My son has just come back from Budapest, and noticed this ad plastered everywhere. Financed by the Hungarian and Russian governments, the ad is informing the Hungarian population that the taxes they pay are being flushed down the 'golden toilet' to prop up Ukraine.

Never heard of it, in that context... Merriam-Webster Dictionary names its word of the year — but what does it mean? 👉 www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lif...

📗 It's the shortest day of the year, and what better way to connect with the midwinter solstice than and delve into our mythical past. Download the ebook version of The Lost Village of Lawers and discover the legend of the Lady. Available on Amazon Kindle here - www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Village...

youtu.be/sSn9McLtx30?... Night folks 💤

🎁 Expect this sort of Christmas present from an author . . .

🎁 Looking for that last minute Christmas gift? 📚 Amazon is still offering guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery on several of my books, but hurry, the deadline is fast approaching and stocks have been selling fast! Click here to order - www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mark+bri...

🎬 Time for an old movie recommendation The 1958 French crime drama En cas de malheur was released in English as Love is My Profession. The film stars Jean Gabin & Brigitte Bardot. A married lawyer rigs a trial to acquit a beautiful young female criminal he has become obsessed with

youtu.be/1VuSCz8OBOI?... Night folks 💤

✍️ That's the second edit and polish of my manuscript about Jersey's only unsolved murder finished :) As well as adding some previously unknown info & strengthened some of the conclusion The story of Tuula's life and her mysterious death will be made public for the first time on 21 May 2026.

📚 If you want to order any of my books from bookshop.org, and support your local independent bookshop too, here are the last Christmas delivery dates: 📯3pm today for second class postage and close of play on Sunday for first class delivery. Browse and order here - uk.bookshop.org/beta-search?...

👽🍊 It could be an interesting day - especially if you're a conspiracy theorist. Will the orange one release the full Epstein Files, or declare war on Venezuela instead, so he doesn't have to? Or will aliens pop down and visit us from the 31/Atlas comet, in which case, it won't matter anyway . .

youtu.be/-4UoJ47SzjA?... Night folks 💤

✍️ As it's December, in so many ways

📚 This article is all about why I write non-fiction. Using the past to explain the present, and as a way of escaping it 👉 www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d... Order The Nearly Man, The Scottish Murder Book, or Nothing For Something now and there's still time for Christmas delivery

youtu.be/Hw2GKMRrtDQ?... Night folks 💤

My publisher's first edit of Tuula's book is back. In addition this week, along with Tuula's family, we've also been going through some of her recently resurfaced possessions, left in her home and recovered by the police following her murder. It's a strange voyeuristic feeling. Intrusive & sad

📚 2026 will be The National Year of Reading 👉 www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d... You can read all about it here. Why not recommend a book or two for others to read.

One of my top 5 songs of all time tonight youtu.be/w9qsDgA1q8Y?... Night folks 💤

📕 Order BRISTOL: Bullets, Blades and Barricades from Amazon now at a slightly discounted price, with prime delivery and guaranteed arrival before Christmas - but hurry, they only have 6 copies left! Order here 👉 www.amazon.co.uk/Bristol-Bull... 5 star rated ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Among all the sad news of the past few days, we have also lost 70's soul singer Carl Carlton at the age of just 73. 👉 metro.co.uk/2025/12/15/f... 🎧. Enjoy his version of Everlasting Love from 1974 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqT1y5Qi6l0&list=RDSqT1y5Qi6l0&start_radio=1 #carlcarlton

youtu.be/ddaGI5KrSjk?... Night folks 💤

🚗 Off on another long journey today for another important meeting with Tuula's family, as we add a few more details to next year's book launch event.

There's an article I've penned on the mysterious history of Maxwell's Temple in the latest issue of the Taymouth Castle magazine.

