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Author’s Blog:
Malcolm Noble’s Mysterious Notes
The Timberdick Mysteries are a series of murder stories set in the sleazy back-streets of a south coast seaport in post-war Britain.
Some of these jottings are from a writer who sells books.
Others are from a bookseller who writes.
Depends on what sort of day I’ve had.
You can also follow us on twitter: @MalcNoble
At the moment I am reading ....
One of my favourite detective writers
Our latest round of thanks goes to the Jeanz Read 'n' Review website that has published an interview.
I don't think any other interview has gone into such detail about how and when I write.
I'm sure that anyone who has enjoyed my books will think it worthwhile visiting the page.
Click here. (23rd January)
Thanks to everyone who borrowed one of my books from their local library last year.
The PLR statement has just come through, showing that loans of the Timberdick Mysteries increased by more than 30% in 2010-11.
That was very unexpected and I am very grateful for your support.
The most borrowed Timberdick Mystery was A Mystery of Cross Women, with The Parish of Frayed Ends and
The Case of the Dirty Verger in second and third place.
Thanks also to those readers who left some review
comments on their library sites. I always take time to read and think about what has been said. Comment (17 January 2012)
Christine has posted the following comment on the facebook page
"Just like last year, Christine's Bookcabin is offering 3 free copies of the books on the Librarything website.
This time, it's Peggy Pinch, of course.
Look for the members giveaway link ...http://www.librarything.com/ er/giveaway/list ... and indicate your interest
by the closing date in about three weeks time (can't work out when that is!).
The site will select the winners at random. Good Luck!"
(Comment) 9 January 2012
In spite of all the disruption by the water company in our town this summer, Coventry Road still flooded during a downpour yesterday.
Chris has a go at trying to slow traffic down, but many passers-by still got drenched. Looking forward to see what the local paper
made of it all
(Comment) 4 January 2012
This evening I've enjoyed writing the 100 Timberdick Christmas cards. Most will be posted tomorrow. Rather late this year.
For a picture of how the evening went, look back to the note for 16 November 2010 .... it was much the same!
We hope they cause a little amusement for regular readers.
(Comment) 10 December 2011
Trombonist Marcus Reynolds came into the shop for a second time today, and we enjoyed a good "Glenn Miller chat". Marcus's
knowledge outstrips mine by miles, of course, but I think I kept up for part of the way. He will be playing locally with a "forties" style swing
band this Christmas, details on his website (or in our shop window!).
Meanwhile, go to You Tube to watch him playing on one of Glenn Miller's trombones.
(Comment) 22 November 2011
I want to mention the local all-female brass band that performs in support of breast cancer charities.
One of their number asked me to stick a poster on the shop door (which somone, very interested in the details) took
away almost immediately! Their website gives details of a Market Haborough fundraiser. Comment
My thanks to the Shropshire Star for this, the first review of Peggy Pinch.
Comment (17th November)
A long standing customer has mentioned that he was in the same class at school at Shadows' guitarist, Jet Harris.
He has also spoken about a 1950s visit to the Two I's Coffee Bar ..... but he
and his mates walked out because the place was dead!
Furthermore, he still has a pack of playing cards that Jet sold to him. Is this an Ebay moment? I wonder. We'll have to keep
watch. In the meantime, this is how you play Diamonds on your bass guitar.
(Comment) 2 November 2011
I don't usually put comments from Timberdick's readers on the blog, but this one has caused so much
laughter in our house, that we just have to share it.
"Now this is a daft question, but I’m working my way through your books. Is Ned based on you when you were in the police?
In the Parish of Frayed Ends where he lets himself into the vicars quarters and finds a jacket potato in the fire and cracks an
egg into it, I can’t help but imagine you doing that!!! Sorry, it wasn’t the Parish of Frayed Ends, I think it was the Mystery of
Cross Women where Ned’s eating the potato!!! "
The writer worked with me in 2007, so they probably have a good idea!
(The full recipe, including the correct colour of the eggs - and what to fry them in - is in Mystery of Cross Women)
Anyway, Here is the video!
(Comment) 12 October
Once again, looking through an old favourite.
Came across this copy yesterday evening when sorting through one of our several junk rooms. I found a grocery box full of books
which I thought I had lost. (There is some discussion going on about who put the box in the back of this room, or even who put the books
in the box in the first place!) Found several delights, including a copy of Bruccoli's early Raymond Chandler Checklist (not signed unfortunately), a signed copy of a Wm Buchan biography and an early US edition of The Hollow by Agatha Christie. And many more,
including this pocket sized Hazlitt. (Have I mentioned that he and I went to the same school? Must have mentioned it, many times)
Anyway ..... several years ago I saw Michael Foot walking along Horseferry Road. Feeling (and no doubt looking) like a bit of a twerp, I
caught up with him. When he realised that I hadn't stopped him to shake his hand or comment on his politics, but because I wanted
some advice about the different editions of Hazlitt, this very generous gentleman spent much more time than he could afford, talking me through the different books and collections. He said I should write to him and discuss things further, but of course I never did. But what a genuine bloke he was. (Comment) 3 October
Here's a picture of Peggy Pinch displaying herself outside our shop, which Chris and I thought looked rather nice, in a rustic sort of way.
(Yes, you're right, the flowers are on their last legs! But they've been with us all Summer, thanks to our good friend Ros)
I've just posted the following comments on Amazon about a boxed set of the Margaret Rutherford- Agatha Christie films.
Not sure when the submission will be on their site. (28 Sept)
"Ms Rutherford's audition for rep, and Terry Scott's masterclass on acting a small role are just two of the delights you'll find in this set.
The films have been for too long dogged by Agatha Christie's disapproval. Put that aside and you'll enjoy a worthwhile example from the golden ages
of British picture-making and English detective fiction. We could have done without the horse and cart, and it's a pity the films don't show more about
village life in the early 60s, but perhaps the producers had something else in mind. Packaging is rather basic; it would have been nice to get a short
documentary about the films, or at least a booklet of photos taken on the set or contemporary reviews. Not a lot of thought has gone into this project.
But still, go ahead and buy it!"
The Bookcabin has now received its stock of "Peggy Pinch, Policeman's Wife"
and I have just settled down to my traditional evening of signing inserts for the Presentation Packs. Both Chris and I are very pleased
with the cover. We will be offering the book at this week's antique fair in Harborough, which will be ou first chance to hear the reaction of some of my regular readers (Comment) 15 September 2011
My publisher is now listing A Mystery of Cross Women as out of print.
However, we do still have some copies in the Bookcabin so please get in touch if you have difficulty finding a copy.
The book remains available from the usual places as a Kindle. (Comment) 14 September 2011
Thanks to the Harborough Mail for this front page about the planned closure of Harborough Market.
Chris is second from the right in the picture.
