Watching The Detectives

Have you ever thought about what an author of murder stories might look like? Will they resemble someone who enjoys killing people?

I think most people know what Agatha Christie looks like from photos and films about her. From what I've remember, she looks like your favourite old aunt. But one that has bumped an awful lot of people off with her pen!

So I wondered what I was letting myself in for when I went to my local library this afternoon, to listen to thriller writer Stephen Booth. He was giving a public talk about his life and work. Will he be waiting to pounce on us as we went through the door, waving a pick axe about. Blood splattered on the walls?

Well no, he actually looked quite normal. Someone with a kind face. Stephen spoke for well over an hour about his early life in Lancashire and his interest in books. Even though there was only three in the house. He even managed to write a novel when he was 12 years old. He also answered questions from the audience of about 40 people, who sat glued to every word.

Once he had finished his degree at university, Stephen got a job as a journalist on a local newspaper, where he got to know the local police. This gave him the spark to start writing properly, and completed his first murder story, set in the Derbyshire Peak District in 1999. It featured two young detectives called Cooper & Fry, and was entitled 'Black Dog'. He's just about to have his 16th novel published, which also features the dynamic duo.

I must admit, I have never read one of Stephen's books, or even heard of Cooper & Fry before. I will though, especially now, as the stories may be televised in a new series that is presently going through the development stage.

There was an opportunity at the end of the talk for his fans to buy any novels that they didn't have, get them signed and personally chat to him.

No Words Needed

Saturday Night Isn't All Right For Fighting

I think the whole of Nottingham was shocked when it was announced on the news that there had been a murder in the city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

As the reports were updated, it emerged that there had been several arrests and the victim was only a teenager.

I went through the area today that had been cordoned off by the police during Sunday & Monday, while the investigation took place, and came across a lamppost that was covered in floral tributes for the murdered man.

It emerged that his name was Joshua Bradley, and he was only 19. A pleasant, happy lad by all accounts, and he was a keen boxer. He may even have followed Carl Froch into being a famous fighter, if he hadn't been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There has been a couple of arrests and hopefully they will be charged soon. It beats me why anyone should do such a thing to someone who was just out to enjoy himself at the weekend.

Mob Rule

I went down to the court again today, as the judge was going to dish out the sentences on the three accused.

I got there, just as the police van was leaving with the convicts. The air was full of obscenities and anger from the various people that were waiting for them to head off to prison.

Due to the nature of the crime, I was surprised that there weren't more people there to display their emotion, as when such events are shown on the television news, there's often loads of people outside courts shaking their fists and shouting.

And so ends the final chapter in this most terrible of crimes. Six children dead, due to the stupidity of one man. Sadly I don't think it will be too long, before a similar case comes to the attention of the authorities and the media.

Broadcast News

A big trial was coming to a end at the crown court today. The sentencing of three people who purposely or accidentally killed six children in a house fire in Derby last year. What makes it worse, is that two of the accused are the parents of the said children.

It's quite a complicated case, but basically it seems that the father set fire to his house, so he could implicate his ex girlfriend, as she had left the family home some months earlier. As you would expect, the worlds press was there waiting to know if a prison sentence was in the offering.

For some reason, the judge had decided to defer her decision until tomorrow.  So all the reporters, film crews and journalists stood around wondering what to do with the rest of their day.