01962 777966 / 777936 or email events@marwell.org.uk. 10% discount for Annual Pass Holders - exclusive price of £37.35 per adult. For non Annual Pass holders the cost is £41.50 or visit http://www.marwell.org.uk/functions/literary_lunches.asp?css=1



Hope some of you can make it.

Book Signing - 20 June 2009

I will be signing copies of my latest Marine Mystery, Dead Man’s Wharf and the new paperback edition of Deadly Waters (as well as my other crime novels, of course,) at The Hayling Island Bookshop on Saturday 20 June 2009 between 11am and 12 noon as part of the celebrations for Independent Booksellers Week.

Dead Man’s Wharf was recently published in hard cover and features my rugged detective, Portsmouth-based Inspector Andy Horton. If you are in the area and get the chance then do come along and say 'hello.' No ticket is necessary, just turn up on the day.

Independent Booksellers Week was first introduced in 2008 and celebrates the best in local independent bookshops around the UK with a series of events. It runs from 15 to 22 June.

For further information and directions please contact The Hayling Island Bookshop on 023 9246 6620 or visit their website at http://www.haylingislandbookshop.co.uk/

And the winner is...

My little local independent bookshop - The Hayling Island Bookshop - didn't win the title of the Independent Bookshop of the Year Award which was announced at the British Book Industry Awards last night, shame. The title went to the Hungerford Bookshop and I am sure was well deserved. Never mind, Hayling , there's always next year and from all of us on Hayling Island and the surrounding areas of Havant, Emsworth, Waterlooville and Portsmouth you are our number one star.

Well done Hayling Island Bookshop

Congratulations to The Hayling Island Bookshop, my local independent bookshop, which has been voted by the Academy of British Book Awards as one of the UK’s best independent bookshops.

The store is the South Region winner to go forward to the shortlist for the prestigious Independent Bookshop of the Year Award. Bookshop Owner, Marie Telford is thrilled to be on the shortlist for a “Nibbie”.

The bookshop runs a range of book events working in partnership with different organisations including the Portsmouth Schools Library Service and the Hampshire Public Library Service. In 2008 the shop supported events for over 3000 people with authors including yours truly, Terry Pratchett, Anne Widdecombe, Ian Whybrow, Kate Mosse and Derek Landy.

Marie Telford and her husband Colin are also very active in my local community sponsoring and organising the Hayling Island Scarecrow Festival. Well done and best of luck in the finals, which are tonight. Fingers crossed.

New Video Uploaded

I often get asked where do your ideas come from? Well, in this new video I talk about the inspiration behind my fast-paced crime/thriller novel, In Cold Daylight and I read the prologue.


In Cold Daylight

Was fire fighter, Jack Bartholomew's death an accident or arson? Who is determined to stop him from discovering the truth behind the cancer deaths of so many fire fighters from one watch? His closest friend, marine artist, Adam Greene, is forced to take up the quest. His mission to get to the truth no matter what the cost, even if it means his life.



Here I am with the fire fighters from Red Watch, Southsea, my husband's former watch. The inspiration behind In Cold Daylight. A great bunch of guys.

I hope you enjoy watching this new video.

I'm back! I've been unlocked

A strange thing happened to me recently - the google robots thought I was spam and locked this blog. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered that my humble blog had been spotted by the robots, or insulted that they thought my entries were 'nonsensical' or that I had 'too many links.' ( I didn't think you could have too many links.) As for my writing being nonsensical .... well, it doesn't say much for me as an author!

Still, a human being at google (yes, there are some, apparently) has now reviewed my blog and verified I am a genuine human being with a genuine blog. Well, that's a relief. So I'm back. And have you missed me? I doubt it. But in case you are wondering what I've been doing since my last blog entry, I'll give you three guesses. Yes, writing, writing and writing.

