I’m delighted to announce that I’m working on a new book, set in Lissadell House, in 1913. It tells the story of Lily, a young girl who has to leave school and work for a living. While at Lissadell, she meets lots of new friends, including Maeve, daughter of Countess Markievicz.

I’ve been loving the research for this book. I’ve done lots of reading, but the highlight was a visit to Lissadell House. Eddie Walsh and Constance Cassidy generously allowed me access to their home, and shared lots of stories about the past.

I’m very enthusiastic about this book, and am looking forward to its publication in September.

Watch this space!

Hi everyone,

Sorry it’s been so long, but life seems busy these days, and the weeks are passing much too quickly.

Four weeks in, my resolutions for 2019 are going well.

I did my first hill-walk (15 km up and down Seefin), and I plan to do this as often as possible.

I’m eating less meat, and more vegetables – not really hard as I love the veggie meals from my Happy Pear books.

I’m saying ‘yes’ to everything I can, and I’ve booked a trip to the Bologna Book Festival with my friend, Sarah Webb.

Will update with book news in my next post

Judi xx

You’ve Got a Friend – out now!

Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a wonderful summer. It’s cold and wet in Limerick today, and the heatwave seems like it happened a very long time ago – so long ago that I can barely remember it!

Funnily enough, I can remember the summer of 1975 very well. That’s the year I used for You’ve Got a Friend, taking Molly and Beth back in time, to check out Molly’s dad’s past. That book came out this week, and I’m delighted to see it on the shelves. Now all I’ve got to do is plan book number 27 – no pressure!

I’m so happy to announce that my new book, You’ve Got a Friend, will be out this autumn. Once again, best friends Molly and Beth go back in time. This time they visit the 1970s, where Molly’s dad is having a difficult time. I don’t want to give away too many secrets, but I can say that my cat, Pablo, has a big part to play in the story.

Rachel Corcoran has done beautiful covers for this series, and this one is no exception – I LOVE it!

By now, I should be posting about how happy I am at the arrival of spring, but I’m afraid that The Beast From The East changed all that.

My home in Limerick was better than much of the country, but even so, we were snowed in for a few days over the weekend. Luckily I had stocked up with plenty of food, and a stack of books, so all was well.

I did some writing, and even found time to make a snowman. I think he looks quite impressive in the first photo, but I’m afraid the second one tells the truth! I suppose that in photographs, as in life, perspective is everything!