For me, the supreme movie car chase takes place in the 1969 film THE ITALIAN JOB. Red, white and blue Mini Coopers race through Turin with their cargo of gold, stolen under the noses of the police and the mafia. You’ve probably seen the film, but here’s a clip of…

Julia Stagg, author of L’AUBERGE and THE PARISIAN’S RETURN, has invited me to take part in a blog event entitled THE NEXT BIG THING – a series of questions and answers about what’s happening in my writing life. What is the working title of your book? The next big thing…

This year marks the four hundredth anniversary of the trial, at Lancaster Assizes, and the execution by hanging of the Pendle witches. Like many writers I was inspired by this story and it formed the subject of my first BBC radio play. My fascination with the story began when I…

One of my favourite Dales walks is from Hubberholme to Yockenthwaite. We did this walk a couple of Sundays ago. Beyond St Michael and All Saints Church, a stile leads over the drystone wall to a path by a waterfall. There is a not too strenuous uphill climb. The views…

I work at the top of the house in the converted loft, so have plenty of light. From the skylights I can see houses, gardens and the tops of trees. On the odd days when high summer comes, the room turns into an oven and I flee to the library….

Kate Shackleton is an enthusiastic amateur photographer. Here’s a book she bought recently.