Books & Poetry

Books&Poetry MURDER ON HIS MIND

As Wrexham-based author Simon McCleave releases the latest in his DI Ruth Hunter series, he explains why north Wales is the perfect setting for his murder mysteries

Having worked for the BBC as a script editor and as a producer for Channel 4, Simon McCleave moved to LA where he worked for Fox and Miramax studios. Back on home turf, he spent time on a huge range of television series, writing for Silent Witness, The Bill and EastEnders among others.

Simon made the move to the idyllic landscape of north Wales with his wife and children, and found the area so inspiring he locked himself away to write his fi rst novel, a gripping crime thriller set in the place he now calls home.

Dream move

The Snowdonia Killings, which was released at the beginning of 2020, follows the story of veteran London copper Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter, who has had enough of the murder and mayhem of the south London streets. On the cusp of 50, Ruth is looking for a new, more peaceful life in the North Wales Police. A move to Snowdonia was always the dream but when she’s put in charge of investigating two brutal murders, Ruth wonders if Snowdonia will end up being her worst nightmare.

“I wanted to write about a Londoner being an outsider in a small Welsh community,” says Simon. “It’s what I went through 10 years ago, so I knew exactly how Ruth would feel. In fact, the central town Llancastell bears an uncanny resemblance to Wrexham!

“I’ve written since I was a teenager and have always been fascinated with crime books and crime stories. When I was young, I started o reading Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven mysteries and all the Sherlock Holmes novels. When I was a script writer, I was drawn to crime when writing for Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders and The Bill. “Writing a novel was fantastic because you have such control over the material. When you work in television there are script editors, producers, exec producers and directors, all of whom have their own ideas about the story and the script. It constantly changes and often your favourite ideas get cut. When you write a novel, no one can change a word unless

you agree with notes from, say, an editor.” “I’m drawn to the area’s dark mythology and folk tales”

Special setting

“Snowdonia is one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” says Simon. “It’s got everything, from stunning mountains, vast lakes, sweeping countryside and disused mines to deserted beaches. As a native south Londoner, I fi nd it incredible that I now have this landscape on my doorstep. As a writer, I’m also drawn to the area’s dark mythology and folk tales. It’s a land of giants, dragons, magicians, great heroes and evil oppressors.”

Simon didn’t just stop at one novel – he has since published a further eight books in the DI Ruth Hunter series, with the latest, The Conway Harbour Killings, released in June and with more coming soon. For the latest news, visit www.simonmccleave.com.

LOCAL BOOKS

Liverpool Kids Of WWII Part 1: After The Blitz Part 1: After The Blitz by Bernard Fredericks The second part of a trilogy, following on from The Green Gates Story. After the Liverpool Blitz, a seven-year-old boy comes home and is faced with many changes: house moves, new districts, new faces. No sweets, because Mum’s used the coupons for sugar. What are bananas? What’s ice cream? And white bread? He views his life ahead as a series of hurdles, but the war is ongoing... . The Hand That Tells The Story: My Life Living With A Disability by Alicia Gough This memoir o ers the reader an insight and understanding into what it can be like living with disability. What were the author’s reactions in early years reactions in early years when she realised that she was disabled and could not walk or talk? How did she cope in school and what did she enjoy and not enjoy? Imagine the joy when she fi nally received a communication she fi nally received a communication aid that has opened the way to new opportunities and adventures, as well as enabling her to achieve a lifelong ambition and write this book.

The Turn Of The Wheel by Geraint Roberts This story follows the fortunes of Owain Thomas from his fi rst day underground at Frongoch lead mine in Cardiganshire in 1873. Owain’s romantic dreams of undertaking an important job are soon dashed in the cramped tunnels. He learns to carve his own path in life, aided by the Cornish miner David Treveglos. Owain befriends Ceridwen Hughes, daughter of the violent, ostracised miner Gomer. As he reaches maturity, Owain is faced with the dilemma of protecting his family and Ceri from harm and keeping his job. When faced with danger, will the measure of the man come through and his deeds be repaid – for good or ill?

Calling local authors…

A selection of top tips for autumn from the team at Linghams Bookshop in Heswall, Wirral

Blackbird by Norman Marshall

The Book Of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Ana is born in Galilee at a time when women are seen as possessions, only leaving their fathers’ homes to marry. fathers’ homes to marry. Ana longs to control her destiny. Taught to read despite her mother’s misgivings, she wants to be a writer and to find her own voice – a voice that will speak for the silenced women around her. Ana almost despairs when she is betrothed to an elderly widower, but an encounter with a charismatic young carpenter in Nazareth awakens new longings in her, and a different future opens up. Yet this is not a simple love story. Ana’s journey will bring both joy and tragedy, but it will also be enriched by the female friendships she makes along the way. The Book Of Longings is an exquisite tale of dreams and desire, and of the power of women to change the world.

UnPresidented by Jon

Sopel Sopel BBC North America editor Jon Sopel America editor Jon Sopel presents a diary of an election like we’ve never seen before. Experience life as a reporter on the campaign trail, as the election heats up and a global pandemic sweeps in. In this highly personal account of reporting on America in 2020, Jon Sopel takes you behind the scenes of a White House in crisis and an election in turmoil, expertly laying bare the real story of the presidential campaign in a panoramic account of an election and a year like no other.

Circus Of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

In a coastal village in southern England in 1866, Nell picks violets for a living. Ostracised by her community because of her birthmarks, Nell has little but her brother and her devotion to the sea. But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped by the travellers… or so she believes. It turns out to be the greatest betrayal of Nell’s life – but as her fame grows and she finds friendship with the other performers, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

I see you dressed in ebony, I hear your strident tune, The air is perfumed like rosemary From sun rise till full moon. I note your yellow dot, Your di erence from mate, But upon this rural plot Forever open is the gate. I come with 8x32 spy glass To marvel at your presence And whoever comes to pass Will, too, admire your competence. So, sing on dear blackbird, Enchant one and all, Spring is here to be unfurled And bewitched by your call.

Change by Jo Young

The world has changed Has there been anyone to blame? Like who? We just have to look at history and see what is true But how far do we go back Let’s change tack And just look at this… our 21st century

Globally around the world Crisis has continued to swirl In the last 20 years we have had twin towers, fl oods, fi res, refugees to civil wars, fi nancial crisis So much death and destruction, poverty and pain It is happening to every individual, in every city, town, street or lane.

The world is now hit with a pandemic – a very deadly virus That is classless, a ecting young and old – there is no bias We have and are all a ected by Covid-19 – that we can be sure From sports, arts, travel to health and even shopping in our favourite stores Face masks, hand gels, hand wipes and even loo rolls, shops continue to sell Ensuring we continue to tell Hands, face, space = protect and stop the spread It is a virus we collectively all dread

So is change good or bad Negative change we realise makes us sad So let’s look at the positives and do what we can

Come Into My O ce by Sheila Crozier

Come into my o ce And “cozee eyes and go boboze” But no, she’s not ready yet She sits on the bed And examines her toys Her trinkets and pictures The ones she enjoys So, one by one The small books she peruses And although she can’t read To me it amuses That one so young Could look so studious Then goes down the book And she shoots me a look She smiles and then laughs A romp over the bed For some new treasure she sped Which falls to the fl oor Then to me she implores In her own little way That I should retrieve The missing surprise But I laugh at her shouting Then she starts to cry Although I’m not sure why She rolls over the bed In frustration and tears Come into my o ce And “cozee eyes and go boboze” I call Head on the pillow Bum in the air A fi nal resolution She can see it’s not fair So she moves closer to me And lies in my arms With which I surround As I marvel at her charms

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