To read the full text, best go to the paper's website www.harboroughmail.co.uk
They are digging up the middle of Market Harborough at the moment. (It's something they do at this time of year). I had a chat
with the statutory archaeologist who has to be in attendance (no, I didn't know that either) who mentioned that, when digging up
the High Street, they found the surface of the old 13th century road through the town. I thought this was exciting news, so I
phoned The Harborough Mail (who weren't in the office) and told my teenage grandson who said, like all these things, it was
probably a fake. Fake? But how? Surely if ... ? Oh, it doesn't matter.
In any case, I think it's dead exciting (Comment) 29 August
A busy couple of days. As well as posting off Bookcabin Press Releases for Peggy Pinch, we have been discussing the esign of this year's Timberdick Christmas Card. (Seems mad to say that there is little time left for getting the card ready
on time, but there it is!) Then, today the final posh proof of Peggy Pinch's cover has turned up. It's a shame that the printing process
means that the book will not look as fresh and rich as the proof ... but, mounted and framed it will go
nicely on the wall! (Comment) 23 August
This morning, two volunteers from the Frinton Heritage Trust visited the shop, looking for likely items.
An interesting chat. Their website shows a variety of attractions, from a crossing cottage to a historic lifeboat.
Like the centre itself, the website is certainly worth a visit. Here's the link. (Comment) 18 August
There has been some comment about the mouse in this picture!
Yes, at times, Christine's view of her husband are not good for his self image.
(It was a Christmas present.) (Comment) 12 August)
Here's another of her little jokes., Personally, I can't see any resemblance
(Comment) 18 August
Since Saturday morning, Christine and I have received loads of support from folk hereabouts, including wine, flowers ...
and dish of new laid eggs! We have both been especially touched by the many home-made cards from local children. We are
showing this one because it shows well on the webpage but all the others have been just as good.
These things really do make a difference.
(We're trying to keep up to date with the thank-you letters.) Thanks for all your good wishes. (Comment) 15 August
Many thanks to the Harborough Mail for publishing this cutting.
Any local shop who wants to be including in the directory, please contact us
Contact 11 August 2011
One of our customers today is married to the grandson of a Titanic fatality. A very interesting
conversation ... but I forgot to ask her to sign our Visitors Book! (Comment) 7 August
We're back, after a few weeks away from everything. So, I have been away from my blog and the facebook page.
We have plenty of new stock in the shop - evidenced by the very good sales level during the past fortnight. I think that Christine and I have decided that we can manage without a television in the house. Not sure how long we'll last before going back on that .. but we're looking forward to filling the time in different ways. (Comment) 4 August
One of our Bookcabin customers, Francesca Goodwin, has posted a note on Timberdick's facebook page, announcing
that she has started a blog , cataloguing her poetry and illustrations. Take a look and let Francesca know what you think
www.francescagoodwin.blogspot.com (Comment) 30 June
A customer saw that I had a pack of cards on the desk.
He asked me to shuffle them, then he dealt them out between us. He told me to divide my half into four piles,
and he did the same (blindly, with no mirror). He then brought the pack together and revealed that the cards were
sorted in their suits. How did he do that!
(Comment) 28 June
Leicestershire Romance Novelist, Pamela Watkins was a customer today. She hasn't written for
some years but many of her titles are still available on the secondhand bookselling sites. She wrote
as Stacey Absalom and, later, Stephanie Wyatt. During a lighthearted chat she let me in on the
reasoning behind her two pen-names. Very amusing! (Comment) 17 June
Chris has justed posted this comment on Timberdick's Facebook page.
"Bit of conversation starting on the Book Crossing site about The Case of The Naughty Wife.
The link, if it works, is http://www.bookcrossing.com/jo urnal/8358354/ What do you think about it?
All good fun! So, join in!"
(Comment) 16 June
Just had to pass by an invitation to take part in Southsea Library's open day in July.
Something I would have especially liked to have taken part in .... because I used to belong to it,
many years ago! Still, always nice to be asked. (Comment) 14 June
Just arrived in my inbox! Here's the cover of the new book. (See 2 June below)
(Click the image to catch her own webpage)
(Comment) 10 June
Complaints from upstairs this evening because I was playing the Rolling Stones too loud. Ah, just
like the old days! All my life, there has been no sweeter sound than "Malcolm, turn it down." However,
while the records were great, I have to say that the guitar-comping was pretty rubbish.
(Comment) 9 June
Managed to get a first look at the work-in-progress for the cover of the new book. Too early to post it on the web (there's still work to be completed) but I like the way it's taking shape. 8 June 2011
Delighted to say that my next crime novel is listed for publication on 1 December this year.
PEGGY PINCH, POLICEMAN'S WIFE, is the first of a new series (but includes two characters we have
met before!) The magic number is ISBN: 9781848767867
I will keep the page up to date with the news (and any special offers). (Comment) 2 June 2011
Actor, Graham Hoadly was one of our customers today and provided an interesting chat on life
in the theatre over the years. Graham's website gives a summary of his varied career (he mentioned
only a few of the credits!). He's in Harborough while appearing in the Pirates of Penzance
at Kilworth House Theatre for the next three or four weeks. Check out both websites for more
details. Once again, I forgot to ask him
to sign the visitors book. (See 7 March below!) (Comment) 31 May
A Sunday morning customer wanted to know if Market Harborough was developing
a line in saucy fashion. I thought she was being rude about my shirt and cardie, but she
suggested I should look at a nearby window display.
Christine says it's the beads that do it! Comment (23 May)
Met with the town council officers this afternoon to discuss some ways forward following the cancellation
of our weekly Antiques Fair, some weeks back now (see below). A useful and friendly which, I think,
could result in raising the profile of the fair. It felt like a good afternoon's work (Comment) 12 May
One of yesterday's customers said that the house band at Butlins Holiday Camp (Minehead) in 1965 was a fledgling Status Quo. Can that be right? Surely not. Me and the holiday girlfriend didn't think they were very good at all ... and they didn't look anything like this ...
(Comment) 10 May
One of our customers has posted the following message on our Facebook Page. She is looking for
old material on Robert Vaughn (Man from UNCLE etc). This is no casual fan, but a budding expert. If anyone can help her, please let us know (or contact Lucy through the Facebook page).
We'll keep the blog up to date with any success she has.
"Hi Malcolm, love the page. I'm still on the hunt for the Robert Vaughn Medic episode 'Black Firday'.
Just emailed Mark back. I'll probably have to chase Mr.Vaughn's agent and find out if they know anything
about it. Hopefully I won't have the same trouble tracking down his other work but best not to speak too
soon.If you hear any news about old clips of Robert Vaughn can you please let me know?.
Thanks so much for your help so far. "
(Comment) 6 May
Have just spent four or five evenings sorting out, re-arranging the library. And, of course, this presents an opportunity to re-do the card index. When looking over the books I've gathered in the past forty years ... some of the shelves look none too bad. (Comment) 5 May.
