Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties

As Christmas Day draws near we have been out to see the lavish and imaginative decorations currently transforming the rooms of our nearest National Trust properties, Charlecote House and Baddesley Clinton Manor, Warwickshire. Of all National Trust houses Baddesley Clinton is my favourite: it’s the one I can imagine living in – or the placeContinue reading “Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties”

Discover ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ by SC Skillman

Announcing my latest book, ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ which is out on Monday 15 September 2025! ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire‘ is my fourth book for Amberley Publishing and is now available through all online retail stores and also through your local high street bookstore. You’ll find it in Waterstones branches and it can be ordered through indie bookshops tooContinue reading “Discover ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ by SC Skillman”

New Book Out Soon! Paranormal Gloucestershire by SC Skillman

Today, I’m delighted to share news that my next nonfiction book will be released by Amberley on 15th September 2025. ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ explores a county rich in beauty, history, and a high level of spiritual, mysterious, and paranormal activity. With a profusion of haunted inns, castles, houses and landscape features, the presence of the pastContinue reading “New Book Out Soon! Paranormal Gloucestershire by SC Skillman”

The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020

Currently the UK news and social media are focussing on Raynor Winn and the truthfulness or otherwise of certain accounts in her highly successful nonfiction book ‘The Salt Path’ (first published by Penguin 2019). Out of this has come a fascinating discussion about our expectations of truth and factual accuracy in memoirs and nonfiction books.Continue reading “The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020”

To Celebrate Wolf Hall, TV Drama Adaptation Starring Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis- My Reviews of Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell Trilogy – reblog

What’s On My Kindle Now

Most keen readers have ‘To Be Read’ piles. I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.Continue reading “What’s On My Kindle Now”

The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease

Today I share my entry on the book recommendation website shepherd.com. With Shepherd, you can explore, discover, read. It’s a brilliant idea for readers to find books based on themes, tone, plot elements and many other variables more subtle than broad genre categories. The best books about the paranormal or the supernatural with a creepingContinue reading “The Best Books About the Paranormal or the Supernatural With a Creeping Sense of Unease”

New book on the way: Paranormal Gloucestershire

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve just signed a contract to write a fourth book for Amberley which is Paranormal Gloucestershire. I’ve already begun visiting some of the fascinating locations in Gloucestershire which have a rich history and are surrounded by many curious tales. These include some of the locations shown above: Woodchester Mansion, TewkesburyContinue reading “New book on the way: Paranormal Gloucestershire”