Author Archives: drewsmith28

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About drewsmith28

Words, words, words...

A Life in Fifty Books by Anthony Cheetham (Head of Zeus)

Posted on June 4, 2025 by drewsmith28

I am not inclined usually to fall for this kind of congratulatory memoir. But this is Anthony Cheetham, publisher extraordinaire. He has brought many books to market down the years from Frank Herbet’s Dune to Michael Connelly’s Bosch detective series. … Continue reading →

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The Fraud by Zadie Smith

Posted on October 10, 2024 by drewsmith28

The trigger for this exhilarating romp through literary Victoriana was a sale at the auction house of Sotheby’s. A first edition of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol sold for a record sum. The inscription was to a Mrs Touchet. Meet Eliza. … Continue reading →

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Death in Pont Aven by Jean-Luc Bannalec

Posted on October 7, 2024 by drewsmith28

THE light first drew artists to the north west of France. Most famously it was Gauguin and his portraits of girls in clogs and costumes, one of many.  Pont Aven, a sleepy one church town on a creek was where … Continue reading →

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Regenesis by George Monbiot (Allen Lane)

Posted on April 6, 2023 by drewsmith28

“It’s a wonderful place for an orchard, but a terrible place for growing fruit.” LIKE all good horror stories we start out slowly, the John Carpenter cruise around the suburban neighbourhood, albeit in this case we are digging in George’s … Continue reading →

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English Food by Diane Purkiss (William Collins)

Posted on March 22, 2023 by drewsmith28

“If historians and readers think they know exactly when food culture in England was stable and not subject to the fickle whims of fashion, they tend to finger breakfast as the changeless moment.” FROM the opening paragraph, above, Diane Purkiss … Continue reading →

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The Black Echo by Michael Connelly (Orion)

Posted on December 6, 2022 by drewsmith28

How to write a best selling crime fiction novel Continue reading →

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The honjin murders by Seishi Yokomizo (Pushkin)

Posted on November 7, 2022 by drewsmith28

“Before recording the strange history that follows, I felt I ought to take a look at the house where such a gruesome murder was committed.” THERE is a masterly, writerly opening to this classic Japanese crimo. Yokomizo introduces himself as … Continue reading →

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Death on Gokumon Island by Seishi Yokomizo (Pushkin)

Posted on October 31, 2022 by drewsmith28

“Seventeen miles south of Kasaoka…is a tiny island, measuring barely five miles in circumference, its name is Gokumon-to, meaning Hell’s Gate Island.” GIVEN what Hollywood has done to terms like Hell’s Gate, I am not sure the English translation applies … Continue reading →

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The Office of Gardens and Ponds by Didier Decoin (Maclehose Press)

Posted on October 7, 2022 by drewsmith28

“Following a long confinement and strict observance of the eating restrictions associated with bereavement….” A STRANGE lash up of old Japanese folklore with Gallic machismo teeters on the edge of being a fine read full of intriguing descriptions and sparkling … Continue reading →

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Cooking by Jeremy Lee (Fourth Estate)

Posted on September 13, 2022 by drewsmith28

“The simple truth I’ve learned from a lifetime of cooking is that good food is honed from fine ingredients”. THAT opening sentence may not sound so radical, so revolutionary but it is a statement of courage and intent, the kernel … Continue reading →

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