A month until The Faces Of The Dead is published. But you can read it now on NetGalley: www.netgalley.com/catalog/book... Or you could pre-order it from your favourite bookshop. I'd love that.

Watched the final episode of Small Prophets. The whole series is nigh on perfect.

A well-deserved result in the by-election.

Out in just over a month. If you'd like to pre-order from your favourite bookseller (indies are always best), I'd be grateful.

Almscliffe Crag on a Sunday morning

Hooray

Isn’t it curious how so much to do with Reform seems to lead to the other side of the old Iron Curtain. Handy they’re a company, not a political party, so you can’t see all the funding, isn’t it?

Reform UK suspends Matt Goodwin by-election campaign manager over ‘antisemitic and misogynistic’ posts www.jewishnews.co.uk/reform-uk-su...

This April: the second Cathy Marsden thriller. 1944, Leeds. A gangster crashes his car. What's found inside starts a trail of disappearances and deaths. Cathy and the members of the SIB need to find the killer before more people are killed. Pre-order from your favourite place. It won't disappoint.

Farage says that Reform UK is now big enough to go on "if I was hit by a bus". But is he willing to put that to the test?

So far this morning, in two separate instances, I've found two £10 notes. If this keeps up, I could be quite well off by the end of the month. If they were yours, well, can you give me the serial numbers?

Potatoes now chitting in the garage,

That is a fantastic decision on Palestine Action

The Faces Of The Dead is out April 7 in hardback and ebook. You can pre-order NOW (ideally from an indie bookshop), but I hope you'll catch up with Cathy Marsden and Leeds in 1944. A white-knuckle ride on every page, guaranteed. @severnhouse.bsky.social

Is Soldiers Field sodden? See for yourself

Fuck racism

On NetGalley? Then you can read The Faces Of The Dead before it's published in April (please leave a review). "As the plot thickens, the storyline becomes ever more gripping, with danger lurking on every street corner in Leeds." Reviewer www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...

The first time I heard this song by Chris Eckman, it left me speechless. Lyrically wonderful, the movement through the seasons, all those building moments of heartbreak without being maudlin, a soft, great chorus, it's close to perfect. Slow down, take a few minutes www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIuG...

For the afternoon crowd (or morning for those in the US). Fancy a little taste of something that won't be out for a long time? It's 1862, and the Condeferates are in Leeds... chrisnickson.co.uk/2026/02/04/a...

Fancy a tiny taste of words to come (next January)? Then read on and step back into 1862 and meet the Cofederates in Yorkshire. chrisnickson.co.uk/2026/02/04/a...

After January stretching out for a year, the arrival of February with brighter skies is just what I need. An hour at the allotment, cleaning raised beds, pruning some of the raspberries and mounding up to be ready for potato planting. Exactly what I needed.

February and spring is close

Please, you know what to do. Every pre-order is a boost. With an independent bookshop if you can, but really, anywhere is good...thank you.

The perfect mix of compassion and outrage

If you're on NetGalley, the second Cathy Marsden thriller is available to read and review (please!). Out April 7 Find it here: www.netgalley.com/catalog/book... Not on NetGalley? It's available to pre-order from your favourite bookseller. Thank you!

Ukrainians, Minnesotans. The definition of bravery.

Something powerful and indomitable here. As it says at the end, the line between there and here is thinner than you think. This will move you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIfq...

Trying to connect who we were way back when with the people we are today. Can we still see through those eyes, peer into that mind? chrisnickson.co.uk/2026/01/21/i...

Trump's minions claim he's playing chess with his politics. Can he even play chess? Or draughts (checkers)?

Thank you so much to everyone of you who borrowed my books from the libraries. You have no idea how much it means.

For writers and illustrators, the PLR statements are out, and...thank you, Public Lending Right.

Your very first clues. The Ascent Of Lies, coming early next year. It's 1862, and the Confederates are in Yorkshire...

The Failed Tory Party, formerly Reform Ltd, formerly the Brexit Party, formerly UKIP.

The party of failed Tories. Hardly something to boast about, is it?

The truth is out there...certainly if you're on NetGalley. Reviewers can read the second Cathy Marsden novel, The Faces Of The Dead, before publication in April. www.netgalley.com/catalog/book... Go get it (please).

Gotta get down to it, soldiers are cutting us down Should have been gone long ago What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know? Tin soldiers and Nixon coming We're finally on our own This summer I hear the drumming Four dead in Ohio RIP Renee Nicole Good

If you ever wonder why I write so much about Leeds, here's an answer of sorts. The invoice, dated 1858, is from my 3x great uncle, George Nickson. His father moved here from Malton in the 1820s. Most of his sons became painters and decorators. When George died, his wife took over the business.

On NetGalley? Do you review books? The second Cathy Marsden book is now available. Out in April. Go get it, and I hope you enjoy! www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...

No statute of limitations on murder

Scruffy and Mischief, the book recommendation stuffed dogs, wish tyou a belated happy new year - and also bring you their first recommendation of the year. It's the superb A Lion's Ransom by @candacerobbauthor.bsky.social . Set in 14th century York,. it's twisted, spellbing, and very, very human.

Apparently Laura Kuenssberg is back on BBC Sunday morning TV. I thought they'd dropped her for being irrelevant.

The Morning Star likes A Rage Of Souls: The period detail in Nickson’s novels seems so real and is brought in so naturally, that you feel you’re walking the streets of old Leeds alongside the ever-developing characters. Read it here: morningstaronline.co.uk/article/crim... @severnhouse.bsky.social

A happy 2026 to you all, with peace and good health.

Reader, if you're wondering why the leaders of Reform Ltd have not been seen lately, all I'm saying is this might offer a solution. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I love the small of burning Torygraph entitlement at the abolition of all types of fox hunting: "Politicians in north London shouldn’t dictate our free time, say huntsmen"

A heartwarming, inspiring holiday tale from @chrisnickson2.bsky.social, starring the always wonderful Annabelle Harper. This is how it's done. Happy Holidays! chrisnickson.co.uk/2025/12/16/a...

A very happy and peaceful Christmas to you all, and a healthy, calm 2026.