books
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Wolves Lit Festival: Fred Karno: The Legend Behind the Laughter
Earlier this month the Wolverhampton Literary Festival took place, and I attended one of the talks that weekend. This was ‘Fred Karno: The Legend Behind the Laughter‘* by author David Crump, who has written the definitive book on Karno which has the same title. The talk, which was one of the free events at the festival, was a fascinating look at one of the most celebrated characters of late 19th and early 20th century entertainment, a pioneer who discovered some of the key names in early cinema, and yet faced hardship at the end of his life. Fred Karno was an impresario, a figure not unlike an Andrew Lloyd Webber…
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Another Agatha Christie Trail
Last year I was lucky enough to pay two visits to Agatha Christie’s neck of the woods, that is, the English Riviera area of Devon. This is my second post featuring some of the places you can visit to enjoy Agatha, without having to pay an entrance fee (you can find the first here.) Galmpton -The Greenway Walk Galmpton is one of the nearest villages to Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home, and is a gorgeous place to visit for a Sunday lunch. Galmpton has links to Agatha, and if you look around the village you can see signs which highlight the Greenway walk, a 1 and 3/4 walk to the…
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Talking Books With Janice Hallett
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a book tour at Waterstones, Birmingham. Crime and mystery writer Tom Hindle was in conversation with one of my favourite authors, Janice Hallett, who has recently published her third book, ‘The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels‘, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to find out a little about the background of, not just this book, but of her other best selling titles, ‘The Appeal‘ and ‘The Twyford Code‘. Here are some of the highlights of the night. (It has to be said that Tom Hindle asked some brilliant questions.) On the Alperton Angels It was a nerve wracking experience…
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Gift Ideas: New Books For Christmas
Christmas is coming, and that means you really need to start thinking of presents for the special people in your life. Today I am focusing on some brand new books that are not only exciting and interesting, but will also allow the recipient a few relaxing hours over the manic Christmas break in order to lose themselves in another time, another place, another world. Music Rock ‘n’ Roll Nanny – Sally Arnold What a life Sally has had – what a woman! Sally Arnold has had a rich and variable life working with some of the greatest names in rock and roll and the celebrity world. It all started in…
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Brilliant Billionaire Boy Is A Real Treat
Billionaire Boy is one of the most beloved stories from the legend that is David Walliams. The story of the super rich but unhappy 12 year old Joe Spud and his quest to be a normal boy with at least one true friend is almost a modern day morality tale and a rags to riches story in reserve. The fabulous stage musical opened at The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night and delighted an audience of parents and children. Joe Spud is rich, a billionaire boy in fact. He has everything a child could want, everything that is, except the attention of his dad and a true friend who likes him for…
