The Next Chapter – Edward Glover

I have recently finished my latest novel – the sixth in six years.

It’s now in the hands of my highly-professional copy editor. I hope it will be published in the latter part of April/beginning of May, to be followed shortly afterwards by my first story for children between the ages of five and seven. Once that too has been copy-edited and I have found a suitable illustrator I intend it should appear to the public in the summer.

Back to my new novel – different in genre from my previous books in The Herzberg Trilogy, and The Executioner’s House and The Lute Player.

Here is how I would describe it:

Sunday the 22nd of August 1875. I saw today an enchanting young woman on the river, bathed in golden sunlight. I cannot remove her from my mind.”

So begins the obsession of a man of wealth and influence, its darkening shadow spreading from southern France to Paris, to Cochin China and Spain, altering lives. For some it will be fatal; some will find freedom. A former detective, a society beauty, an imperial concubine, a painter, as well as the girl herself, are all subject to its thrall – and each have passions of their own. Victim or agent. Guilty or innocent. You decide.

All of my books reflect three important aspects:

My long career in the Foreign Office with much experience in drafting
An unshakeable commitment to writing stories featuring strong female lead characters (I greatly enjoy writing decisive parts for women) and
Blending into each tale drama, perfidy, musical threads and of course costume.

As a diplomat, I was taught – amongst other things – the importance of observing (as another source of information) human nature with its lighter and often darker side, the latter often concealing secrets and destructive frailties.

From the many I’ve encountered in my long diplomatic life I have been able to assemble – by picking and mixing – a rich array of players to appear in my stories. This latest tale of obsession and the dark place to which it can often lead has enabled me to delve once more into my personal treasury of recollections of those I’ve met over the years to paint yet again the good and the bad in human behaviour.

As the sign outside my study door in Norfolk states:

Careful or
You’ll End Up in
My Novel.