Richard Hooton

I’m thrilled to share that #TheMargaretCode has been longlisted for a Crime Writers Association award. It’s an honour to be named among such fantastic authors & novels. Thank you to my publishers Little Brown, agent Sam Copeland & everyone who has supported my debut novel.

Someone doesn’t like their new bonnet.

It’s that time of year when I reach for a book by @naomikelsey.bsky.social Is the sinister globe that Beatrice’s husband brings into their household behind a series of tragic events? The Darkening Globe is hauntingly atmospheric & full of rich Elizabethan-period detail & unexpected twists.

From Shameless to Shakespeare, David Threlfall is an outstanding, complex King Lear on his return to the Royal Exchange Theatre after 27 years. The stage design is superb in a slick, modern, Succession-style setting that creates a sinister atmosphere.

I’m looking forward to reading French Toast by Colin Collier, especially after enjoying his debut novel Like Chalk & Cheese. It’s the second in the series & I can’t wait to catch up with the eclectic characters. Also humbled by being mentioned in the acknowledgments - thanks Colin ☺️

A 1980s British setting updates Othello in an intense production at Home Manchester. The Falklands War, 80s music hits & TV cameras bring a fresh twist on image, identity & perception to Shakespeare’s tragedy. Maanuv Thiara is outstanding as Iago, both devious & charming.

Are you ready for Celebrity Traitors? Manchester certainly is with this mural to celebrate the show. Each portrait will be removed one at a time. Who will be first to go?

The immersive new stage version of Mrs Dalloway at Home Manchester was a creative mix of styles It fused theatre, live music & film to plunge the audience into the heart of Virginia Woolf's novel Writer & performer Kit Green embodied all the characters & gave funny interludes to lighten the mood

Mossley has its very own beach - kind of! A scenic area of land by the River Tame it shows up on maps as Mossley Beach as if it’s a holiday hotspot 🏖️

Tremendous acting from real-life mother & daughter Christine & Lois Mackie powers the gripping play Iron Vulnerable & raw performances as Fay & Josie - a prison lifer being visited by her daughter for the first time in 15 years Cleverly written & tense & moving production at Home Manchester

When the first song is the magnificent ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ you know it’s going to be a great gig. The Clone Roses were spot on at Holmfirth Picturedrome last night - & the songs were as good as ever. The Cortinas also went down a storm - though they’re not 19 forever.

Reviews for The Margaret Code are continuing to drop in - & I’m very grateful for them 😁 Here’s what the latest reader had to say in a 5-star review 🤩 Thank you for taking the time to post it 🙏

Happy 5th Birthday to The Vale 🥳 Bologna Bridge Brand added some Italian flair to their brass for the main event 🎺🎷🥁 A fab, high-energy band to get the party rocking

I feel this film isn’t getting the attention it deserves. The Incomer is funny, emotional, quirky, twisty & thought-provoking with folk-tale influences. It’s this year’s The Ballad of Wallis Island.

My 5th year at Laughterama comedy festival at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl & another great show last night. Hilarious sets from Jack Dee, Red Richardson, Jen Nolan, Stephen Bailey & Rachel Fairburn. Jack even sang an informative ditty about paracetamol 🎸

The Manchester Odyssey on display at John Rylands Library is the oldest surviving book of Homer’s classic. Using my extensive knowledge of Ancient Greek I can confirm it’s exactly the same as Christopher Nolan’s script! 🤔 It’s incredible to think it’s survived for 1,700 years.

Special treat with a circus-themed 6 course menu at Six by Nico Imaginative & fun dishes & all delicious! ‘Where is the Clown?’ disguised duck liver parfait as a red nose, ‘the great popcorn parade’ featured an ice cream sweetcorn lollipop & ‘the fearless flame eater’ dessert was chocolatey amazing

A woman left with locked-in syndrome after a car crash can hear but is unable to respond as the reasons behind her accident unfold & her life comes under threat It’s the brilliant & terrifying premise of The Voices by Natalie Chandler, a psychological thriller that maintains the tension throughout

Inflatable portraits of famous Mancunians by local artist Stanley Chow are suspended above the shops in Manchester Arndale. But can you name them?

