When toxic waste chemicals from a secret government research centre creating DNA-changing drugs for the military start to leak into the environment, the effects on the eco-system have sudden and profound effects for humankind’s supremacy of the planet.
As the government dithers and delays, the crisis becomes greater and more widespread, eventually causing an eco-catastophe that unleashes intrigue, intergovernmental friction and diplomatic incidents across the Earth. Will the planet survive in its current state or will the revolution of the species succeed?
It’s all down to one man in particular: but can he create an antidote in time, as he avoids and fights the government and vested interests? And who is working for whom? The planet might never be the same again…
Simon Holder grabs his idea and creates a well paced thought provoking frightening environmental novel. The plotting is superb, the tension ratchets in a sure rising-tension arc, the obstacles, twists and turns, are impeccable and best of all, it is not a lecture but a scenario in which the reader empathises, buys into, cares about – surely it couldn’t happen or could it? The writing is excellent, the sense of place, characterisation and the resolution masterly.
Bravo, Simon Holder. Another belter of a novel to add to: For The Love of a Life, It’s all in the Script!, and A Cultured Pearl and other stories of Love, Longing, Mystique and Hope…
It says ‘Black Joy’ on the poster and there is certainly an overwhelming wave of Black Joy on the stage in this stunning musical.
From the very start, I found myself grinning like the proverbial child faced with a wall of sweets, only this confectionery really is. The story is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with mistaken identity, gender swap and the search for love intact. All done to Duke Ellington music with the live band – such a wonderful quintet – easing the characters into each song.
(The Duke and Vyman/Viola)
The setting is Harlem, deep in the 1940s New York jazz scene. In falls the hopeful Tsemaye Bob-Egbe as Viola, desperate to sell her music to The Duke, smoothly played and sung by Earl Gregory. She falls in love with him, but, ‘women can’t write songs’ so she has to don a male disguise and become Vyman.
The woman that the Duke adores is Lady Viv, played by Koko Alexandra. She’s a famous nightclub singer and, in turns, she falls for Vyman.
(Jester, Rev, Miss Mary and Sweets)
Undercutting this storyline is the comedy. Lady Viv’s assistant is Rev (in the Malvolio role). Cameron Bernard Jones’ uptight and ridiculous character shines brightly. He loves Lady Viv, too. The staff (Shakespeare’s Feste, Sir Toby Belch and Maria) are Jester, Sweets and Miss Mary. This trio creates the farce and mayhem at Rev’s expense, instructing him how to win Lady Viv’s heart. Llewellyn Jamal, Lifford Shillingford and Tanya Edwards play these three – all with smiles on their faces and songs in their hearts.
(Rev and Lady Viv)
Director Michael Buffong has a palpable hit here. People leave the theatre humming the tunes and laughing – full of joy! The live music with the ensemble’s wonderful dancing (choreographed by Kenrick Sandy), pitched within the joyous performances of the cast all add up to a marvellous show.
(The ensemble)
Talawa Theatre has toured Play On! around the UK already. It’s a co-production with numerous theatres and has already visited Coventry, Liverpool, Salisbury, Birmingham and Bristol before stopping in Hammersmith. I think this feel-good show deserves a bigger audience – more touring and a West End run. It would please everyone and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Photography Ellie Kurttz Creator Sheldon Epps Book Cheryl L West Director Michael Buffong Musical Supervisor Liam Godwin Musical Director Ashton Moore Choreographer Kenrick Sandy
Venue Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL Until Saturday 22nd February
Tickets and showtimes lyric.co.uk/shows/play-on Running Time 150 minutes – this includes a 20-minute interval
As the years have slipped quietly by, I must accept that the woman with the wrinkles staring back at me from the mirror is actually me. And when did my hands start looking like a relief map of the Andes? Whatever happened to that beautiful peach-like skin? Surely it was only yesterday? Is there any hope?
Well the good news is – yes, Ladies, there is hope, because I’ve discovered Wildsmith. Wildsmith take good skin very seriously and combine good science with nature in their relentless quest to make our skin the best it can be.
