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Wendy Percival
- Jun 30
- 3 min
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
- Apr 8, 2022
- 3 min
The Murder Stone
By an exciting coincidence, during my trip to The Gower in Wales last week, I came across a murder stone. It was in the churchyard...


Wendy Percival
- Feb 4, 2022
- 3 min
A Few Little Prompts
I was most impressed to read on a recent blog post of Family Tree magazine’s Paul Chiddicks, (writer of their family history miscellany...


Wendy Percival
- Jan 29, 2022
- 3 min
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 21, 2022
- 4 min
Scandal of the woman in the fox fur
While working on the latest Esme Quentin novel this week, I wrote a scene where someone’s Last Will and Testament comes into the plot. It...

Wendy Percival
- Oct 29, 2021
- 1 min
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 1, 2021
- 2 min
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
- Sep 24, 2021
- 1 min
Location, location, location
While I'm busy writing the next Esme Quentin Mystery and not posting on the blog so often, it's an ideal opportunity to revisit posts...


Wendy Percival
- May 28, 2021
- 2 min
A legacy of letters
When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter by hand? It must be quite a rare event these days – with emails and messaging...


Wendy Percival
- Aug 28, 2020
- 2 min
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
- Jul 3, 2020
- 2 min
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
- May 29, 2020
- 2 min
Mystery engagement
Having finished writing the 4th Esme Quentin novel (soon to be published - details coming soon!) I've had a chance to consider what's...


Wendy Percival
- May 22, 2020
- 2 min
The joy of a letter
Who doesn’t love to receive a personal letter? But these days, we’re more likely to communicate by email, text or message. Helen Baggott,...


Wendy Percival
- May 2, 2020
- 3 min
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
- Mar 6, 2020
- 2 min
New Esme book coming soon...
If you're on my newsletter mailing list as well as a reader of this blog, you will already know (and my apologies for repeating myself!)...


Wendy Percival
- Feb 7, 2020
- 2 min
Visiting Esme Quentin Country
Sometimes it's good to get away from the keyboard for some inspiration and that's exactly what I did this week. Wandering around the...


Wendy Percival
- Nov 22, 2019
- 2 min
Another #familyhistory #7UP
I came across this lovely photograph of my gran, Edith Alice Diggory, at about 14 years of age, (possibly taken on the occasion of her...


Wendy Percival
- Sep 6, 2019
- 6 min
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
- Aug 9, 2019
- 2 min
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
- May 3, 2019
- 2 min
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...