A Writer Apologises

Well hello, and let me begin by saying sorry to you all. I’ve become that kind of person a dislike, ignoring everyone until I have a new book about to be published.

Whatever I say will be an excuse, but…I’ve been busy completing the writing and revision of a novel, the first in a planned new series set in WWII in Leeds. That’s involved a lot of research, of trying to feel my way into the period and make the city and the area into a living, breathing thing. That’s taken time – I’m actually on my final read-through at the moment, and very soon it will be with my publisher. Titled No Precious Truth, all being well it should appear in the summer of 2025.

I’ve also had to deal with the edit for the Simon Westow novel due in September. That one’s called Them Without Pain, and has it jumping-off point in some real Leeds history (the discovery of a long-rumoured secret working in Middle Row). But those edits take time.

And then, yes, The Scream of Sins will be appearing next week. For once, I’m doing no publicity. No events, no bookmarks, nothing. That’s partly an experiment, to see if any of those things do make any sort of difference. More than that, after the big Tom Harper exhibition and event last autumn, I’m still recouping my energy. It took so much more out of me that I’d anticipated.

So there you have it. If you do want to buy The Scream of Sins (and the reviews so far have been excellent), your local independent bookshop will gladly oblige, or this is the cheapest online price, with free UK delivery. Of course, as money is tight, please don’t forget your local library. They can order it in for you.

Again, my apologies. I shall try to do better in future.