Wildsmith practise an integrated approach to wellbeing at their The Bothy health retreat at Heckfield Place, a wonderful Georgian family home and working estate in the Hampshire countryside, and at The Treehouse, a luxurious treatment facility on the fourth floor of Liberty’s in London. They’ve developed an amazing range of products which they use in their treatments but, and this is the great news, they’re also available for use at home.
Wildsmith research active formulations in their laboratories, which can imitate the skin’s natural systems for integrity and health, then combine these with plant-based actives and essential ingredients for skin health, including oils and butters derived from flowers, herbs, nuts, seeds, roots and barks. They extract many of these ingredients from plants harvested from their Heckfield Place estate, thus guaranteeing the quality. So dedicated are the Wildsmith team that they have even conducted clinical trials to look at the benefits on the skin.
As my skin has become quite dry over time, I am loving the Wildsmith Stillness Nourishing Body Cleanser. It’s made with hyaluronic acid (draws in moisture and supports the skin’s natural barrier), panthenol (retains moisture and acts as an emollient to nourish dry skin), camomile hydrolat (anti-inflammatory, grown and harvested biodynamically at Heckfield Farm), plus essential oils of rose geranium, lavender and roman chamomile, which smell heavenly.
I love how smooth and light the cleanser feels on my skin. Mixed with water it forms a rich lather, but I noticed that, on my dry skin it was absorbed rapidly and completely and left my skin feeling so soft. I’m already noticing a difference in those wrinkles.
If you’re looking for a really special Mother’s Day gift, do check out the Wildsmith website, but don’t forget yourself too – treat yourself, you’re worth it.
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
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.
The award recognises authors whose crime writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre. One of the UK’s most prominent societies, the CWA was founded in 1953 by John Creasey; the awards started in 1955 with its first award going to Winston Graham, best known for Poldark.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Herron studied English Literature at Oxford, where he continues to live. He began writing fiction while working as a sub editor in London.
His first novel, Down Cemetery Road, was published in 2003. This was the start of Herron’s Zoë Boehm series. In 2008, inspired by world events, he began writing the Slough House series, featuring MI5 agents who have been exiled from the mainstream for various offences. The first novel, Slow Horses, was published in 2010. Some years later, it was hailed by the Daily Telegraph as one of “the twenty greatest spy novels of all time.”
A #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, the Slough House thrillers were adapted into an Apple TV series, starring Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, and have been published in twenty-five languages. Herron has a long association with the CWA, becoming a member in 2004. Two of his books in the Slough House series have received a Dagger: Dead Lions won the CWA Gold Dagger in 2013, and Spook Street the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger in 2017.
Herron’s Zoë Boehm series is to be adapted into a major TV series starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. Herron is also the author of the highly acclaimed standalone novels Nobody Walks and The Secret Hours.
Mick Herron said: “I’ve spent the best part of my life – not the majority of it; just the best part – in the crime writers’ community, and to receive this accolade from these friends and colleagues is both a career highlight and a personal joy. I’m touched and thrilled beyond measure, and will try to live up to the honour.”
Vaseem Khan, Chair of the CWA, said: “I am delighted that the Diamond Dagger judges have picked Mick as their recipient this year. Few could be more deserving. Mick is the quintessential writers’ writer and his Slough House novels have, by general consensus, reinvented the spy thriller, going on to delight millions on the page and onscreen. The Diamond Dagger is a fitting tribute to a writer whose work has become both cultural marker and record of our time.”
Nominations for the CWA Diamond Dagger are recommended by CWA members. Industry experts then narrow these down to a shortlist. The winner is then voted for by a panel of past Diamond Dagger winners. Recent recipients of the Diamond Dagger include Lynda La Plante, James Lee Burke, Peter James, Walter Mosley, Lee Child, Lawrence Block, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Andrew Taylor, Martina Cole, Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Robert Goddard, Martin Edwards, Catherine Aird and Simon Brett.
Past icons of the genre acknowledged with a Diamond Dagger include Ruth Rendell, PD James, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, and John le Carré.
The CWA Daggers are now regarded by the publishing world as the foremost British awards for crime-writing. As the oldest awards in the genre, they have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over half a century.The Diamond Dagger is presented at the annual CWA Dagger Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the crime genre,’ which take place this year on Thursday, July 3. CWA website, Facebook, Twitter #CWADaggers and YouTube.
