Scottish novelist Jenny Colgan is best known for heartwarming books that appeal primarily to women (though she's also been known to do a bit of sci-fi). With titles like The Cafe by the Sea, Little Beach Street Bakery, and The Bookshop on the Corner, her best-known books seem designed with one aim - to give the reader a warm, cosy space to spend a bit of time. They're not to everyone's taste, but there's no denying she's brightened up many a day. That's why we were so delighted for her when...
3 days ago • 2 min read
We have great news for the many people who've been asking about when the new Rebus adaptation will premiere in the US - a premiere date has been set! Based on Sir Ian Rankin's iconic Edinburgh-based detective series, it stars Richard Rankin as a younger version of John Rebus. The series kicks off when he's drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality. Rebus finds himself torn between protecting his...
7 days ago • 5 min read
Amazon is running their "Prime Big Deals" sale today and tomorrow, and while it really just sounds like an excuse for a sale, there are some legitimately great book deals. Some are exclusive to Prime members, but most are open to all. We've gone through to find the best British books included in the sale. Some sales are time limited, so remember the prices may change if you're reading this email much later than Monday evening. Last time, we focused only on the ebook deals because they tend to...
9 days ago • 10 min read
Over the last 10-12 years, it's become much easier to stream British TV in the US - but the influence of British TV on American (and worldwide) culture is nothing new. Virtually everyone knows the word "spam" has come to be mean "unsolicited electronic communication", but a lot of people won't realise British TV is responsible for that. Back in 1970, there was an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus called "Spam", and one of the sketches dealt with a restaurant where pretty much every dish...
10 days ago • 5 min read
Amazon is running a sort of mini-Prime Day next week, but as they gear up for the main event, they've teased some early book and e-book sales. Since it can be hard to find the deals on British books specifically, we put together this email to highlight some of the best ones on sale today (and possibly beyond, it's hard to know how long some sale prices will stay valid). A few are exclusive to Prime members, but most are open to all. Last time, we focused only on the ebook deals because they...
17 days ago • 8 min read
First off, thanks to everyone who sent in messages about the typo on Tim Curry's name in the last email. I hope most people knew what I meant, but just in case you didn't, that was meant to say "Tim Curry" in Rocky Horror Picture Show - not Tim Surry (who Google tells me is a chartered surveyor in London). If you're a fan of Mr. Curry, we have a few more streaming recommendations for you: Clue - Though the film is American, it's based on the real-life board game which is very much an English...
17 days ago • 5 min read
By now, virtually everyone in the English-speaking world will have heard the terribly sad news about the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Celebrity tributes have been pouring in, and even King Charles had kind words to share: "My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances and her warmth and wit...
19 days ago • 4 min read
Historical fiction authors don't have it easy. Aside from writing a great story with complex characters and enough dramatic tension to keep you hooked from beginning to end...they have to make sure every last detail is historically accurate. When you're trying to bring that kind of vision to television, it gets even harder - because every choice is limited by reality. Things like budgets and prop availability get in the way of the truth. Just ask author and TV writer Anthony Horowitz. Despite...
21 days ago • 3 min read
This email will be a bit shorter than usual, but considering the number of messages we get on this topic, I'm guessing many of you will be as excited about it as we were... Shakespeare & Hathaway is returning for series 5! We'd been hearing rumours for a while, but it was officially confirmed by the BBC this morning. Filming is in progress now, and you can read everything we know so far HERE. Need to check on the status of other British TV shows? You can check our status update database HERE....
23 days ago • 4 min read