EVENTS & NEWS
LAUNCH OF BLACK THORN BOOKS
the almanack acquired by canongate's new crime list
It was a real thrill to get an invitation to the launch of Black Thorn Books at Waterstones, Covent Garden, London. I got to meet some of my favourite crime writers such as David Hewson and Simon Brett, along with Canongate's charismatic founder, Jamie Byng.
Left to right: Agent Sarah Nundy, Martine, Simon Brett, Jamie Byng
past events
CHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
I was delighted to be invited to talk at Chester's award-winning Storyhouse arts venue as part of Chester Literature Festival. I read from, and chatted about my culinary historical mystery, 'An Appetite for Violets'.
Next, I decided to test out some of the riddles from The Almanack on my captive audience. Each riddle was answered after some humorous guessing!
It was a pleasure to meet readers and sign books - and also give a short interview about my writing to a journalism student from the University of Chester.
Next, I decided to test out some of the riddles from The Almanack on my captive audience. Each riddle was answered after some humorous guessing!
It was a pleasure to meet readers and sign books - and also give a short interview about my writing to a journalism student from the University of Chester.
EXPLORING THE GEORGIAN TABLE
The Delights of 18th century dining
We all had a glorious time at our sell-out Georgian banquet at the historic Normandby Room, The Green Howards Museum, Richmond, Yorkshire. To open, I gave an introduction to Georgian dining and manners over our Potted Rabbit starter and after delicious Barley Pottage, Smaured Mutton and Taffety Tart, we had a quiz of ingenious 18th century culinary riddles. Many thanks to Executive Chef Gareth Bottomly and all the museum team.
ERDDIG HALL AND AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS
The kitchen at historic Erddig Hall near Wrexham, was the inspiration for An Appetite for Violets. So it is especially is pleasing that the novel is a Recommended Read at Erddig Hall's National Trust book shop.
hosking houses trust
While writing The Penny Heart I was fortunate to have timely help from Sarah Hosking at the Hosking Houses Trust, who invited me to be Writer-in-Residence in 2013 and 2016. I lived at this tiny 17th century cottage outside Stratford-on-Avon and wrote from dawn to dusk, only taking breaks to walk the muddy fields with my head very much in 1792 at Delafosse Hall. The Trust offers remarkable support to women artists and can be contacted here.
