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Crow Moon by Suzie Aspley#Extract #Giveaway #AMarthaStrangewaysInvestigationBook1

  I am delighted to introduce the first in a new series by debut writer, Suzie Aspley . The atmospheric thriller, Crow Moon was published by Orenda on March 14th. Today I have an extract for you to read and the chance to win a print copy of Crow Moon . Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post. When the crow moon rises, the darkness is unleashed… Martha Strangeways is struggling to find purpose in her life, after giving up her career as an investigative reporter when her young twins died in a house fire. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, her life changes when she stumbles across the body of a missing teenager – a tragedy that turns even more sinister when a poem about crows is discovered inked onto his back... When another teenager goes missing in the remote landscape, Martha is drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, as malevolent rumours begin to spread and paranoia grows. As darkness descends on the village of Strathbran, it soon becomes

Play: Into The Woods


Performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and directed by Matthew Xia. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine








Into The Woods was a tapestry of  well known fairytales, woven into a single ‘Once upon a Time ‘ story where hopes and wishes came true- but only for the first Act. As it continued past the interval, it seemed that getting your heart’s desire did not turn out to be all that was wished for and happy ever after went astray. I loved it. 


As the story goes, once upon a time, Cinderella, Jack (and the Beanstalk), Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel were all in the forest, all on their own journeys. Their paths crossed with the Baker and his wife and the witch. Watching the play, it seemed that good and bad, selfishness and selflessness existed in different measures in both of the characters. The Baker and his wife had been cursed with childlessness. On the promise of the witch, that she would lift the curse if they brought her certain objects, i.e.  a red cloak, cornflower yellow hair, a golden slipper and a milky-white cow,  they ventured into the woods, and into each of the fairy tales in turn.



The play had wit and humour, both in the lyrics and the score and also through elements of the staging. The audience applauded the emergence of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf. The puppetry of the milky white cow was clever and effective. Having a live orchestra added to the production's dynamic feel.




The mood changed with the post modern world of Act 2, as the reality of living happily ever after came to light. The atmosphere darkened. The Giant, voiced by Maxine Peake, cast about indiscriminately over the little people below. I would say that even though the production was three hours in duration, the pace and energy never flagged. 

In short: a clever staging where adult life intruded into the fairy tale dream.
  






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