I became a writer in 2002. That was the year I began a four-year break from full-time work at the British Embassy in Berlin to look after our children, then aged eight and ten, so my diplomat wife could work full-time. She took over my job in the embassy. I’d begun my first novel, Eternal Life, in 1986. That was when the British Embassy in Vienna, where I was then working, got its first word-processor. I thought: ‘wow – you can edit your work before printing it! That’ll make writing much easier.’ Of course, it didn’t. But although I made some progress with my writing while I was working full-time as a diplomat, in Vienna, Moscow and Berlin, I found taking a break from full-time work transformative.
In the four years from 2002, I started writing for the Financial Times, sold two treatments to a film company, attended writing courses, and wrote two novels. When I returned to the Foreign Office full-time in 2006 as Director of Overseas Territories (Saint Helena, Bermuda, the Falklands & Co), then as Ambassador to Ukraine, I continued to write.
Unfortunately, the Foreign Office hated me trying to publish fiction and be a diplomat at the same time. They even threatened me with disciplinary action if I persisted after a bust-up in 2014, when I was working as British Consul-General in Istanbul. I started publishing excerpts from my romantic comedy The Cheat on-line. They objected to the rude words! It was a difficult situation.
I’m a bit manic, to be honest. Every morning, after a bit of yoga, I walk my partner to her work, then sit down until lunchtime to write. In the afternoons and sometimes in the evenings I focus on writing-related jobs, including organising book tours and social media – I have a website, a podcast, and post on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Linkedin. My “Lessons in Diplomacy” videos on TikTok have the best response – I work hard to publish good stuff for my 5,000 followers! Linkedin yields most speaking opportunities, including talks about “Lessons in Diplomacy”. I always make time to attend schools and universities, in particular, to discuss the book and answer questions.
You have written non-fiction and fiction. What is your favourite?
I love both! Creating characters and stories in fiction is a thrill. I love to work late into the night on a scene, then review what I’ve written in the morning, and find that characters, apparently independently, have led the story into unexpected places. Writing Lessons in Diplomacy was a different experience. The months of painstaking research, scouring my records, fact-checking and – above all – choosing the most fun, enlightening stories to illustrate the “life lessons” that make up the book, was rewarding. Like other writers, I sometimes worry that I’m putting too much of myself on display. When the publishers urged me to include even more Russian honeytrap stories about my travels to Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and elsewhere from 1992-95, I declined. But maybe if there’s ever a Volume 2 I’ll go further.
I loved Lessons in Diplomacy. What are your hopes for the book? Do you want to help people become diplomats?
The aim of Lessons in Diplomacy is three-fold. I wanted a book about diplomacy that was fun to read, opening up the truth about diplomatic life to the non-expert. Too many of us have a stereotypical view of upper-class twits swanning round the globe. Diplomacy is changing fast, including many more women and other under-represented groups becoming diplomats and ambassadors.
The book is also designed as a collection of life lessons from diplomacy. It’s not for nothing that the book includes chapters on “How to craft a career”, “How to drink wine and know things”, and “How to know people”. The skills and attributes that make a good diplomat can be applied to many – perhaps all – jobs and careers. I hope people find it useful.
Finally, I hope the book is a breath of fresh air for anyone studying politics or international relations. Many academic textbooks about diplomacy are written by great academics who have never been a diplomat. Others are written by great diplomats who have never written a book. I’m hoping readers will find Lessons in Diplomacy both useful and a great read.
You have lived an exciting life. What made you go into diplomacy?
My parents’ life was a lot more exciting than mine! They moved in 1951, as young adults, to northern Nigeria, and later to Lesotho, in southern Africa. Living in different countries instilled in me a deep interest in what made countries tick, as well as a restless desire to travel. Diplomacy was an obvious job choice, and I had great fortune in getting into the Foreign Office – on my second attempt. But as I say in Lessons in Diplomacy, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The jobs I did before the Foreign Office – in the Department of the Environment and the Treasury – were some of the most exciting I ever did – far more so than most Foreign Office jobs!
Germany, Berlin, 08.04.2003
Leigh Turner, author, with his children Owen and Anna preparing cakes. Working on a novel set in the Foreign Office. Job Swaps.