Christine has just posted the following comment on the faceboook page;
"Already getting orders for the special presentation pack of Malcolm's next book. Due out end of this
year, early next. As before, there will only be 20 copies of this pack, so please let us know if you
are interested. First copies will go to those who have placed firm orders. Then we will invite orders
from people who have registered a...n interest. If there are any left, we will invite orders from people
who have bought earlier ones. We expect to get more orders than packs, so please get your name down
for one! Not yet settled what is going to be inside ... but it will include a page of the original
handwritten draft."
Comment 1 May
Still a few months to go, but Chris and I are puzzled about what to call our 35th wedding
anniversary .. coral or jade? Any experts out there? (Comment) 28th April
Well, the latest effort is pretty much as I want it. I will read through it again this weekend before passing
it over to others. Still, a long way to go before it sees daylight, but we're slowly getting there.
(Comment) 23 April
Good to see that our local Fair got a mention in this week's local paper, the Harborough Mail. (Sorry about the state of the reproduction; the other attempts were much worse!!) (Comment) 22 April 2011
Here's Christine calling for three cheers for Margaret Kenny , our Antiques and Collectors Fair Manager
who, after six years, has decided that she'd like her Sundays off
.
Margaret has worked hard for the Fair. Best wishes for the future
17 April
One of those days when it is a real delight to run a bookshop. People finding books on the
shelves which they had been looking for for ages, books about their family's experience, special
interests, and two or three special finds for bookovers' collections. Very few books that we sold today
were "casual buys" ... the books went to good homes. Very satisfying. Nice weather too, so I sat in
the court yard working on the mss (see worklog)
(Comment) 16 April
Some conversations in the shop today with ideas for this year's Christmas card.
Christmas card? It's not even Easter yet
15 April
I have just posted the following note on Timberdick's facebook page
Can anyone help? I am tidying up the draft of my latest book and need to name an old 78 record of
military music that would have been popular in 1924-5. Any ideas? Also, looking for a detailed photo of
an Victorian steam train called the Black Prince that worked on the Cornishman. (Have found plenty,
but a more detailed look would be useful) Many thanks
(Comment) 14 April
A visitor to the shop helps restore and maintain the railway at Wicksted Park Kettering. I didn't know
that one of their engines dates back to 1931. Perhaps here is not the place to publish the amount which
they spent on their latest addition. But it was enough for us to say that these enthusiasts certainly do
commit themselves to their task! Unfortunately, the railway has not dedicated website that I can link to.
I spent most of the day dealing with issues between the local council and the
Sunday Antiques Fair at Market Harborough. (Work in Progress. More later)
(Comment) 13 April
Going through the draft of the latest effort, I am grateful to Steve Dennison, once again, for clarifying
some railway facts for me. Two locomotives, instead of one, now pull the train through the valley in
chapter one, giving some historical accuracy to the 1926 scene. Many thanks. Now ..... the title of
a 78 record of a military march that would have been popular in 1924/5?
(Comment) 12 April
I have just posted the following comments about Gilbert's White's Natural History of Selborne on the librarything website.
"This book is never far from my armchair. I'm always dipping into it. The essays are detailed accounts of natural history but , for me, it brings home a feeling of what it was like to live in a Hampshire village in the mid-18 Century, especially the isolation. I prefer the Cresset Edition (1947) It has excellent notes (by James Fisher) and is nicely illustrated (Clair Oldham). Modern editions seem too elaborate. (I have always been disappointed by the Folio Edition) The Cresset book is pocket-sized and has a comfy 40's feel to it."
At one stage I started a collection based around the book. I got as far as a few postcards and a guide
to the village church, but went no further. (The book gets a mention in The Case of The Dirty Verger.) Comment 11 April
The local Collectors Fair was called off today, so Chris and I had a few restful hours in the back garden.
Super sunshine. Sorting through a spare room, Chris found a cardigan which she had bought for my 2008 Christmas present, but couldn't remember where she had put it. The cardigan has now been liberated and is looking forward
to a whole new life. (Comment) 10 April
Today was one of those days when running a bookshop seemed like the best job in the world.
Sunny weather allowed me to put more books on display in the courtyard. Customers were keen to talk
about their different collections. And some found books that they had been looking for over many years.
Very satsifying. (9 April)
A visitor from Nashville this afternoon. (First signature in our latest visitors book). He has plenty of
freinds in the country music business because he isn't. (20 March)
A retired clown came into the shop today and told me how he got his job. Very amusing. He was
oringally employed at a tidy-up man, but was set up so that everything went wrong in front of an audience,
just to see how he would react. He turned it into a skylark and got the job as a clown. He bought our
book on tight-ropewalking! (19 March)
An interesting chat in the shop this afternoon with someone who remembers playing cricket on his
boyhood village green with informal coaching from HE Bates. He was very sure that the Larkin
characters were thinly disguised parodies of characters he could remember in the local area
... particularly Pop. All this told in a style that theauthor would have enjoyed. (Comment) 13 March
Fleur Murphy and Chris Saxton visited the shop today, halfway through their honeymoon.(Congratulations!) They spoke about their new film Rain For Morgan, which has received some excellent recognition at various international film festivals. It was made at Shepperton. The link for more details is rainformorgan.com , The website really is worth a look. Best wishes to them both for the future. (By the way, Shepperton means Shepperton Australia.) 7 March (Comment)
(Oh, damn, should have got their autographs!)
A customer took me to task for not keeping the blog up to date. I explained that I have been well-consumed by the writing thing for a few weeks, and shared some of the issues that I'd been working on. She said that's the sort of thing I should be putting on this page. Really? (That would be just too painful for everyone involved) 1 March (Comment)
Full of excitement today. I picked up an old 78 of Down The Road Apiece by the Will Bradley Trio.
I checked my "just in case, never be without it" notebook and, yes, the matrix number was different so
this was clearly a rare alternate take. Got home, stuck it on the HMV and ... hmmm .. can't quite pick out
the differences from the version I already had. Checked the matrix number again. Yes, definitely
different. Checked the number in the notebook against the number of my original disc. Hmmm ... the
moral of this story is that if you're going to carry round a notebook "just in case", make sure you've
copied down the right matrix numbers. 27 February (Comment)
Fantasy author Neil Page called into the shop this afternoon, and we had a good chat about the writing habit. Neil's book is called Tunnel. If supernatural fantasy is your thing, you may want to give it a look.
20 February (Comment)
I have spent a couple of evenings changing things around in our library room. Certainly, an enjoyable job,
but the new look is never quite what you want 18 February (Comment)
We've received an email from Karon Smith, telling us about a new bookclub in the Market Harborough
area. It starts on Monday 28th February 7.30pm at The Lamport Swan "Come and join us," says Karon.
"This month we'll be reading Witness the Night by Kishwar Desai & Winner of the Costa first novel award 2010." Hope the group is well supported. It has our best wishes from Christine's Bookcabin.
15 February 2011 (Comment)
I have been listening to the first two radio plays in the new Raymond Chandler series from the BBC.
