Funerals

I'm hard at work on the second Jack Nightingale book (might be called Midnight, might be called Nightmare) and as always the research is more interesting than the writing. I'm trying to find out how to summon devils, and I'm looking at funerals too. Just got a list of the ten most popular pop songs played at funerals. Well over half of the funerals in the UK now feature pop music as the last song played and a lot of the clergy aren't happy about it!

Anyway, here's the list, in reverse order:

10 "Unforgettable" Nat King Cole
09 "You'll Never Walk Alone" Gerry & The Pacemakers
08 "I Will Always Love You" Whitney Houston
07 "My Heart Will Go On" Celine Dion
06 "You Raise Me Up" Westlife/Boyzone/Josh Grobin
05 "Over The Rainbow" Eva Cassidy
04 "Angels" Robbie Williams
03 "Time To Say Goodbye" Sarah Brightman/Andrea Bocelli
02 "Wind Beneath My Wings" Bette Midler/Celine Dion
01 "My Way" Frank Sinatra/Shirley Bassey

Private Dancer In Estonian

Private Dancer has been translated into Estonian! How cool is that? It's already been released in French, German, Hunagrian, Latvian and Swedish. I'm sort of working on a sequel, provisionally to be called Another Private Dancer.

Big Rain In Bangkok

The view from my balcony today!

Changi Airport In Singapore

I was in Singapore yesterday and saw my books on display at Changi Airport, which made me feel good. Most of the books on sale were Private Dancer and Confessions Of A Bangkok Private Eye, published by my mate Phil Tatham of Monsoon Books.

Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world and it puts Heathrow Terminal Three to shame. It's efficient, never crowded, and everyone who works there - from sales people to immigration officials - are pleasant, friendly and polite. I fly a lot and I am always impressed with Changi Airport and disgusted with Heathrow Terminal Three.

Money In Iraq

Yet another scam email - this time from Iraq of all places!

From Sgt. Eric Richardson Frawley.
Email: sgtericfrawleyinfo@latinmail.com

Good Friend,

This is Sgt. Eric Frawley of the US 3rd Infantry Division in Kalsu South West of Iskandariya of Iraq. I will like to share some very vital information that would bring some good financial returns to us in just a few weeks or days depending on how fast we pursue the matter.

I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $25.7m to your safe custody, as long
as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here.

Confirm this on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

This may not be the best medium to make this kind of contact because of the numerous
scam offers transmitted through the Internet, but it is all I have access to for now.

I will be very grateful if you can give me the opportunity to discuss this matter with you by assuring me that you will not use any part of it against me in anyway, I hope you Understand my limitations here. I will await a mail from you.

Sincere Regards,
Eric Frawley

A Shelf To Myself In Bangkok's Kinokuniya Store!

I went into the Kinokuniya bookstore in Bangkok yesterday and saw that they had given my books a shelf of their own. Brilliant!