Merryn Allingham

If you're in the US or Canada and fancy starting a new series, The Bookshop Murder has been selected as a January Kindle Monthly Deal. $1.49 in both territories throughout the month.
Nearly 5000 five star reviews can't be wrong!
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I hate the cold but I have to admit that winter has its own beauty

Obviously time to revisit! The quiet parts are the best and once you get away from St Mark's Square, the Accademia and the way to the station, it's a different world.
Now you're on to Murder by Firelight, I hope you enjoy the Lewes setting - not quite so exotic but with luck as exciting.

You know, I think in some ways that's better! It makes you really look, be aware of your surroundings as an actual place rather than a curated image. I hope you loved Venice.

Yesterday was Christmas meal number 4 - but a special one. Tapas at Terre a Terre, the brilliant vegetarian restaurant in Brighton. Fabulous, and carnivores love it, too!

The return of a prodigal son is a joyful occasion - though not joyful for everyone!
Murder at the Homecoming is now available on Netgalley, so if you're a reviewer, here's the link.
ow.ly/zl9z50XxnkV

That's wonderful to know! Just about to publish book 13 in the latest series, the Flora Steele Mysteries.

Proud to be part of your haul, Alexa!

I shiver all winter but I really love autumn. Most days, I walk through my local gardens and they're beautiful - simple, but beautiful.

The candles may have to be in single digits, but you're never too old for a unicorn cake!

Publication Day is here!
It seems to have been a long time coming but
Murder by Firelight has arrived. The title is cosy - the murders perhaps less so!
geni.us/B0F6Y558JXau...

Thank you for reposting, Louise!

Just to say that The Venice Murders is on Kindle Countdown for a few days - a bargain at just 99p/99c!
bookgoodies.com/a/B0DNG1T6T1

This is Thanos. He has figured out how to rest and babysit at the same time. Very impressive, very Montessori. 13/10 (TT: thanosthesaint)

For all you reviewers out there, the next Flora Steele mystery is now available on Netgalley.
ow.ly/Mkeu50Wp325

We visited Nottoway some years ago on a tour of the South - I'm from the UK. I thought it beautiful but there was a melancholy to the place. A sadness. Don't know if that was just me and what I knew of its history, but the plantation has stuck in my memory ever since.

The Officer's Wife is free today on Amazon worldwide - but just for the day!
Currently number 1 in Asian Fiction.
mybook.to/h5Tf8d

Finally, back to work after my wonderful holiday - not absolutely sure where the last few weeks have gone - but at least I have my mentor standing (lying) by. Delilah knows a good plot when she sees one!

It takes an age, doesn't it, but it works. When you find yourself stopping at the same points each time, you know you've got to rewrite.

Excellent advice - for me, number three is the most important. You read aloud and you just know a phrase, a sentence, doesn't quite sound right.

Found each other, Margaret! Good luck for your January publication.

Thank you, Lesley. I remember this now - another senior moment! I thought it was very nicely done and thanked her.

I don't think I saw that blog post - but then quite a lot passes me by, I'm afraid.

Yes, our local writing group. Small and select. We met through the RNA and then turned to crime in all its various forms.

I'm the one on the left, in the middle. It was a fun lunch!

Another Christmas on its way and another festive lunch for our lovely writers' group. It's brilliant.

Underfunding Our Libraries Almost Lost Us World War II "The health of the nation’s libraries is a national security issue," writes Elyse Graham.

We can learn a lot from history on the consequenses of underfunding libraries time.com/7024056/libr...

Love the title, Helen.