Me to my youngest: if a strange man stopped his car when you were walking on the pavement and said, would you like some mini eggs? If you get in my car, I’ll give you mini eggs. What would you do? My child: I’d get the mini eggs! Me: uh Child: ….and then I’d kill him.

★★★★★THE DEAD AND THE DYING - 'Lin Anderson is a fantastic author and every one of her Rhona MacLeod books is so interesting, so tense, and so informative - it is difficult to put the books down.' https://bit.ly/4nrA9Q8 #Thriller #LinAnderson #TheDeadAndTheDying

Crazy cheap - I’m guessing U.K. only…

If you love Jack Reacher (and if you don't we can't be friends) you'll also love Reacher by Lee Child - and it's currently on sale for 99p as Kindle book.

Just finished the 8th Karen Pirie novel by the wonderful @valmcdermid.bsky.social. Some detectives you admire rather than like, but Karen's one I admire AND wish she was one of my friends. #booksky 💙📚

If you can bring yourself to ignore the amateurish covers, you might enjoy reading about Finn's shenanigans in Leeds, north Wales, and Shetland. In the meantime enjoy this video of Shetland. There were brief moments of calm, despite Finn getting boisterous with the Russians... 📚💙 #booksky

People can be awesome.

I've girded my loins to try again: I want to pay someone to design three book covers. Please read the thread, and if you can help - or know someone who can - please get in touch via the email address on my website (link in bio). Reposts would be appreciated please! Many thanks #booksky 💙📚

Here are some of my shelves; I recommend any book on them! Please buy/order at your local independent bookstore, @bookshop.org, or @libro.fm #BookSky 📚 💙

Doesn't inspire confidence, does it? #Booksky #bookclub #authorscam 📚💙

"We'll take anything off you except a sofa" was how the bin men introduced themselves in Shetland. Our neighbour slammed his fist on the table in a drunken fury when I told him. "They're bloody liars!" he shouted, before gently burping: "They've had a sofa off me."

Given Finn's (fictional) background in the Royal Marines and my (fictional of late) love of wilderness running, we decided to sponsor Dr Mark Hines in this year's #Iditarod race. A lovely bloke - although clearly bonkers - you can track him here: itialaska.com/tracking

One is a cracking milk stout from a local brewery. The other is a book by a local author about state-sponsored terrorism in Shetland. Best enjoyed together. #Cairngorms

Given Finn's (fictional) background in the Royal Marines and my (fictional of late) love of wilderness running, we decided to sponsor Dr Mark Hines in this year's #Iditarod race. A lovely bloke - although clearly bonkers - you can track him here: itialaska.com/tracking

And that's ignoring the massive harm to drug users caused by current drug legislation. Even if you *hate* the idea of 'softer' drug laws, no one would lose if this were to be implemented.

As an ex-prisoner governor, I can't think of a single thing that would do more to reduce offending, and thereby reduce the number of victims, than this.

Drug laws have never stopped people from using drugs. They've stopped people from using drugs safely. It's time to legalise *and* regulate. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Martha and Luke have just declared their feelings for each other and I couldn't be happier @catherinecoles.bsky.social - roll on the 5th of February! #marthamillermystery #booksky 💙📚

Rediscovering John Le Carré's Karla trilogy on Audible. Immersive to the point of claustrophobia at times, Simon Russell Beale's sublime narration makes a great series even better. (I think the only other narrator who contributes so much is Stephen Fry with The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes.)

This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition, The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance Iconic imo

The Governor Who Quelled A Prison Riot Single-handed has been sobbing over @richardosman1.bsky.social's The Last Devil To Die. Dear Lord, what a beautifully written book.

💯

One is a cracking milk stout from a local brewery. The other is a book by a local author about state-sponsored terrorism in Shetland. Best enjoyed together. #Cairngorms

The Governor Who Quelled A Prison Riot Single-handed has been sobbing over @richardosman1.bsky.social's The Last Devil To Die. Dear Lord, what a beautifully written book.

He did, and they still sing about Finn the Berserker sometimes, when the rum's flowing, the mirrie dancers are out, and the wind is filled with the cries of lost souls...

A headline in the old Shetland News back in December 1900 sums it up – a “terrible disaster in Shetland”. On Sunday (21 December) it will be 125 years to the day since 22 fishermen lost their lives in what became known as the Delting Disaster. shet.news/ahw41

I bought Mountain Style last year. It's astonishingly well researched and written. Highly recommended.

Fallen Feathers arrives 1 Dec. I’ve cut Baby’s Breath to £1.99 for the next 7 days — less than the shittiest coffee at Starbucks. Reviewers: “Brilliant from the first page.” “Edge-of-your-seat from start to finish.” “Emotionally shattering and unputdownable.” www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2CDCMV8

For someone whose writing prompted a spontaneous"Fuck me that's dark!" (and I probably did go a bit far in Black on Blue) I'm really enjoying cosy crime. A favourite is The Marlow Murder Club by @robthor.bsky.social; bought on a Kindle special for 99p, I've now downloaded the rest of the series.

The first of our LIMITED EDITION 3D PRINTED ORKNEY LIBRARY BOOKMARKS are being sent out into the world today. 📨 If you'd like one (£2.50 each) OR an exclusive Orkney Library Tote Bag (£10) please email [email protected] and we'll reply with payment information. 🎄🎁

All the latest from the world of crime writing, delivered to your inbox every month! Get the CWA Readers' News now. It's free! Subscribe or check out back issues here: thecwa.co.uk/crime-readers/

Today's writing quote: “The first draft of anything is shit.” — Ernest Hemingway #writingquote #quote #writinglife #writerslife #fictionwriting #authorslife #amwriting #writingcommunity #booksky #writesky

Wasn't thrilled initially by the idea of an interactive book BUT @martinedwardsbooks.bsky.social's sucked me in and I loved every minute - and even managed to spot a few clues 😉 Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a brilliant Christmas read. Highly recommended!

Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…

A GROUP offering dads a safe space to speak with each other and play with their bairns celebrates its first anniversary. Well Dads – which is funded by Mind Your Head – started after the mental health charity noticed there were no fathers attending a support group for families with young children.

Amidst today's news, can I just remind the Prime Minister that I dealt with the Russians when they tried their shenanigans in Shetland bloody years ago. Keir, Dave's got my number - and I know you've got his on speed dial.

There's a Russian spy ship sitting at the edge of British waters. Today Nathan Gill (former leader of Reform UK Wales) was sentenced to 10.5 years in jail for taking bribes and delivering Russia supporting speeches in the European parliament. Nigel Farage is a bit quiet. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Wizened Millennials sneering at Gen Alpha: I told you the old ways are best (Gen X, petting its moldering set of the 1983 World Book Encyclopedia: Soon. Soon.)

Doesn't inspire confidence, does it? #Booksky #bookclub #authorscam 📚💙

My day rate is very reasonable. #justsaying

Thoroughly enjoyed @stuartmacbride.bsky.social's The Dead of Winter when it first came out. Rereading it again now we live in the Cairngorms and I'm bloody sure Glenfarach is based on our local village...

And, let's not forget that the main reason rehabilitation should be front and centre of the criminal justice system is that it helps prevent future victims. That's the bit most politicians ignore.

Yup, me too. So many prisoners have taken a wrong turning, and prison makes it almost impossible for a lot of them to get back on track. And don't get me started on how Methadone destroyed the vocational training we used to offer.

New, by me The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change Reflections on the wrongful prison release news Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-real-p... Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...

Interviewer: Tell me about your unique skills. A: I'm not sure the skills I have are unique to me. Interviewer: Tell me about your weaknesses. A: I can be pedantic. #truestory

Yes. Yes it is.

Wonderfully pedantic letter in today’s @financialtimes.com

Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.

After a run of mostly meh books, I've just finished the simply brilliant Too Old For This by @samanthadowning.bsky.social. I do hope we see more of the adorable Lottie Jones, the grandma that never killed anybody who didn't need killing.