Hello all
It’s June, flaming June (and it really is here in the UK – finally) and the latest instalment of Brendan Moran’s caseload hit the shelves a month ago. I’m delighted that In the Key of Death has been so well received. So many of you have been in touch to say how much they enjoyed it. Thank you! It’s such an encouragement to hear from happy readers (and, to be fair, the very occasional grumpy reader). On the other hand, many of you seem to be rather worried, and the question on everyone’s lips is:–
Is this the end of the road for Brendan? He’s finally retired, so nothing else can happen, right?
Wrong!
But first of all, I must address the (very late) next episode of my alternative crime series, namely ex-DC Cameron Kyle. The Fragile Cage was published in 2022, and its sequel has been delayed by … well, lots of things really. Mea Culpa. I’ll be getting to work on that second book very soon, fear not. By the time we get back to young Cameron, the calendar will have clicked over to 1970, and if you’re old enough to remember that particular new year, you’re in good company! I can remember (very clearly) thinking, “wow, nineteen-seventy, a whole new decade, so full of possibilities…” I was thirteen years old, and knew nothing about the rapidly changing world. And what changes we’ve seen since then, eh?
Maybe that’s why I decided to hit the rewind button and explore the world of the late sixties/early seventies through Cameron’s jaded eye. Do you remember those days? No Internet, or smartphones, or laptops, or wokeness (whatever that is). Most people smoked and thought nothing of having a few bevvies before driving home. They found their way around the country using maps (yes, maps!) and by following signposts (something my children find incomprehensible). We had three TV channels (well, two really – did anyone watch BBC2?) and enjoyed films and TV shows in black and white. Swearing on TV was rare, although comedians could always be relied upon to include a selection of dubious racist jokes in their repertoire.
And then there was music – ah, the music! Call me old and biased, but come on, the music was just the best. What compares in 2024 with those golden years, 1970-1973, when we were privileged to experience a literal explosion of innovative, memorable pop music? Pink Floyd, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, T Rex, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Genesis … the list goes on and on. We were spoiled, really, and we didn’t know it at the time. And we mustn’t leave out Barclay James Harvest, King Crimson, Hawkwind, Gong …
I’m so sorry, I quite forgot myself there for a moment…
It’s definitely time to get on. Let me wish you all a very happy and restful summertime, and please do get in touch if you’d like to comment on any of the books, or ask a question. I love hearing from you!
Bye for now!