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Celebrating Adam Croft

I am celebrating some authors ahead of my blog turning 5 years old. Today it is the turn of Adam Croft. Find out a little more about the author and discover review links below.

Adam Croft is a prolific writer and a podcaster. His podcast is Partner’s In Crime, often presented with fellow author and actor – Robert Daws or other guests, when he is on stage or writing. There’s lots of chat, including bookish and TV chat. Adam Croft also attends book festivals from time to time.
In books, he has a number of series and standalone books. His main series of books are: Knight and Culverhouse, Kempston Hardwick, The Rutland Crime series. Stand-alone books include – Her Last Tomorrow, Closer To You and many more. He writes police procedurals, borderline cosy crime, thrillers, psychological thrillers. With almost two million books sold to date, Adam Croft is one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, having sold books in over 120 different countries.

Adam is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on independent publishing and has been featured on BBC television, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC World Service, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and more…

In March 2018, Adam was conferred as an Honorary Doctor of Arts, the highest academic qualification in the UK, by the University of Bedfordshire in recognition of his services to literature.

Now, without further ado, onto the no spoiler reviews and please do click the links that will give you blurbs and a bit more information in reviews/blog posts I have previously published over these past few years, in order I read them and then find the link to the podcast and a crime book festival. Each link will open in a separate tab.

The Books and Podcast

Sam Barker Series

Absolution is a gripping, twisty political thriller he wrote with Steven Moore about a terrorist attack, survivor’s guilt, a potential conspiracy theory. The main protagonist is Sam Barker. He works in the I.T. department for the Home Office. He also has problems at home, in that he can’t go to see his son up in Edinburgh. He has this to deal with and a sinister organisation called, “The Firm”.

Betrayal is gritty and gripping. People are promised a better life, told to sell their land and yet are betrayed.
Betrayal tackles climate change issues and Sam Barker is requested to relocate from London to Edinburgh. There are eco-activists and groups and Sam discovers all isn’t quite as it seems, with much a darker streak threading its way through the city.

Discover the link to the blurb and review:

Betrayal

Knight and Culverhouse Series

In Plain Sight is a Knight and Culverhouse Series book.
This police procedural can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. From teenage troubles at home to being a crime solving duo, there’s plenty of compelling action. A petrol station is robbed and a woman dies in a jewellers that was raided. On top of this, the future of Mildenheath CID is at stake.
Discover the full review and blurb here: In Plain Sight

Snakes and Ladders, can be read as part of the series or stand-alone. This time Knight and Culverhouse tackle social media, as well as tangled personal lives and a murder case. It all gives “food for thought”.
Discover the full review and blurb here:

Snakes and Ladders

The Rutland Series

This series, so far consists of, What Lies Beneath, On Borrowed Time, In Cold Blood, Kiss of Death and Moment of Truth.

Caroline Hills and Detective Inspector Antoine Dexter make up part of the police force in Rutland, the smallest county in the East Midlands, England.
There are twists, turns and murders afoot in this series, that puts me in mind of Midsomer Murders.
From a man being discovered dead by people going on a fishing trip to someone found hanging at a railway tunnel to a body at a viaduct, to someone dying mysteriously in Oakham, including one at the castle.
It turns out Rutland may not be as safe as it first appears with its beautiful scenery. Beware of places with beautiful scenery perhaps as you don’t know whether you’ll live or die, even in a borderline cosy mystery series.

Standalone

Adam Croft has a few Standalone thrillers, one that I have both read and reviewed is the psychological thriller Closer to You. If you like the series You, you will like this twisty, atmospheric, bordering on the creepy book that holds you tight until it finally drops you at the end.
Discover more in the link: Closer To You

Partners In Crime Podcast

The Partners In Crime Podcast has chat about crime books and tv series and more. Check out more here: Partners In Crime

It also had an outing to the Morecambe and Vice Crime Festival: Partners In Crime

#CelebratingAuthorsSeries By Lo -Celebrating #CrimeAuthor – Lin Anderson @Lin_Anderson #CrimeFiction @BloodyScotland #BloodyScotland #RhonaMcLeod #BlazeDetectiveDog #Mystery

Celebrating Author – Lin Anderson

written by Louise at Bookmarks and Stages

As part of my blog in 2023 until it reaches 5 years old in September, I will be celebrating an author or publisher every so often, amongst reviewing and interviewing as usual. Join me as I celebrate works of Lin Anderson. I have included links to previous reviews that also include blurbs of a book from the Rhona McLeod series, a Thriller and a Middle Grade Book and a link to Bloody Scotland 2023 and talk write-ups.

Lin Anderson was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award, 2022.

CWA stands for Crime Writers Association. has She has written over 20 books, primarily in the crime fiction genre with her popular main protagonist being forensic scientist Rhona McLeod. She has also written a stand alone thriller – The Party House and mystery books for children – Blaze Detective series. She also created book festival Bloody Scotland. I have been fortunate to write some reviews for some of her books and the festival. You can find out more about the festival and then about her books as you read further.

