Most of us remember our first encounter with a mechanical life-form. Depending on when we were born, some of us had nightmares about Daleks. Others have had their dreams haunted by Transformers. Or Alexa. In…
Should we legalise drugs? Peter Paget MP thinks so. But he’s only a lowly backbencher in a government whose ministers hardly notice him as they rush past on their important business. But one day Paget…
Yesterday I came close to inflicting serious verbal damage on an indie bookshop manager. I’d very much like to know from anyone else who has a similar story, either as an author, a publisher or…
I’ve just added a special new gift to go with the launch of my new novel The Breaking of Liam Glass – which sets out tabloid truth in a crime-satire fiction. I’ve not said much about…
I’m delighted and honoured to be invited to make my contribution to Richard Fernandez’ remarkable Secret Library on his blog Cafe Thinking. Secret Library is a lovely idea – authors are invited to recommend three…
Dead Writers in Rehab by Paul Bassett DaviesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars At the start of Paul Bassett Davies new novel, Dead Writers in Rehab, Foster James wakes up to find himself indeed in…
Capital by John LanchesterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars Satire is the genre that dare not speak its name in British publishing right now, but it could hardly be more needed than it is today.…
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch My rating: 5 of 5 stars Just came across this lovely off-beat fantasy crime novel, thanks to a friend of my wife’s. It starts with a bang one freezing…
Since last night they’ve been warning us about a storm that’s coming, but I don’t believe them. I’ve not yet seen Michael Fish deny it. Don’t tell me you haven’t looked. Has there been a…
I write to apologise for my complete unpreparedness for the current winter weather winge. Owing to my failure to plan ahead, I have had no ability to write letters of complaint or grouse to my…