Enjoyed a special treat with an afternoon tea with a difference at On The Hush Rather than sandwiches & scones, it included a choice of mini burgers, eggs hollandaise, chicken wings & others - & of course a selection of cakes It’s a vibrant independent venue in Manchester’s arty Northern Quarter

We’ve all had days like this when you’re just stuck! Luckily there’s a weird fella in a hat to make fun of it. These sculptures in Ashton-under-Lyne of a coal miner & urchin were created by Peter Walker as a nod to the town’s history & to raise a smile 😀

Great to see fab new businesses like Peony & Parchment opening in Ashton. The independent cafe is also a bookshop, florist & community space bringing together brunch, books & blooms. Grab a read while enjoying tasty treats in a cosy atmosphere.

Delightfully daffy ducklings darting down drifting drafts.

Making a brew - Chinese style. Enjoyed the Art of Chinese Tea Event by Floriental at Factory International. Included learning about & sampling varieties of Chinese loose-leaf tea & tasting in a meditative way.

I have exercised my democratic rights by casting my vote in the GM Mayoral election. Using the Supplementary Vote system this time - ooh fancy! Also met these 2 lovely pooches who were performing the role of dogs at polling station. Hope everyone eligible voted.

The Odyssey is stunning Captivating & imaginative in its vision & reinvention of the epic myths, unearthing modern themes on the cost of war Amazing cast: Spiderman, Batman, Catwoman & The Martian are all fantastic Scriptwriter Homer is also one to look out for Which is best of these Trojan horses?

The Stalybridge Comedy Weekender was a bargain - 4 top comedians splitting sides for just £20. Enjoyed the Saturday afternoon show at the scenic Victoria Market Hall hosted by Phil Ellis with Josh Pugh, Justin Moorhouse & Lucy Beaumont. As Cilla would say there were a lorra lorra laughs.

It’s a blessing to be able to enjoy a scenic walk alongside the cooling waters of a canal during this increasingly hot summer. Mossley has wonderful views right on our doorstep.

Fun Home at @rxtheatre.bsky.social is the very essence of bittersweet. The Tony Award-winning musical balances humour & emotion beautifully in a tragic coming-of-age story about growing up & coming out. It combines a clever & witty script with poignant performances.

An array of impressive art across a range of mediums is on display in the Manchester Open. It’s a celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent from first-time artists to established professionals, aged from 4 to 80. It’s free to view at Home Manchester until 6 Sept.

Artist & activist Ai Weiwei’s Button Up! exhibition at Factory International is a fascinating & spectacular sight that inhabits all of the vast warehouse space. Incredible detail: flags made from millions of buttons, History Of Bombs made from Lego & a 47m long inflatable migrant boat.

Manchester, music & murder - The Wrong Man by Chris McDonald is a fast-paced, gritty page-turner. PI Ethan Adler takes on his first case, the sad demise of a young rock star, while the suspicious death of his wife hangs over him. Great characters & sidekick Amelia is a tech-savvy revelation.

Spotted the DeLorean in Manchester. Took a trip back to 1984 but TBH it wasn’t as good a year as I remember 🤔

Haunting is how I’d describe The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor at Factory International. A mix of Sinéad’s narration from her memoir that’s poetical & dance set to her music performed by 10 women with 500 years of collective wisdom & experience. It captures her defiance, passion & spirit

Love the paintings by talented artist @chriscyprusart.bsky.social that are displayed throughout Mossley. His vibrant, colourful art brightens up the streets & captures the spirit, identity & history of the town.

Couldn’t help but admire this horse’s hairstyle. It’s the mane event.

Can’t say I’ve read the Enid Blyton books - I don’t think I’m their target market - but I enjoyed the musical of Malory Towers at Home Manchester. A witty & clever production, as always from Emma Rice’s Company, with many lessons to be learned on girl power.

Like Chalk and Cheese by Colin Collier is a flowing, fun read full of intrigue. Set in the 90s, it follows global pop star Michael & his estranged siblings Jake & Alice as their paths cross again. It features romance, deceit & betrayal & focuses on relationships, sibling rivalry & music.

Find a penny, pick it up … I’ve no idea why these giant penny coins are in the beer garden of a pub on the Mossley border but I like them. Just not sure I’d be able to lift enough up to pay for a pint.

It’s great to see a film shot in Manchester for a change like Finding Emily. While you know where it’s going, the journey is fun & sweet & spotting all the iconic places is as entertaining as the plot. And Phil Wang’s Mancunian accent is bob on.

I know next to nothing about dance but have somehow seen several Hofesh Shechter shows & been fascinated by them all. His latest In Your Brain at Home Manchester was as hypnotic & rhythmic as usual - part rave, part ritual. Amazing music & dancing from frenetic to languid.