I’m in Portugal at the moment recovering from glorious book-flogging times. In Belfast and Coleraine both branches of Waterstone’s were superb again, thanks to all the staff for their great hospitality, and this time the books were there for the selling and did very well. My time in Belfast was complete when I’d dropped into No Alibis to sign books (my own, yes) and hear a bit of jazz, followed by a trawl round the Cathedral Quarter and ‘wee cacktail’ in the Merchant. Huge thanks to my auntie Anne for good times. In Portstewart I had a go on the swings with my school friend Sharon (thanks for putting me up again, Sharon) and breakfast in Morelli’s with her and Patricia Davies, reunion of three school friends after God knows how long. Very many thanks to everybody who turned out and bought The Most Intimate Place and if you like it, tell your friends. I’ll post the embarrassing pics when I’m back.

Thanks too to Emma Nissim and her sister Rachael for their terrific event. We sold Sword Rampant t-shirts and bags (there might be one or two left, I’m not sure) and drank wine and went over to the Coach & Horses where I read to the assembled patrons. They were rapt actually and afterwards people came up to tell me that it was my reading of Helen’s meditations (I slipped one of those in) that they enjoyed most. Now who would have thought that would ever happen in a pub?

I’m not just dossing in the Portuguese sun here actually. I’m working hard (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) on the second draft of my next murder mystery. More about that when I’m back in November. Meanwhile I’ve had another small but perfectly formed review, in the States this time I’m thrilled to bits!