A Very British Blog

My friend Jane Wenham-Jones has just done A Very British Blog and suggested that some of her friends might like to do one, too. So, here goes:

Q. Where were you born and where do you live at the moment?

A. I was born in Guildford, Surrey, lived in London throughout my childhood and early adulthood, and I’ve lived in Whitstable on the Kent coast for the last thirty years.

Q. Have you always lived and worked in Britain or are you based elsewhere at present?

A. Always been here, although in my early twenties I was an air stewardess (as featured last year in the Daily Express, The One Show and the Alan Titchmarsh Show!) so I was lucky enough to travel the world.

Q. Which is your favourite part of Britain?

A. I love it all. There are so many areas I love and would like to live.

Q. Have you ‘highlighted’ or ‘showcased’ any particular part of Britain in your books? For example, a town or city; a county, a monument or some well-known place or event?

A. All my Libby Sarjeant books are set in Kent, although in fictional villages and towns.

Q. There is an illusion – or myth if you wish – about British people that I would like you to discuss. Many see the ‘Brits’ as ‘stiff upper lip’. Is that correct?

A. You wouldn’t think so if you saw the amount of people dissolving into tears on reality shows these days… no patience with it myself. Luckily there is an off button on my remote control.

Q. Do any of the characters in your books carry the ‘stiff upper lip’? Or are they all ‘British Bulldog’ and unique in their own way?

A. They are all unique. I don’t think the British Bulldog exists any longer – see my last answer – and I would hate anybody, fictional or real, to be characterised in that way.

Q. Tell us about one of your recent books

A. My most recent book is Murder In The Monastery, the eleventh book in the Libby Sarjeant mystery series, published by Accent Press.

Q. What are you currently working on?

A. The twelfth book in the Libby series, Murder In The Dark, to be published in October, and an anthology of previously published short stories called Bad Behaviour to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Accent Press.

Q. How do you spend your leisure time?

A. I read a lot and occasionally put on my Drama Hat and take to the stage.

Q. Do you write for a local audience or a global audience?

A. Anyone who’ll read me, thank you! As I receive letters from America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which surprises and delights me, it’s probably not just local! Love my readers.

Q. Can you provide links to your work?

A. They’re all on here already! Check my website for further details – and thank you Jane Wenham-Jones for extending the invitation.