When I think of Tracklements I find myself smiling quietly, as my taste buds recall those amazing jars of honest to goodness natural flavours, be it jams or sauces or condiments. This Wiltshire-based family company creates quality food, by hand in small batches, using proper, pure ingredients, mainly sourced from English farms and small businesses. Hungry for the perfect flavour, Tracklements resurrect long-forgotten traditional recipes and sometimes add a modern twist too. You never know what you’re going to get with all their innovative ideas, but you do know it will be great.

So with Father’s Day rapidly approaching, their Father’s Day Favourites are an absolute must (I may sneak one for myself too). I love the attractive presentation box and I admit to having felt a shiver of excitement as I opened it and saw the jars of Chilli Jam, Strong Horseradish cream, Spitfire Chilli Mustard and Strong English Mustard, and, nestling in the middle, a bottle of Rocket Hot Sauce. My mouth started watering like one of Pavlov’s pooches.

But let’s linger over each and every one – because they’re all rather special:

Fresh Chilli Jam (210g) – a real Tracklements staple – made with red peppers, cider vinegar, onions and red chillies, the sweetness and heat are simply heaven

Strong Horseradish Cream (140g) – made with 49% horseradish root, and 11% cream, no wonder the flavour is so strong and true

Strong English Mustard (140g) – this award-winning original Victorian recipe is hot (the clue is in the name) – your dad will love it.

Spitfire Chilli Mustard (140g) – and this is the novel twist – traditional fiery mustard combined with a chilli surprise – keep a drink handy to quench the fire.

Rocket Hot Sauce (150ml) –this one comes with a warning – just seven ingredients, two of which are scotch bonnet and birds eye chillis – need I say more? Other than it gives an amazing zing to barbeques, fajitas or pretty much anything.

So that’s your Father’s Day present sorted – Tracklements NEW Father’s Day FavouritesRRP £18.50 (£21 with gift box), available from www.tracklements.co.uk.

You’re welcome.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

John Boyne – image: Rich Gilligan

Whitby Lit Fest marks a new exciting chapter as it’s been granted charitable status. The festival, which launched last year, was created to celebrate Whitby’s literary heritage, as well as connect readers to contemporary writers and inspire readers and visitors alike. Just announced as headline guest for 2026 is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed novelists of his generation, John Boyne.

Author of 15 novels, Boyne is best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which was a New York Times No. 1 bestseller and adapted for film, theatre, opera and ballet, selling more than 11 million copies worldwide. Among his many international bestsellers are The Heart’s Invisible Furies, A Ladder to the Sky, and All the Broken Places. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Observer, The Times Literary Supplement, The Irish Times, and in dozens of international newspapers and magazines.

He’ll be talking about his new book, The Weight of Angels, an “astonishing” reimagining of the life of Oscar Wilde.

Also announced for 2026 are crime authors Elly Griffiths and Sarah Hilary, the Channel 4 style guru, Nicky Hambleton-Jones of 10-Years Younger fame, historian Alistair Moffat with his book, The North Sea, and the debut novelist Helen Bain with her acclaimed book The Daffodil Days, which was a 2026 Harper’s Bazaar book pick. 

A Cleeves Author Pic (c) Micha Theiner

They join authors already confirmed including Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves, Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame, this year’s CWA Diamond Dagger winner, the crime author Mark Billingham, and the award-winning BBC broadcaster turned psychologist, Dr Sian Williams.

Mark Billingham – photo credit Steve Best

Lois Kirlan, Chair of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce another flurry of fabulous names joining the 2026 line-up, and the full programme, including our outreach and community events, will be published soon this summer.”

The inaugural event last year attracted over 50 authors. Its patron is the Whitby resident and former Radio 4 producer and author, Kate Fenton. Honorary patron is the acclaimed playwright, Sir Alan Aykbourn. Last year’s event established the festival as a highlight of Yorkshire’s cultural calendar, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. It showcased local authors and poets, and hosted writing workshops and a school writing competition in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

Headline authors from last year’s event also sang its praises, with Lee Child declaring it a ‘triumph’ and Rob Rinder calling it a ‘joy’ and full of ‘heart’: “A real celebration of words and ideas by the sea.” The actor Miriam Margolyes also said it was, “utterly wonderful…one of the best weekends ever. Joyous. Uplifting. Beautiful.”

Gaining charitable status will allow the festival to expand its objective to be of public benefit and advance the education and appreciation of literature, in and around Whitby.

Mark Williamson, Trustee of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “Having charity status helps us build in sustainability into the festival, and allows us to expand its existing work around accessibility, education, and community outreach. We passionately believe that people living in coastal areas deserve a similar quality of culture and opportunity that audiences expect in larger, cosmopolitan towns and cities. Whitby has inspired writers who have shaped the nation’s cultural landscape, and that’s a legacy worth celebrating and nurturing.”

