Making my way through the #BBC’s Screen Two films on #BBCiPlayer. I totally forgot about The Absence of War (1995) starring the great John Thaw, written by David Hare and directed by Richard Eyre. Watch it here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

‘I think the wifi may be messed up”

My god but this is wonderful.

MASSIVELY looking forward to this - I’ll be interviewing Mick Herron about his new novel Clown Town, for Bridport Literary Festival on Friday 7 November. I’m a huge fan of Mick’s writing so this should be a blast. Link for tickets below. www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event...

Not sure these 'criticism in crisis' pieces are quite nailing what a good critic does. The critic's job isn't to decide whether or not they like a piece of work; it is to assess whether or not it has been successful at what it set out to do. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Can't even build death star anymore, because of ewok

This is a really beautiful, thoughtful and thought-provoking piece of writing.

A blast @edbookfest.bsky.social last night, thanks to the amazing Denise Mina and a great crowd & long signing line! 35 years ago this summer I had my first full length play on at Old St Paul’s Church on the fringe - returning with a bestselling novel at the Book Festival was special.

JOHN HIGGS Lynchian : The Spell of David Lynch Signed Book Preorder : www.resident-music.com/product/higg... We can think of few more qualified than @johnhiggs.bsky.social to explore the cinematic and cultural appeal of Lynch's eccentricity and unique path.

I’ll be at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Friday night, talking Death at the White Hart and other stuff with the brilliant Denise Mina. Tickets here: 📚💙 @edbookfest.bsky.social www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...

Stop scrolling, weary traveler, and rest for a moment

This 💯

Happy Publication Day, David! Ordered!

And not only that, let’s pause to reflect that a) Rubber Soul is less than four months away and b) the vast majority of Rubber Soul has yet to be recorded, because the Beatles don’t begin work on it until 12th October. 💥

Next month! Friday 19 September at beautiful Budleigh Salterton’s Literary Festival, me and Paula Hawkins will be talking twists and turns… 📚💙 https://budlitfest.org.uk/event/paula-hawkins-and-chris-chibnall-twists-and-turns/

EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL! 📚 Talking with the incredible Denise Mina!💥 Friday 22 August! ☀️ COME JOIN! 🤝 Link for tickets 🎟️👇 www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...

subscriptions >>> shop.viz.co.uk/viz346bs

Photography Substack is so good and so revealing. I love this account of photographing Ringo Starr for the Atlantic by Dina Litovsky (which the brilliant Alice Zoo, the photographer who shot my Bluesky avatar, linked to on her newsletter). dinalitovsky.substack.com/p/five-minut...

⬇️

Nietzsche abhors a vacuum www.worldofmoose.com/products/nie...

The Leftovers. That was good.

Each Peach Pear Plum! ('I spy Tom Thumb') Funny Bones! ('This is how the story begins...') Peepo! ('He sees the shadows moving on the bedroom wall, And the Sun at the Window and his teddy and his ball'). Classic after classic. Farewell Allen Ahlberg, who truly knew how to write for children.

Happy 15th anniversary of the peak achievement of literary criticism, to all who celebrate

The very popular Cave Cinema returns for the Festival!! Watch some classic Christie adaptations in the location that inspired Hampsley Cavern in The Man in the Brown Suit #KentsCavern www.torbayweekly.co.uk/news/local-n...

Their chemistry was unreal

From Elif Shafak, on Substack:

love to see some Wallis Island appreciation, quietly one of the best of the year imo

Enjoyed/enjoying (in no particular order): * Sports Team: Boys These Days * Wet Leg: moisturizer * Bon Iver: SABLE, fABLE * Self Esteem: A Complicated Woman * Superman * The Ballad of Wallis Island * Intermezzo

Went to a lecture on Kate Bush in film, where this was pointed out.

👀 Paperback cover reveal! Death at the White Hart out in paperback on September 25th! And QUICK! You can get 25% OFF in the big @waterstones pre-order sale until Thursday night! 🦌🍻📚

It's a fantastic album, give it a listen.

Please share. We need community now more than ever. Calling ALL #PLAYWRIGHTS, #SCREENWRITERS and their friends Support Playwrights is holding a SUMMER SOCIAL at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. Thurs 24th July 7pm-11pm. Come alone or come with friends. ALL WELCOME. #SupportPlaywrightsSummerSocial

Not the standard interview photo.

Among fabulous company in this edition of Radio 2’s Book Club, talking to Jeremy Vine about Death at the White Hart, recorded in Harrogate at #TheakstonsCrime. 📚💙

Harrogate dispatch from @thejeremyvine.bsky.social - full interview on Radio 2 Book Club coming tomorrow…

I have no idea what is happening here but it is the best thing I’ve seen today!

Sometimes, I long for him

I love @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social #TheakstonsCrime Perfect setting, fantastic panels (always packed to the rafters, even at 10am!), joyous positive vibes throughout, super-engaged readers and a bar tent where everyone mingles together and you can chat to anyone. What a blast.

The perfect post-Harrogate Theakstons Festival viewing: BBC Four (and presumably then iPlayer) currently showing the 1985 adaptation of A Murder Is Announced. Beautiful cast, led by Joan Hickson as the definitive Miss Marple, and pitch-perfect adaptation by British TV great Alan Plater. Glorious 👌

Patrick Troughton narrates THE FATAL FLOOR (1974), a classic PIF which starts like a sitcom the Radio Times would describe as 'gentle', and ends with what I can only assume is a head wound with blood coming out and everything. All together now: "You might as well set a mantrap"

I have tears in my eyes having heard the news that Sky Kids will no longer be commissioning Kids media content. Why can’t people understand the importance of providing quality UK made relevant content for kids, cos childhood lasts a lifetime 🥲

Sky Kids will no longer commission originals. Massive hit to a sector of the UK TV industry. (From Broadcast). Leaves only BBC & 5 commissioning originals for children.

One of my favourite conversations about writing & Death at the White Hart, with Kate & Charlie Gibson. Lively and laughter filled and I admit to never wishing to face Charlie in a court of law. Available at all the usual podcast places, Spotify, Amazon etc 📚💙 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

“…what we’re seeing online is a warped image created by a very small group of highly active users.” On why the online world is not representative of the real one. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Great piece by @iandunt.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/iandunt/...