Tag Archives: Murder Now and Then

April 29, 2015 · 4:42 pm

Five Star Review on Readers’ Favorite!

                               *****

I am delighted to receive a five star review for:

‘Murder, now and then’ on Readers’ Favourite.

Here’s a copy of the review:

Book Review
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

Murder Now and Then: 1919 to 2019 Murder Mystery by Diana Jackson is a murder mystery with a difference – a time difference. Joanna Thomas is a farmer’s wife in 2019, who stands accused of the murder of her husband. She had no motive and the murder weapon has never been found, leaving Inspector Norton scratching his head in dismay. DS Brown and DS Petersen are not convinced that Joanne’s the murderer and continue their search, uncovering a number of coincidences that lead back to 1919, to another unsolved murder. Now they have more than one possible suspect, with alibis that don’t entirely check out. DS Brown and Petersen travel to Jersey in a bid to solve the crime but, on their return, things take a turn for the worse. It’s looking very likely that the murder in 1919 may have some strange bearing on the murder on 2019, but what it is?

Murder Now and Then: 1919 to 2019 by Diane Jackson is an ingenious story. I never figured out the connection between the two murders and that, to me, is the mark of a well-written mystery! It’s not a fast-paced book, but the story doesn’t lend itself to that. Ms. Jackson has taken the time to let us get to know and understand the characters in the story, how they fit in, as well as giving us the benefit of some historical research. It has a very well developed plot and is something very different, very clever. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be watching for more from Diana Jackson.

If you’d like to read the real thing then visit the site:
                                             *****
Many many thanks. This has made my day!

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April 10, 2015 · 12:00 pm

Author Talk a Resounding Success!

Well over thirty people attended my author talk last night in the small village of Clophill in mid Bedfordshire and they were certainly an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Many had read ‘Murder, Now and Then’ prior to the evening, so it was a tricky balance to talk to them, as well as not to give too many details away to spoil the plot for the others. I sold a good few books too and much was raised for church funds, which was a major purpose of the evening.

As I tried to sleep last night and the adrenaline was still rushing through my body I began to evaluate ‘success.’ Yesterday evening was certainly a resounding success. You could have heard ‘a pin drop’ (if you’ll excuse the cliche) during the video, in the silence of the church. Here’s a link if you have not seen it before.

No one in the audience noticed the imaginary farmhouse superimposed on the countryside near Haynes Park, where the novel is set, not far from Clophill. It was a perfect introduction to the evening. People seemed genuinely interested in my local research and anecdotes about my writing life, asking pertinent questions – but no – I did not answer when asked what the murder weapon was!

It was a success in the way in which the event spread the word about my writing and to hear that copies had been bought and passed around. Isn’t that wonderful!  The comment was made almost apologetically and it made me evaluate why I write. As long as I continue to have that burning desire to write and that feedback from readers is positive, whether they read on Kindle or new, borrowed or second hand paperback or even from the library – I count that as a resounding success. Don’t you?

What do you think?What I love about evenings like that is not only sharing my own story but listening to theirs afterwards.

Anyway I’d certainly like to thank the Clophill folks for being so welcoming!

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March 25, 2015 · 9:30 am

More hidden treasures close to home ~ The Greensand Ridge Walk

Living on the Greensand Ridge Walk I’m ashamed to say that I had no idea until I looked it up last week where it began and where it ended, but I’m so glad we finally did.

The Woburn Hotel

The Woburn Hotel

On Sunday, a beautiful spring day, as a taster we chose the route between Woburn and Eversholt, parked our car in the free carpark at Woburn and walked along to George Street turning left at the cross roads. The Woburn Hotel stands at the junction and features in my murder mystery.

Woburn Abbey

Soon Woburn Abbey is in view across Woburn Park, the boundary marked by a red brick wall stretching as far as the eye could see, a sign of the successful brickworks near Bedford in the last century.  Taking the clearly marked footpath at Ivy Lodge at the kissing gates, although I defy any human to kiss over them – they are far too high – we were delighted to be walking right across the park, passing grazing deer, towards the abbey – not a religious establishment in fact, but the name of the stately home owned by The Duke of Bedford.

Eversholt Church

Eversholt Church

You could pause here for a comfort break and coffee. We didn’t in the instance, pushing on over the brow of the ridge and then down through pine woodland which marks the boundary of the park. From there we crossed a field and we were soon on the lane to Eversholt – our destination, The Green Man pub was a couple of hundred yards on, passing the unspoilt houses and church and thankfully it was open. I’m sure that the Sunday roast would have been delicious but instead we opted for a lighter

The Green Man Eversholt

The Green Man Eversholt

soup and filled baguette combination of salmon and cream cheese. Perfect, without making us too full to enjoy the walk back.

Our only detour, having passed Woburn Abbey on our return, was to take a right hand path and walk across towards park buildings, a path which detours around the left hand side of a small lake. Watch out for this. If you keep close to the stables you will see a collection of Bedford red brick houses in front of you and a path next to a cattle grid. After this the path is clear, taking you to the main cattle grid at the entrance to the park.

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Woburn has cafes, pubs and restaurants for refreshments and after you can browse in antiques and china shops. The other famous place to visit in the area is Woburn Safari Park which you can access by turning right at the end of the street and it in about half a mile on your right hand side, also featured in ‘Murder, Now and Then’.

Our walk was about six miles, perfect for a Sunday stroll rather than a serious ramble. The website suggests a variety of forms of public transport if you would prefer not to return the same way. We were so pleased to view a familiar place with new eyes, so close to home. It is a treasure in the heart of Bedfordshire.

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