What The Dying See - MJ Lee

Book Twelve in the DI Ridpath series by MJ Lee out 2nd July

I have read all the Ridpath books by the most esteemable MJ Lee. Each book is brisk, pacy and full of tension - he continually creates a pervading mood of doom amidst the Manchester gloom as Ridpath and his team strain to solve the cases. 

This one might well be one of his best - there is the mixture of personal struggle, corruption and politcking that Ridpath must overcome. Perhaps the ending is a little too neat, but it serves again as a reminder that this is one of the most consistent series of recent years and hardly anybody I know in my reading circles know about it. This remains a crime itself that this work has not garnered the wider audience it deserves.

Lee is a neat concise writer; he uses social history for context of the fictional crimes he creates, and yet he is also challenging the governmental structures in place that batter and marginalise the ageing and elderly population of our country. The notion or idea of a second Shipman imbues throughout the book, that fear of the vulnerable being attacked. At times, this reader got angry when reading and rightly so, the elderly should always have our respect and live with dignity.

Those who have given so much in their lives to live are getting forgotten by middle management. In this book, the criminal works for the Department of Work and Pensions, the DWP become this eerie complicit being in destroying people who through circumstance seek to continue working but either through ill will or bad luck they find themselves alone with no support structure, except the benefit cheque that someone behind a desk thinks they do not deserve. Lee has taken his agenda and made a constructive point of satirising or challenging the government to change the ways. 

As ever, the geography and painting of Manchester as this gothic and yet burgeoning metropolis is done effectively - set around late November/early December he evokes weather and mood, the harshness of the rain sheeting upon our characters. 

Lee balances Ridpath's bridging the dual roles he has between the Greater Manchester Polic (GMP) and reporting to the coroner. The coroner herself has her own problems, with people thinking she should step aside due to an injury sustained two books previously. Ridpath, a single parent following his wife's untimely passing, has a teenage daughter, Eve and while she is not as present as in previous books, Eve is paramount to Ridpath's stability and grounding. 

As mentioned previously, this is one of the better books in the series. Effective, gripping and written with such fluidity perhaps this may be the book to breakout for Lee in this instance. 

What The Dying See is published by Canelo on 2nd July on all formats.

Surviving Earth

Written and directed by Thea Gajic, tells the story of Vlad, a Slovak refugee who fled Yugoslavia during the conflict of the 1990s and settled in Bristol. A talented harmonica player who works as a counsellor, his band 'Balkan Express' are on the verge of success in the local music scene. 

However, past traumas and addictions come back to haunt him threatening the relationships he has strived to build up and threatening the peace he has found in the relationship with his daughter. 

A quite illuminating film experience, a low budget film that is shot beautifully and technically sound - the relationships between Vlad and his band-mates feel authentic, the problems feel realistic. This is a knowing and well written film capably performed by a strong cast led by Slavko Sobin as Vlad and Olive Gray as his daughter, Maria.

The setting of Bristol, a small yet vital city on the outskirts of the big metropolitans, is central to the film's premise with the underground art cultural scene in full flow. The cinematography of Olan Collardy (Rye Lane) makes the small city look picturesque and inviting. 

This is a nuanced film touching upon feelings of insecurity, belonging in a community that is not your own, the ageing man and father in the modern day society. The use of folk music brought up to the present day is symptomatic of the current craving for nostalgia or simpler times in our world amidst the ongoing AI/tech boom that we live in fear of.

Shot with such care and with Vlad reminded us of British archetypes - notably, the angry young man from the 1960s - when ambition and the clamour to be better still resonates in this confusing age. Vlad yearns to be better than himself but he cannot get out of his own way at times and the guilt he feels for fleeing his homeland and not willing to return to see his ageing mother.

Funded by the BFI, distributed by Metis Films this is a film that speaks to the need for stories about the working class and refugee experience in this country. This is a reminder that addiction and insecurity are universal themes, they are not exclusive to the first world, white person experience - problems have a tendency to find you in any walk of life.

Heartfelt and honest, this film will garner a response in all who see it; the only hope is that it finds that audience in cinemas and home release.

Surviving Earth is out on limited release from 24th April.

In Praise Of....Star Wars Sessions

This past Saturday, I had the privilege to attend the first iteration a gathering called Galaxypalooza. A Star Wars fan convention in Rayleigh, Essex that is a con but on by fans for fans. The two men, who do probably Britain's best Star Wars podcast called Star Wars Sessions are Matt Hudson and Luke Bligh. Both live in Essex, and they are impassioned and proud Star Wars fanatics. Their long running podcast has been running for seven years and has over 300 episodes, it has built a devoted following. 

