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Today's the day!
Yes, it’s finally here. The fifth Esme Quentin Mystery, The Scourge of the Skua, is published today! The story begins with the discovery...
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Jun 30, 20233 min read
The Tragic Tale of Moses Percival
Last week, I was reminded of a family history story, part of which found its way into the plot of the Esme Quentin series prequel...
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Jan 29, 20223 min read
A Halloween Story!
With Halloween this weekend, it seemed appropriate to revisit a blog post I published last October about the 4th Esme Quentin Mystery,...
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Oct 29, 20211 min read
Secret island
When you read this post, I'll be on my way back home after finally taking our Covid-deferred holiday to Tresco, one of the islands of the...
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Oct 1, 20212 min read
Surprise coincidences
Family history connections can take you by surprise sometimes, as I wrote about in a recent post, Shock Shared Ancestor. A couple of...
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Jun 11, 20212 min read
Finished!
I’ve been excited to complete a family history project close to my heart this week – it’s not often in family history we can say we’ve...
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May 14, 20212 min read
Illegitimacy & Mystery
I’m currently listening to the audiobook version of In the Family Way, by Jane Robinson. It’s a fascinating account of illegitimacy and...
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Nov 20, 20203 min read
A shared history - #WWI and beyond
Alfred Joseph Saunders, my husband’s grandfather – pictured here with his wife Caroline and daughter Eunice Irene – joined the Royal...
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Nov 13, 20203 min read
Mystery Letters - coincidence or connection?
Today English Heritage is unveiling one of its famous Blue Plaques in memory of WWII secret agent Noor Inayat Kahn, who was brutally...
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Aug 28, 20202 min read
Any witches in your family history?
I once read a fascinating article in Family Tree magazine (15 years ago, as it turns out!) about someone's ancestor who’d been accused of...
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Jul 3, 20202 min read
Truth, fiction and an unbelievable coincidence
Imagine you’ve settled down to read a novel when you suddenly spot the name of one of your ancestors in the text. And not just any...
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May 2, 20203 min read
Mystery wedding and jaunty hats
Happy Valentine's Day! A great excuse for browsing the family photograph albums for wedding photos. The style of weddings have changed...
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Feb 14, 20202 min read
My #familyhistory autumn pledge!
Last week my copy of the Family History Record Book devised by professional genealogist, Sheridan Parsons, arrived and I spent the...
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Sep 20, 20192 min read
Meet the author!
I'm delighted to welcome Sandra Danby, author of the 'Identity Detective' series, to this week's Bite-size blog. Sandra's series...
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Sep 6, 20196 min read
Enchanted Cornwall
I shall be off-grid for a couple of weeks from tomorrow as I take a holiday in Cornwall (yes, Cornwall again!). This time I'm staying in...
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Aug 9, 20192 min read
Poignant story
This week mark's the anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, which is a bit of coincidence as I've just finished...
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Jul 19, 20192 min read
A mystery with two literary twists!
While debating what book I should read next, after two set in Cornwall, The Silence Before Thunder by Kathy Shuker appeared on my radar....
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Jun 7, 20192 min read
Stepping back in history
By the time you read this post, I shall be out and about in our campervan exploring the rich heritage of our wonderful countryside....
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May 17, 20192 min read
Intrigue and inspiration
I've thoroughly enjoyed the recent BBC TV series, A House Through Time which tells the history of 5 Ravensworth Terrace in Newcastle...
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May 3, 20192 min read
My #Cornwall book review
As I promised - an update on my holiday reading choices (see Therapeutic Cornwall). I started with Ghostwritten by Isabel Wolff. As...
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Apr 12, 20192 min read