Kathy’s Comments (group member since Oct 21, 2014)

Kathy’s comments from the Devon Book Club group.

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "My favourite in January was Slow Horses by Mick Heron. I'm late to the table: it was published in 2009/10 I think and the series it has spawned has been very successful..."

Hi Ian, fine thanks now after a bout of Covid at Christmas. Sorry for the silence - I’ve had head down writing, editing etc. Hope all is well with you.

DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "My favourite in January was Slow Horses by Mick Heron. I'm late to the table: it was published in 2009/10 I think and the series it has spawned has been very successful..."
Yes, I plan to work my way through them too. So many books...

My favourite in January was Slow Horses by Mick Heron. I'm late to the table: it was published in 2009/10 I think and the series it has spawned has been very successful. It's championed as the new John le Carre as many spy books are. The parallels are there but it's very much it's own beast. It starts slowly but gets you involved and it's clever and unexpected. I loved the ending.

It's so difficult to know which to pick, isn't it, since different books speak to you at different stages in your life? But, off the top of my head, I have some standouts: The Great Gatsby, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Snow Falling on Cedars, Jane Eyre, The Go-Between and, in non-fiction: Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind and The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "And now I have a bank holiday special for you - a giveaway (see below for details of how to enter) of Kathy Shuker new book
"A Crack in the Varnish"
Kathy is well known t..."

Thank you, yes, I enjoyed the sun too - doing some much needed gardening!

Ian wrote: "And now I have a bank holiday special for you - a giveaway (see below for details of how to enter) of Kathy Shuker new book
"A Crack in the Varnish"
Kathy is well known to many of you, having been..."

Thank you, Ian, for putting the word out and organising this for me. And on a BH weekend too! Hope you've had a chance to enjoy the sunshine.

Ian wrote: "My reading over the last few weeks:
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, The Camomile Lawn - both outstanding, in very different ways. Elif Shafak builds a boo..."
I love Mary Wesley's books, especially The Camomile Lawn. This might be a good time to revisit them.

I've just started Traitor's Purse, a Campion mystery. Margery Allingham was such a good writer it's a comforting and reliable pleasure.

Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopian phase it's n..."
Yes, a brilliant book, Karen, but very disturbing at the best of times. Not sure I'd cope with it at the moment!

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Gail wrote: "And you've been doing so well with your longlistings in the DLF Local Writing Prize, Kathy!"
Cheers Gail! No-one more surprised than me... :-)"

Oooh - keep us updated on..."
Hi Ian. The prize was announced a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations go to Emma Timpany whose novel, Travelling in the Dark won. But I was chuffed to have a longlisting two years running. There'll be no submission next year though: I'll still be writing the WIP!

Gail wrote: "And you've been doing so well with your longlistings in the DLF Local Writing Prize, Kathy!"
Cheers Gail! No-one more surprised than me... :-)

Gail wrote: "While not in the same league as The Booker Prize, I'd like to flag up The People's Book Prize summer collection. This competition champions new authors and showcases new and undiscovered work. It p..."
Congratulations Gail! I hadn't heard of this before. You have some wonderful reviews already. Good luck!

DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Mystery and intrigue and a hint of romance - down by the sea! I'm thrilled and grateful to have been long listed for the DLF writing prize again this year, this time with [bookcover:T..."

Thank you Carole! I believe the short list is going to be announced in June and the winner will be awarded in July at a 'thing'. But honestly, I have no expectation of winning so I'm not too stressed about it. Just grateful to have been long listed! Thank you for the thought though. :-)

Cathie wrote: "Yes, Notes from the Lost is being proofed right now. I'll be back with more news later in the year, no doubt. :-)"

Intriguing title! Look forward to hearing more about it. :-)

Cathie wrote: "Congratulations, Kathy! Good luck for the next stage."

Thank you, Cathie! Honestly I'm just grateful to have been long listed!
Do you have a new book in the pipeline?

P.R. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Mystery and intrigue and a hint of romance - down by the sea! I'm thrilled and grateful to have been long listed for the DLF writing prize again this year, this time with [bookcover:T..."

Thank you, Prue, for the lovely review! Much appreciated. So glad you enjoyed it. :-)

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Mystery and intrigue and a hint of romance - down by the sea! I'm thrilled and grateful to have been long listed for the DLF writing prize again this year, this time with [bookcover:T..."

Thank you, Ian. I know how busy you always are. And so sorry to hear your mum has been poorly.

P.R. wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Mystery and intrigue and a hint of romance - down by the sea! I'm thrilled and grateful to have been long listed for the DLF writing prize again this year, this time with [bookcover:T..."

Thank you! I do hope you enjoy it! :-)

Mystery and intrigue and a hint of romance - down by the sea! I'm thrilled and grateful to have been long listed for the DLF writing prize again this year, this time with which was published just 3 months ago. In celebration of this the ebook is now on special offer at 99p in the UK (usually £3.99) for a limited time only. This offer is available across all major platforms but ends May 15th. Take advantage now! https://books2read.com/u/3Jy0PJ

If you do read it, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review both on GR and the purchase platform of your choice. Thank you so much. :-)

No problem Ian - you can't keep your eye on everything!! It went very well thank you. Sold a lot of books and met some lovely readers. A really pleasant morning - and the staff at Kingsbridge library are so helpful and friendly.