Welcome to my website. I’m thrilled to let you know that my latest novel, The Brittany Murders, is out now. It shot to 150th place – just outside the coveted top 100 ranking – in the Kindle charts, three days after it was released before Christmas 2023. And it’s in 68th place in the “cozy crime” category. A big thank you to all my readers for this.
I’m a British crime writer based in London and Paris, and am now moving away from my bestselling Norfolk police procedurals into “cosy” crime mysteries set in rural Brittany. I hope you enjoy the change of scene and the more relaxed stories featuring amateur sleuths Jennifer and Pippa in my favourite part of France.
The Brittany Murders kicks off the new series and puts the Brit into Brittany with riotous consequences. The series focuses on how the interests of Breton farmers, local villagers and foreigners collide, and this first book involves unexpected drama at a Christmas pantomime.
Two lovely author reviews are already in: Peter Conradi, the Paris-based Europe editor of the Sunday Times, describes the novel as “A murderous but enjoyable romp set in a Brittany village that skewers the ages-old antagonism between the French and the English. A really fun read.”
And the Brittany Murders is “fun, atmospheric … and deadly,” according to the award-winning author of The Best Medicine, Christine Hamill. “The Brittany Murders lives up to its lush retro cover: intrigue, political vendettas, personal rivalry, and plenty of tongue in cheek humour – this book has it all.”
You can check out details and reader reviews on my Books page here
My crime novels are all published by Joffe Books in ebooks and paperback versions. I’m having such fun writing this new series and I hope you enjoy reading The Brittany Murders. Please click on the Books page and on the rest of the site to find out more about my work.
My X (formerly Twitter) handle is @annepenketh
You can also follow my wanderings as @penkaroo on Instagram
Anne Penketh 
I read both your articles in the Guardian about your struggle with Alzheimers. I’m surprised you didn’t mention CHC funding. There are thousands of us trying to get it for our relatives with dementia. Please sign our petition and maybe think of writing another article for the Guardian. We need the publicity. Thankyou.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/238047
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Hi Karen, thanks for getting in touch. I did indeed mention it (although not in so many words) in yesterday’s piece but that was cut from the newspaper version. The online version is here on my site. I totally agree with you about how difficult it is to obtain CHC funding, and Mum is one of the thousands so far deprived of state help. I’m going to sign the petition right now.
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I just spotted your name on a Guardian article and realised I knew you as a child. Our parents were friends and holidayed in Cornwall. I have memories of long bike ride rides with you and picking up discarded flowers from the compost at the back of church yards! I lived in Sale. Now I live in Canada just east of Toronto. I’m a retired kindergarten teacher with 5 grandsons. My name when you knew me was Jillian Toose. Think we might have met once when we were at uni in London. Best wishes , Jill
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Hello Jill, thanks for getting in touch after all these years! I’m going to tell my parents straight away and will get in touch privately..
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Hi Jill, I am your aunts granddaughter from the Uk and I’m trying to get in contact with you. Thanks lisa
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Hello Lisa, I’ll pass on your message to Jill…how interesting that you found her here..
Anne
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Hi Penk!!
This is Marianne (ex CBC/NBC etc). Remember? I missed you on SKY News today but Rod said you were great. Would love to hear from you.
Love
Marianne
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Dear Anne Penketh I was very interested in your comments on tomorrow’s French elections on Sky News today. I shall certainly be looking out for your articles in the Guardian. I’m also looking forward to buying your crime novel from my local bookshop when I’m next back in the UK.
By the way, is your surname Lancastrian or Cumbrian? It’s obviously Celtic; “pen” or course means “head” as it does in Welsh and “keth” is a cognate of “coed” in Modern Welsh, means “woods”.
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Dear David, thanks for your comment, and indeed my last name is Celtic and the family hails from Lancashire, hence my accent too. I’ll be appearing again on Sky News from 5.30 UK time this afternoon. I hope you enjoy Murder on the Marsh, the next in the series is due out soon! all best, Anne
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more please
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Patience! Happy New Year, Bob
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Done! The Bad Sister is out today
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Thanks, Anne. Looking forward to reading it.
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Have a great New YEAR
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Great read cannot wait for the next one. Nice to add a new author to my list of murder mystery writers.
Nigel
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Thanks so much! Please tell your friends too!
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Hello Nigel, I hope you enjoy The Bad Sister, it’s out today
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Really enjoying “Murder on the Marsh”; plot, characters and setting all evocative.
When will the next one be out?
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Hello Bob, I’m delighted that you’re enjoying it. As soon as I finish the next one I’ll be sure to let readers know!
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I just finished Murder on the Marsh and really enjoyed the book. I like the “peek” into everyone’s life. There were enough characters to make the story engaging but not so many to be confusing. I really appreciate how a good writer can tell a story, make me feel like I’m there, then braid it together in the end.
My thanks and respect,
Karen
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Thanks, Karen, glad you liked it! I’m working on the next one now…
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Hello Karen, the next one in the series, The Bad Sister, is out today. I hope you enjoy it!
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