Organisers are calling on local businesses and organisations to get involved through sponsorship opportunities.

Mark added: “Supporting the festival, from just £50, offers a unique chance to be part of a growing cultural event that brings significant economic and cultural benefits to Whitby and the surrounding area, in the shoulder winter months.”

For more information on donating, sponsorship opportunities, or festival updates, please go to https://whitbylitfest.org.uk/

I have now reached that age, when I finally realise that I need to take more care of myself. Diet and exercise are definitely part of this equation, but what I put into my body is equally important.

So, it is hardly surprising, that I jumped at the opportunity to try out the NEW CASO Design JuiceFit Pro Slow Juicer. My wife was sceptical, and to be fair she has the evidence to support her view that I have a penchant for kitchen gadgets, that take up space and don’t get used. Picture eyebrows heading skyward at this point.

However, I was smitten as soon as I unwrapped the Pro Juicer. First impressions, it was black, sturdy and sleek and best of all it is deceptively easy to use. The fact that it looks stylish on the kitchen counter is a bonus. Cue eyebrow raising from my wife, who reluctantly agrees that it doesn’t take up too much space.

This Juicer delivers professional-quality cold-press juicing and boasts a powerful motor, strong enough to process both hard and soft ingredients reliably, while remaining exceptionally quiet for up to 20 minutes of continuous operation which also minimises heat build-up, helping preserve essential vitamins, nutrients and natural flavours. So far so good. With up to 30% higher juice yield compared to conventional juicers, it is ideal for preparing fresh juices from fruit, vegetables and herbs, ensuring less waste and fuller, more intense taste.

The extra-large 130mm feeding chute makes juicing faster and more convenient, allowing whole fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, cucumbers, celery, spinach and carrots, as well as ginger, parsley and wheatgrass, to be added without peeling or pre-cutting. The JuiceFit Pro comes with two large 1 litre containers, allowing you to separate the juice and pulp and process larger quantities in one go. Freshly pressed juice flows into one container or directly into a glass while the high-fibre pulp collects in the other, perfect for adding to muesli, soups, or salads.

The Juicer parts are dishwasher safe and can easily be cleaned with the included cleaning brush. Among my many failings apparently, is my penchant for buying too many fruit and vegetables, which in fairness does lead to an overflowing fruit bowl, on its way to the compost bin. But no more, because now I can juice the fruit and add it to yogurt or make a healthy smoothie or just a juice drink. It has reduced waste and hopefully waistline will follow, because those juice drinks are surprisingly filling.

The JuiceFit Pro is a thing of beauty, and I confess to being hypnotised, watching the fruit pulp drop into one container and the juice in the other. I could stand and watch it for hours.

Ooops there go the eyebrows again.

NEW CASO Design JuiceFit Pro Slow Juicer RRP £199.99 available from casodesign.co.uk,

Partners in crime, The Reading Agency and the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA), are plotting to get the nation reading. Clues, crimes, and cliffhangers await this June as National Crime Reading Month (NCRM) ushers a month-long festival of reading, celebrating the UK’s obsession with crime fiction.

The month-long festival is hosted by the CWA in partnership with the national charity, The Reading Agency, with support from ambassadors, including bestselling authors Steve Cavanagh, Vaseem Khan, Robin Stevens, Victoria Selman and Penny Batchelor.

This June is set to be the biggest yet as it coincides with the Department of Education initiative, the National Year of Reading. The CWA, founded in 1953, is one of the UK’s oldest associations designed to support, promote and celebrate the genre and its authors.

Nadine Matheson, Chair of the CWA, said:  “Crime fiction is the world’s most popular and best-selling genre and for good reason. From police procedurals to psychological thrillers, historical mysteries to cosy crime, Nordic noir to the Deep South, small town to vast cities, there is truly something for everyone. These are the stories that have given us unforgettable characters, such as Jack Reacher and Vera Stanhope, and brought them to our screens. National Crime Reading Month celebrates the full, expansive world of crime fiction, welcoming readers of every age, lifelong crime readers and inviting new readers to discover why this genre endures. There has never been a better time to pick up a crime novel.”

Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency said: “Crime fiction is a powerful gateway into reading, bringing together compelling storytelling, rich characters and page-turning suspense. Its breadth and diversity mean there is something for everyone, helping more people discover the joy and benefits of reading. At The Reading Agency, we know that reading can change lives – supporting wellbeing, confidence and connection. Crime fiction has a unique ability to draw people in, and through NCRM we hope to inspire more readers across the UK to pick up a book and experience those benefits for themselves through events in libraries and communities nationwide.”

