APRIL 2025

April 2025

I’ve always enjoyed research opportunities and this month has been no exception. This week I was in Farnham in Surrey and came across a superb classic car. It was a Citroen Traction Avant, the type of car the detective Maigret used to drive and one I would hope to include in a future novel.

Earlier this month I visited Winston Churchill’s country house near Westerham in Kent. It proved to be a remarkable insight into his life, his politics and his paintings. Next week I shall be in Canterbury Cathedral with over 1400 years of stories to discover.

I also attended a lecture at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall to listen to an excellent talk by the author historian and archivist, Jane Marguerite Tippett. An American, who graduated from Delaware University, Jane presented a fascinating insight into the life of Edward VIII and based on her book, ‘Once A King’, the lost memoir of Edward VIII. It was well worth the visit into London to uncover the secrets of his life.

So, in terms of research, these are eventful times.

That apart, the third and final novel in my University trilogy, UNIVERSITY SECRETS, has passed its copy editing stage and I’ve just had the opportunity to see the illustration for the front cover that captures the intrigue of the story perfectly. The novel will be launched on September 4th in Waterstones Milton Keynes with follow-up signings in Waterstones York on September 6th and Waterstones Alton on September 13th.

Last month I noted that one of my earlier novels in the Teacher series, BACK TO SCHOOL, was selected for an Amazon offer during March priced at £0.99. This is one of the prequels set in 1969 when Jack Sheffield was a young teacher looking for a job. Happy memories!

Meanwhile, I’ve had several requests for speaking engagements and many of these will coincide with the launch of the new novel. The list of engagements will be published on the Events page of this website.

Best wishes,

Jack