“My inspiration tends to come from two words. The two most important words to a writer: What if?”
Welcome
I write mystery novels and short fiction, including the Meredith Island Mysteries.
A question people often ask people who write is How did you know you are a writer? For me, it was as soon as I could pick up a pencil. This is the way I naturally interact with the world: through story and images, symbols and themes, and more often than not, irony. Ursula Le Guin said it best: “But when people say, Did you always want to be a writer?, I have to say no! I always was a writer.”
England is my home by birth, Canada is where I was brought up, and Wales is my spiritual home. I am a lover of singing, history, archaeology, and all things Welsh.
If you’d like to keep in touch with the latest news about my novels, short stories, and appearances, please sign up for my Newsletter.
Latest News
NOW AVAILABLE
the first book in the Meredith Island Mysteries
“If you like a well wrought complex plot with lots of twists and turns; a lovely Welsh setting; attractive and believable characters; an interesting psychological depth, this is the book for you.” — MAUREEN JENNINGS, author of the Murdoch Mysteries and The Paradise Cafe Mysteries
Kate Galway has returned to Meredith Island off the Welsh coast to attend her grandmother’s funeral. At the wake, she’s confronted with the islanders’ suspicion that her Aunt Emma didn’t commit suicide over fifty years ago but was murdered. When she learns that her grandmother’s dying wish was for Kate to uncover the truth, she takes on the daunting task of tracking down her aunt’s killer. Along the way, she must confront not only her family’s dark secrets, but her conflicted feelings about the place which was once her home.
PRE-0RDER A DARK DEATH
If you want to make sure you’re one of the first to get the second book in the Meredith Island Mysteries, you can now pre-order A Dark Death from Amazon and Indigo. If you prefer to deal directly with my Canadian publisher, Stonehouse has both A Dark Death and Anthony Bidulka’s final Merry Bell mystery, Home Fires Burn, available for pre-order. As an added bonus you will receive some lovely free-trade tea. You can also order both Meredith Island Mysteries or all three Merry Bell Mysteries and received even more treats.
There are teasers about the A Dark Death plot in each of my newsletters. If you’re curious, go to the Newsletter page and sign up. No spoilers, I promise.
Rosemary McCracken’s fave reads of 2024
I'm delighted to be on fellow mystery writer Rosemary McCracken’s list of fave reads of 2024. I'm in the presence of some great writers.
Alberta Library January e-book Favourite
Secrets in the Water is among the top ten ebook library loans for January in Alberta. Nothing beats a summer beach read during a cold prairie winter. Thank you, Alberta readers, for your support.
49TH SHELF’S MOST ANTICIPATED spring BOOKS
A Dark Death made 49th Shelf’s Most Anticipated Spring Fiction Preview: “All the fiction you're going to be falling in love with during the first half of 2025.” 49thShelf.com is an online platform for finding and discussing Canadian books, produced by the Association of Canadian Publishers.
SECRETS IN THE WATER AUDIOBOOK
I'm delighted to announce that the Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) have selected Secrets in the Water to be recorded as an audiobook. It could take up to a year to be completed, but it will be available through most audiobook sites.s
I’ve just auditioned three narrators for the book and chosen my favourite. Although I would prefer to have a British-accented reader, I’m confident the reader I’ve chosen will do a wonderful job, and I think Kate will approve. Siobhan doesn’t care who it was as long as she brings biscuits!
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 12:50 PM Et (9:50 AM PT), global news BC
I’m looking forward to chatting with the folks at Global News about the Meredith Island Mysteries.
Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, TWUC, Ontario Region, Open Mic night
I’m reading from A Dark Death at The Writers’ Union of Canada, Ontario Region Open Mic Night via Zoom. Open to TWUC members only.
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, HIGH PARK CLUB, TORONTO
This is a fabulous one-day conference for readers and writers. The location at 100 Indian Road is totally accessible. There will be writer panels, which I’m hoping to be a part of again this year, and attending writers will be selling and signing their books. The cost is $85 per person which includes lunch and morning and afternoon snacks (vegan & vegetarian food is available). To register, go to bonyblithe.ca.
June, exact date, time, & l0cation tBA, Toronto
Stonehouse Publishing is coming all the way from Edmonton to launch A Dark Death, my second Meredith Island Mystery, and Anthony Bidulka’s Home Fires Burn, his third Merry Bell Mystery. Come by and get a signed copy of our books. We love to talk with readers.
Friday, June 27, time TBA, the artsy raven podcast
I’m talking about all things creative and A Dark Death during my interview with JD Garrard on The Artsy Raven podcast.
OTHER NEWS
The Beginning
At the age of thirteen, I wrote my first novel about ballet, my obsession at the time.
But I was always drawn to the Agatha Christie traditional mysteries I’d read growing up. The traditional mystery explores the disturbing idea that seemingly ordinary people in idyllic locations are capable of taking the life of another human being.
Given the right circumstances, the retired schoolteacher you pass every morning walking his dog or the young woman who serves tea and cake in your local cafe has the potential to commit murder.