Nice to hear, but they do rather remind us of just how good the Ed Bishop plays
from the 1970s were.(Is the incidental music to the new series really
1930s/early 40's? I'm not sure. 14 February 2011 (Comment)
Chris would like to thank the staff of Lloyds TSB (Leicester) for being
so helpful when she had a difficulty. Really good customer service. (10 Feb 2011) (Comment)
Still sorting through the boxes (see 14 January) and came across this great cover featuring
Jean Millington from Fanny. I remember seeing them in Southampton in 1973 (I think) and thought
it was great rock and roll. I must still have all their albums somewhere (6 Feb 2011) (Comment)
I'm afraid I've been neglecting the blog just recently. I've been lost in the writing stuff. Seems like the
latest effort is all coming together at last
We spent a couple of hours sorting through boxes of old stock and came across this newspaper
cutting from 1995 (Yes, fifteen years ago!) .
We wonder if any of our local customers remember the day (Comment) 14 January 2011
My thanks to the reader who sent this New Year Card
She and her husband saw the picture of the Austin Somerset and wondered if it
belonged to Constable Macrhay.
Great fun! It will go nicely on the shelf with the model car
another reader gave me, last New Year's Eve. (Comment) 2 January 2011
Here's some pictures of the shop. Gosh, is it really that untidy? (Must be because I work there!)
John Hancox visited the shop this afternoon asking for a book on Transport Cafes. (He was looking for
some ideas for a series of biker pictures that he is painting.) We had a good chat about the Isle of Man.
John is an artist who specialises, I guess, in yesterday's transport. Take a look around his website http://www.hancoxart.com
It's impressive (Comment) 17 December
Chris has just posted the following note on the facebook page. "Just to let you know that Christine's Bookcabin is offering 3 free copies of The Case of the Dirty Verger on the www.librarything.com website. Look for the members giveaway link and indicate your interest by the 4 January and the site will select the winners at random. Good Luck!" (Comment) 14 Dec 2010
At the moment, I'm reading:
Well, when I say I'm reading it ... I am half way through and would finish it if I could remember where I put it.
It was nice to hear last week that someone had also recently read one of the titles I was readinglast week. Like me, where and when she enjoyed it seemed almost as important as the story. That where I am too, S. I am looking out some reading to set aside for the Christmas break. Cyril Hare's "English Murder" is set
in a stately home during Christmas, and I might seek out my old copy of Dickens Cricket on the Hearth. (Comment) (13 December)
The number of Unique Visitors to the blog took a healthy step up in November. I hope I'm welcoming
some new readers who have decided to stay with us. Let's look at the key search phrases that prompted
people to click on the Bookcabin's site last month. The most popular searches were by people wanting to identify bookshops in Market Harborough. "Naughty Wife" and "Naughty Wives" are at the top of the rest.
(I hope those visitors weren't too disappointed!) Searches about Austin Somerset cars were common
(and that page continued to be popular in November), but the Glenn Miller page wasn't as visited as frequently as I expected. (Not to worry, it was great fun to do.) However, the most off the wall search
phrase was "how to book cabin" (Comment) 1st December 2010
This evening was spent, very pleasantly, in an armchair signing and numbering 100 copies of this year's Timberdick Christmas Card. Not a job to be hurried; it's best done with some 1920's chamber jazz
on the turntable, and a glass of whiskey on the arm of the chair. To avoid too much tiredness, leaf through
a picture book of south Hampshire. A plate of treacle toffees would have been nice but, hey, it's not that
close to Christmas yet. (Comment) 26 November
I have posted this review of One Man's Happiness by Lord Tweedsmuir on Shelfari.com
“(This Lord Tweedsmuir was the other one's son). This book has been with me for years (different copies; one left out in the rain, another took a dip in the bath) and that suprises me because I really should be irritated by posh people who commute to Parliament and are rich enough to rent castles in Scotland. But Tweedsmuir wrote so well that even the awkward squad (me!) is taken along with him. I have yet to find a better essay about a railway journey (from Scotland to London). We also get an insider's view of a Private Members Bill passing through both Houses (Protection of Birds Act). But I think the book really works because the title is so apt. Here is a man - take him or leave him - telling you lightly how good it feels to have found the right wife, the right home, and the right things in nature. Read it with "Always A Countryman" on the coffee table, next in line; then dip into William Buchan's 'Helen All Alone' and you'll feel like you are well on the way to knowing the family.” (Comment) 16 November
The customer came in today whom I had convinced to buy a Clarke Smith (see 31 July). It made
so little impression on him that he could not even remember reading it. So, that's another success then! However, we had a good a chat about Crime Fiction (he and his wife are so full of enthusiasm for
the genre) and he went away with some more Cyril Hare.
Meeting people like this is one of the absolute joys of running a bookshop. (Comment) 12 November
The Harborough Mail published this letter today. I was pleased to see that a much better letter, from an ex-soldier, supported the same view (Comment) 11 November
A Friend of our Bookshop (a "FooBs") wanted a Christmas Card showing a robin redbreast on a spade in our garden. Well, here it is -- thanks to page 29 of the Harborough Mail, Christine's toasting fork and a flower tub. Merry Christmas, Roz (comment) 9 November
I am delighted to say that there is now a facebook group for "Malcolm Noble's Timberdick Mysteries". Although I'm not thebrains behind it and I'm not the co-ordinator, I'm looking forward to offering all the help I an. (I can't honestly say that I'm part of the facebook generation!) 6 November (Comment)
The photographer from the local paper came to the shop to take a photo for a forthcoming piece about the new book. (Not about yesterdays letter!)Our bookshop is very small .... and Andrew has been taking photo's in it for many years ... we're beginning to run out of new backgrounds!
In the evening, I spoke to the council's Scrutiny Committee about some marketing options for the local market. It was good to see so many traders there, putting forward ideas. 4 November (Comment)
Wrote a 'Letter to the Editor' of the Harborough Mail. It would be unfair to give the subject before it is printed (if it is!), but Christine says I'm bound to get a lot of grumbly responses. 3 November (Comment)
Just posted this note on Shelfari's Agatha Christie page: "I own a secondhand bookshop in England and in the last two years have noticed how people are seriously collecting the Tom Adams covers of her UK paperbacks. Just a few years ago, it was the yellow spined Fontana paperback editions that everyone wanted. I'm sure this is to do with people wanting to return to the copies they first read" 30 October (Comment)
Bought in a small stock of books about the Great Western Railway for the shop.
I'm always so impressed by the research that enthusiasts bring to privately printed books (or books that
are published with an expectation of a small readership). I got lost in one of the titles in this box, about the Railway Halts of the GWR.Only the first half of the alphabet unfortunately, but the detail and photo research
is typical of an enthusiast's passion.
Another book (for my own bookcase) was the After the Battle 'Then and Now' volume on Glenn Miller in England. Again, I am sure this must be the product of years of research.
The trouble is .... I'm the sort of person who can spend hours (well - one hour) lost in phone directories and transport timetables, sales catalogues .... anything that provides information that "might be useful to someone, someday".