The Reading Agency’s research* shows just 53% of UK adults consider themselves to be regular readers. Almost half of adults (46%) struggle to focus on reading due to distractions, while one in three multitask while reading. The charity’s State of the Nation’s Adult Reading report found reading had a profound impact on wellbeing:

• Compared to non-readers, regular readers are 86% more likely to report feeling a sense of belonging to their community, 58% more likely to report feeling generally happy, 51% more likely to report finding it easy to relax and 45% more likely to report sleeping well. 
• They are also 35% more likely to say they don’t feel lonely and 32% more likely say they don’t feel anxious or depressed. 
  • An official launch event for NCRM is hosted on 30 May in York with Noir at the Bar at All Saint’s Church, hosted by the independent bookshop, Criminally Good Books, and the CWA. Nine authors including will read extracts from their books, and the event will feature author signings and a book stand.

London-bound crime fiction fans can attend a panel at Capital Crime on 20 June: ‘If You Don’t Read, You Can’t Write’. It will be chaired by author and CWA co-ordinator, Heather Fitt, with last year’s winner of the CWA’s John Creasey First Novel Dagger, Katy Massey, and authors, Luca Veste and Erin Young.

There will also be an online launch at 7pm on 7 June, hosted by the writer Emma Christie in conversation with authors from across the crime fiction genre, supported by the CWA and The Reading Agency.

Up and down the country throughout June, readers can join author Q& A sessions, book groups, and workshops in bookshops, local libraries, museums, theatres, as well as free, accessible online sessions.

For NCRM events, visit: Events – National Crime Reading Month

A gripping kindle mystery of lost masterpieces and buried truths (The Carlswick Mysteries Book 1 of 3) by SL Beaumont. Who do you trust when everyone around you has secrets? Discover the beginning of the Carlswick Mysteries – a series of intrigue, secrets, and suspense.

When Stephanie Cooper investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding her great aunt’s death, she discovers a painting thought stolen by the Nazis and destroyed during WWII, hanging in the home of the intriguing James Knox, guitarist with indie band, The Fury. As Stephanie delves deeper into this mystery she begins to uncover the secrets and deceptions of a previous generation. Gossip in Carlswick village about a tragic wartime romance is mingled with whispers of clandestine visitors, art smuggling and perhaps, collaboration with the Nazis. But, hang on, Stephanie begins to wonder if someone is trying to stop her unearthing the past… Unputdownable, it really is. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FQNR5JT9/ and it’s FREE. That’s not all… See what we have here:

The Carlswick Treasure: A gripping kindle mystery of lost masterpieces and buried truths (The Carlswick Mysteries Book 2) by SL Beaumont. Yes, Book 2 is ready for us, and at a discounted price. I’m so pleased, and it’s great.

When history holds the key to danger, who will make it out alive?
The Carlswick Mysteries continue with a story of lost treasure, deadly secrets, and high-stakes betrayal.

Stephanie Cooper is studying history at Oxford University when she finds an ancient treasure map hidden in the village of Carlswick. Solving the map’s mysterious clues provides her with a much needed distraction following a shocking revelation in her personal life. But her quest to uncover the map’s secrets sets off a chain of events that no one could have foreseen. Stephanie and those closest to her, are led into a world of intrigue and danger as they race from London to Barcelona and rural France, to unearth a cultural treasure trove before it’s too late. Old enemies, betrayal and danger – only this time, the stakes are higher. Only £0.99 instead of £2.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FVDM2PPC/ And why not follow this talented author SL Beaumont

Such a fabulous cover. The Silent House | A gripping and twisty psychological thriller by Lynda Renham (Author)  Format: Kindle Edition Again this kindle is discounted,from £4.99 down to £0.99 for a limited time.

I’m lucky, but that’s exactly what scares me. I have a handsome husband, a wonderful son, and soon we’ll own our dream home in the Cotswolds too. We’re in a good financial position. I should be relaxed and happy, so why aren’t I? What trouble do I sense coming?

