Recently, the Leeds Library (the oldest private subscription library in the UK) asked its members to name their favourite books as part of the citywide celebration of 400 years since Leeds was granted its first royal charter. Not just books by Leeds authors, but all writers. It was then tallied by author.

The whole thing had bypassed me until a friend emailed to say I was in the top ten.

What????

But there I am,, joint eighth with Alan Bennett and John Le Carre, ahead of Leeds Child, Agatha Christie and – hard to believe – Jane Austen. Colour me beaming and gobsmacked.

Whoever voted for my books, thank you. I’m very grateful and proud.

It’s going to be several months before my next one is published. In the meantime, if you want a flavour of what I do, why not try The Faces Of The Dead and No Precious Truth. Leeds in World War II, with a surprising woman from the Gipton estate as the lead. Oh, they’re £1.99 each on Kindle, free on Kindle Unlimited. Cheap in the US, too.