On a lighter note, a customer suggested today that we ought to bring out a Timberdick's Christmas Annual for next year. Oh dear, oh dear, goodness knows where that idea is going to lead! (29 October) (Comment)
Following a chat about writing autobiography when she visited a couple of weeks ago, a lady returned to
the shop today fully of enthusiasm. She has already written through her childhood and has got as far as meeting her husband. Nothing at all uncommon in this, except that her conversation leaves you in no
doubt that she's going to make a success of it! I'll keep you posted! (25 October) Comment
A photographic customer has selected two photographs from our "old pictures basket", so that he can demonstrate his repair and editing service. He chose two wedding photo's from (I guess) the 1920s, intending to move a figure from one to the other, deleting some flowers on the way. The website is www.tteimages.com , so why not check it out? (23 October) Comment
Last week, the phones were broken, the car was broken, the computers were broken ... and the world was strangely peaceful. However, everything back working now (20 October 2010)
At last, the writing habit has perked up again (see 29 Sept). The new story is going well. Of course it is all over-written at this stage, but the scenes seem to fit nicely together. I think Ned might be doing too much thinking ... we can't allow that. And, as usual, one of the minor characters is determined to push their way to the front of the stage. But, very pleased, so far. (10 October) Comment
When a lady popped in to buy a History of Trinity House, she explained that she used to spend her childhood holidays in lighthouse couttages (before it became fashionable to convert such dwellings). I thought that her experiences were very "Enid Blyton" and, really, she ought to have a dog called Scruff. However, the romantic picture was somewhat spoiled when she mentioned that a foghorn, going off every thirty seconds through the night, didn't allow an ideal holdiay (7 October) (Comment)omment)
An interesting chat with Marion Aldis today, covering her family history research, her study of ancient sculpture (including a few minutes going through some photographs in Pelican paperbacks .... no, Marion, I have no idea what that Roman woman has in her mouth!) and her co-authorship of books on women in history. Marion certainly follows her research with a passion. Her book list is well worth a look. Here's the link to her Amazon page. (6 October) (Comment)
Every morning and evening that I’ve spent with a book group has been an enjoyable and welcoming experience. I’ve always come away with plenty to think about. But, oh, how do these people do it? Month after month, reading books that other people have told them to. My sister is much involved with a group in Shropshire and she tells me that it’s not unusual for people to belong to more than one group. Goodness ... all that homework! I remember an early morning at Wem Railway Station in 1968.I was on my way home from school for the last time and I promised myself that I would never again read a book because I had to. (Mind, every group I’ve been invited to has made good cakes! Now, that I don’t mind, over and over) (5 October) (Comment)
Talking to a customer today, we spoke about the books that were always on sale in Woolworths from the 50’s through to the 70s. Mainly Dean and Regent Classics and the Collins editions of Heidi.We both wondered if it would be long before someone started a Woolworths Collectors Club (Hope so, because we’ve got the local A board!) (4 October) (Comment)
A new customer to the shop today was Roger Ashley, who spoke about his work as a volunteer photographer for English Heritage's Images of England project.The website www.imagesofengland.org.uk shows just what an ambitious project this is.You can find Roger's work by following the Advanced Search instructions for each photographer or, far easier, type Kettering into the initial search box. The conversation reminded of my chat with David (27 September). "Giving something back" seems to be agreat motivation for hard work these days. Give the website a look (30 September) Comment
One of the nice people who bought a Timberdick book from the shop this afternoon, asked how the next one is coming along. I smiled and said "Oh, just fine." The truth is ...Well, since the Naughty Wife, I’ve been back to the “non-Timberdick ” draft ts the bottom of the wardrobe.. but once again I got talked out of it. I then worked on a storyline developed from a short story. The
writing flowed well enough but the problems that I thought would be resolved as the story progressed just got worse. So, back to the start.Now, I’m trying one, set just before Timberdick’s First Case (“Timberdick’s Really First Case”). Very early days. hecharacters are pulling the story along nicely, but very early days.Pretty sure that they’ll be another Timberdick for 2011 (or 12-ish). (29 Sept) Comment
“David” from the Newark Air Museum visited the shop this afternoon, and we chatted for “quite a little while”. His thoughts reminded me of steam enthusiasts who have called in recently, and shared the same views about the difficulties of preservation societies being tempted to take on projects that they can’t really deliver on. The issues and solutions seem much the same in both areas. It’s clear that the amount work involved deserves a vote of thanks from the rest of us. David commented that most volunteers see it as ‘giving something back’. Their website shows just how extensive and significant the Newark Air Museum is. Click on the link for a look. Also, today I’ve added a further feature to the Special Offers and Collectables page of our website. (27 September) (Comment)
On the shelf, just in front of the Miss Read books, is a small figure (similar to a Toby jug) of a Harrods Doorman. I can still see him, if I dip my head behind the row of books along the front of my desk. In fact, if I just ducked down from the chair a little, Icould shoot at him through the big fishing books and he would never see me. (It’s been a quiet afternoon in the bookshop) (26 Sept)
Why do publishers make big fat books? We have a very pleasing DH Lawrence shelf. A first edition of The Rainbow. Similar of some later works. Nearly a complete run of his novels in old fashioned Penguins. A quaint biography from the 50’s and some other pieces, including a lovely book of his love letters to Lou Burrows (Borrows?) Now, we have taken in a recent biography, too tall to fit on the shelf, nearly three inches thick (no, definitely 3 inches, I think probably a metre thick) ... and it’s stuck on the shelf like a great damned monster. Long live little thin books, I say. (25 Sept) (Comment)
I am always impressed when a customer says that their book catalogue is up to date. I know how hard that is to achieve. I have a catalogue of my own book collection (alright, it’s on cards rather than a computer, so go on, laugh) and it has never been up to date. A customer mentioned that their 500 books on magic and conjuring are catalogued , each new item being entered on the
day it is bought. I am impressed. Then, he mentioned that each trick in each book is also catalogued. So, between 30 and 50 to each book .... I am now seriously impressed. Then, he mentioned that he likes to collect mathematical tricks (go steady, or you’ll lose me). He haswritten a programme that will reduce any number to a given number and count how many calculations
it took to get there. (No, you are losing me now ... ) But there we are ... Christine’s Bookcabin of Market Harborough ... the bookshop for brainy people.) (24 September) (Comment)
Back in action following some minor website problems. (The computer-man just couldn’t believe my old fashioned machine!) Thanks to those who wanted to know what had happened .... even if you preferred to believe that it was all just laziness on my part. Thanks also to those very kind people who have sent us some thoughts on the new book (Case of the Naughty Wife). Particularly tickled by “what a delight” (from ‘Beverley’). I’ll be updating the different pages of the website in the coming days .... thanks for your patience and thanks for coming back. (23 September).
