news & events

out and about magazine

Check out this lovely piece about my path to publication and review of LORD SEEKS WIFE in the March 2022 edition of Out & About Magazine. Editor Geraldine Gardner describes the book as ‘the perfect antidote to the constant bombardment of bad news we are subjected to every day’. Read the rest on p.87 of the digital version here.

bbc radio interviews

I was delighted to speak to Jonathan Fido on BBC Radio Wiltshire’s ‘Wiltshire Meets’ programme, and Bill Buckley on Sarah Walker’s BBC Radio Berkshire programme, about LORD SEEKS WIFE. The interviews took place on 15th and 22nd February and are available on BBC Sounds, should you find yourself at a loose end.

big issue north article

I make the case for eccentricity in Big Issue North’s “Off the Shelf” column. It was a lovely chance to talk about some of my favourite eccentric characters, from P.G. Wodehouse, Stella Gibbons, Rachel Joyce and A.J. Pearce. Read the article here.

acts of kindness in the people’s book prize

If you’ve read and enjoyed ACTS OF KINDNESS, please vote for it in the 2021/2022 People’s Book prize. Closing date to vote is 30 April 2022. Thank you!

author reading at thatcham festival, 9th oct 2021

I’m delighted to be taking part in the 2021 Thatcham Festival which runs from 8th-17th October. I’ll be reading from my debut novel, ACTS OF KINDNESS, in Thatcham Broadway at 1pm on Saturday 9th October. View the full festival schedule here.

aCTS OF KINDNESS included in list of “fantastic fiction in UK & ireland”

Booksellers across the country were asked by National Book Tokens to recommend one great book set in their bookshop's local area in summer 2021. Acts of Kindness was chosen to represent Wiltshire by fabulous independent bookshop Devizes Books. Check out the full list of 13 books here.

ACTS OF KINDNESS FEATURED IN WAITROSE WEEKEND

Acts of Kindness is featured as one of the summer’s best new reads in the latest edition of Waitrose Weekend.

book signing at HUNGERFORD books, 19th June 2021

Hungerford Bookshop is holding a summer reading celebration on Saturday 19th June, 6-8pm, to mark Independent Bookshop Week. Alongside quizzes, wine and book-themed entertainment, authors JS Monroe, Susanna M Newstead and I will be signing copies of our books. Book your free ticket here.

book signing at devizes books, 5th June 2021

Join me on Saturday 5th June from 11am for a book signing of Acts of Kindness at the beautiful Devizes Books, an independent bookshop in Wiltshire. More details here.

acts of kindness picked as a ‘top ten read’ by wi life magazine

In the March 2021 issue of WI Life, the magazine for the Women’s Institute, Acts of Kindness was chosen as a Top Ten Read for spring by books editor Patricia Carswell. She described it as a ‘fast-paced and fun mystery’ and ‘quirky, readable and a terrific distraction from real life.’

Three classic novels you might not think of as mysteries

What do Jane Eyre, Emma and The Old Curiosity Shop have in common? They all feature in a piece I wrote for Mystery & Suspense magazine on the enduring appeal of the page-turner. Read it here.

PREVIEW OF ‘ACTS OF KINDNESS’ IN GAZETTE & HERALD

Wiltshire paper, the Gazette & Herald, publishes a preview of Acts of Kindness: Read the piece.

‘ACTS OF kInDNESS’ deal announcement in the bookseller

‘Indie press Serpentine Books has bagged a "captivating" thriller from début writer Heather Barnett. Director Raquel Elias acquired world rights direct from the author for Acts of Kindness, slated for publication in March 2021.’ Read the full article.

The magic of acts of kindness

How witnessing an act of kindness led to writing a novel. Blog post on booksbywomen.org

The dorset book detective blog

I sat down with ‘Dorset book detective’ Hannah, to talk about thrillers, inspiration and having tea with Jane Austen. Read the interview.