Last week I went to a Book Launch in the Bath branch of
Waterstones. It was for Fleur Hitchcock,
a member of a group of local children’s authors, whose latest book, “Murder in
Midwinter”, has just been published by Nosy Crow.
“Murder in Midwinter”, a very exciting thriller for older
children, is the story of thirteen-year-old Maya, who innocently takes a photo
from the top of a bus, only to discover the next day when a body is found
nearby that her photo of the murderer has put her and her whole family in
terrible danger. Fleur read us part of
the story, and there was a sharp intake of breath when she closed the book at a
crucial point, leaving us on a real cliffhanger.
The beautiful cover was greatly admired, and the pile of
books on the table gradually diminished through the evening. Evidently a lot of people needed to know what
happened next! And because the theme of
the book was “midwinter”, among the drinks offered were Snowballs (for anyone
like me who isn’t quite sure what they are, they consist of a mixture of
Advocaat and lemonade, the result of which someone described as “like fizzy
custard”!) and for nibbles small cheesy biscuits in the shape of snowflakes.
The evening was organised by Nosy Crow with Waterstones (whose
lovely staff manned the doors, dispensed the drinks and nibbles and took money
for books.) It all worked very smoothly
and was a most enjoyable event. It was
also good to see so many other children’s writers turning up to support Fleur
and to celebrate her success.
 |
| Fleur Hitchcock with Gill Lewis |
 |
| Sharon Tregenza, Cathy Hopkins, Rachel Ward and Marie-Louise Jensen. |
Since then I have read the book – in one sitting! (I
couldn’t put it down!) It is certainly a
thriller, with a spirited heroine, plenty of chills (in both senses of the
word) and a nail-biting climax.
Just the thing to read indoors by the fire while a blizzard
rages outside…
3 comments:
Sounds like a lovely launch! Snowballs - that takes me back: my mother's favourite drink! Dad always got a bottle of advocaat in at Christmas time.
The launch sounds lovely, as Sue said, and I've just bought the book. Really looking forward to reading it. :)
Thanks, both - and Eloise, I'm sure Fleur will be delighted that you've just bought the book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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