Jim McGrath's Blog, page 4
March 3, 2017
Hi,
I'm now on Twitter at Jim McGrath@jimwba1966.
I'll be tweeting about writing, books, TV programmes, films, West Bromwich Albion and the absurd side of life and politics.
Cheers,
Jim
I'm now on Twitter at Jim McGrath@jimwba1966.
I'll be tweeting about writing, books, TV programmes, films, West Bromwich Albion and the absurd side of life and politics.
Cheers,
Jim
February 23, 2017
Where did Sheba Come from?
Hi,
A lot of people often ask me where do I get my ideas for characters and storylines from. Well in Sheba's case it was from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier I owned in the 1980s.
My wife and I had just moved into a new house when we were burgled. At that time alarms were expensive to install so I did my home work and discovered that pound for pound Staffies were the toughest dogs around.
So off I went to Wendesbury on the bus to buy a six month old pup. Ressu, as we called him, was black with a patch of white on his chest. The breeder was selling him because he had a minor fault with his lower teeth, which meant he would never make a show dog.
The breeder told me that if I could get him to 12 months without having a fight he'd be no problem with other animals. Well, you know what's coming, I got him to about 11 months and he was enjoying running around Hill Top when he went to say hello to a little Scottie. She turned on him and he ran away. That was the last time he ever ran.
Now Ressu wasn't one of these big Staffies. He only weighed about 30 pounds. But after his encounter with the Scottie he was fearless. It didn't matter how big the dog was he'd fight it. He took on one Boxer that was twice his size and would have killed it except the dog was wearing a thick studded leather collar. Obviously, we ended up keeping him on a leash at all times.
Ressu was never a threat to people. My young nephews at the time loved taking him for a walk. And their usual refrain when passing another dog was, 'I bet Ressu could take him.'
He was also the only dog I've ever known who willingly swam under water. I threw a branch into a pool one day. He went after it. But before he could reach it, the branch sank. He swam around for a bit then dived under and emerged with an eight foot branch as thick as my calf, covered in mud and slime, and proceeded to carry it around the forest for the next 30 minutes.
Ressu had a huge personality and loved people. On one occasion he ran to greet a friend of mine. With four foot to go he took off and two stone of solid muscle and bone hit my unfortunate friend full in the family jewels. He was unable to speak for several minutes. And what did I do? Like most men in that situation I tried not to laugh - and failed.
However, when my wife became pregnant with our daughter we both recognised that if Ressu ever accidently hit the baby with his head he would probably kill her. So we had to get rid of him.
We took him to a pedigree dog sanctuary that guaranteed that they never put any animal down.
I always think of Ressu when I see a Staffie and I hope that he had a great life after he left us.
I suppose Sheba is my memorial to the best dog I ever had.
Cheers,
Jim
A lot of people often ask me where do I get my ideas for characters and storylines from. Well in Sheba's case it was from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier I owned in the 1980s.
My wife and I had just moved into a new house when we were burgled. At that time alarms were expensive to install so I did my home work and discovered that pound for pound Staffies were the toughest dogs around.
So off I went to Wendesbury on the bus to buy a six month old pup. Ressu, as we called him, was black with a patch of white on his chest. The breeder was selling him because he had a minor fault with his lower teeth, which meant he would never make a show dog.
The breeder told me that if I could get him to 12 months without having a fight he'd be no problem with other animals. Well, you know what's coming, I got him to about 11 months and he was enjoying running around Hill Top when he went to say hello to a little Scottie. She turned on him and he ran away. That was the last time he ever ran.
Now Ressu wasn't one of these big Staffies. He only weighed about 30 pounds. But after his encounter with the Scottie he was fearless. It didn't matter how big the dog was he'd fight it. He took on one Boxer that was twice his size and would have killed it except the dog was wearing a thick studded leather collar. Obviously, we ended up keeping him on a leash at all times.
Ressu was never a threat to people. My young nephews at the time loved taking him for a walk. And their usual refrain when passing another dog was, 'I bet Ressu could take him.'
He was also the only dog I've ever known who willingly swam under water. I threw a branch into a pool one day. He went after it. But before he could reach it, the branch sank. He swam around for a bit then dived under and emerged with an eight foot branch as thick as my calf, covered in mud and slime, and proceeded to carry it around the forest for the next 30 minutes.
Ressu had a huge personality and loved people. On one occasion he ran to greet a friend of mine. With four foot to go he took off and two stone of solid muscle and bone hit my unfortunate friend full in the family jewels. He was unable to speak for several minutes. And what did I do? Like most men in that situation I tried not to laugh - and failed.
However, when my wife became pregnant with our daughter we both recognised that if Ressu ever accidently hit the baby with his head he would probably kill her. So we had to get rid of him.
We took him to a pedigree dog sanctuary that guaranteed that they never put any animal down.
