I am endlessly surprised by the number of former colleagues who've turned to crime and thriller writing as a second career. How they find the patience and guile to construct plots that surprise, in an overcrowded marketplace, is the mystery to me.
Sometimes it means I get a look at a new book before publication, and I'm pleased to report Peter Hanington has got into an enjoyable page-turning groove with his veteran-but-unpredictable BBC hack William Carver series, and the third in the series, The Burning Time, is officially out today. Sadly, his take on the menu at the Yorkshire Grey is a distance from reality, but otherwise, his take on the current mechanics of investigative journalism is on the ball.
Another former oppo with a book is comedian/consultant Neil Mullarkey, who has brought improv into the world of business. In the days when the BBC did big 'awaydays', we booked Neil to enliven a chunky day-long session, and Mark Damazer, then BBC News' resident wise man, joined in from the start, gawd bless him. To see and enjoy BBC hacks trying the 'Yes, and...' approach to building on ideas was both genuinely funny and eye-opening. Neil's new book is 'In The Moment'.
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