Lin Anderson, on top of attending book festivals and talks in many venues, created a book festival just over 10 years ago called Bloody Scotland alongside some others. The location is Stirling. Dates: Friday 15th September to Sunday 17th September.

This festival goes from strength to strength each year, playing host to many crime authors from both the UK and across the world. It also has its own awards – The McIlvanney Prize. As well as hosting a stream of established authors, it is also a place that has Spotlight talks on the same stage as an established author for new authors and shortlists for debut novelists. There is also a torchlight parade through this town made millennium city, authors playing football, games, authors singing and a new addition for 2023 – guided walks through Stirling, which is steeped in history, including an old town jail and a castle.

Link to Bloody Scotland 2023: https://bloodyscotland.com/

Link to the write up of a 2022 panel Lin Anderson was on with Clare Mackintosh and Chris Brookmyre: Panel Talk

Lin Anderson’s first book was Driftnet and the latest (2023) is The Wild Coast in the Rhona McLeod series. Here is a link to the talk she gave for Time For the Dead on a Morecambe and Vice Festival on a panel with Noelle Holten – Panel talk

The Wild Coast sees Rhona McLeod on holiday and not all goes to plan with mysterious stickmen being left on murdered wild campers. There’s a slightly creepy vibe mixed with on-trend topics.
Here is the link to the blurb and review of The Wild Coast: The Wild Coast

The Party House is a standalone thriller set in the Highlands of Scotland. Something sinister and dark is happening in Blackrig and the ‘party house’ in this excellent, compelling book.
The Party House

Blaze the Detective Dog is a Middle Grade series. Book 1 is The Magic Flag Mystery. Blaze, the dog actually exists and lives with Donald McKay and his other dog – Laoch. In my review you will see photos of them.
In the book, there is a mystery to be solved – the all important fairy flag has been stolen from Dunvegan Castle, where the Chief of Clan McLeod lives, meaning the cancellation of a school trip. It’s a compelling mystery that children can really get absorbed in to solve the mystery, meet the characters and discover a castle, a secret passage and a map to follow. Here is a link to my review of Blaze The Detective Dog – Book 1 – The Magic Flag Mystery

Celebrating Authors and Actors By Lou – Today the #Article is on @RobertDaws #CelebratingAuthorsSeries #CrimeFiction @HobeckBooks #PartnersInCrime #Podcast #Theatre #TalkWriteUp #BookReviews

Celebrating Authors and Actors
Robert Daws
By Louise (Lou)

Today I have chosen Robert Daws as part of my series of celebrating authors and actors works, as part of the lead up to my blog turning 5 years old in September 2023. Follow down and discover the article and short reviews, as well as links to full reviews where you will also find the blurb for books, a radio play, a podcast and more…

Robert Daws is notable for both acting and being an author. A very talented, kind and generous man to those (including me), who meet him. He is notable for starring on tv for such sitcoms and dramas like Outside Edge, Roger, Roger, The Royal, Midsummer Murders, Sicknote, New Tricks, Death In Paradise, Agatha Raisin, Sister Boniface Mysteries and more… and films such as Swimming With Men. He is also an accomplished stage actor with a great stage presence in the likes of Ten Times Table, Wodehouse in Wonderland and more… He has also done radio plays, most notably with Duncan Preston (Surgical Spirit, Dinner Ladies and more…), such as crime drama – Truman and Riley.

In books, he shows a passion for Gibraltar, where his crime fiction is set. I feel you get to know Gibraltar very well through his main detectives- Broderick and Sullivan. The books are darker and twistier than you might expect. There are 3 so far – The Rock, Poisoned Rock, Killing Rock. There is also a novella Echo Rock.
He has also attended book festivals and gives a marvellous talk. You will find a link to a write up of a talk he gave with his friend and fellow actor – Hugh Fraser – notable for playing Captain Hastings Poirot and more and also writing crime thrillers with his protagonist – Rina Walker.
When not acting, he is also one half of the podcast – Partners In Crime with Adam Croft.
I’ve had the great pleasure of reviewing books by Robert Daws and writing an introduction blog post when he was the first author to have his books re-published by Hobeck Books and are the popular books that helped launch this Indy publisher; then subsequently to have decided to review the podcast and more… You will find links to these below as well as a festival talk write up. I’ve started with the books and finished with the talk.
There is something about his works, whether in the written or spoken word that makes them memorable.
Now, without further ado, onto the no spoiler reviews and please do click the links that will give you blurbs and a bit more information in reviews/blog posts I have previously published over these past few years.

The Rock is the first of the Sullivan and Broderick Murder Mysteries. The writing in all of the books is captivating and by the second and third book, Robert Daws has truly nailed it, hitting the 5 stars, with the first being 4 stars. The Rock is excellent for setting the scene and is where you first meet the team – Calbot, Sullivan and Broderick and Sullivan, Chief Superintendent C.S. Harriet Massetti and PC Bryant. You find out why Sullivan is on secondment in Gibraltar and discover a murder on a yacht.

