The second novel by Anya Lipska, left, was published on Thursday, and Wansteadium is delighted to be publishing an exclusive extract. Death Can’t Take a Joke sees the return of private investigator Janusz Kiszka and ambitious detective Natalie Kershaw, who were introduced in Lipska’s acclaimed debut Where the Devil Can’t Go. The book is set largely in and around Walthamstow – and Hollow Ponds in particular. Wanstead (Lipska’s home) also appears.
We’re also delighted to announce that Anya Lipska will be reading from the book and discussing it at a Wansteadium event at the Larder next Thursday night, 3 April, from 7pm. Entry is free.
But for now read on. In this chapter, Janusz Kiszka is at the Walthamstow home of a close friend who’s been murdered when a mysterious woman turns up to lay flowers. Note: Contains strong language. In both English and Polish.
Janusz gazed out of the bay window that framed the tiny front garden and flower-strewn wall like a tableau. Through the half-closed slats of the blinds a young woman came into view, slowing to a halt in front of the wall. She stooped to lay something, and he saw her lips moving, as though in silent prayer. There was something about her that caught his attention. It wasn’t just that, even half-obscured, she was strikingly beautiful; it was the powerful impression that the sadness on her face and in the slope of her shoulders seemed more profound – more personal – than might be expected from a neighbour or casual acquaintance of the dead man.
‘Basia,’ he growled in an undertone. ‘Do you recognise that girl?’
Basia frowned out through the blinds, shook her head. Outside, the girl bent her head in a respectful gesture, crossed herself twice, and turned to leave.
Driven by some instinct he couldn’t explain, Janusz leapt up from the sofa and, telling Basia that he’d phone to check on Marika later, let himself out of the front door. The girl had nestled a new bouquet among the other offerings, but her expensive-looking hand-tied bunch of cream calla lilies and vivid blue hyacinths stood out from the surrounding cellophane-sheafed blooms. After checking that there was no accompanying note or card, he scanned up and down the street. Empty. Crossing to the other side of the road, he was rewarded by the sight of the girl’s slender figure a hundred metres away, walking towards the centre of Walthamstow.
Continue reading “Exclusive: The return of Kiszka and Kershaw”
The hottest rumour doing the rounds – and one which Wansteadium has quite a good source for – is that the vacant Santa Fe shop may soon become a fishmongers. This is always one of the most-desired options on this website whenever the subject of vacant shops comes up, but may now be coming true. It’s just a rumour at this stage, and we will attempt to verify. (We thought you’d like to know, nonetheless.)
A brief public service announcement: the Wanstead Comedy Night returns on Thursday 27 March at Wanstead Golf Club with a particularly promising line-up. It includes Holly Walsh (left) who has appeared on Mock the Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The News Quiz, and headliner Nick Doody whose act has been described as “simply the best unadulterated, gimmick-free hour of pure stand-up”. Tickets are £10. Doors open at 8pm and the show runs from 8.45 until 11pm. Contact organiser Jon Fentiman to reserve tickets on 07950 759587.
But time is tight – once the council does its annual weedkilling rounds in early April, hopes of planting anything successfully will shrivel up and die. So there are some easy steps: