David Gilman

While researching Castelvecchio in Verona I discovered this wonderful library. La Capitolare is the oldest library in the world. Once a Scriptoruim dating back to 517 A.D. 100,000 books,1,280 mss, 11,000 parchments. My illuminatrix in Rage of Swords would have had her work archived here.

An excellent opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of La Serenissima and the insight and intrigue of splendid crime writing. And there's a bonus of seeing the casino in the Hotel Monaco where Casanova gambled, a room that is seldom open to the public. And it's all free. A real gift.

Venice. A delight for individual shops. Here's Shanti Daan down a narrow Calle. Hand made Italian designs & clothing (among other things). Stefano & his cat Ravi. (Stefano studied sitar with Ravi Shankar) When in Venice & your wife's birthday looms make sure your credit card is fully loaded.

I'm researching my next book in Italy and I see there's a fuss at home about the English flag. In Verona's Castlevecchio art gallery is the Resurrection of Christ, Jacapo da Valenza 1478-1509. Now, I know it's said 'God is an Englishman' but this suggests it might run in the family. Just saying.

In Venice for 2 weeks researching novel due next year (The Knife Maker of Venice). Always fun to find something new (to me at least). Saturday market in Campo S. Maurizio is wonderful. And in Museo Carrer good to see Venetian resident & author @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social propped up nicely.

It's not long now...here's @davidhewson.com to tell you all about this year's Venice Noir!

The full paperback cover of The Four Deadly Seasons. Many thanks to @philipgwynnejones for the smashing quote.

I'm in Venice on the 9th looks as though I'll miss it.

Had a fab time chatting with the wild guys at Rock Paper Swords. Still trying to get the hang of how BlueSky works!

Against a blue background, the text: ""Sick cultures show a complex of symptoms such as you have named... but a dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters... This symptom is especially serious in that an individual displaying it never thinks of it as a sign of ill health but as proof of his/her strength". Robert Heinlein - 'Friday' (1982)"

Something to make you think - from Robert Heinlein.

There in September. I'll try and find them.

They might be making more sense than the man himself.

My next book 'in waiting' after the 9th Master of War - Rage of Swords - published this November, starts in Totnes and Dartmouth on the wonderful River Dart. And the Dartmouth Castle & its gun tower feature. What better way to approach a day's research than by boat.

Just doing some gardening and came across this beutiful insect. I think it's a Privat Hawk Moth - never seen one here before.

The glorious month of May. The sun is shining and the rhododendron blooms in the garden.

Always a pleasure to visit Coleton Fishacre, (South Devon) the home of the D'Oyly Carte family. Arts & Crafts house and stunning gardens down to the sea. Mewstone Rock in the distance. Spring is well and truly here.

Amazon UK have 'Defiant Unto Death' the second book in my Master of War series, on a Kindle deal for the month of May.
www.amazon.co.uk/Defiant-Unto...

COVER REVEAL: RAGE OF SWORDS is the newest thrilling book in @davidgilman.bsky.social’s bestselling #MasterOfWar series.⚔️ Sir Thomas Blackstone must travel into enemy lands with a price on his head…

Out 6th November from @headofzeus.bsky.social: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rage...

Here's the cover for the next Master of War novel, the 9th in the series. Final edits being completed in May, so that always gives me a chance to nip and tuck. @headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @blakefriedmann.bsky.social

When cars had a certain look. Here's a 1937 Mercedes Model 540K. 8 cylinder, 180hp, elegance and technology. The Nazi Party loved them.

Maidens’ Courtyard: King Pedro 1 palace, Seville. His use of Arab water garden elements into the Alcázar reflected an understanding for the way water could shape space and evoke emotions. A Christian King in the 14c embracing design that connected with centuries of Arab architectural traditon.

Something to lighten the mood. When cars had a certain panache. Allard 1949: M Drophead. 8cylinder 3,600cc.

Amazon, bless them, are keen for me to read a series called 'Master of War.'
Here's a series I might like. They suggest I start with the first book in the series.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

Two years ago we bought a stump of a plant. It was meant to fill a ‘small’ space in front of the other bushes. The Broom has taken over. Nobody told me I was planting a monster. And it’s only supposed to flower in May. This was full on beginning of April.

Watching the chaos that's sweeping across the world make me feel as though I'm watching a blood sport. Like bullfighting. All that pain and suffering so that the bull market can be brought to its knees.

Just had a text message from Amazon asking if I was interested in reading adventure stories. They sent images and titles of all my books. That was thoughtful of them.

An early start to the day. I share breakfast time with a gathering of feathered friends. A collection of among others, Blackbirds, Long Tail Tits,Green and Goldfinches. Sprogs, Robins, Dunnock. Joy into my world.

This, in the domed ceiling of Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Malaga. (Iglesia del Sagredo Corazon de Jesus). There's always something to catch the eye in this lovely city.

Two weeks in Malaga and impressed with how well run the city is. Returned home to find residents in Plymouth were fighting to save the trees in their street. Why is it so many places seem to be better organized than here? In Japan, when a road goes through. They move the tree.