Back to work and the daily grind this month after a few lovely breaks in September! Writing has gone really well, and my wife and I have dipped our toes into plenty of new films and TV series that we are loving. We’re heading into my favourite part of the year with Christmas (yes, I said it!) just around the corner!

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For the first time in a good few months, I HAVE WRITING NEWS! Yes, you heard that correctly. Not just a progress update, but actual news. Stocking Stuffers is complete! Well, mostly. I’m just working through the very final round of edits after receiving my proof copy. I can now confirm it will be out on December 1st. The Kindle edition is available to preorder right now—you can place your preorder here. The paperback will also be live on the 1st.

Edits aside, it turned out beautifully! The section title pages feature large full colour graphics, and the chapter heading graphics and scenebreaks are festive themed and in full colour, too! You can check out a little trailer, complete with music, that I made for it below.

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The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

Another fantastic entry in the series, this time we see the Thursday Murder Club dragged into the murky underworld of money laundering. Caught between threats against her friends, and having to murder an old acquaintance to prevent it, Elizabeth embarks on a mission to solve the problem without bloodshed. It’s filled with plenty of cosy humour, mild threat and twisting mystery to keep the pace and leave the reader wanting more.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

The Last Devil to Die, while still fulfilling the cosy crime space, manages to be the most emotional book in the series so far. The Thursday Murder Club find themselves investigating the murder of a friend and antiques dealer that involves art forgers and drug smugglers. They also help a new resident who finds himself the victim of an online romance fraud. It always deals with the tough subject of dementia and the impact on all involved. Osman handles it delicately and with the respect the subject deserves, while also raising some important topics around the subject.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Another fantastic entry into this fun series. This time out, The Thursday Murder Club find themselves embroiled in a new mystery that lands in their laps at the wedding of Joyce’s daughter. A missing person, an explosive murder and an uncrackable code leading to a supposed fortune in crypto currency. Meanwhile, Ron is dealing with family drama involving his daughter and his unpleasant son in law. Plenty of drama, though the town is somewhat less light following events in the previous book.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

This horror classic was a first time read for me, and having watched the recent Nosferatu film, it seemed as good a time as any to dive in. It certainly didn’t disappoint. In fact, I’d go as far as to say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s dark and atmospheric, and filled with tension. The gothic setting is brilliant. And I love the way the story is told, through a mixture of diary entries, letters, news articles and other documents. A fantastic read ahead of Halloween.

They All Love Jack: Busting the Ripper by Bruce Robinson

I’ve always had a morbid fascination with true crime, and Jack the Ripper in particular. So when this book was recommended to me, putting a different spin on the case, I had to give it a try. It looks at the prospect, with some evidential analyses, that Jack may have been a member of the Masonic order. It started out as an interesting take on the case, but as it progressed it felt more and more like a cultish take of a writer hell-bent on pushing the Masonic narrative. I struggled to engage later into this, and found it more frustrating than fascinating.

Future Boy by Michael J. Fox

I listened to the audiobook of this narrated by Michael J. Fox. It’s quite short, clocking in at around three and a half hours. That said, it purely focuses on the period of time during which Fox was cast as Marty McFly, juggled filming Back to the Future and Family Ties concurrently and making the role very much his own. It’s a witty, humorous read with some fantastic anecdotes from co-stars and cast alike, along with some fascinating insights into one of the best-loved sci-fi film franchises.

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Slow Horses (Season 2)

Another fantastic season that we binge watched this month. This one felt right out of the real-life Novichok poisoning in the UK some years back with a spy poisoned by Russian sleeper agents. It was gritty and dark, with plenty of tension. The dysfunction between Lamb and his team still works really well, as does the arrogance of the secret services that lord it over the outcast organisation. I’ll be looking forward to diving into season three shortly.

Nosferatu

I’m a big fan of Bill Skarsgard, particularly his work as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the more recent IT film series, so when I saw he was set to play Count Orlok in Nosferatu, it found its way straight onto my list of must watch films. And it certainly didn’t disappoint. Skarsgard is almost unrecognisable such is his costume and performance. Lilly Rose Depp is fantastic in her role, too. The gothic take on Germany is dark and foreboding, and the dark occult and psychological elements make this a wonderful watch in the run up to Spooky Season.

The Woman in Cabin 10

I’ve had my eye on the book for some time now, but once I saw it on Netflix, I thought it’d be a great Sunday afternoon watch. With a top cast including Keira Knightley, Guy Pierce, Hannah Waddingham, David Morrissey and Art Malik, it made for a tense thriller. It’s filled with plenty of deceit and psychological mind games that kept things twisting and turning through to the end. It’s a fantastic, dark psychological thriller filled with greed and jealousy.

Terrifier 3

Wow, what a film to watch in Halloween month! It’s dark and twisted, as I’d fully expect from Damien Leone and Art the Clown. It’s a gruesome, violent, blood-soaked romp around the Christmas tree. It dives into the supernatural background of the happy-go-lucky, murderous clown as he continues his reign of terror. The graphic violence is stomach-turning, and the narrative is borderline cheesy, much like the previous two entries in the series, and yet it still made for a highly entertaining watch.

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PowerWash Simulator 2

I’ve been looking forward to this game since it was announced. The first game was something of an obsession for me. The graphics are by no means mind blowing, and the narrative is pretty simple. But everything comes together to make a fun, relaxing game. With 38 levels (at release), there are plenty of different items and locations in need of a good power washing. Strange how a chore I hate has become one of my favourite ways to unwind of an evening!

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With such fantastic progress in the last month, I might just take things slower next month. A chance to rest, review my various works in progress and potential future projects, and consider what to work on next!

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