One of our more senior customers came into the shop on Saturday and gave me a pot of her home-made old fashioned date chutney (because she like her Josephine Tey paperbacks? Surely not). I have to say that they went very well with my cheese sandwiches on this Bank Holiday Monday in the shop. Many thanks. One of today's customers mentioned that his grandfather gave Thomas Hardy a lift in his horse and cart. Well, you never know just who you're going to meet, do you. (31 August)
I am sorry to say that the wagtail has not been to our shop for breakfast for a week now. I suppose that we have to assume the worst. In a junk shop, I found this paper bag, a long way from its home. It brought back memories of shopping for 45s in this hain on the Solent, in the 1950s/60s. Can anyone tell me when the shops closed? (25 August)
I am thinking of bringing back our webpage "Supporting Local Authors" Please let us know if you have written a book and would like it featured (no charge) on this siteemail malcolm@bookcabin.co.uk We would not be able to sell the book through the website, so your book should, ideally, be available through the national book database
Looking down some previous blog entries, I noticed my comment on 5 December 2009 about filling two exercise books with a storyline, mystery plot, character sketches and notes for a Timberdick novel. Well, well, well, I wonder what happened to those notebooks. (I can't even remember what it was all about.) I'll see if Chris knows where I put t them!
..... I have found a notebook of odd jottings, from about a year ago. In it, I recorded one of my favourite comments from Chris. "Oh give me strength, Malcolm! Are you downstairs is not a difficult question!" It seems to say so much about our married life.
(22 August)
I am sorry to report that the wagtail that visits our shop each morning for breakfast ( see 10 May/11 June)
is hopping around with a poorly leg. I'll let you know how things go. Another early visitor to the shop this morning wanted me to suggest a "sound" detective read. I said Clark Smith (a current favourite of mine) or Richard Hull. He chose the Clark Smith (Case of Torches) and I settled down to spend most of the day with Excellent Intentions (Richard Hull). I was half way through before I realised that I had read it before, although many years ago (in digs in High Wycombe, 1972). I enjoy re-reading books .... when I mean to do so, but it does rather spoil the read if you do it by accident.(Working hard on the half-finished book (30 July/30 Nov) It's going well .... I think) (20 August)
I have just spent an enjoyable hour building Timberdick's Glenn Miller page. Well, an hour on the page but all evening shuffling the record collection around; jazz 78s on an old fashioned gramophone.. can't be beaten.
Click on the picture for a look (5 August 2010)
Looking again at the half-finished book that doesn't feature Timberdick (see 30 Nov 2009). I'm still quite fond of it and might tryworking on it for a couple of weeks. Just to see how it goes. 31 July 2010
One of the nice things about bookselling, is the way customers take up your reading suggestions. Separate customers today thanked me for pointing them towards Cyril Hare and a third has taken a Clarke Smith paperback. .... So that's one way of keeping the classic detective genre alive!! 31 July 2010
I have been away from the wp for a few days, so here's a chance to bring a few things up to date. It's just as well that I didn't expect much of a reply to my letter of 22 June. .... I didn't get one. Oh, but I did get the Squadronaire's CD for father's day (11 June's comment). (It has a very nice version of "At Last") ... But please don't ask how the next book is growing (24 June)... Itain't. I'll probably put it one side and work on some completely new ideas. (24 July)
I think I might be ready to start a new Timberdick story. I am scribbling away at one of the main episodes in the outline. If that works, I should be able to build the rest of story and characters around it. (I wouldn't even be at this stage but for some encouragement from some of the regular readers. As always, my thanks for your comments. (24 June)
Thanks for all your suggestions regarding wagtails (10 May). Taken together, they seem to say that it could be the same bird as last year ... but it's unlikely.I have written a grumpy letter to Everyman (Publisher) about their edition of Raymond Chandler's short stories. (Don't really expect much of a reply). (22 June 2010)
Yesterday afternoon, I spent an hour an a half with Ian Carr’s biography of Miles Davis. I don’t follow his music (I don’t think I have one of his records in my collection) but it’s so good to read a well written and serious jazz bio. My type of book – with appendices almost as weighty as the text.
A new customer (from Nottingham) saw what I was reading and told me that it was Howling Wolf’s100th birthday. (Is that the right term? Do dead people have birthdays?) I said I would play my old March Arch lp in memoriam that evening – but I forgot.
And while we’re talking about music. Father’s day approaches and we have to be so careful about the adverts for CDs on TV. One slightly misread reaction ... and we’ll end up with the record as a present. It’s best to keep an absolutely straight face, but of course there’s a temptation to comment that you wouldn’t want Choice A or Choice C ... then people take that to mean you really want Choice B, but you don’t. You just really don’t want A or C.(Friday 11 June)
I received my first copy of the Society of Civil and Public Service Writers magazine this evening. I retired to the corner armchair and, with Jelly Roll Morton piano solos playing lightly on the record machine, spent an easy twenty minutes turning through the journal. I'd like to enocurage any public sector workers who enjoy writing to find out more about the society at www.scpsw.co.uk Before Jelly Roll had finished playing, I'd taken up the first few pages of Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest. It just isn't possible for me not to enjoy this book, no matter how many times I read it. (24May)
'Treasure Island' always has a place on my bookcase of favourites. Now, I've found a copy (the Paget edition of 1911) with lots of character to go with the story. It's been rebound in half leather (with plenty of tooling), from a ship's library. Frankly, it's well bumped and bruised but that doesn't matter in this case. The print date is 1911and "Yeoward Line" is impressed in gilt on the left hand margin of the front board. No real clues left by the previous readers, but it's nice to think that it's been enjoyed on the high seas! (19 May)
Saturday was our best day in the shop this year, so we're feeling quite good about that. Also, received a copy of Shropshire Star's very kind review of the Clue of the Curate's Cushion. (I've put some extracts on the book's webpage.) Sunday was quiet in the shop, but kept cheerful by a reader who dropped in to talk about the novels. Always pleased when this happens, but please check that I'm "on duty" before driving very far. (9 May)
How long do wagtails live for? Would the bird that pops in for breakfast these days be the same one who visited two years ago? And while we're talking about birds -- they've decided that the guttering above the shop's courtyard makes a good bath tub --- which is fine, but they soak the book display when they get a good flutter on! However, best wishes to 'em all. (10 May 2010)
Delighted to say that the next Timberdick Mystery has a publication date. 1 November 2010. The title is "The Case of the Naughty Wife" (ISBN 978 1848 764736) Please let us know if you'd like to reserve a copy. (7 May).
The Clue of the Curate’s Cushion is published tomorrow. The sequel is already with the publishers (but not out of my hair), and I’m trying to enforce a three month break before I start again. (The past month has been busy enough – hence, little attention to the blog.) I have been leafing through the half finished favourite book and the notebooks of ideas and plot lines (see 5 Dec, 30 Nov). However, I have always found the blank first page the most exciting... so who knows what's next!