I always think of Ressu when I see a Staffie and I hope that he had a great life after he left us.
I suppose Sheba is my memorial to the best dog I ever had.
Cheers,
Jim
February 22, 2017
A Death in Summer: 1969
Hi,
I've just completed Part 1 of a Death in Summer: 1969. Book 3 in the Handsworth Quartet.
In Part 1, which is 25,000 words long, I introduce possibly the nastiest villain that I've created - Mr Tubbs. A small podgy little man. His profession is arson and burning down commercial properties for money. But his hobby, his passion, is trapping women in burning buildings. He is not a nice man.
As well as Mr Tubbs, Collins and Clark are trying to investigate corruption in Birmingham City Council. Unfortunately for them a lot of very influential people don't want them to succeed.
So once more our heroes find themselves battling on two fronts without really knowing who they can trust and who are just waiting for the right opportunity to kill them.
A Death in Summer should be out in September 2017.
The final part of the Quartet A Death in Autumn: 1970 will be out early 2018.
If you feel like asking a question or sending me a message please do so. I'm always happy to respond to readers.
Best wishes,
Jim
Best wishes,
I've just completed Part 1 of a Death in Summer: 1969. Book 3 in the Handsworth Quartet.
In Part 1, which is 25,000 words long, I introduce possibly the nastiest villain that I've created - Mr Tubbs. A small podgy little man. His profession is arson and burning down commercial properties for money. But his hobby, his passion, is trapping women in burning buildings. He is not a nice man.
As well as Mr Tubbs, Collins and Clark are trying to investigate corruption in Birmingham City Council. Unfortunately for them a lot of very influential people don't want them to succeed.
So once more our heroes find themselves battling on two fronts without really knowing who they can trust and who are just waiting for the right opportunity to kill them.
A Death in Summer should be out in September 2017.
The final part of the Quartet A Death in Autumn: 1970 will be out early 2018.
If you feel like asking a question or sending me a message please do so. I'm always happy to respond to readers.
Best wishes,
Jim
Best wishes,
February 9, 2017
A Death in Spring: 1968 now available on NetGalley.
Hi Folks,
This is just to confirm that A Death in Spring: 1968 is now available to download from NetGalley.
As experienced users of NetGalley you will already know when searching for the book that you'll need select the 'Search the whole of NetGalley’ tab. Otherwise you ain't going to find it.
I hope you enjoy the book and if you do write a review that you'll consider cutting and pasting it onto both Amazon.co.uk (or Amazon.com) and Goodreads.
Happy reading.
I'm just about to start reading The West End Front the story of London's hotels during the Second World War. You can blame my interest in The Halcyon for buying the book. It's not a great TV series but it is hugely enjoyable and as I've said previously every episode brings a few tears to my eyes. Our American cousins will, I'm sure, take to the series if it ever makes it to the States, - especially as the heroic Ed Murrow character is very well played.
Best wishes,
Jim
This is just to confirm that A Death in Spring: 1968 is now available to download from NetGalley.
As experienced users of NetGalley you will already know when searching for the book that you'll need select the 'Search the whole of NetGalley’ tab. Otherwise you ain't going to find it.
I hope you enjoy the book and if you do write a review that you'll consider cutting and pasting it onto both Amazon.co.uk (or Amazon.com) and Goodreads.
Happy reading.
I'm just about to start reading The West End Front the story of London's hotels during the Second World War. You can blame my interest in The Halcyon for buying the book. It's not a great TV series but it is hugely enjoyable and as I've said previously every episode brings a few tears to my eyes. Our American cousins will, I'm sure, take to the series if it ever makes it to the States, - especially as the heroic Ed Murrow character is very well played.
Best wishes,
Jim
February 4, 2017
Where's A Death in Spring on NetGalley?
Hi,
I'm not a happy bunny this Saturday Morning. Despite paying for the publicity on NetGalley it does not appear as if my publishers have uploaded A Death in Spring as requested. I can only apologise.
I've emailed Troubadour and asked them to load the book asap.
Please let me know if you continue to have difficulty finding it on Net Galley.
Cheers,
jim
I'm not a happy bunny this Saturday Morning. Despite paying for the publicity on NetGalley it does not appear as if my publishers have uploaded A Death in Spring as requested. I can only apologise.
I've emailed Troubadour and asked them to load the book asap.
Please let me know if you continue to have difficulty finding it on Net Galley.
Cheers,
jim
January 27, 2017
Free Download on NetGalley A Death in Spring
Hi
For those of you who are looking for a free download of A Death in Spring, it will be available on the professional review site NetGalley for a limited period starting on the 3 February.
If you do download the book can you please post your review on both NetGalley and Amazon.co.uk. Your reviews really do help push the book. And for those of you who are really keen a posting on the American site Amazon.com, will help spread the word.
