1 March 2008

What Do You Do On The Train?

East Midlands Crime Writer Malcolm Noble, who sees his fifth mystery novel published this month, says that much of the book was written on his regular train journeys between Market Harborough and Nottingham. “A comfortable seat and good humoured staff are just the environment for scribbling away in a notebook,” he says.

The Parish of Frayed Ends is the latest in his series of detective stories set in a south coast seaport in the 1960’s. His previous book, Case of the Dirty Verger (a Nottingham Post Book of The Week) featured a nostalgic journey down the East Meon branch line in Hampshire. And Liking Good Jazz (2005) began with a railway murder. “That’s a fine tradition in English Detective Fiction,” says Malcolm.

Malcolm has one message for Tim Shoveller and East Midlands Trains: “Never let the railways lose their romance!”

The author has lived in Market Harborough for over twenty years and runs a second-hand bookshop in the town. He recommends the town for its interesting architecture and a good selection of traditional shops.

The Parish of Frayed Ends by Malcolm Noble is published by Matador Paperbacks (ISBN 978 1906221799)

Praise for the previous books in the series:
“Noble reels off a first rate story. Vastly entertaining.” (Nottingham Post)
“This fantastic novel. It leaves you begging for the next in the series!” (Montgomeryshire Advertiser)

"Noble has a fine knack of description, creating a sense of place and atmosphere. Try them.”(Portsmouth Post)

Link to Railway Conections (The Case of the Dirty Verger)

Link to Railway Connections (Liking Good Jazz)