4 d. ago Author John Niven celebrates 20 years writing with comic Scots parenthood novel

Having already been a guitarist trying to reach the charts and then working for a major record label, John Niven has never been one to make a living from the everyday nine-to-five.

Culture

1 week ago ‘Like an academic’: private papers reveal John le Carré’s attention to detail

Exclusive: Oxford’s Bodleian libraries to put archive items on display for first time, celebrating spy author’s ‘tradecraft’The extent of John le Carré’s meticulous research and attention to detail are among insights into his working methods that will be revealed when the master of spy thrillers’ private archive goes on display for the first time this autumn.His classic cold war-era espionage novels have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and inspired acclaimed films and television adaptations.John le Carré: Tradecraft opens at the Weston library, Bodleian libraries, on 1 October, running until 6 April 2026. An accompanying book, Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré, will be released by Bodleian Library Publishing. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Calls for police to reopen Bible John investigation after claims of new evidence

There have been calls for Police Scotland to reopen the investigation into the Bible John murders by author Jill Bavin-Mizzi who says she has new evidence which could give them a breathrough in the 56 year old case.

Events

2 w. ago Calls for police to reopen Bible John murder probe following new evidence claims

There have been calls for Police Scotland to reopen the investigation into the Bible John murders by the author of a book on the case who says she has new evidence.

Events

2 w. ago Voices: Why it’s time Wonder Woman was allowed to live her bisexual truth

For the fifth year running, Wonder Woman has been excluded from DC Comics’ Pride anthology, writes Peter Tatchell. The superhero comic publisher’s failure to acknowledge the Amazon’s queer identity is straightwashing and shoves her to the back of the closet

Politics

3 w. ago Chilling theory explains why dead Brit backpacker Peter Falconio's body will never be found

Retired Aussie cop Colleen Gwynne has revealed why Peter Falconio's remains will never be found as author Robin Bowles says Bradley John Murdoch will make an 'explosive' death bed confession

Events

last month Graham Norton: ‘The Bell Jar changed how I felt about books’

The TV presenter and author on discovering the beauty of Charles Dickens and why John Fowles put him off writing for 30 yearsMy earliest reading memoryI started reading because I was wildly jealous of my sister Paula, who is four years older than me. I must have been six or seven when I managed to read The Mountain of Adventure by Enid Blyton. I know she is no longer in fashion but I still remember the thrill of the world she created and the excitement of the plot.My favourite book growing upI adored the Flambards series by KM Peyton, probably because it felt slightly adult and a little bit sexy, but my absolute favourites were Grimble and Grimble at Christmas by Clement Freud. They were anarchic and knowing, in a way I hadn’t encountered before but more than anything else they were very funny. It also introduced me to the inspired illustrations of Quentin Blake. Continue reading...

Politics