I can’t believe it’s March already. Christmas and New Year are a distant memory and welcome signs of spring are everywhere. The view from my office at the bottom of the garden is growing greener and more appealing as I begin work on Wesley Peterson’s new case.

While I was in York before Christmas (doing the final piece of research for my next Joe Plantagenet mystery) I wandered into an old church where a fascinating exhibition was laid out at the west end. The church (Holy Trinity on Micklegate) was once part of a Benedictine Priory and the exhibition concerned the day to day life of the monks who worshipped there. One part of the exhibition particularly caught my attention and that was a bestiary (or Book of Beasts) lovingly made by the monks to show the wonders of creation. Some animals depicted were ones we would know today but others were fantastic beasts such as unicorns and dragons. It is amazing how seeing something like this can plant a seed in the imagination and Wesley’s next investigation will feature something similar. People often ask authors where they get their ideas from and this is an example of seeing something that sparks an idea. The book is still very much at the planning stage but I love the idea of including strange medieval beasts in a plot. Watch this space.

My next Joe Plantagenet mystery is now finished and I’m just waiting for my editor’s opinion. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she likes it.

The paperback of COFFIN ISLAND is out on April 10th and I’m celebrating the launch on 16th April at Serenity Books in Romiley, Stockport, with a panel of my fellow authors. I have several events already planned for this year. See the ‘events’ section for details.

Finally, my publisher has sent through the brand new cover image for DEADLY REMAINS (out in August) I think it’s brilliant. Hope you agree.