Author Archives: tthurai

Self-publishing? Take a tip from Leicester

Posted on May 12, 2016 by tthurai

On the same day that Leicester celebrated its Premier League win, the city also hosted Matador’s annual self-publishing conference. A tenuous connection? Perhaps. But there are similarities between the trials of the football team and the tribulations of the self-publisher. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, publishing, self-publishing, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Canterbury Tale: sudden death and a hint of poison

Posted on March 19, 2016 by tthurai

At the east end of Canterbury Cathedral is a mysterious tomb. Placed awkwardly between two pillars, it lies in one of the Cathedral’s most prestigious burial sites, the Trinity Chapel, formerly the location of Becket’s shrine. This unadorned tomb is … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, Exiles, History, Huguenots, Odet de Coligny | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Devil’s Advocate? Witches vs The Law

Posted on October 28, 2015 by tthurai

What images are conjured up by the word ‘witch’? Hags silhouetted against the night-sky performing aerial acrobatics on broomsticks or brewing strange potions in a cauldron? Strange old ladies accompanied by black cats? Or children with black pointed hats and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, History, Law, Myth, Witches | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Procrastination? 10 Ways to Spot the Signs

Posted on March 3, 2015 by tthurai

I confess. I’ve been avoiding it. Returning to the section of my novel which I put aside a couple of years ago and to which I must return if I am going to finish the book. Why has this taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Venice’s Palazzi: Jewels of the Grand Canal

Posted on February 23, 2015 by tthurai

Beyond the Bridge of Sighs! The Ponte della Paglia is often crowded At Carnival and in summer, Venice is submerged. But not by the green waters of the lagoon. St Mark’s Square, the Rialto and the main shopping streets are … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Italy, Travel, Venice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Murder, Martyrdom and the Quest for Bones

Posted on December 29, 2014 by tthurai

As the sun was setting late in December, four armed men strode through the Cathedral precincts determined to arrest one of the country’s most powerful men – or, at least, teach him a lesson. They had probably been drinking and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, Cathedrals, History, King Henry II, Plantagenets, Rochester, St Thomas Becket, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Independence to Exile: The Extraordinary Story of Sir Oliver Goonetilleke (Part 3)

Posted on December 8, 2014 by tthurai

Life in Exile Nine years of researching the background to my novel The Devil Dancers introduced me to some fascinating historical characters. One of the most remarkable was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, one of the key architects of Ceylon’s Independence and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceylon, Exiles, History, Independence, Sir John Kotelawala, Sri Lanka | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Independence to Exile: The Extraordinary Story of Sir Oliver Goonetilleke (Part 2)

Posted on December 8, 2014 by tthurai

From Dawn to Dusk Nine years of researching the background to my novel The Devil Dancers introduced me to some fascinating historical characters. One of the most remarkable was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, one of the key architects of Ceylon’s Independence … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceylon, History, Independence, Sir John Kotelawala, Sri Lanka | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Independence to Exile: The Extraordinary Story of Sir Oliver Goonetilleke (Part 1)

Posted on December 8, 2014 by tthurai

The Road to Independence Nine years of researching the background to my novel The Devil Dancers introduced me to some fascinating historical characters. One of the most remarkable was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, one of the key architects of Ceylon’s Independence … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceylon, Exiles, History, Independence, Sri Lanka, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Richard III’s mysterious son

Posted on December 3, 2014 by tthurai

The discovery of King Richard III’s remains in a Leicester car-park has had many repercussions. Most recently, DNA tests have revealed ‘false paternity’ on Richard’s male side. This is explained by an act of infidelity by one of Richard’s ancestors. … Continue reading →

Posted in Al Pacino, History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment