Search
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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,...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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....
Wendy Percival
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....
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
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...
Wendy Percival
Apr 12, 20192 min read