A perfect Sunday with... A.A. Abbot
Gospel brunches, everyday stories of teenage psychopaths and Dad's Army
Every week, a top writer, artist, actor or creator reveals how they’d fill their perfect Sunday, sharing their favourite comfort reads, movies, food… anything that would make their weekend great.
Today, it's the turn of Lies Between Friends author, A.A. Abbott.
A.A's perfect Sunday… brunch
The best I’ve ever had was a Gospel Brunch served by the House of Blues in Disneyworld. Fantastic food (bourbon bread and butter pudding, anyone?), unlimited coffee, and a backdrop of stirring Gospel music. Praise the Lord, indeed!
Of course, back home, I’m looking for maximum flavour with minimal effort. A flaky pain au chocolate and mug of strong instant coffee does very nicely.
A.A's perfect Sunday… read
Before Katharine D’Souza decided to focus on editing, she wrote several witty novels about women navigating midlife maelstroms. Park Life is the one I turn to again and again. It features an unlikely friendship between a fortyish woman running from a bad marriage and an ambitious salesman who’s just had the shock of his life. There’s no romance between them, but it’s wonderful to see trust and affection building.
As a fangirl, I was delighted when Katharine agreed to edit my thrillers, which she does with firmness and flair.
A.A's perfect Sunday… comic
The Murder Club by Tony Cooper is an everyday story of teenage psychopaths. It’s perhaps not the most relaxing read, but when you’re through, you’ll never forget the schoolgirl with demonic eyes.
A.A's perfect Sunday... movie
For a feel-good film, it has to be any of the Bridget Jones series. Bridget’s scrapes are eyewateringly funny, brilliantly timed, and always a prelude to a happy ending. I especially enjoyed seeing the last one at the Everyman Cinema. Plush sofas, cake and a great movie – what’s not to like?
A.A's perfect Sunday... TV binge
I have sweet memories of watching Dad’s Army with my grandparents on Sundays. The war had ended thirty years before; they undoubtedly recalled those grim times, and the sitcom lessened the sting. It was a family event, with three generations clustered around the TV. I’d still get the giggles if you hissed, ‘Don’t tell him, Pike!’
A.A's perfect Sunday… podcast
Lee Benson interviews musicians, writers and poets every Sunday lunchtime on Black Country Radio Xtra. He’s also released the interviews as podcasts. They’re an introduction to quirky, interesting people you may never get the chance to meet in real life. I love the way a podcast brings them into your front room.
A.A's perfect Sunday… album
Alas, fame and fortune eluded West Country band Stackridge. They wrote hundreds of decent songs, though, eighteen of which are on the aptly titled Something for the Weekend.
A.A's perfect Sunday… treat
Getting up late, reading the papers, lounging around with the people you love – the best thing about Sunday is that you don’t need to be anywhere else. For a once-a-week treat, you can’t beat it.
LIES BETWEEN FRIENDS IS OUT NOW!
She can’t trust her husband. She can’t trust her friends. Can she trust herself?
Gail puts up with her toxic marriage. She accepts it’s the price of giving her kids a perfect childhood. Then her controlling husband is exposed as a fraudster, and her life falls apart.
A desperate Gail flounders to keep her family together. But she puts her faith in the wrong friends, and finds herself alone on a remote island with a killer. Can she escape, or will she never see her children again?
If you like simmering secrets, puzzling murder mysteries and resourceful women turning their lives around, you’ll love A.A. Abbott’s tense psychological thriller.
Bristol crime thriller writer A.A. Abbott (also known as Helen) chose her pen name to snag first place on your bookshelf. Like Gail in Lies Between Friends, she lives in the city’s beautiful Clifton district and loves the local coffee shops.
Helen’s books are available in ebook (via Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Borrowbox etc), hardback, paperback, large print and dyslexia-friendly Lexend font. ‘Bright Lies’ is also on Audible. Looking for a book club read? You’ll find discussion notes for book groups on her website.
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