It’s almost time for (Arsenic for) Tea …

January 23, 2015

Arsenic for Tea at Waterstones Birmingham - picture by Jim Dean

AFTgreenIt’s the final countdown. In less than a week, on Thursday 29th January, Arsenic for Tea will be officially out in the UK and Ireland.

It’s funny – I forgot how weird this final bit of waiting is. I feel jumpy, and strange, and I keep checking my Amazon rankings (I still don’t know what Amazon rankings mean, but I check them anyway) and my Goodreads reviews (which is a terrible idea, but again I do it anyway). I don’t even know what I’m trying to find out, I just need to find it out now.

Of course, what I’m actually waiting for is you. I wrote a book, my publishers edited it and honed it and chose its cover and its paper and publicised it and got it into the warehouse – and now it’s time for you to read it. Once again, I’m handing over my characters and my story to you, and all I can do is hope that you like them.

Today I got the first picture of Arsenic for Tea in the wild, from the fantastic Jim at YaYeahYeah – isn’t it beautiful? Isn’t it green?

Arsenic for Tea at Waterstones Birmingham - picture by Jim Dean
Arsenic for Tea at Waterstones Birmingham – picture by Jim Dean

If you do begin to see Arsenic for Tea in stores – and, even better, if you buy it and read it, I’d love to see your pictures and hear your feedback. Did you guess whodunit? Did you have a bunbreak to help your little grey cells work? No kidding, talking to you is one of my very favourite things about being an author (second only to actually writing my books).

So, Arsenic for Tea is almost here – let’s celebrate together!

More posts to explore

There’s a new exhibition coming to Oxford’s Story Museum this summer, and it’s all about young detectives! Created by young curators using a storyline by Sharna Jackson, it’ll feature plenty of your favourite detectives – including Daisy and Hazel!
I am doing two festival events this spring: one in Dublin and one in London. They are: International Literature Festival Dublin, 16th May, 12pm – a talk followed by a signing London Children’s Book Festival, 28th June, 3:30pm – a talk followed by a signing
I’m partnering up with the National Archives for their first ever school event, a free online event on Wednesday March 25th at 1:30pm.
I’m delighted to announce that I have something for schools who’d like a visit from me – I’ll be appearing in a virtual schools event on the 20th March at 1:30pm in partnership with my publisher Puffin.
I’m delighted to say that I’ll be visiting Lincoln in February to talk about my books! I’ll be at the Engine Shed on Saturday 14th February at 3pm – tickets are on sale NOW and include a book with the price of the ticket.
If you missed out on my pre-order campaign with Daunt Books … it’s back for a limited time only! From today until the 3rd of December, you can order a signed and personalised copy of A Stocking Full of Spies from the Daunt Books website.