I didn't publish Spring using the Kindle Direct Programme this time so free copies will not be available from Amazon. Sorry folks.
Starting to get into Book Three and will let you know how it's going when I've finished writing Part 1.
I'm enjoying The Halcyon on on ITV. It's old fashioned, corny and a bit dated but I think it captures something of what the British people were like during the war. And at least once in every episode the writer puts a scene in that makes me tear up. But then it could just be an old romantic becoming maudlin.
Cheers,
Jim
For those of you who are looking for a free download of A Death in Spring, it will be available on the professional review site NetGalley for a limited period starting on the 3 February.
If you do download the book can you please post your review on both NetGalley and Amazon.co.uk. Your reviews really do help push the book. And for those of you who are really keen a posting on the American site Amazon.com, will help spread the word.
I didn't publish Spring using the Kindle Direct Programme this time so free copies will not be available from Amazon. Sorry folks.
Starting to get into Book Three and will let you know how it's going when I've finished writing Part 1.
I'm enjoying The Halcyon on on ITV. It's old fashioned, corny and a bit dated but I think it captures something of what the British people were like during the war. And at least once in every episode the writer puts a scene in that makes me tear up. But then it could just be an old romantic becoming maudlin.
Cheers,
Jim
January 13, 2017
Another year, another two Collins and Clark Books
Hi,
Happy new year. I've just finished writing a second edition of The Little Book of Big Management Theories. I have no other non-fiction books planned for 2017, so I'm aiming to complete the Handsworth Quartet this year.
I'm 12,000 words into A Death In Summer 1969. The third book in the series deals with local government corruption and an arsonist of great cunning who has remained below police and fire brigade radar for many years. I'm aiming to publish the book in August/September.
I also expect to finish writing the final book in the Handsworth Quartet, A Death in Autumn: 1970, around November/December with publication in early 2018. Autumn will see the return of a particularly despicable character from book one and a chase to find a serial killer who leaves no clues, has no fixed MO and seems to be always two steps ahead of the police.
As I've written elsewhere, it's my intention to continue writing about Collins, Clark and Agnes. However, what I've learnt from writing fiction is that the characters take on a life of their own. Over the course of the next two books the actions of Collins and Clark will determine their future and as yet I have no idea what that will be. They may end up remaining in the police or working as private investigators or security consultants. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
Best wishes,
Jim
Happy new year. I've just finished writing a second edition of The Little Book of Big Management Theories. I have no other non-fiction books planned for 2017, so I'm aiming to complete the Handsworth Quartet this year.
I'm 12,000 words into A Death In Summer 1969. The third book in the series deals with local government corruption and an arsonist of great cunning who has remained below police and fire brigade radar for many years. I'm aiming to publish the book in August/September.
I also expect to finish writing the final book in the Handsworth Quartet, A Death in Autumn: 1970, around November/December with publication in early 2018. Autumn will see the return of a particularly despicable character from book one and a chase to find a serial killer who leaves no clues, has no fixed MO and seems to be always two steps ahead of the police.
As I've written elsewhere, it's my intention to continue writing about Collins, Clark and Agnes. However, what I've learnt from writing fiction is that the characters take on a life of their own. Over the course of the next two books the actions of Collins and Clark will determine their future and as yet I have no idea what that will be. They may end up remaining in the police or working as private investigators or security consultants. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
Best wishes,
Jim
December 23, 2016
The future for Collins and Clark
Hi,
When I started to write the Handsworth Quartet I envisaged writing four books about the characters set between Winter 1963 and Summer 1976. But things change and evolve.
While the sales of A Death in Winter have been very disappointing the reaction from readers has been incredible. I'm also starting to receive feedback on A Death in Spring which seems pretty positive. I love writing the books and even if they are loss making I want to continue living with Collins, Clark and Agnes and all the rest of my characters.
Therefore I've decided that The Handsworth Quartet will continue with A Death in Summer: 1969, and finish with A Death in Autumn: 1970. Then depending on if I have managed to attract a mainstream publisher I'll continue with a further eight books covering 1971-1978. Why 1978? Well provided Collins and Clark survive, by 1978 Clark will be 55 and due to retire.
So basically there could be a total of 12 Collins and Clark books - but nowt says I'll still be alive to write them by then!
On that happy note can I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a great 2017.
Jim
When I started to write the Handsworth Quartet I envisaged writing four books about the characters set between Winter 1963 and Summer 1976. But things change and evolve.
While the sales of A Death in Winter have been very disappointing the reaction from readers has been incredible. I'm also starting to receive feedback on A Death in Spring which seems pretty positive. I love writing the books and even if they are loss making I want to continue living with Collins, Clark and Agnes and all the rest of my characters.
Therefore I've decided that The Handsworth Quartet will continue with A Death in Summer: 1969, and finish with A Death in Autumn: 1970. Then depending on if I have managed to attract a mainstream publisher I'll continue with a further eight books covering 1971-1978. Why 1978? Well provided Collins and Clark survive, by 1978 Clark will be 55 and due to retire.
