Older and Wiser?

Another year tapping at the keyboard

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”

―Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

Hello there,

Thank you to Sarah for that quote. At first, I wondered if it might seem a bleak way to begin our newsletter, but then I realised it was actually quite comforting. Yes, things are going to happen, both good and bad, but we can pack our metaphorical sun screen along with our imaginary waterproof coat, and we can do our best to march onwards. Hope is a wonderful thing, as is perseverance, and I think that’s what Dumas was saying.

I’ve just had a birthday that ended with a zero (okay I’m 60), and someone asked me if I’d become any wiser. It was tempting to say yes, I’ve become incredibly clever overnight. I now know absolutely everything, from the inner workings of the human mind to the highest prime number, but the Code of the Elders prevents me from divulging any of the secrets. We think it’s important and character building for all the young’uns to work things out for themselves.

Instead, I laughed along, because I’ve actually come to the realisation that I know very little, but I’ve learned to value a lot of simple things such as family, health, nature, kindness.

I was lucky enough to spend my birthday with my immediate family and the partners of our two grown up children. Mrs C had rented a holiday home in the city of Wells, a place I’d never visited before, and we had a great few days. It’s a lovely small city full of glorious old buildings, and while we were there we found a food fair with over 200 stalls. I enjoyed that immensely.

There are, of course, a set of photos of the city below but first a word of thanks.

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Thank you!

I’m raising a mug of Assam to these lovely recent supporters: Pauline and Doyle. And a special thank you to regular supporters Lara and Alonza.

Cheers!

If you’d like to join these fine people who send mugs of tea from around the world, here’s a handy button

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Featured Photos

Three ways to enjoy the photos: a collage in the email, separate images in the substack app, an interactive gallery in the online post.

Images of Wells

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Writing News

I didn’t manage to get any writing done while I was away, but I’m back at the keyboard, and the upcoming Devonshire mystery must surely be drawing to a close. I make life difficult for myself, so once again there are several intertwined plots, and by this point, the book is like a house of cards - move one piece and the whole thing will come tumbling down.

All those pesky suspects will insist on lying or making sins of omission. But Dan and Alan will figure it out, along with DI Spiller.

In other book news, The first Devonshire Novel, Valley of Lies, and its prequel, A Study in Stone, are both only 99p/99c (or an equivalent amount) on Amazon stores from 1 - 8 November:

Already got them? Perhaps a friend might enjoy them.

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I’ve been enjoying:

I love a good audio drama, and I love Dickens, so I was very pleased to discover the BBC producing some excellent Dickensian dramatisations including Hard Times. Starring David Morrissey, this two-parter was particularly well done.

Find it here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0023ftj

I never know if you can get BBC Sounds to work in other countries, but I know the TV shows are often available on various TV services, so if you like mysteries do have a look at Ludwig - a gentle series of mysteries solved by a man who is obsessed with puzzles. It suits the star, David Mitchell, down to the ground.

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What’s Next?

Finishing this book! I don't mind confessing, dear reader, that there are times when I consider writing some terrible fate for Daniel Corrigan, mainly so that I won’t have to do the mental gymnastics needed to keep him in mysteries. After all, we all know what Conan-Doyle did to Holmes. It would definitely be dramatic, but I don’t think I could do that to you, or to him. Besides, what would Alan do? And what about Sam?

And while there are definitely waterfalls in Devon, none of them are particularly high.

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Signing Off

I hope you are all safe and well as we pass into the last couple of months of the year. Here in the UK the clocks have gone back, so it’s already dark as I’m writing this. In the evenings, the members of my running club must wear bright colours and head torches as we dash through the lanes. No doubt people think we’re mad, but we enjoy it and it keeps us fit and healthy.

I’m not a big fan of the short days, but the dark nights are perfect for settling in with a good book, so there’s always the possibility of travelling to different climes for a while.

And whatever life throws at you, may you have more sunny days than storms.

Have a lovely weekend and happy reading.

Take care,

Mikey

PS

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