Monthly Archives: December 2023

Death came early for Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Claire_M

Death came early for Christmas. My father-in-law, in hospital, had assessed his chances and agreed with the professionals: no resuscitation, please. Midwinter’s eve he spoke on the telephone to his son, my husband. He promised another visit, tomorrow; an hour … Continue reading →

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Behind the labels at the museum

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Claire_M

I’m working on some new fiction (which it’s far too early to say much about) and part of my research was a visit to the History of Science Museum at Oxford to see their magical and alchemical objects. This marble … Continue reading →

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Buttered eggs and spells to face the rising dark

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Claire_M

There is no glittering frost outside today and the lengthening nights shut me in earlier and earlier. To make it through such dark hours I want comfort and enchantment, and for this I turn to the books I read over … Continue reading →

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Predecessor of the more famous Aching? Rosemary Sutcliff’s Tudor witch Tiffany.

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Claire_M

All my book projects are waiting for other people to do various things before I get on with them so I’m back to working on my new fiction project and thinking about character names. This one’s a historical fantasy set … Continue reading →

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