The plot of the new Inspector Horton marine mystery crime novel is coming along well, and I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday in the garden in glorious sunshine developing it further with pencil onto paper, which is how I work out all my plots and character development. And for anyone worried about me burning under all that sunshine - I donned suntan lotion, like a good girl, and sat under the dappled sun of the trees in my garden. Today, I will be getting more of the novel onto the computer, after a long walk this morning and before the thunder arrives. And just in case you are worried that my entire life consists of writing, I took some time off to make a skirt and top from some lovely fabric designed by Amy Butler and from Rowan. It's beautiful, check out her designs if you have time and are that way inclined. I bought reams of it from John Lewis in Southampton. Enough to keep me busy for a couple of weeks in between writing, of course.

A big thank you to my readers

It's always great to get positive feedback on one's novels and I am delighted to have received some lovely comments from readers over the last couple of weeks concerning the latest Inspector Horton Marine Mystery crime novel, Dead Man's Wharf.

I've also had some great comments from readers who have just discovered my earlier crime novels, Tide of Death, Deadly Waters and The Suffocating Sea, as well as my thriller In For Kill. If that sounds like bragging then please it's not - far from it. I am just soooo grateful for a kind word or two...

When a new novel is published, us authors wait with baited breath, not to see what the 'official' reviewers are saying about it but what the real readers think about it. We are nervous, sensitive souls who have lived, breathed and eaten that last novel. We've shared our characters fears, thrills, sorrows, joys and more, so much so that it feels as though a part of us has been laid bare. We want the book to be good - great even. And we really want people to enjoy reading it.

By the time I have finished writing, and endlessly revising a novel, I know it inside out and back to front. And that's not the end of the matter, you then have to go through the proofs. You are so close to it that it is difficult to be objective. There comes a time, I am sure with most writers, when you believe that everything you have written is rubbish, so when feedback of a positive nature comes through you have to be scraped off the ceiling you're so excited. It's a great motivator to carry on.

Giving pleasure to my readers in the form of a thrill, a good mystery novel, a gripping and enjoyable crime story is what I love doing. I adore my central character, the flawed and hunky Inspector Andy Horton with all his faults, and I am delighted to say that my readers also love him.

The comments I have received over the last fortnight are:

"When will Andy be allowed to see his daughter?" (You'll have to keep reading to find out)
"Andy's wife's a bitch - how can she do this to him?" (I just don't know!)
"I so want Andy Horton to find a nice girl." (I believe there's one called, Jane, in Darlington who wouldn't say no)

And the other comments:
"I love the central character and also the local colour."
"Well done – great stuff!"
"The murder plot is really engrossing"
"Brilliant!"
"Great! I cried at the end!"
"Thrilling. I'm now going to read all your novels."

I know I'm probably opening myself here to adverse comments because there's bound to be others who don't like the books - but then that's art for you - it's subjective, and although negative comments hurt I know that I can't please all the people all the time. I'd just like to!

A big thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to let me know that you are enjoying my crime novels. And, yes, I have written the next Inspector Horton, but I'm not sure when it will be published. I'll let you know as soon as I do, here, and on my official web site.

Now I'd better get back to writing number six. I left Inspector Horton in a tricky situation... but then when isn't he?

Cornwall And CrimeFest

I’ve just returned from giving two talks in Cornwall where the sun was shining, the sea was blue and the crowds were flocking to St Ives, which was my first port of call on Tuesday morning at 11am. I met some delightful people as always and my heartfelt thanks to them for listening to me talking about how I write and for buying my books.

After a quick sandwich lunch sitting in the cemetery overlooking the bay it was about an hour’s drive to St Austell Library where, once again, I met some lovely people, answered questions about my marine mystery crime novels and signed books before setting homewards. Not a bad trip back to the Solent area except that the drive belt (I think that’s what it’s called) on my Ford Scorpio decided it had had enough travelling for one week and snapped. No power steering (how on earth did we manage before) no air conditioning and a battery light that stayed ominously on making me wonder if we stopped whether we would ever get going again. But we arrived home, safe, sound and exhausted.

