The cover for my latest novel, The Thistlewood Curse, was designed by my wife Zara, derived from an image taken by her photographer mother, Frances Belsham. Frances’s original image showed a rugged Lundy cliff-face overlooking the Bristol Channel. Zara took this image, and made it appear as though the island itself were bleeding.

I particularly liked this visual concept for multiple reasons. Firstly, it speaks of the initial death which puts the main plot in motion. Also, on a metaphorical level it hints at the dark, brutal, secret history gradually uncovered in the story, as well as the bloodbath that ensues in the finale.

I cannot say too much more, for fear of spoilers, but needless to say I am very pleased with the result. This is the first cover Zara has prepared for me, and I expect it will not be the last. Incidentally, she also designed my current blog header and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

Here is the blurb from the back of The Thistlewood Curse:

From the author of Children of the Folded Valley and The Birds Began to Sing…

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

You can download or buy print copies of The Thistlewood Curse from Amazon here.