I was delighted to discover this week (from one of my Birkbeck MA students) that The London Archives has a book group – an online discussion group that meets monthly – and that their chosen book this month is my novel The Fountain in the Forest! I hadn’t actually heard of The London Archives book group before, but it sounds really interesting. Their mission? To enjoy London literature with an archives twist. What’s not to like?

This month’s online meeting of The London Archives book group is on Wednesday 8 April, 6:00–7:30 pm.

Recent London Archives book group choices have included Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré, and The Lowlife by Alexander Baron among many others. So Fountain is in some great company.

Here’s their blurb:

The London Archives’ Book Group meets monthly to discuss literature, both fiction and non-fiction alike with a London theme. The group gains further insights through discussion about the book which is complemented by the use of historical documents from our collections.

The history and the people of London have always inspired writers, and the capital features in thousands of novels, history books, biographies and more. The books we enjoy can focus on any period in London’s history.w

Prior to the meeting, our London Archives’ team investigate the archives to discover original documents that relate to the book or the author. We meet virtually using ‘Zoom’ and details of how to join are sent out once you book your free place.

I should say that the event is not something I’ve set up or been involved with, which makes it all the more thrilling to hear about. Especially when The Fountain in the Forest is currently out of print, at least until the No Exit Press reissue which is scheduled for publication 3 December 2026. But nonetheless I continue to find it both wondrous and fascinating how books have lives of their own…

ICYMI my new novel Phantom at the Feast, which is the follow-up to The Fountain in The Forest, is published on 18 June 2026.

The London Archives book group — what a great idea. I wonder what archival materials they will find to complement and inform the discussion!

For more info, and to book a place, please visit The London Archives website…

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