Next stop was meant to be CrimeFest in Bristol for my panel interview on Friday 15 May, but due to unforeseen circumstances I have had to pull out. I am really disappointed as I was looking forward to speaking at the event and meeting so many crime authors and crime fiction fans. If you were attending hoping to see me and hear me talk, please accept my apologies. I will be back next year. My books will still be on sale at CrimeFest but I won’t be there to sign them – sorry. For anyone who is disappointed not to meet me, please e mail me or leave a comment here if you have a particular question you wanted to ask me. If you require signed copies you can order direct by visiting my official web site

My next book signing and talk is at Ferndown Library, Dorset on Tuesday 2 June at 10.30am. All welcome. ferndownlibrary@dorsetcc.gov.uk Tel: 01202 874542 And I promise I will be there.

Puddings, pink ladies and fishing nets

Well now I can say I’ve lunched at The InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane and a very nice lunch it was too. When my husband, Bob, gave the London taxi driver the hotel’s address, the cabbie asked if we’d won the lottery – obviously then we didn’t look the usual clientele of The InterContinental. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or offended. I, of course, pretended to be a World famous crime novelist, but it didn’t fool the cabbie. The problem with authors is that people only recognise the names J.K Rowling and Dan Brown.

Still, he said his wife reads crime novels, so I duly handed over one of my bookmarks, giving details of my marine mysteries and thrillers, and told him she might like to look me up in her local library, or dare I say it, buy one of my books.

The hotel staff were very polite and friendly, but then they should be for the amount is costs to stay there, not that I know the price, I didn’t bother checking – way out of my league.

The lunch was a pleasure and by that I mean both the food and the company. My thanks to Katherine of Business Consort for organising the event. We had fun, made some new friends and raised a nice sum of money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. And it was great to meet so many women running highly successful businesses.

I’ve posted some photographs of me in action, the ladies at lunch, and - for Dawn, of the Ultimate Boot Camp (where ladies can tone up, get in shape, lose weight, find the Ultimate you and fall in love with the hunky marine physical training instructors- a photograph of her rather splendid dairy-free dessert – don’t ask me what it was but I think she took the topping home to use as a fishing net.

Face-To-Face Networking

I'm preparing for my talk, the Pink Ladies Lunch, tomorrow at The Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. No, it's not a Barbara Cartland fan convention but a networking lunch amongst businesswomen in aid of the charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, organised by Business Consort. You can find details of all their events at http://www.aurora-marketing.com/events_courses.php?region_id=5. I 'll be talking about my crime novels, my career and my business books.


The audience are all business women who use the lunch not only to relax away from the workplace for a couple of hours, but to also make new contacts and hopefully do a bit of business together in the future. As the saying goes, 'It's not what you know, but who you know'.


When I ran my Marketing, Training and PR company networking was an important part of winning new clients and now that I am a full-time writer and guest speaker it's no different. Networking sometimes gives me new ideas for my crime and thriller novels - the spark of idea can ignite from a conversation, and I can also get ideas for characters! In addition, networking can stimulate ideas for a new business or motivational book.


I also like to network with fellow authors and pick up new tips and techniques, and share experiences. Then there is networking amongst those in publishing and book selling and with television and film producers, all very useful stuff for spreading the word about one's work, making new contacts and winning new writing commissions.


Social network sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are also helpful and I managed to meet up with a few people I'd first met on LinkedIn and Facebook at the London Book Fair recently.


I'm looking forward to meeting the ladies tomorrow at the lunch, and downing a glass or two of pink champagne, but not before I've given my talk, of course! I'll let you know how it goes.

Talk, Talk

I'm lubricating my throat and polishing off my speeches in anticipation of my forthcoming talks, which start with my Pink Ladies Lunch at The Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London (pink champagne will be served whilst raising money for breast cancer awareness) on Friday 8 May, followed by a visit to St Ives Library and St Austell Library in Cornwall on 12 May and finishing with an appearance at Crimefest in Bristol on Friday 15 May.

It's always interesting to meet new people and to answer their questions about writing and to discuss with them my crime and thriller novels. I'll be posting some photographs from these events to this blog and to my Facebook page as well as to the other social networks to which I belong including Goodreads, Redroom and Crimespace. If anyone reading this blog is attending any of the above events then I look forward to meeting you.

Hythe Library is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its move to the current building in May. I was delighted to be asked to talk at Hythe Library in July 2008. They were a lively audience and made me very welcome.

