Copy of the cover of 'Festival Days'.
Book 3 of The Clapham Trilogy 'Festival Days' out April 28th. It is 1951 and celebration is in the air, but Faye and Ellie find themselves tangled up in crimes that stretch far beyond London. Pre-order www.hobeck.net/product-page...
Yep, that's the third book, 'Festival Days', in the trilogy done and dusted (although subject to edits). What will Faye and Ellie get up to next? #ClaphamTrilogy
This month I invite authors to share one of their #RaveReads2025. Today’s choices come from Rob Gittins, Rosemary Gemmell and Julie Anderson. @juliewriter.bsky.social #BookSky #amreading www.rachelsargeant.co.uk/blog/rave-re...
It was an absolute pleasure! As was the dinner. @hobeckbooks.bsky.social
Team Hobeck have been reading again! This week we have reviews from Julie Anderson and Rachel Sargeant, as well as another from The Beck (it was a short book). Find out what we've been reading: www.hobeck.net/recommended
@juliewriter.bsky.social @drrachelsargeant.bsky.social #review #bookreview
Rave Reads of the Year Round-Up. Who picked what? #RaveReads2025 #amreading www.rachelsargeant.co.uk/blog/rave-reads-of-the-year #BookSky
Poster for the event showing the three authors and the covers of their books.
If you're in Basingstoke next Friday (24th), I'll be at Only Murders in the Library, Basingstoke Discovery Centre talking about historical fiction with the fab Jim Kelly and @matthewsweet.bsky.social . Tickets at shop.hants.gov.uk/products/his... @hobeckbooks.bsky.social @hantsconnect.bsky.social
Poster showing Oyinkan Braithwaite, Joanne Harris, Michele Roberts, Elizabeth Buchan, Julie Anderson, Tim Tate and Gavin Esler.
This 👇👇👇is happening tomorrow at @omnibustheatre.bsky.social in Clapham. @claphambookfest.bsky.social has a great line-up this year. Oyinkan Braithwaite discusses her new book, Joanne Harris talks about the prequel to 'Chocolat' and Time Tate and Gavin Esler dissect the Spycatcher affair.
Likewise, David.
Greetings, all! I'm back up and running after having my account closed down for a while (at my behest) after a hack. Glad to be back.
Pic of the stage before the opera begins. Behind a gauzy curtain Violetta the courtesan prepares herself for her party. In front are the players in the orchestra.
Curtain call
Given that I haven't posted for a while, here's what I saw on Saturday night at @operahollandpark.bsky.social A wonderful La Traviata, with the sublime Alison Langer as Violetta.
Please note, my account has been compromised and someone pretending to be me has been sending posts asking for people's data or offering them a fake prize. This is not me! I have reported the issue. Thanks to those of you @philippaeast.bsky.social @ohmz.bsky.social and others, who let me know.
Programme cover for Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore
Programme Credit as official chronicler of the production and historical advisor
Curtain call for principal singer Martins Smaukstelis (Nemorino)
Curtain call for principal singer Fiona Hymns (Adina).
It's been fabulous working as a history consultant with @stpaulsopera.bsky.social on L'Elisir d'Amore, the final performance of which was on Saturday night. Tremendous, life affirming production. Plus you can read my Rehearsal Diaries on the SPO website www.stpaulsopera.org/rehearsal-di...
Pic of the author reading from A Death in the Afternoon
Jon Richter speaking with the audience
Poster for the event
Pic of Heidi Amsinck reading from her latest Jensen book
Super time at Bread & Roses Theatre, Clapham last Sunday for The Big Read II with fab friends and fellow crime writers @heidiamsinckwriter.bsky.social @jennieensor.bsky.social Ivy Ngeow @jonrichter.bsky.social @alicemcastle.bsky.social @annecoates.bsky.social @tonywhite.bsky.social
Poster advertising event - Noir at the Bar - including a list of writers attending.
Tonight this 👇👇👇if you happen to be in St Albans, why not join us at the Mad Squirrel tap next the Abbey.
Poster for the event saying 'All it takes is one bad apple.'
On a summer night, a full performance of Milton's epic poem at St Paul's, Covent Garden by the tremendously talented William Spaulding of the Royal Ballet And Opera Tickets at actorschurch.org/whatson/para... @poetrysociety.bsky.social @rsliterature.bsky.social @ucllibraries.bsky.social
Poster advertising the Clapham Literary walk 14th June 2025
Interested in literature and history? Why not join me on the Clapham Literary Walk as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe on 14th June. Tickets at payhip.com/b/NpAj8 £10, £7 concessions - all proceeds to the Clapham Book Festival.
Group pic around a table with drinks.
Curtain call for the cast of Itch, fabulous new opera by Jonathan Dove.
On a chilly but dry Friday night to @operahollandpark.bsky.social to see the fabulous Itch, with excellent company, Paul, Tim, Ruth and Andrew.
Curtain call of the five artists involved.
Curtain call for Mercedes Ruiz, fabulous flamenco dancer
Back at @sadlerswells.bsky.social on Tuesday for the fabulous trio of talent from Jerez - Mercedes Ruiz, Santiago Lara and David Lagos - not to mention Jose Maldonado and the palmista twins. Superb. Viva Jerez!
Picture of the cast at curtain call lined across the stage.
Tremendous performance at @sadlerswells.bsky.social last night. Manuel Linan and company in 'Muerta de Amor'. Stupendous!
Poster advertising the Clapham Literary walk 14th June 2025
Interested in literature and history? Why not join me on the Clapham Literary Walk as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe on 14th June. Tickets at payhip.com/b/NpAj8 £10, £7 concessions - all proceeds to the Clapham Book Festival.
Where?!!!
Image of a desk on which lie a number of old documents about the South London Hospital for Women and Children in front of a keyboard, mouse and PC monitor.
Prepping for the book launch/insight event at St Pauls on Wednesday... some of the documents are over a hundred years old, so scanning with great care. @stpaulsopera.bsky.social @hobeckbooks.bsky.social @rcnlibraries.bsky.social
Thank you, Maureen!
@hobeckbooks.bsky.social @juliewriter.bsky.social A Death in the Afternoon is a great read. www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2GSI...
Thank you @louiseblackwick.com @zeamee1.bsky.social @amandagreenauthor.bsky.social @scachetti-jess.bsky.social for spreading the word! Much appreciated from a fellow author.
Thank you so much. Very glad you enjoyed it!
Such a lovely review 'Wow, what an interesting and exciting historical crime thriller.' @hobeckbooks.bsky.social
Thank you @brightonrox.bsky.social
In #HistficMay why not try a slice of mystery and a whodunnit with your historical fiction? @hobeckbooks.bsky.social has plenty, not just mine. See Mark Wightman and Rob Gittins.