So basically there could be a total of 12 Collins and Clark books - but nowt says I'll still be alive to write them by then!
On that happy note can I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a great 2017.
Jim
December 3, 2016
Out Now A Death in Spring: 1968
Hi,
I'm pleased to say, that after a few delays, A Death in Spring: 1968 was published on the 1 December. It is now available as a download from can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk and all other major platforms and read on a wide variety of electronic devices using the apps available.
If you do download the book please consider writing a review for Goodreads or Amazon or mentioning the book on social media. Personal recommendations/word of mouth counts for so much.
Below is the blurb from the book.
A Death in Spring: 1968
Collins and Clark are back to dispense their own unique brand of justice.
It’s Spring 1968 and life is good for Detective Constable Michael Collins until a routine stakeout goes wrong and he starts to suspect that something big and very dangerous is stirring in the Birmingham underworld.
Meanwhile, Constable Clive Clark’s dreams of becoming a father are rudely interrupted when an old friend asks him to look into the unsolved murders of four young homosexuals.
As murder and mayhem overflow onto the streets of Birmingham and the body count rises, Collins and Clark find themselves battling psychopaths, gangsters and their own Central CID.
The eBook A Death in Spring: 1968 can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk and all other major platforms and read on a wide variety of electronic devices using the apps available.
Regards to all,
Jim
I'm pleased to say, that after a few delays, A Death in Spring: 1968 was published on the 1 December. It is now available as a download from can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk and all other major platforms and read on a wide variety of electronic devices using the apps available.
If you do download the book please consider writing a review for Goodreads or Amazon or mentioning the book on social media. Personal recommendations/word of mouth counts for so much.
Below is the blurb from the book.
A Death in Spring: 1968
Collins and Clark are back to dispense their own unique brand of justice.
It’s Spring 1968 and life is good for Detective Constable Michael Collins until a routine stakeout goes wrong and he starts to suspect that something big and very dangerous is stirring in the Birmingham underworld.
Meanwhile, Constable Clive Clark’s dreams of becoming a father are rudely interrupted when an old friend asks him to look into the unsolved murders of four young homosexuals.
As murder and mayhem overflow onto the streets of Birmingham and the body count rises, Collins and Clark find themselves battling psychopaths, gangsters and their own Central CID.
The eBook A Death in Spring: 1968 can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk and all other major platforms and read on a wide variety of electronic devices using the apps available.
Regards to all,
Jim
November 20, 2016
The Little Book of Big Management Wisdom Published
Hi
I'm very pleased to say that my latest non-fiction book, The Little Book of Big Management Wisdom was published on the 15 November by Pearson. Whenever I say my publisher is Pearson most people look blank so I tend to add, 'They own Penguin.' The book is available as a paperback or download.
The book is for junior, middle and senior managers and those who aspire to be a manager. Like the best selling and award winning, The Little Book of Big Management Theories, it aims to show managers how to implement great management ideas in practice. The ideas in this case are contained in quotations from famous leaders from business, politics and the military and the very best management writers.
It has one or two surprises and includes an entry from both Elvis Presley and Robert Frost. The aim is explain each idea or theory fully and then supply quick easy to follow advice on how to apply it in the real world of work. All delivered with a touch of humour (Needless to say both the language and humour are more circumspect than you'll find in the Death in ... series).
So if you have a manager in the family or someone studying on a management course you might want to recommended they have a look or buy them one for Christmas. Being an ex-university lecturer I know that students in particular want the greatest return from the minimum effort The Little Books of Big Management ... series provides this. Honest. You can believe me. I'm a writer!
Take care,
Jim
I'm very pleased to say that my latest non-fiction book, The Little Book of Big Management Wisdom was published on the 15 November by Pearson. Whenever I say my publisher is Pearson most people look blank so I tend to add, 'They own Penguin.' The book is available as a paperback or download.
The book is for junior, middle and senior managers and those who aspire to be a manager. Like the best selling and award winning, The Little Book of Big Management Theories, it aims to show managers how to implement great management ideas in practice. The ideas in this case are contained in quotations from famous leaders from business, politics and the military and the very best management writers.
It has one or two surprises and includes an entry from both Elvis Presley and Robert Frost. The aim is explain each idea or theory fully and then supply quick easy to follow advice on how to apply it in the real world of work. All delivered with a touch of humour (Needless to say both the language and humour are more circumspect than you'll find in the Death in ... series).
So if you have a manager in the family or someone studying on a management course you might want to recommended they have a look or buy them one for Christmas. Being an ex-university lecturer I know that students in particular want the greatest return from the minimum effort The Little Books of Big Management ... series provides this. Honest. You can believe me. I'm a writer!
Take care,
Jim