Christine and I spent yesterday (Easter Sunday) sorting through some old cupboards, which required marital patience on both sides! This morning (Bank Holiday), I went to the shop expecting to change some stock around for an hour or so, but ended up staying open and having quite a good day. (5 April)
Some welcome feedback coming in following The Clue of The Curate’s Cushion, including some sentimental speculation about what happens next with Ned and Timberdick. But, oh no, life is never straightforward on Goodladies Road. (26 February)
A young lady came into the shop this afternoon and bought all our Ngiao Marsh paperbacks. When she asked me to suggest other women of the Golden Age of Detective Writers, I took the opportunity to push Beryl Symonds. I spent ten minutes explaining why I thought her Jane Carberry detective stories were worth reading. “Well, I better buy some,” she said. I replied,“Ah yes, well, I don’t have any.” She gave me that peculiar ‘how long do you expect to be in business?’ look. (25 February)
A reader has found a copy of The Case of the Dirty Verger with the press quote sticker on the cover. He’s sure that it’s something rare. Well, yes, I suppose. Copies with the stickers were sold through our shop but it was a marketing mistake. We soon learned that people wanted to buy clean copies, so we withdrew the stickered ones. Chris and I can’t be sure how many we sold, but certainly less than fifty and probably half that number. Strange to say, of all the items on Timberdick’s Special Offers and Collectables page, the most collectable in years to come might be the result of a bad idea. (She was also pleased when I mentioned that I have signed very few copies of Parish of Frayed Ends. Probably, no more than 20, but again, I can't be sure.)(20 February)
I’ve enjoyed reading a copy of Raymond Chandler’s King in Yellow this evening, in a copy of MacKill’s Mystery Magazine. Not a very old copy – 1952, I think – but it’s nice to read these stories in a digest magazine format. Also, the illustration shows the story’s title on a book cover. Another one for the file of Raymond Chanlder-books-that-never-were. (12 February)
That’s No Bargain by Red Nichols is one of my favourite jazz tunes (it gets a mention in Piggy Tucker’s Poison). Tonight I found a version that I’d not heard before by the Arkansas Travellers (another Nichols group). I’ve just a spent a pleasant hour exploring it. (“So we think we'll recognise that one now, do we?” said Christine.) The three takes from one Five Pennies session were released
on an lp some years ago by CJM, and they must be the cleanest versions. (I think I might have a radio broadcast somewhere in the collection – Brunswick Brevities? – not sure.) However, my favourite version remains the Redheads (another Nichols group, this time for Pathe); it’s hard to think of another track that, for me, gets across that small group feeling of the 20s so well. (9 February)
Pleased to say that A Mystery of Cross Women is now available as an E-book from Waterstone's Catalogue. The first Timberdick title to be available in that format. (4 Feb)
Some welcome comments are coming in about the Limited Edition packs which we dispatched last week.After weeks (months!) when the project occupied much of our time, trying to build the different elements towards the right “feel”, it seems odd that it is now over and done with, and time to move onto something else. However, it is rather reassuring that it’s been well received. (1 Feb)
I showed the Clue of the Curate’s Cushion at the Collectors Fair on Sunday.Here’s a picture of Steve Dennison, collecting his Limited Edition pack.
Another reader commented on the frequency with which church matters appear in the title. Apart from the Curate’s Cushion, there was also the Dirty Verger. Also, Liking Good Jazz featured a murder in a church. ... Also, there was mention that this blog is not always kept up to date ..... I’ll do better. (1 Feb)
A customer today was so enthusiastic about Angel Pavement by JB Priestley that I decided to seek out my own copy. Eventually found it hidden in a box. It’s not a first edition but has the evocative London dustwrapper. I look forward to spending some time with it. Earlier in the week, I passed an evening reading Red Wind by Raymond Chandler again (in the excellent Everyman edition of his shorter fiction). I think Red Wind must be his short story writing at its best. (28 January)
We have received our stock of The Clue of the Curate’s Cushion for the shop. It seems a long time since I wrote it (I have been working on two projects since). Looking at it now reminds me the fun I had writing it. I think I enjoyed living with this story more than any other. (27 January)
It’s sad to read that John Brunton, feature writer with the Nottingham Post, has died. John interviewed me when my first book was published. He was careful to set me at ease, I remember. He was a professional and experienced journalist. (12 January)
My thanks to the customer who, once again, has consulted his reference books and identified to Dinky Toy model of the Austin Somerset. (8 January)
My thanks to the customer who came into the shop today and handed me an old Austin Somerset Dinky Toy. He knew that my Raymond Chandler bookshelf has an Oldsmobile on display and he was sure that Ned Machray's old Austin Somerset should be represented with the Timberdick Mysteries. I had to confess that the Timberdick books weren't on our bookcases. They are now -- and here is Ned's Somerset with them! (30 December 2009)
At last – our first sight of the finished Limited Edition Presentation Packs that we are offering with The Clue of the Curate’s Cushion. Some last minute talk about whether we should include a postcard/photo of yours truly. But, as Chris says, why should we spoil the packs at this stage. Spent a quiet thirty minutes in the front room, signing some of the inserts. We’re both very surprised by the demand for these packs. A good idea of Christine’s, she says. 15 December 2009
Sent off this year’s Timberdick Christmas Card to friends, press contacts and interested collectors, but I’m not so sure about how it will be received. 8 December 2009
Selecting a small pile of books for my Christmas reading. I’ve found a little book about the village of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight with some memories of Christmas gone by. Usually, I’d avoid such books but the writing here makes it so easy to picture the author (A.G. Cole) and his world. Also, I might read again Appleby’s End by Michael Innes which has been a Christmas favourite of mine for some years, and perhaps one of the Edward Leithen stories. These books are for later. At the moment, I am spending some time with Grayling’s biography of Hazlitt, a present from Chris. 6 December 2009.
I’ve spent the last two days filling two exercise books with a storyline, mystery plot, character sketches and notes for a Timberdick novel. Even if I do use it, it won’t be the next one or the one after. But I’ve enjoyed roughing it out. 5 December 2009.
I’ve been chatting to customers about future work. There seems to be little support for my working on the novel with a different set of characters. Clearly, some people would be a little sorry to lose track of Timberdick and her crowd (that’s nice to see), so it looks as if the other book will have to stay in the bottom of the wardrobe for another year. 30 November 2009
Annual health check. Weight about the same but blood pressure and cholesterol not so good. The tablets have stopped making me sneeze; I cough now, instead. Had a flu jab ‘because of my underlying problems.’ (Grief, have I got those as well?) 13 November 2009
Enjoyed writing a short story with Timberdick in a country inn. (OK, think about it.) I won’t use it because the setting is too similar to an alternative story. Another one for the files. 1 November 2009.