(c) Stefan Boness/Ipon, www.iponphoto.com
I loved how you took some time out to be with your children. Do you wish more men would do this?
The four years I spent looking after the children full-time, while my wife took my job in the British Embassy in Berlin, were the best four years of my working life. I was able to form a deeper bond with my children, to look at the world in a different way. I encourage all men to take seriously the option of some time out to help raise their kids. I recognise that not all parents have jobs that allow them to stop work for four years; or enough income for one parent to support the family. But do explore the options! Many women thought a man taking time off to bring up children was fabulous. But many men were hostile. They seemed to feel threatened by what I was doing.
Who are your favourite authors and books?
I’m an eclectic reader. I immensely enjoy modern thrillers such as Lee Child or Vince Flynn. But I also love romantic thrillers – I recently enjoyed books by Sophie Kinsella and Mhairi McFarlane. And I have a soft spot for the classics – I’m nearing the end of a “read all books by Dickens” campaign, and love anything by Anthony Trollope. I’ve written a lot about Trollope on my rleighturner.com blog – although he’s a 19thC writer he has a lot to tell us about relationships, gender and power.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Persevere, and train your writing skills! Submitting books to agents and publishers is a cruel, unrelenting slog. But you have to keep doing it in the hope that one day, your painstakingly constructed work will see the light of day. There’s also the option of self-publishing, which I have tried, and which can work brilliantly. But it’s worth trying for a “traditional” publishing route first, if you can, to give your book the best chance.
I’m also a huge fan of honing your art. Writing courses are great ways to get feedback on your work, and mutual support. I go on courses regularly, and am even teaching on one in September 2025, in Lesbos, Greece. Details of the Lesbos course, and on other writing courses I’ve attended, and recommend, are on my blog.
Writing groups are also terrific. I’m in a virtual group with five writers from the US and Canada that meets every month. Their comments on my work have helped me improve my writing. They’ve also strengthened my self-belief – invaluable!
What’s next?
I’m currently working on a trilogy of romantic comedies I call the “Diplomats in trouble” series. I’m excited about it, although, as always, it’s not yet certain it will ever see the light of day. My hero Angus is a protagonist many test readers, mostly women, love to see try, and fail, and try and try again, to find love and a meaningful relationship in the chaos that is modern life. Watch this space.
Leigh has also written extensively about Russia’s war on Ukraine, in his book “Lessons in Diplomacy” and on his website.
I’m in love – no, nothing to do with Valentine’s Day being just around the corner, I’m in love with my Green Pan Padova pan. Yes really.
I never thought I could be so excited about a pan, but this one is simply beautiful. In gorgeous sky blue, which contrasts perfectly with the pale grey ceramic cooking surface, and gold (yes gold) handle, I’ve never felt such a strong urge to head for the kitchen and cook something.
But the Green Pan Padova frying pan isn’t just a pretty face. As a doctor, I do worry about unpleasant chemicals which can lurk, even when we try to cook healthily, and some PFAS (‘non-stick’) pan coatings may be a concern. In contrast, Green Pan use ThermalonTM, a non-plastic coating which is derived from sand.
The thick, forged base, which like the rest of the pan, is made of high-quality reinforced aluminium, heats up quickly and stays perfectly flat, working on all stovetops, including induction. The handle is stainless steel with a matt protective coating and the cooking surface is ceramic. The whole pan feels so balanced to hold, not too heavy, and certainly not flimsy either.
Frankly this is a high-quality pan which looks gorgeous, and with Mother’s Day just around the corner, it would definitely put a smile on any Mum’s face.
Available as individual pans (starting from £45 for a 20cm Fry Pan) to sets with various sizes (£95 for a 2-piece Fry Pan Set or £310 for a 6-piece set) these are a great price for such a quality range. Available from the Green Pan website. Do take a look, you’ll be blown away too.
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
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.
We’re all about helping hands at Frost. Any beauty products that work, we love. This hair activation system made a notable difference to hair.
As we age, our hair naturally thins and loses volume, but with the right routine, you can turn back the clock. Scandinavian Biolabs, known for their innovative, science-backed hair care solutions, believes everyone deserves to love their hair at every stage of life.
The Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine (£96, scandinavianbiolabs.co.uk) is the perfect gift for transforming thinning, ageing hair. Their 3-step system is powered by clinically proven ingredients that nourish the scalp, boost growth, and restore fullness—targeting the common signs of hair ageing.
This Christmas, give the gift of youthful, rejuvenated hair – because great hair knows no age…
STEP 1 : TARGET
At the forefront of the transformative regimen is the Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum (£49/100ml), a cutting-edge formula meticulously crafted through stem cell technology. Plant growth nurture hair follicles, promoting hair growth and reducing thinning. Ingredients like HotFlux® and Capilia Longa®stimulate blood flow, revitalising dormant hair follicles. Niacinamide and Caffeine work to increase keratin production and improve nutrient delivery, strengthening and improving the integrity of hair.
STEP 2: CLEANSE
Complementing the potent serum is the Hair Strength Shampoo (£21/250ml), delicately formulated to cleanse, fortify and rebalance the scalp environment. Utilising Capilia Longa® to help reactivate growth in dormant hair follicles while providing nourishment for optimal growth. Niacinamide +Amino Acid Complex are both karatin-boosting and rich in proteins to strengthen and improve durability of hair, whilst also providing moisturising benefits.
STEP 3: CONDITION
To seal in the revitalising benefits, the Hair Recovery Conditioner (£26/250ml) helps improve the smoothness and elasticity for a healthy shine and restore weak hair, limiting breakage. With ingredients like Capilia Longa®, Aloe Vera to hydrate and soothe the scalp, Amino Acid Complex (rich in proteins) and a Lipid-Rich Oil Blend which is rich in fatty acids to condition and smooth, while forming a lipid-rich protective film to improve shine, reduce frizz and prevent breakage
CLINICAL EFFICACY STUDY OF THE SCANDINAVIAN BIOLABS BIO-PILIXIN® FORMULA USED IN A HAIR SERUM conducted by: Centro de Tecnología Capilar, S.L.30 volunteers men and women (two groups of 15) carried out over 150 days+ 77% reported reduced hair loss after 45 days+ 97% reported reduced hair loss after 150 days+ 93% had clinically tested reduction in hair loss after 150 days+ 73% had clinically tested increase in hair density after 150 days
With wind and rain lashing the window, don’t you just want to batten down the hatches, turn up the heating and eat lovely snacks? Me too, and this is when I reach for Tracklements.
Based in Wiltshire, Tracklements’ founder, William Tullberg, discovered an old recipe for Wholegrain Mustard in the 1970s. Encouraged by sales of this in his local pub, he was inspired to searched out more traditional recipes for savoury jellies, chutneys and sauces. Half a century later Tracklements is still a thriving family company.
What I love about Tracklements is that they still use traditional recipes, and they’re obsessed with quality ingredients, which they source from farms and small businesses across England. Even the cider vinegar for their pickles is made by Aspell Cider Company, the oldest family cider business in the UK and the medlars in their Medlar Jelly were donated by local residents from garden trees. But what I love most is that everything is still made by hand in small batches. And this is why their products all taste as if they were made by Grandma. Unsurprisingly, they’re also passionate about conservation, using solar energy, and a system which totally cleans their waste water before discharge.
The results are outstanding products and I’m delighted to be chomping my way through a selection of them. I can report that Sticky Fig Relish is exquisite, and perfect with a piece of mature cheddar and water biscuits. The country garden chutney, made from Onions, Carrots, Swede, Turnip, Parsnip (originally grown in the founder’s own garden) is heavenly, and of course, as with all fermented foods, is great for your gut bacteria. The various mustards – Spiced Honey Mustard (strong mustard bite countered by beautiful honey sweetness), Sweet Mustard Ketchup (definite mustard bite but smooth and tangy) and Robust Wholegrain Mustard (just a small amount hits the spot) – simply pure, unadulterated flavours – I just loved them.
But don’t take my word for it – check out their website and treat yourself.
And don’t forget your lovely mother – with Mother’s day on 30th March, what better gift than pure goodness in a jar? I can particularly recommend Tracklements 9 Jar Mini Pack, at RRP £9.65. These are a steal and a lovely way to try a wide range of their fabulous recipes.
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
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.
