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From the author’s desk, April 2023

1 April, 2023 in From the author's desk

In answer to the often asked enquiry, I am happy to tell you that ‘Joy and Sorrow Unmasked – a story of Bath’, the third novel in The Westcott Chronicles, is progressing well: the first draft, with over sixty chapters and eighty thousand words, continues apace. Its Prologue describes the possible destruction of Chatham Row in 1972, whilst writing this I was  reminded of the prologue in my first book  and what Bathonians faced just over sixty years ago:

PROLOGUE

10.50pm Saturday April 25th 1942

 

Ernst Richter sensed the other nine Luftwaffe planes bank

and turn as he led them between the hills of the Limpley Stoke

valley. Flying in formation two thousand metres above the

meandering River Avon, the squadron of Junkers Ju 88s

followed the silver ribbon sparkling in the moonlight, guiding

them to the centre of Bath – Hitler’s immediate retaliation to

the Royal Air Force bombing Lubeck.

They were the first wave of a hundred and sixty German

bombers from France, loaded with more than three quarters

of a million kilograms of high explosives and incendiaries

destined for the city in the next six hours. The note written

below the two perforated aerial photographs of Bath, torn

from Richter’s target book simply stated: ‘Aim to the south

of the largest crescent shape housing block.’

 

Back to the future, and the objective of meeting the deadline of next Christmas for ‘Joy and Sorrow Unmasked’.

From the Noticeboard

June 2025 From the author’s desk…

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THE FAMILY ESTATE AND CLOGS ‘Happy New Year, Ian. But God it’s cold!’ John Mulholland, still clad in overcoat, scarf and gloves, had driven down on New Year’s Day and…

May 2025 From the author’s desk…

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A GOOD LUCH IN BATH SIXTY YEARS AGO… Mulholand had ordered a large brandy and looked around the tea shop. ‘Unusual place.’ ‘One of the oldest houses in Bath, dates…

Reviews

‘A great yarn. Douglas Westcott is a natural storyteller who very successfully weaves Bath’s history into a page turning tale.’

Michael Symons

“A colourful and richly textured story worthy of this unique city”

Matthew H. Jacobs – Hampton, New Hampshire USA

‘I love Westcott’s writing style and enjoyed this continuing saga enormously’

Stan Frith

‘As a Bathonian born and bred, I enjoyed reading these clever novels, particularly the historical detail of Bath – so successfully and accurately portrayed.’

Linda Turner

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