Reviews

‘My favourite type of mystery, suspenseful, and where everyone is not what they appear . . . Christine is great at creating atmosphere . . . she evokes the magic of the stage, and her characters [have] a past to be uncovered before the mystery is solved.’ [Stage Fright]

- Lizzie Hayes, MYSTERY WOMEN

The Thrill of It All

The life of a writer is pretty dull. That is almost a necessity. You can’t write a novel without spending a lot of time on your own and it is best if your daily life is not too exciting or distracting. It’s not only that you have to spend a lot of time alone in a room in front of a computer, there is also the time needed for mulling things over, for wandering around the house, and staring into space. Your family come to realise that though you are there in body, you are not necessarily there in mind.

But now and again, the time comes to rummage in the wardrobe for your glad rags, spray on some of that Chanel No 5 that your husband once gave you for Christmas, and head for the bright lights of Bristol. Yes, last week-end it was Crimefest, one of the highlights – if not the highlight – of the crime writer’s social calendar, and this time it was especially exciting because I had a story short-listed for the Margery Allingham Prize. The winner was announced at the Friday evening reception. To cut the suspense short (not something I usually like to do) I didn’t win. But any disappointment I felt was rapidly assuaged when the next announcement was the long list for the CWA Short Story Dagger – and my story, ‘Accounting for Murder’ was on it.

That was about as much excitement I can take in one evening. I had a lovely time, meeting old friends and new, but I am quite happy to back at home now in my study, just me and the cat. And happy too to return to my usual occupation of getting people into terrible trouble and telling lies for fun and profit (as Lawrence Block has it).

The photo is of me with friends, Kate Ellis and Jason Monaghan, and was taken by Dea Parkin.

PS. The winner of the Margery Allingham Prize was Russell Day with ‘The Value of Vermin Control.’

6 Comments

  1. Margot Kinberg
    May 24, 2018

    What a lovely ‘photo, Christine! Thanks for sharing. And congratulations on being long-listed! That’s wonderful. I’m glad you had the chance to enjoy CrimeFest. I haven’t been able to go yet; things just haven’t worked out for that. But perhaps some time I will. It’s always such a terrific event, from what I hear and read.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      May 24, 2018

      Thanks so much, Margot. I do so hope that you make it to Crimefest one day – or even just to the UK. We could meet up with Moira in London!

      Reply
  2. tracybham
    May 24, 2018

    Very exciting that your story is on the CWA Short Story Dagger Longlist. Crimefest sounds like a nice event.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      May 26, 2018

      Thank you, Tracy! Yes, Crimefest is highly enjoyable and I always look forward to it.

      Reply
  3. moira@clothesinbooks
    May 26, 2018

    That sounds like a great event – glad you enjoyed it. And congratulations on the shortlisting (as I am in an unusually good position to tell you, JUST as good as winning) and on the next awards list too.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      May 27, 2018

      Thanks, Moira. Yes, I felt like one of those actresses at the Oscars who says ‘it is an honour just be nominated!’ And it’s true!

      Reply

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