Poisoned Rock contains murder, offshore accounts, secrets and jeopardy. There is also the glamour of a film crew, but there are twists and turns as there is more than meets the eye with even the mere creation of the film. There are more to the characters than first presumed as the intrigue builds and bit by bit all is revealed.

I have a link here that encompasses both of these books. The Rock and Poisoned h Rock

Killing Rock is darker and twistier, possibly the best yet in its clever construction. It covers themes such as second chances and against the odds when much is stacked against you.
This time readers also travel to Spain. There is a mysterious letter, ghosts from the past to confront and a twisty murder mystery to solve.

Here is the link to the full review: Killing Rock

is a link to an overview of when Robert Daws was the first author to join Hobeck Books.

Echo Rock is a stand-alone novella with Sullivan and Broderick. It’s a rather compelling ghostly crime fiction story that takes place in a tunnel that runs through Gibraltar.

Find out more and full review in this link: Echo Rock

To culminate this section, before moving onto other works, below is a link to an article I created when Robert Daws was the first author to join indie publisher – Hobeck Books. Many more authors have followed suit and joined.
Exciting Crime Fiction Article

Trueman & Riley is a crime drama play in short episodes, originally on BBC radio and now on Audible, where I discovered it and listened to during lockdown. It was written by Brian B. Thompson, whom many would know, of a certain youngish age, from creating tv series Byker Grove (teen drama set around a youth club with gritty storylines and known for launching the careers of the likes of Ant and Dec).
Trueman and Riley are 2 police detectives played by Robert Daws and Duncan Preston. There is much humour in their working relationship as well as some humour within some of the crimes, but also has a sharp edge as important issues are dealt with, bringing the series into some grittiness. It’s really worth listening to, with each episode bringing a different crime, complete in itself (note, you only need to download this compelling series once to have all the episodes. I’ve a few links that contain quick no spoiler reviews the episodes

Trueman & Riley Episodes 1 – 5 Trueman & Riley Episodes 6 – 10

Trueman and Riley – Episodes 11-14

Robert Daws is currently on a UK tour with Wodehouse in Wonderland, (5 stars) a one man play taking in P.G. Wodehouse, famous for his creation of Jeeves and Wooster, shown in books, theatre, tv.

Wodehouse in Wonderland is based on the life and works of P.G. Wodehouse. In amongst the entertainment, this tells a fascinating story, all performed by Robert Daws. It is humorous with a few serious moments. It is well-layered and is fascinating.
The construction of the script is excellent like this and the delivery is top notch and of the highest calibre. I’ve seen a few one man shows before and Robert Daws is up there with the best of them. It’s a real skill to be able to go solo and hold an audience in the palm of your hand and keep their attention focused on you. Robert Daws pulls it off with aplomb as he takes your through recognisable works of P.G. Wodehouse, such as Blandings and more, as well as his day to day life. He walks you through by bursts of song with dulcet tones (he has a fabulous singing voice) and spoken word.I, however, not long before lockdown and there were stirrings of the pandemic no one knew much about and everywhere was open, there was another humorous play, called Ten Times Table. If anyone has ever sat on a board or wants an inkling of it, this, if it tours again, is the play for you. It is about a committee in a village who are trying to set up an event about the Pendleton Witches. The different personalities really come through of the sorts of people you may find on a Committee or Board. There are humorous discussions and wranglings as they try and reach, what is supposed to be a common goal. Find the link here TenTimes Table

When not filming or on stage, Robert Daws is a Partner In Crime with author Adam Croft (successful author of every crime genre you can get). It takes the premise of them talking all things crime from the latest books to tv dramas in this genre, all in a convivial manner, that’s just easy to relax into. There’s also often some humour and a warmth to be had between these two friends, as well as a warmth and care, projected onto their listening audience.
Note that when Robert Daws is away, there’s often a stand-in, such as Adrian Hobart from Hobeck Books – home of crime or Adam Croft has occasionally hosted it himself, so you don’t need to worry about it being irregular days and times. Find out more details in this link: Partners In Crime

When I first started my blog and it was only a few days old, with 2 pieces of writing about Bloody Scotland in it, I boldly travelled down to Morecambe for the Morecambe and Vice Crime Festival. Hugh Fraser and I had arranged to meet up and what a wonderful and amazing time that was, that’s still special to me today as was that meeting and further ones with Robert Daws.

At this time, it was the first time I had ever communicated with Robert Daws. I’d arrived the day before as it was quite a distance and decided to make myself useful and try writing up the festival, whilst I bided my time to meet up with Hugh Fraser as arranged (I had a lot to thank him for and that’s another story).
So, one of the talks I wrote up was one between Hugh Fraser and Robert Daws. It was an entertaining talk as well as very insightful about writing, their characters and certain things they agreed upon. You can find the entire write-up here.

Showcasing Robert Daws and Hugh Fraser Article