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Book Research

Thrombolites – Lake Clifton, Western Australia

January 22, 2019 By Paul

Thrombolites – Lake Clifton, Western Australia

After returning from a recent trip to Australia, I found myself busy sorting out the photographs into categories so that I can use them in my writing. I tend to use photographs in this way as they provide an excellent source of reference. On this particular journey, we had a fantastic opportunity to Living Stonesvisit the Thrombolites (Living Stones). Evidently, this is the only place on the planet where they can be found, and I can already see where they might feature in a future story. They are situated in a 20 km long lake at a place called Lake Clifton. Lake Clifton is in the Yalgorup Lakes National Park, less than half an hour’s drive south of Mandurah along Old Coast Road. The Thrombolites sit in shallow water along a 6km-long section of Lake Clifton’s eastern shoreline. They appear like giant stone footballs in the water where they multiply and attach to one another. By the way, if you do get the chance to visit the Thrombolites, there’s a beautiful winery complete with restaurant and music nearby. You can see more photos for my trip here.

Filed Under: Book Research Tagged With: Australia, Country, Location, Places, Towns

An Island Castle – St Michael’s Mount

January 22, 2019 By Paul

An Island Castle – St Michael’s MountMarazion looking over to St Michael's Mount

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, Cornwall, UK is a place that features in my Tacrem Adventure Series. It’s an island with a castle that is separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway. When the tide is out, you can walk over to the island over large cobbled stones and when the tide is in you can cross by small boat.

Writer Page of P Stretton-Stephens

It’s an interesting place that conjures up all sorts of ideas.

It is full of history and fascinating to wander around. I have many times, and it never ceases to amaze me. I believe that some films and TV channels have used it as a location, films such as Dracula, The Adventurer, and Twelfth Night.  The decor, displays, defences, and views are spectacular.

You can see a small collection of photos from my last visit here courtesy of my good lady wife. Click here for more details regarding St Michael’s Mount 

 

Filed Under: Book Research Tagged With: Castle, Cornwall, Island, Location, Places, St Michael's Mount

Valencia, Spain

January 22, 2019 By Paul

Valencia, Spain

Hello, I haven’t posted for a while, and that’s for a good reason. I’ve been researching locations, resources and writing my new thriller, and yes I’ve been writing a lot! But let me tell you about where I’ve been studying. I’ve chosen some scenes in my current writing project to take place in Valencia, Spain, a vibrant city full of architectural wonders, fascinating people, and exciting culture. Oh, and I nearly forgot lovely beaches and in March a super fiesta in Fallas!

Here’s a short montage of this wonderful city? I hope that you enjoy it?

 

Filed Under: Book Research Tagged With: City, Country, Places, Spain, Valencia

A La Ronde – A Quirky 18th-century sixteen-sided house

January 22, 2019 By Paul

A La Ronde – A Quirky 18th-century sixteen-sided house

I’ve just visited the most amazing house that has no less than sixteen sides. Yes, you heard sixteen sides. Here in the UK, it’s one of the national Trusts smallest properties on the outskirts of the seaside townThe 16 Sided House of Exmouth, Devon. While in the house listening to the guides enthusiastically conveying its history, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it had until quite recently been occupied. The sixteen sides give the appearance of a circular building which was designed for maximum light and the rooms arranged as per the times of the day, i.e. breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, reading room etc. It was originally designed and built by two wealthy spinster cousins. The house boasts some amazing interior décor which includes a shell gallery with a collection of approximately 25,000 shells, and a wall frieze made entirely of feathers.

I think that this would be a most intriguing venue for a murder mystery and the sixteen sided-house could be a great title ingredient for a book.

Let’s think about a couple of possible titles for a moment:

‘Murder in the Sixteen Sided-House’

‘The Sixteen Sided-House Scandal’

‘The Sixteen Sided-House Gang’

I’m sure that there could be many more titles created that feature this enchanting property that is set in lush green grounds.

If you get a chance, it’s well worth a visit, and you can learn more details about A La Ronde here.

 

Filed Under: Book Research, Inspiration Tagged With: Country, Devon, Exmouth, House, Location

A Silent Motorcycle

January 22, 2019 By Paul

Silent Motorcycles (Stealth Bikes)

I was moseying around for something pretty snazzy for my character to ride upon and I came across some fantastic motorcycles that are electric but with a difference. One of which has been developed for special forces it is silent and has a multi fuel capability.

Check these out:

Zero Bikes: Electric Motorcycles | SciTech Now

This first bike is being adopted by many law enforcement agencies and for good reason, it’s capabilities and it’s running costs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9NQaGq5Jak 

image source: http://bit.ly/2uq34gT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logos Technologies SilentHawk Hybrid-Electric Military Motorcycle (Flex-Fuel Motocross-Type)

This motorcycle has been specifically designed for the US Special Forces and the concept is fascinating.

Filed Under: Book Research Tagged With: Motorcycle, technology

Drones & Their Use

January 22, 2019 By Paul

Drones 

During the course of writing my latest project, a thriller I have some interesting objects to tell you about.  Firstly, I’ve been looking at adopting some modernistic products into the series. One area of my research has been Drone Technology. Now without giving away too much of the plot, I want to share with you how exciting this technology is, and how much it has developed in recent years.

It has amazed me how much drones can actually lift and what their range is? For example one Drone the DJI Matrice 600 can handle a maximum payload of 6kg and has a range of 5km. There are numerous models, and they each have their own characteristics. They are truly amazing. To learn more about these types of drones click here.

Then there are the micro-drones and one, in particular, the Lilly, looked impressive but failed to get funding for manufacture. But there are plenty of others around and their uses are astounding.

Image source: http://bit.ly/2joVWrZ 

Now if you’ve seen the movie ‘Eye in The Sky’ with Helen Mirren you will have seen the drone disguised as an insect. Yes, an insect. They can be that small, and they’re getting smaller all of the time. Of course, when written into a thriller plot they can be put to great use.

Image source: http://bit.ly/2vOxnxo 

Filed Under: Book Research Tagged With: Drones, technology

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  • Cover Reveal of Lethal Promise (Book #3 in The Jack Jago Series)
  • 5 Events to Feed Your Crime Fiction Habit
  • Traditional Publishing Versus Self-Publishing – The Debate Continues
  • Thrombolites – Lake Clifton, Western Australia
  • An Island Castle – St Michael’s Mount

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