Galaxypalooza was as much a dedication and admiration to the two Essex legends and all they do for the Star Wars community. Both men are humble and genuine in their fandom, they do not attack bad content supplied in the Disney era of George Lucas' vision, they are constructive in criticism but do not fawn when something is good.

There episodes range from covering new releases to video games and books. The main feed podcast was a God send to this writer during the pandemic of 2020 and an appreciation was born. Saturday afforded me the opportunity to say thank you to the guys themselves getting to chat in person along with all their followers.

For me it was a 45 minute journey by car, but for others who I spoke to they travelled by train from Carlisle the day before; car from Northampton on the morning to make a 9am opening. Vendors, artists and merchandise sellers came from Norfolk and Surrey, cosplayers by the dozen came from Kent and Medway.

  

This was a gathering of joy and verve, like minded people all sharing in the wonder of a galaxy far far away. The venue at times felt too small and perhaps next year the clamour for a redo may lead to a larger venue; yet these are mere quibbling points on a day that will be long remembered.

A word now upon the panels which took place in the first floor. Eight different panels took place ranging from Lego builders to fan films and Emmy Award editors to the hosts themselves discussing the Greatest Television show of all time, Andor. The Star Wars Sessions guys themselves spoke to three performers from the series - minor characters but nevertheless, all were hugely grateful for the opportunity to work in something which universally adored.

Surrounding the panel where signers for those autograph hunters. From creature performer, Ross Sambridge to Ross Beadman, who was the youngling Jedi who asks the newly anointed Lord Vader, 'Master Skywalker. What shall we do?' Others have portrayed stormtroopers (Torin Pocock) or Imperial officers (Jonathan Cass) in the two season of Andor. All the guests when interviewed spoke of their own love for the original trilogy, fans one and all.

After a long day of talking and conversing in the ways of the force, it became apparent that while it was goodbye for now, any doubter in the power and reach of Star Wars would have been dismissed as all ages and creeds were present. If you wore a helmet or brandished a lightsaber, all were welcome. And you left safe in the knowledge that if you were at Galaxypalooza on 6th June you departed knowing you had friends everywhere.

Follow Star Wars Sessions here: Star Wars Sessions - Probably Britain's Greatest Star Wars Podcast

Seconds To Midnight - David Orson Newton

 

Taut thriller set in 2029 on the brink of World War 3

Orson Newton's thriller is a page turner in every sense of the word. A brisk unputdownable read with short chapters and a very of the moment narrative.

The year is 2029, Europe is teetering on the brink of war - conscription has been launched in the UK, a storm is coming but from many angles. As the Doomsday clock ticks down, the proximity to catastrophic global disaster is very much on the horizon as the seconds wind down.

The best science fiction always maintains an element of believability and fact - the worry of nuclear holocaust is something that many people have been living with for much of their adult lives (for this reader post-Chernobyl the threat is clear) yet for my parents the Cuban Missile Crisis of twenty plus years earlier was the first alarm.

In this book, British Intelligence launches Operation Iris and Artemis (concurrent timeframe with new Space shuttle programme to the moon), yet the blurring of human instinct and machine intention blur boundaries. At the heart of the operation is Omnia - an artificial superintelligence so advanced it does not answer to its creators.

The fear of AI and how it is slowly seeping into our everyday lives with many of us either submitting or combatting helps with the understanding of the novel's motives. While the machine may have the answers, the humans are the ones who will be held responsible.

Characters are detailed but do not last long in the memory, the most memorable being the mother and her missing/awol soldier son, her interaction with him over a megaphone and her asking him to come out of hiding does stay with you.

However, most characters are conduits for the ultimate message of what is at stake for humanity in the years to come. 

This prescient novel with its real world comments is good read, short bursts of action throughout maintain attention. The tone and message reminded me of the Gold trilogy by David Barker, another novelist that touched upon the next war being about water and the need to inhabit the moon for new resources.

A fascinating and ultimately frightening read, the short sharp chapters reads like a constant warning of what lies ahead for us if we do not change things.

My thanks to Midas PR for the review opportunity and being a part of the blog tour

Seconds to Midnight is released by Chiselbury on April 23rd.

Watch Them Fall - Marion Todd

 

Marion Todd's 10th book in the DI Clare Mackay series. Published 12th March 2026

Synopsis

A body is hauled out of St Andrews harbour. The cause of death a blow to the back of the head.

DI Clare Mackay and her team are immediately suspicious. This was no accident. Local Dennis Gibb was murdered.

Meanwhile a string of burglaries across town divide Clare's attention and she is drawn into a world of property developers, holiday lets and protestors determined to put a stop to the new building works.

When another person linked to Dennis is murdered, the investigation becomes even more urgent and Clare is led down a winding path to local secrets, hidden animosity and dodgy business deals

Review

Having followed Todd's series from the beginning and the terrible harbinger of doom and murder that pervades and invades upon the historic town of St. Andrews and the nearby Dundee area with the awe-inspiring Tay Bridge structure. You are struck by this melding of tradition and wishing to become more current; this collision between old and new values. 

Many writers and film directors especially comment how hard it is to make contemporary thrillers and dramas due to the impact that the mobile phone has had in making conversations, phone calls and tracking much easier. People find it harder to hide, and for police officers such as our erstwhile DI Clare Mackay, it is harder for her to do police work when technology is at your fingertips.

Todd has always used Mackay as a conduit and an expression of how hard it is for women to continue and grow into their roles as competent individuals as well as be home-makers and partners. Some of the best moments of writing is of Mackay returning home to an empty house, bar her trustworthy pet dog Benjy, and how regularly she eats something quick, downs a glass of red wine and crashes out in bed. 

In this tenth book of the series, these moments are ramped up. Her partner, Al, is only home from work for weekends on Thursday night. This need to be with him while having a job that interferes at weekends compounds this air of depression encircling Mackay while threads of the investigation unravel beyond her control.

This is brave writing from Todd, this pervading sense of doom comes to a head when a march and counter-protest about expected building developments ends in tragedy for the police force. For Mackay it is all too much at times, and Todd has written less a crime thriller but a modern drama for our times. 

As ever, she writes with such confidence within the social conversations of her police force; the detail given to investigations and police interviews. Todd continues to grow as a writer, her books read so fluently it beggars belief she is not more widely known.

Watch Them Fall is out from Canelo on 12th March on all formats.

My thanks to Canelo for approving an advanced review copy on NetGalley.

Middleman 'Following The Ghost'

New album out by London four piece MIDDLEMAN (13th Feb 2026)

A DIY outfit in every sense of the word, this short sharp album by this London quartet is a shot in the arm and a collision for rasp and melody together.

Featuring Noah Alves (vocals), Harper Maury, Rory White and Ted Foster, the sound is taut and empowering; sonically it recalls that of The Replacements and other garage rock bands. And whilst there is this deliberate call to arms by looking backwards, this album is current due to the lyrical exploration of forward momentum and taking the chance that prevents itself. 

Punchy in every sense, with a run time of just 26 minutes for the nine total tracks with cracking drums and Alves' distinctive howl. This is a band - like the Libertines from yesteryear - who are not going to stand around for their opportunity to come. The time is now to break out, and Middleman are here to take it.

'Vacant Days' reminds this listener of Slick Shoes, and 'Morning All The Time' has a distinct vibe of early Cribs. If the band can harness the boundless energy they have at their disposal, they will be able to reach a wider audience - catchy hooks can carry the band to bigger platforms.

Following The Ghost is out from Evil Speaker Records now

Middleman are on tour in March after an album release show at George Tavern, London on 21st February - a great little venue where the power of the music will be felt by all.

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity. 

The Shepherd and The Bear

Beautiful documentary on a dying occupation on the French-Spanish Border

Yves, is the elderly eponymous hero of the story. An ageing shepherd in the hills of the Pyrenees who is in the twilight of his career and life - the two are hand in hand. His life has been one of simplicity, but now being upended by an old foe. It could read like an old west narrative, and yet this is more of a tale of mortality. As it seems the bear of the title could very well be the death of him and his occupation.

This is a clash of order and chaos; the shepherds are the order of the land whilst the bears are the chaos - unabashed, unregulated. Yves and his community are pining for help amidst the clouds.

The clash of the old with the new; shepherds have their means of working the landscape whilst the introduction of an old method which was removed and now returned brings hardship to a traditional method. Coupled with an ageing work-force with little or no apprentices following in their footsteps, the younger generations having moved to urban landscapes. 

Yet for all the wide shots of misty mountains, sun-kissed hills and verdant forests, perhaps the most telling image is a close-up of the weathered lines on Yves’ face. They say every picture tells a story and you can see in the weathered face of Yves as he looks into another fire, the light upon his face shows the years worked and how the last embers of his being and belonging.

Visually arresting and ravishing in the cinematography by director Max Keegan and Clement Beauvois; they capture the natural world in all its beauty. This coupled with a delicate score by Amine Bouhafa evokes the passing of time mixed with an appraisal of tradition and community.

The Shepherd and The Bear is out from Conic Film on limited release from 6th February.

My thanks to them for the review opportunity.