We are only 40 minutes away from the capital of Scotland and so decided to pick up a brochure for the Fringe this year.
Two events caught our eye:
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at Edinburgh Planetarium, which we went to last Thursday.
This was absolutely fab!
We sat back, listened and watched as 360 degrees surround sound and visuals transported us back to the 1970’s and out into space. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.
This book caught my eye in Waterstones because I’ve visited The Orkneys and the beautiful Italian Chapel, lovingly created by Italian prisoners of war in WW2. It was an act of true devotion.
click cover for Amazon
This book was well researched, filling in many details of the life of the men on the tiny island of Lamb Holm, and a fitting tribute to them. The author describes how he has woven facts into fiction and is honest where he has embellished the truth for the sake of creativity.
I really enjoyed this novel, the characters were so well described, as was the sense of place, in contrast to their Mediterranean home.
It was quite a different style to Caroline Lea’s ‘The Metal Heart’ which I reviewed four years ago, but I believe both have a place amongst good Scottish Historical Fiction.
A recent very convincing email arrived in my inbox:
Julia writes
“Hello Diana Jackson,
At The Glasgow Book Club, we often find ourselves talking about stories that linger long after the last page, the ones that mix emotion, history, and the unexpected in ways that keep readers thinking.
Missing, Past and Present became part of that conversation. Your portrayal of Dorothy’s journey haunted by loss, seeking answers, and guided by echoes of the past felt immersive and deeply human. The mystery and the ghostly presence didn’t just entertain; they invited reflection on resilience, memory, and the traces of history in our own lives.
We’d love to invite you to a relaxed virtual author spotlight with our readers a space for an honest conversation about your story, your inspiration, and the ideas behind this series.
If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to share more details.“
The positives
This email struck a chord with me because it really sounded as if the author had read MISSING Past and Present. At a point in the novel the location actually is in Glasgow, and those chapters always make me smile (as do the ever friendly Glaswegians!)
I liked the thought of a virtual author spotlight rather than racing over the Forth Bridge and along the motorway to Glasgow.
The alarm bells
There doesn’t actually appear to be a Glasgow Bookclub.
The Meetup website is one I’ve received from emails in the USA as well as the UK and have little on them.
There are messages on Reddit and Facebook warning of similar scams from the Glasgow Bookclub.
Conclusion
Sadly another scam. The only thing I can say is that, momentarily, it lifted my spirits, before sense prevailed.
If, however, you are a member of a Book Group in Glasgow and you would be interested in me having a chat on Zoom, I would be delighted to hear from you through my contact page on this blog.
I’ve just received another email from The Glasgow Bookclub:
“Hi Diana,
I’m David Hartley, and I run the Glasgow Book Club, a small group of readers who engage with books that spark honest reflection and meaningful conversation.
I recently came across The Other Woman Was His Mother, and reading the premise made a strong impression on me. The way you explore emotional enmeshment, control, and the hidden dynamics within relationships feels both powerful and confronting. It’s the kind of subject our readers would approach with curiosity, especially the personal insight and clarity you bring to it.
We would love to invite you to a short Google Meet spotlight session. It’s a relaxed, reader-led conversation where you can share your perspective and experiences, completely free, and you answer only what you feel comfortable with.
If this feels like something you’d be open to, I’d be happy to share more details and arrange a time that works best for you.
Warm regards,
David Hartley“
I have never written a book called The Other Woman Was his Mother!!!!!
I wish there was a way to filter out emails written using AI. It would stop my inbox getting clogged up.
Diana Jackson 