I think of myself as a crime writer, but with the very broadest definition of crime.
Author: Rosalind Esche
Alison Bruce talks about detective fiction
My mum read things like Agatha Christie and British, cosy crime, but then she tended to watch American crime on the TV. Dad would sit reading his book, being very disapproving.
Grace
At the beginning of lockdown in the spring of 2020 I thought I would make use of the extra time at home to catch up on my ever growing, and increasingly daunting ‘to be read’ pile
I know I have books that I will never open, and on a few occasions I’ve bought them just because they are beautiful to look at!
I have at times used audiobooks as company in the middle of the night, but apart from that, I have just picked the books that look like an interesting mystery.
Why Do We Read Detective Novels?
‘Crime fiction confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe.’ – P. D. James
For many years I’ve read fairly randomly; nearing the end of a novel I’d decide what was the logical successor and then illogically read something entirely different.
I favour reading fiction, with occasional biographies, usually about writers or composers.
It is very easy to put down an electronic book and forget you have it. A physical book sits by your chair, or by your bed and is a reminder to carry on reading.
Have you read more or less during lockdown, or much the same as usual?
Well, it rather depends on what you define as “usual.” Before I retired, about a year prior to Lockdown, most of my reading was done on the train during my commute.
Hunting the ghosts of local businesses
Buildings often tell stories and hint at their history
A Family of Phrenologists
When we think of seaside promenade attractions, such as fortune-telling, palm-reading and so forth, we tend to imagine stripey booths and bead curtains.
Tony’s Trough
Between a set of bike racks and next to Lloyd’s Bank, on a north Cambridge traffic island, there is a rather strange monument: a memorial dog trough. This was erected in 1934, in memory of a dog named Tony. It was put there at the request of Prince Chula of Siam, who studied at Trinity…