The library is having a few displays and events and one of them is going to be a display of books and information about past 'guest' visitors to the library including my marine mystery crime and thriller novels. So if you're in the area then drop by and take a look.

Dead Man's Wharf Published

Dead Man's Wharf, the fourth in the marine mystery crime series featuring my flawed and rugged detective, Inspector Andy Horton, is officially published in hardcover this week (although it's been on sale on Amazon for a while).

I've posted a video on my You Tube channel, where you can listen to me reading an extract from the novel ( as well as listen to and view all my interviews to date) or you can click on to my web site and listen to the video interviews there.

You can read a longer extract from chapter one of Dead Man's Wharf on my official web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk/


Below you can listen to me reading an extract from chapter one of Dead Man's Wharf . Hope you enjoy it.

I'm back from marine mystery crime and thriller country

Three of my crime and thriller novels feature the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of England. In For The Kill, the fast-paced thriller starring Alex Albury, is set there; The Suffocating Sea, an Inspector Andy Horton Marine Mystery ends there, and Blood Upon The Sand, another Horton crime novel, which I've just finished writing, is also set there.

As I've just returned from a long hike on the Isle of Wight, I thought I'd post a couple of photos of where these novels are based. The top photograph is of Sandown Bay and the one below is of Whitecliff Bay. I'll take more next time I travel from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight and post them here.

In In For The Kill, Alex's life descends into a living nightmare when his identity is stolen. Newly released from prison and living on a houseboat in Bembridge Harbour, Alex sets out on a quest to discover who framed him for fraud and embezzlement, vowing to destroy this man as he has destroyed Alex's life. (You can listen to me reading the prologue on my web site).

In The Suffocating Sea, Andy Horton is forced to confront the past, not just that of the victim found badly charred on a burning boat, but of his mother's disappearance thirty years ago. As the pieces of a long ago puzzle begin to unravel it soon becomes clear to Horton that this is one mystery someone is determined he should never solve - masterminded by a dangerous adversary who will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out.

The new Inspector Andy Horton Marine Mystery is called Blood Upon The Sand. It is not yet published because I've only just finished writing it.

On his way back to Portsmouth from Guernsey, Andy moors his yacht at Bembridge Marina on the Isle of Wight and discovers a woman leaning over the body of a man in the disused bunker on St Helens Duver. Soon Andy finds himself embroiled in another murder case, this time complicated by the emotional turmoil he feels for the woman who everyone believes is the killer. I'll be reading an extract from Blood Upon The Sand shortly and posting it on my web site, but for now you can read a more detailed blurb by clicking on the above link. I'll let you know when it's going to be published.

Hope you enjoy the couple of photos. If you get the chance, the Isle of Wight is well worth a visit. It has some stunning scenery and is great walking country.

A Magical London Book Fair 2009

Back from the London Book Fair after two very hectic and productive days. Can’t say it’s the best way to spend two gorgeous hot sunny days in England stuck in a giant air-conditioned hanger in the middle of London but needs must, and it was great to see so many friends in the publishing and bookselling world, and meet people who I’ve connected with on LinkedIn and on Facebook.

The London Book Fair seemed to be buzzing with activity with everyone in a positive and upbeat mood. Not so the taxi drivers who say that business in the capital is certainly down on this time last year. Though judging by the number of tourists on the embankment and river tours on Sunday I’d say the visitor figures must be well up. Those who live and work in London though (according to my source) are letting the tube take the strain. The buses seemed to be faring well and the number of cyclists whizzing along the busy fuel-choked roads seemed to spawn daily while we were there.

Anyway back to the London Book Fair. I met with my agent from Brazil who is very upbeat about my novels and has considerable interest from a number of publishers and producers in both Latin America and North America. My agents in Spain and Italy also had interest from publishers for translation rights, so fingers crossed. And it was nice to catch up with Hani, my agent from the Middle East and Samy from the Far East.

While on the stand I had a surprise visit from Paul Daniels – yes, the magic man. It was great to see him and in no time at all he had a small audience enthralled by his magic tricks. He promised to follow my antics on Twitter! He was at the London Book Fair to promote his creation Wizbit, written by Justine Maynard and published by HandE Publishers.

