William Coles
When I’m not scratching away at my books, I occasionally write for the papers.
Last week, for instance, I witnessed one of the most dismal towns that I have ever visited in Britain: Blackburn, West Lothian.
Street after street of grey Sixties pebble-dash houses, and a handful of shops. God it’s depressing.
It’s the home of the Hairy Angel, Britain’s newest superstar Susan Boyle.
It’s coming up for the 35th anniversary of the day when Lord Lucan disappeared off the face of the earth.
The BBC has just made a documentary on the 7th Earl.You can see it here until November 1, 2009.
The BEEB also some new evidence. They have found a Harley Street plastic surgeon; the man who, in all probability, gave Lucan a new face before he fled to exile.
I have a small part in the documentary. Somehow, over the last four months, it would seem that I have become one of Britain’s leading experts on Lucan and the man behind the myth …
The world’s most expensive magazine - Hedge Fund magazine - commissioned a story from me on Lucan. Quite a big story - for me. Just over 3,000 words.
Click here if you’d like to have a peek …
Hedge magazine costs a very impressive £25 an issue. So please don’t trouble yourself to go out and buy a copy. Honestly …
A review - a fantastically kind review - for "Lord Lucan: My Story" in the Glasgow Herald.
Alastair Mabbott, I owe you one very large drink …
"A modest book from a small publisher, this fictionalised memoir of the missing Seventh Earl of Lucan punches well above its weight.
"With the runaway peer’s associates John Aspinall and James Goldsmith long dead, journalist William Coles is free to spin whatever tale he likes about Lucan’s disappearance without provoking a flurry of libel writs.
"He has set about his task with a mischievous glee which, combined with a pace that never slackens, is highly appealing."In this account of the events following the murder of Lucan’s children’s nanny, Aspinall is the loyal friend who finds the peer’s newly acquired fugitive status exciting and hides him in a luxury bunker beneath his mansion.
"Goldsmith, meanwhile, is depicted as a loathsome, Blofeld-like cad, dedicated to making Lucan’s life a misery as revenge for a schoolboy slight.
"It’s all completely fictitious, of course, but Coles is so engrossing and persuasive that you do sometimes have to keep reminding yourself that these aren’t the real Lucan’s words."
Alastair Mabbott
Bit of a story about Lord Lucan in the Sunday Telegraph today - followed by an interview with Sky TV. Bang in the middle of the deciding set at Wimbledon …
Slightly perturbed to see that, as a plinther (technical term for all the great and the good appearing on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square), I am being put in the same category as all the other nutters, odd-balls, eccentrics and barmy old coves who are appearing on the plinth.
With Sky TV, I did make the very slight point that although the plinth experience is going to be "wunnerful", I am in fact doing it to sell more books …Click here for the Sunday Telegraph link …
Meanwhile, the Lord Lucan web site is looking TERRIFIC! You wouldn’t believe it, but we’ve even unearthed Lord Lucan’s favourite recipe! It’s all there!
Occasionally in my alter ego as Bill Coles, journalist-of-note, I write stuff for the London papers.
The Express is my paper of choice. We have a fantastic mutual-admiration society.
Here’s a little piece I’ve done for them on Top Gear.
Next item: What my id does when he’s writing …
PS. The Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square, 4pm to 5pm on July 9. Lord Lucan will be making his first appearance in 35 years - and as for me, his humble editor, I’ll be buying ANYONE a drink afterwards. Have yet to decide precisely where. But should be from about 6-ish, after my plinth debrief.
A good friend has set up a website, the better to track down Lord Lucan.
Although only in its infancy, we have high hopes that Lord Lucan.org will soon be topping Google …
The definitive site, perhaps, for all things Lucan. x
Just to let you know that I’ve got a new book out. It’s called "Lord Lucan: My Story" - pretty much does what it says on the cover.
Just click here for the Amazon link
The Well-Tempered Clavier is also now out in the States - under the catchier title "Prelude". Not to mention a catchier cover. I’ve just been on America’s NPR radio to talk about Prelude’s theme: Illicit love.
All reviews and recommendations - not to mention sales - greatly appreciated!
What does The Well Tempered Clavier sound like?
Watch a short video about the book.