Aline Templeton

overcast, mild, temps plus 4 - and very windy - which is great because it melt the snow faster

I was going to take a photograph of the mud in our driveway...great lakes of it. But then I realized everyone knows what mud looks like and you sure don't need to look at Quebec mud.

We have moved from the snow balls in Trudy's hair season to the mud all over her legs season. God help us if she runs into the house ahead of us. We spend the next ten minutes wiping down the floor.

Such a riot - I can hear Michael laughing and laughing on the phone. speaking to his cousin Marjorie, in elora, Ontario. Fun to hear such laughter.

Writing going well. 16-hundred words today. I went to sleep worried that something was off with what I'd written yesterday - and then I realized I needed to bring in another point of view. As soon as I thought that two things happened - I felt great relief at having solved the niggling anxiety...but also felt annoyance at having to undo what I'd done. But when I got to the computer this morning and started writing I realized I could weave the two together, and it would be even more effective.

I hope.

Had to stop now because I was getting tired, and a little confused. Fresh eyes tomorrow.

Mostly, though, I wanted to tell you about this fabulous crime writer named Aline Templeton. As you know, I rarely push other authors - not because I don't want to, or love their writing, but because the blog would be in danger of me appearing to be a sales rep for my friends. And all you'd get is sales pitches.

So I stay away from that, for the most part. With some exceptions...like the work of Ann Cleeves and Deborah Crombie and Julia Spencer-Fleming and a few others. Well, I want to add another to the list. Someone you probably haven't heard of.

The magnificent Aline Templeton. Like Ann Cleeves, Aline's books are set in Scotland. They're Christie-esque whodunnits, with modern twists and times. Not cozy at all - but traditional. And smart. And atmospheric.

They're set in beautiful Galloway in south-west Scotland, a place of seascapes, lochs, hills and forests but where there is also rural deprivation, unemployment and the struggle of all small communities to preserve their unique qualities in the modern world.

They're a little hard to find in North America, but worth the effort. You might put in a request at your local libraries - or at an Independent Mystery Bookstore...like Poisoned Pen (which I know sells her books) and Aunt Agathas - Robin was looking into getting Aline's latest in. Murder by the Book in Houston and Mystery Lovers Bookstore can always order. and Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto carries a fabulous collection of British crime novels. Aline's books are also available at Amazon.co.uk

Aline's latest is called Cradle to Grave - you might have just noticed the book cover. It comes out at the end of March. You might also want to check out her website:

www.alinetempleton.co.uk

Off to walk trudy through the mud - then hose down the house. It's a full life.