There was considerable interest in e books, the publishing industry finally seems to be waking up to the fact that e books are here to stay and will continue to evolve and grow, as will Internet book sales. Self-publishing is another growth area and is becoming increasingly popular as a means for new authors to get their books out there.

It was also good to meet with journalists, my e book and audio publisher, Summersdale Publishing, and my business book publisher, Crimson, who gave me a copy of the jacket cover of one of my new business titles due to be published in August 2009. They’re doing a big marketing push behind the launch of a major new series of business books including my titles: Successful Marketing, Successful Sales and Successful Customer Service. As soon as I have jpegs, I’ll post them here and put links where you can view details.

Today is the final day of the London Book Fair, and although I am not there, my marine mystery novels and thrillers are, so hopefully they will attract more interest from publishers, booksellers and readers around the world. Many people stopped by the stand to tell me how much they loved my rugged, edgy detective, Inspector Horton and to them I very grateful. I hope many more will enjoy reading my crime novels in the months and years ahead.

Radio Phone-In and Ferry Crossing

My radio phone in interview with Alex Dyke on Wight FM on 16 April was lots of fun. It was great to talk to people via a phone-in and to answer questions they’d e mailed in regarding my novels and how I write. I'd love to do more radio phone-ins so hope I can link in with other radio stations on this soon.

I was also delighted to find that the Captain sailing the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, on my way over to the Isle of Wight for my radio interview, was Captain Paul Marshall who was the Captain on the St Clare at the time of my eight hour marathon book signing event in May 2008. He left the bridge on Wednesday - in the capable hands of his chief officer I hasten to add - to come and say 'hello' and chat while we waited to sail into Fishbourne.

All in all a pleasant couple of days on the Isle of Wight, where my thriller, In For The Kill is set. The Suffocating Sea (an Inspector Andy Horton crime novel) also ends on the Isle of Wight.

The London Book Fair 2009

My Marine Mystery crime novels and my thrillers will be on show at The London Book Fair from 20-22 April 2009. They are on stand J205 so if you're going to the London Book Fair then do take time to come and say 'hello'. I will be there on Monday 20 April and Tuesday 22 April. I've got some appointments lined up but you can always browse the books and pick up a leaflet or two. You can even pinch a sweet!

I'm looking forward to meeting my overseas literary agents and publishers and hopefully making new contacts.

The World English language rights are available to my brand new Inspector Horton Marine Mystery - Blood Upon The Sand - the fifth in the series, and there has been some considerable interest in this title, (and my others) from UK and overseas so it should be interesting to see what happens.

Hope to see some of you at the London Book Fair.

FREE Signed copies of Deadly Waters

There's an extract from Deadly Waters and the chance to win one of five signed copies of the marine mystery crime novel featuring Inspector Horton in a brand new magazine out this month called, 'round & about'.

round&about is a free monthly guide to what's going on in the Godalming area (Surrey UK).
You can read the extract of Deadly Waters in the magazine and enter the free prize draw by clicking on the following link http://www.vantagepublishing.co.uk/R&A%20April%202009.pdf

And you can also listen to an Deadly Waters here or on my official web site

Book Signing and Radio Interview

On Saturday 20 June 2009, as part of the celebrations for Independent Booksellers Week, I will be signing copies of my latest Inspector Horton Marine Mystery crime novels, Deadly Waters and Dead Man's Wharf at my local independent bookshop, The Hayling Island Bookshop at 11am - all welcome.

Independent Booksellers Week was first launched last year as a celebration of independent bookselling. Over 350 booksellers participated in a range of activities and events throughout the week. This year it runs from 15th to 22nd June and there will again be a number of exciting events and book signings in the UK in independent bookshops.

Before that though I've got lots of speaking engagements and book signings lined up. You can see them here on my blog (scroll down and see them on the right hand side) or you can view them on my official web site.

I've also just been invited on to Wight FM to talk about my crime novels. In For The Kill, a fast-paced, action-packed thriller is set primarily on the Isle of Wight. I'll be talking to Alex Dyke on Thursday 16 April at 12 noon.