A couple of days ago, I got talking to a customer about the Dinky Toy that sits on my Raymond Chandler bookcase at home. (See 27 Aug and 8 JuIy). I regretted that I was unable to date it at the time. He (the customer, not Chandler) has now sent me the details from his collection of Dinky Toy catalogues. The model was sold between 1947-9 and based on a car produced from 1937. Here is it is .... and many thanks to Ron. The toy in now properly entered into my card index as an example of the cars mentioned in the novels. (15 October 2009)
Also this morning, I spent fifteen minutes with the manager of the local library moaning about one or two things. How good to meet an official who actually wants to listen to your point of view.(15 October 2009)
One of this afternoon’s customers was looking for illustrations by Florence Harrison. I was unable to help her but enjoyed hearing about her enthusiastic collecting. Her website has more details. (14 October 2009)
I’ve started to read “The Case of Torches” by Clarke Smith, a writer I’ve not tried before, but the first few chapters certainly live up to his reputation. (7 October 2009)
Thanks to Jonathan Calder for mentioning our shop on his blog (6 October 2009)
Christine is in the local paper again. She is disgruntled, it says, because the Bookcabin was missed from the council’s shopping guide to the town. (See 23 Sept). When a lady stopped me on the market square and asked if she was still disgruntled, I couldn’t resist quoting PGW “If not actually disgruntled, she is far from being gruntled” (3 October 2009)
I’ve had notification of the ISBN for the new book: The Clue of the Curate’s Cushion (ISBN 978 1848763029). It’s projected publication date is April 2010. (Also today, the man from the local paper came into the shop. He’d heard stories about shops being disrupted by early road closures prior to the Arts Fest - see 13 Sept below. The lady in the breadshop said that the lady in the bookshop knew all about it. So, the lady in the bookshop told the man from the paper all about it!) (23 Sept 2009)
Listened to a seminar this evening at the Angel Hotel (Mkt Harboro) about how to make the most of websites. I got there late so stood at the back and couldn’t see any part of the screen that the presenter was talking about. Heard enough to convince me that real people spend a lot more on their sites than I do... but you had already worked that out! (22 Sept 09)
Another good attraction to the town. A street event to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition in the museum. Once again, the shop was full, this time with folk in period costume. Very busy. (19 Sept)
Christine has got hold a leaflet (distributed at the Arts Fest and since) listing all the shops in Coventry Road, Market Harborough .... except ours! Oh, dear. She has commenced enquiries with the town council.
Re-reading (and really enjoying) the Best Short Stories of Cyril Hare. Excellent stuff. (16 Sept 09)
The Sunday of the town’s Art Festival. (If JB Priestley was still with us, he’d make a good novel of it.) Unfortunately, they closed the roads very early so that some shopkeepers couldn’t get to their shops and some traders and customers couldn’t get to the weekly Antique Fair. It was decided that Christine should go into battle! A very quiet morning’s trade but it livened up in the afternoon with a full shop most of time giving us our best Sunday trading of the year. (13 Sept 09)
Upcoming Title! ..... and other news
We’ve heard that early copies of the new book could be with us in time for Christmas. Good news and earlier than we expected.
This week, I’ve set aside a draft that I’ve been working with for two or three months. I’m not looking back over the notebooks, full of old ideas, but spending three weeks or so just waiting for the next storyline, characters or situations to introduce themselves. (In many ways, the most enjoyable part of writing a book, for me.)
Not doing a lot of reading this week. I’ve spent some time with JB Priestley’s English Journey and Dorothy L Sayer’s essays on Sherlock Holmes. We may have found the first model car for the Raymond Chandler bookcase. (see 8 July below) (27 August)
Wednesday, the Grandson and I went to see Portsmouth play football at Birmingham City. Clearly, these are difficult times for the club, both on and off the pitch. But it was good fun to watch and the hamburgers and hotdogs were surprisingly cheap! (20 August)
Those Denim Shorts
The denim shorts are at the crux of things again. My grandson is looking for items to sell on ebay and I remembered that we still have the shorts that were displayed at a bookfair launch of “A Parish of Frayed Ends”. But our daughter thinks she ought to have a say in it. After all, they are her shorts. “And if you’ve still got them Dad, I’d like them back.” The question is undecided.
This week I've read Josephine Tey's Miss Pym Disposes (again) and Andrew Garve's Murderer's Fen (for the first time). A couple walked into the shop today and bought the Garve book so we had a little chat about the author. Also spent an hour in the garden with Lord Tweedsmuir's One Man's Happiness (a very old friend of a book). (14 August 09)
Sherlock Holmes in Portsmouth
We’ve got back from a few days in Portsmouth, including a regular visit to the museum’s Sherlock Holmes Collection. Excellent, although I wonder if the video presentation has had its day. It would be great if the museum produced a printed guide to a Sherlock Walk (or Walks) in the city. Geoffrey Stavert’s ‘Study in Southsea’ shows there’s plenty of material.
(Before we left, the museum suggested that we should visit the SH exhibition at the City Library but the Library staff said they hadn’t got one.) (11 August 09)
An Old Man in Carpet Slippers
I spent last evening with a Mystery on Southampton Water by Freeman Wills Croft, the chair and a box of cigars on the coffee table and a handkerchief in each slipper to keep my feet warm. Very pleasant. George Chisholm was playing lightly in the background. The bust of Sherlock Holmes looked down from the ACD shelf.
FWC tells his stories in such a structured way that it seems sinful to hurry through them. But I have read this one several times before so it was drinking with an old friend. At half time, I made a flask of tea (no milk, no sugar) and looked through our picture books of the Solent, picking out the places that FWC mentions. I have an old OS mapof the area which I intend to put on the library wall. Well, that’s a job that will never get done. So, I spread it over the carpet while I leafed through the rest of this fine case for Chief Inspector French. FWC shows us how to properly put railway chapters into a detective story. (4 August 09)
Living with Timberdick
Some months ago now, a newspaper printed an interview where I mentioned that I was busy on a novel with a different set of characters. Messages from a number of readers have prompted me to consider the value of spin. Should I offer clarification? Should I provide a context for the comments? Nah! Let’s go for a U-turn.
I was talking about two books ahead. The title that will appear next year follows on from A Parish of Frayed Ends and the gangs all there, all right. I am now working on the next in the series. In the bottom of my wardrobe is a draft, set in the 1920s with characters and a storyline that I’m quite fond of. I’d like it to see the light of day, sometime. Right now, I writing the next Timberdick book. (3 August 09)
A Note of Thanks ...
... goes to the lady who came into the shop and told me whodunit. (I don’t think she meant to.) Encouraging to see that at least one person is reading this blog while it’s still young (26 July 09)
Current Detective
I’m reading Cyril Hare at the moment. I first found his short stories in my twenties and went back to them years later. But I have never spent much time with his novels until now. I’ve read Suicide Excepted and With a Bare Bodkin and I’m half way through When The Wind Blows. It’s so easy to sink into these books. Honest characterisation. Carefully constructed mysteries. Please don’t tell me whodunit. (9 July 09)
Raymond Chandler’s Second-hand Motors
A couple of weeks ago, I asked a friend – a model collector – to keep an eye out for any cheap/beaten up models of cars that appeared in Raymond Chandler’s novels. I thought they would look good on the bookcase. My part of the deal was to trawl through the books and list the cars. Half way through the task, I have found that someone else had already done the work. If any other nuts want to litter their bookshelf with Philip Marlow’s motors, the list appearsin Chandlertown by Edward Thorpe. (Page 77 of the UK edition.) (8 July 09)