The Awkward Squad
A Readers' Group by Michael Campling
Hello
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours.”
― Sir Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
A change is, indeed, as good as a rest, and Mrs C and me have just had a complete change, swapping our quiet life in a tiny Devon village for the hustle and bustle of Barcelona.
We were only away for a week, and it's not exactly a long flight, but it felt as though we'd travelled to another world. As you may have gathered from all the photos of fields and hedgerows, very little happens in our neck of the woods, but in Barcelona, even the pigeons seem to swoop hither and thither as though on a mission.
On a walk through a park in Barcelona, we saw people tightrope walking, dancing in the bandstand, playing table tennis, performing yoga, taking part in fitness classes and more besides. It's a fascinating city. Striking modern blocks of glass stand cheek by jowl with venerable cathedrals. The labyrinth of narrow streets take you back in time, and the amazing architecture of Gaudi makes you wonder if you've stepped through the looking glass.
The weather was warm, the people friendly, the food marvellous and the public transport excellent. A local told me that his commuter train is free. Imagine that.
I took many photos, and I've posted a couple of batches on my website, but there are a few below. There's also news of my new book, but first, here are some words of thanks:
Cheers!
A heartfelt thank you to these lovely people who have sent me a mug of tea. I'm raising a mug of Earl Grey in honour of these recent supporters:
Shaina and Alonza
plus regular supporter: Lara.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
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Featured Photos
The Sagrada Familia – Gaudi’s great work.
Street entertainment in full swing, I think to raise awareness or funds for a health organisation or a hospital.
Some guy standing in a square named after Orwell.
Montjuïc - a fort with a chequered history. At one time it was used to bombard the inhabitants of Barcelona, quelling an uprising against the army in a brutal and devastating fashion. The artillery pieces shown are more recent and point out to sea.
The church on Tibidabo, high above the city
The above are taken from much bigger collections on my website, and the images there are larger, so they're worth a look.
Book News
Now on Preorder
The First Devonshire Crime Thriller:
Lawful Duty
A missing woman. The shadow of corruption. A race against time.
Detective Constable Spiller can’t wait to get stuck in.
Exeter, 1992. No mobile phones, no internet, no CCTV on every corner - just good, old-fashioned police work.
It's Spiller’s first day in CID, and he’s raring to go.
Lynsey is just 23 when she's reported missing, but this is no ordinary case. Spiller suspects foul play, and his investigation uncovers so much more. Lynsey’s disappearance is merely the tip of a sinister iceberg lurking beneath the city's calm facade.
Spiller must rescue Lynsey and uncover the dark forces at play... before it's too late. Join DC Spiller as he pounds the streets. And don't forget your notebook and pen.
When you preorder, you get the ebook as soon as it is released on April 26.
Alternatively, skip the wait and buy it from my new store:
The paperback is available on Amazon now
amazon.com/Lawful-Duty-Devonshire-Thriller-Mysteries/dp/1915507146
My New Online Store
I've been building a new home for my books, and it's up and running.
Buying direct from me supports my work, because you can be sure that every penny goes to me rather than to a multi-national corporation. And it works for you too, because to me, you will never be just a customer. I’ll do what I can to add value to your reading experience.
The Devonshire Mysteries are there, as is Lawful Duty. ebooks are delivered by BookFunnel. There are a couple of paperbacks too, printed on-demand by Book Vault when you order. Book Vault is an up and coming company with a great reputation for customer service, so I'll be using them to make more of my paperbacks available on my store very soon.
What's Next?
I'm hoping to make the most of my new store by adding some signed copies and special editions. I'm keen to try out some hardbacked editions, and I may offer author copies of editions that are no longer for sale elsewhere. I'll need to work out the shipping options first, though.
I'm mulling over a few ideas for my next project. My initial idea for Dan and Alan's next case struck me as not quite right, but that's OK. Another fledgeling of a story hopped into view, and I think it could be a good one.
I also have an idea for Spiller's second case, plus an outline for a completely new standalone thriller came to me while I was on holiday.
There's no shortage of work for me to be getting on with. All that remains is to type and type and type.
I guess the holiday is well and truly over, but as Sir Terry suggests, the experiences I've had abroad have reawakened my mind's eye and stirred my imagination.
I'd better get to it.
All the best.
Until next time, happy reading and take care.
Mikey C
PS: would you like more content or to get in touch?
Please visit my website and comment there or join our Facebook group. Alternatively, you can reply to this email. I read and appreciate every email, but you'll get a much faster response on the site or in our Facebook group.
My website: michaelcampling.com
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