🎄📚 Spare a thought for all our lovely booksellers (and everyone in retail), working hard to sell our books this Christmas! :)

youtu.be/Q0FAPa7lNss?... Night folks 💤

📚 BOOK LAUNCH - DETAILS LOCATION: The Harbour Gallery, The Quay, St Helier, Jersey TIME: Thursday 21st May 2026. Doors open 6:30pm TICKETS: £5 - including wine & nibbles, with a few surprises on the night.Tickets are ONLY available from The Harbour Gallery by email ✉️ - [email protected]

✍️Today's Writing Tip #101 Stick to what you know 😂

youtu.be/WJg6E9rd3MM?... Night folks 💤

📕 Order BRISTOL: Bullets, Blades and Barricades from Bookshop.org now and support your local independent bookshop. Take a journey through some of the murky and murderous chapters in Bristol’s history. Order here 👉 uk.bookshop.org/p/books/bris... Order now for delivery before Christmas. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💯 Happy 100th birthday Dick Van Dyke!

youtu.be/VgVmeM5v11o?... Night folks 💤

📖 Later today, I'll be revealing the date and location of my book launch at which I'll be unveiling the true story behind Jersey's only unsolved murder - and its solution.

📕 MORE RAIN DUE THIS WEEKEND: TIME TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES WITH A COPY OF THE RIVER RUNS RED 📕 Why not treat yourself this weekend. The expanded ebook edition of The River Runs Red is available for download on Amazon Kindle, just click here to enjoy instantly 🔪 👉 www.amazon.co.uk/River-Runs-R...

youtu.be/kzcEuOUdXMg?... Night folks 💤

Food for thought 🤔 Some number crunching from Private Eye

📕 BRISTOL: BULLETS, BLADES AND BARRICADES 🔪 True stories of murder, mutiny, and mayhem from Bristol's Dark and Rebellious Past. BRISTOL: Bullets, Blades and Barricades is available now from all good Bristol bookshops and online retailers

✍️ One of the (few) advantages of being a writer is that I have absolutely no intention of going outside my front door today or interacting with another human being.

youtu.be/IskfkQkKcEA?... Night folks 💤

🏏 If you have a cricket loving loved one to buy for this Christmas, why not order a copy of Surviving in the Shadows, my history of Breadalbane Cricket Club. Available to order here - www.markbridgemanauthor.co.uk/books/Surviv... "The best cricket book I've ever read!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks for all the amazing 'Life Stories in Six Words' that you've been sharing. Here's another one from me

youtu.be/vZAajrxvDs4?... Night folks 💤

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 You can here the story of Robert Armstrong, and his struggle to compile the world's first Gaelic dictionary, on BBC Gaelic Radio tomorrow @ 9:20am BBC Sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/radionangaidheal My dual language booklet 'A War of Words' is available here - www.markbridgemanauthor.co.uk/books/A-War-...

6️⃣ There were so many great responses to my post yesterday 'Your Life Story in Six Words'. If you missed it yesterday, you can read about it here 👇 www.facebook.com/MarkBridgema... And, as promised, here's mine

youtu.be/PRbkX22LDck?... Night folks 💤

My next book is well underway. 12,000 words written....

📚 Waterstones is well stocked with The River Runs Red, The Scottish Murder Book, Perthshire's Pound of Flesh, & Nothing For Something. The books all feature unique stories from Perthshire 🎁 You can pick up my titles direct from Waterstones online (click here - www.waterstones.com/books/search... )

✍️ Here's a writing challenge. Could you tell your life story in six words? There's a few famous writers' efforts below. I'll share mine tomorrow.

youtu.be/aUs4awmb3-o?... The soundtrack from the 1963 film Le Mepris (Contempt) is tonight's lullaby. Night folks 💤

If you missed my event last week you can buy my commemorative booklet here 👉 www.markbridgemanauthor.co.uk/books/A-War-... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The booklet tells the story of Kenmore born Robert Armstrong's struggle to publish this important work Proceeds to the Breadalbane Reading Room & the Perthshire & Angus Mod