Joanna Neal is a highly respected paediatric surgeon, her husband Daniel is a successful finance director – together with their wonderful son, they are the perfect family. The purchase and renovation of a romantic country house in the Cotswolds is set to seal their happiness. But when Joanna vanishes without a trace on the evening of her 10th wedding anniversary, the beautiful facade begins to turn into a nightmare of blackmail and lies. Daniel tries everything to get his wife back, putting himself and everyone he cares about in grave danger I did enjoy this nail-biting kindle.https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX2WRBKH/ @ £0.99

Milly Adams is the author of The Waterway Girls, now in kindle. https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0FRN1JWMF/ @ £5.97 for all 3 kindles

Secrets of Burnham House | The gripping historical mystery in the regency era (The Sinclair Mysteries Book 1) by Bethany Swafford. She entered Burnham House to find the truth. But behind every locked door lies another lie … The first book of the captivating historical whodunit series set in Regency England

London, 1816. A name disgraced. A truth hidden. And a house where secrets whisper behind every door …

Juliet Sinclair was raised a lady—but when whispers of treason stain her family name, she steps into the shadows to clear it. Posing as a servant in the opulent home of her father’s former associate, she enters Burnham House with a false identity and a singular mission: uncover the truth behind the allegations that destroyed her family.

But the household is not what it seems. Servants vanish without explanation. Locked doors hide more than valuables. And the family she once knew has changed in ways she cannot explain. As Juliet pieces together fragments of the past, she realises someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GQCCN6BR/ FREE!

The Sugar Secret: A thrilling action-packed naval adventure – really it is… (Evan Ross Book 7) Kindle Edition by Lyle Garford. For only £0.99 instead of £4.99 – for now.

In the wake of the Battle of Trafalgar, a secret mission, hidden treasure and a trail of murder threaten to ignite the Caribbean once more. As the French and British forces collide, they are pulled into a dark web of conspiracy where the fate of two empires hangs in the balance.

Martinique and St. Kitts, 1808. In the aftermath of Trafalgar, French power in the Caribbean is crumbling. With morale at rock bottom and British forces closing in, only Martinique and Guadeloupe remain under French control. Desperate pleas for reinforcements go unanswered … until Napoleon takes matters into his own hands. He dispatches Colonel Rémy Bernard, a senior intelligence officer and Knight of Malta, to restore order. But Bernard arrives with a secret agenda: the Knights have uncovered rumours of a priceless treasure hidden decades earlier on the British-held island of St. Kitts—and Bernard is determined to find it. While launching a series of daring raids to keep the British off balance, he begins a covert search that could change the course of the war.

Standing in his way are Captain Evan Ross and Commander James Wilton of the Royal Navy. As they race to halt the French attacks, they are drawn into a darker mystery when a string of brutal, unexplained murders rocks St. Kitts.With cannons blazing, spies at work and a legendary treasure at stake, Ross and Wilton must uncover the truth before the Caribbean is plunged into chaos once again. The action-packed new installment of the #1 Bestselling Evan Ross Series and it’s no wonder it’s such a popular series. Unputdownable and as I know nothing of these times, it was also, for me, quite fascinating. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GPWFC8LL/ @ £0.99 not £4.99 for now.

Frost Magazine has raved about the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener before – with its fine-grained diamond grinding wheel, it’s both exquisitely beautiful and incredibly useful. The first real knife sharpener for the home chef, it sharpens the entire bevel of the knife, achieving professional sharpness in minutes. But such a beautiful piece of engineering should not be kept hidden, so I’m excited to report that Tormek have just released a new model – a powder-coated zinc body in NEW SWEDISH RED. Inspired by the classic red cottages with white trim that define the Scandinavian landscape, it feels unmistakably Swedish. The warm, matte red finish is complemented by a light birch handle, echoing the natural materials and bright wood details found in traditional Swedish craftsmanship. 

The Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener in NEW SWEDISH RED,  RRP £342, is available from shop.tormek.co.uk and comes with an eight year warranty. 

But that’s not all. I said two announcement, so… Green Pan have announced their new Frost Soft Serve & Frozen Drinks Maker. This clever countertop essential transforms fresh ingredients into indulgent desserts and cooling drinks in just 30 minutes. Whether it’s a rich vanilla ice cream, a vibrant mango sorbet, a thick banana milkshake, a zesty lemon sorbet, healthy protein packed smoothie or a zingy frozen margarita-style slushie, the possibilities are limitless.

With intuitive controls and a streamlined design, the GreenPan Frost makes it easy to switch between creamy and icy textures. Simply add your ingredients, select your setting, and let the machine do the work. No complicated prep, no lengthy waiting and no freezer required.

Features at a glance:

• Large Double-Insulated 1.87L Transparent Mixing Bowl 
• Built-in Cooling-Compressor – A quiet, integrated cooling system keeps ingredients cold for hours with no need for separate containers or the freezer
• Six Versatile Modes – Easy to read screen makes it simple to choose from slushie (alcoholic or otherwise), soft ice scream, spiked slushie, sorbet, milkshake and extrude / clean
• Seven Texture Settings – From soft and creamy to delightfully firm and thick
• Easy Self-Cleaning Mode

RRP £399, in Cream and Anthracite, available from Very (cream only), Curry’s and amazon.co.uk

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.