With, magically, time to spare now a manuscript is in, and before the edits come winging back I finished the wonderful  Philip Kerr A Man Without Breath, but then what? I seldom re-read a book, but there it was, Murder your Darlings by Mark McCrum which I have reviewed before. It was such a romp and what’s more, an excellent detective story the first time round I wondered if it would ‘hold’ for another lap?

I felt drawn because, you might remember,  it is set in gorgeous Umbria at a villa hosting a creative writing course. The ‘ring master’  is the tutor, the hosts Stephanie and Gerry. I ached with laughter, or was it recognition as the ‘performers’ the students milled, chatted, worked whilst the tutor, in this case Francis, observes, bites his tongue and oh, oh, staying neutral. Be still my beating heart… Yes, I’ve been there, taught these – by turn  – wonderful, infuriating and fascinating writers.

I do remember one incidence, but no, I mustn’t, not even with  the nom de plumes Mr A and Mrs B.

But another is repeatable. At ARVON, where I taught one particular course the students had to take turns to cook the evening meal. I joined in, as usual, with the first night’s team, chatting, learning more about them, until as one, the little domestic team disappeared. Was it something I said? It wouldn’t be for a quiet nip of something strong, for there was wine aplenty in the dining room.

They said they’d be back to serve, while all I had to do was stir the pot. Phew.

They did indeed return, as we sat around the large dining room table, tottering in, wearing high heels, and bunny girl outfits they had somehow mashed together. Glorious. Though I do wish they’d asked me to wear a fluffy bunny tail, fishnet tights but perhaps it would have been a tad too much to see granny dolled up, when people were eating. …

But back to the lovely scrumptious Murder your Darlings. So, into this course, set atop a hill with views of the Umbrian countryside, a swimming  pool, a sauna – all mod cons, bursts a murder,  of one of the writers. Or is it a murder? Perhaps an unfortunate accident?  And here they all are, corralled at the villa by the police, all the various branches of the police it seems, under investigation it appears, because – was it an ‘inside’ job?. When into the mix, another murder and no-one has been in, or out. It doesn’t take a genius to realise it was ‘one of them.’  Arghh.

The police turn to Francis for help to ferret about and discover what exactly is going on under the surface .

Why are some of them really there? Why do those who have been coming for twenty years return?  What secrets abound?

I defy anyone to put this book down,as the secrets emerge until – all is revealed.

All I can say is that it’s a blessing the tutor was there, as  I often feel like telling my students – not that anything so dire has occurred, though at times, with the myriad of personalities there is always the chance of blood on the floor.

Bravo, read it once, then go back. Feel the sun on your face, observe the view, ferret amongst the students yourselves, have a snigger, wonder if you could write a book because there are so darned good tips for writers in these pages.

A book is esssential  for whiling away the luxurious hours of lock down. And this one must be first in the queue, and a Philip Kerr.

Then – why not write your own memoir, or novel? This lock down has given some of us time for reflection, time to find the germ of an idea. Go on a writing holiday to – well, maybe not the Villa Giulia – but somewhere. Make sure you keep your wits about you though.

If you are one of the key workers, the time for reflection will come later. But write down your experiences, then, when time has allowed you to process this taxing, draining experience. The family will want to know, perhaps the libraries in their local history section Perhaps a publisher. Or put them in a blog. Writing can order your thoughts, and experiences, it can allow you to take control again.

I work with ill or injured veterans, editing and steering their writing. It is a great  way of talking things out, shaping the mess. Fiction in particular allows you to  throw around those experiences, use them as you see fit, and not allow them to overtake and control you. Or so I’ve found. OK, OK, lesson over.

This is the third of Mark McCrum’s Francis Meadowes mysteries. Beautifully written, and kindly but sharply observed. They really should be televised. Bagsy me to be one of the writers.

Loved it. Must read the others. Thanks a bunch Mark McCrum for a great read.

Murder your Darlings. Mark McCrum. pub Severn Kindle and hb. Available here.

Annie Clarke is the author of Wedding Bells on the Home Front:  pub 14th May by Arrow in  e-Book

Pb due in July  courtesy of Covid easing.