Jan Needle Reviews

Jan Needle has composed more than 50 books, in addition to plays for stage, radio and television. His thriller Kicking Off was serialized since Underbelly for TV, and lots of other people have been televised. He writes acclaimed naval fiction, and is now working on the next of a set of novellas established around Nelson's everyday life, in addition to thrillers.

His first book, Wild Wood - an 'alternative perspective' of Kenneth Grahame's masterpiece Wind in the Willows - was initially published for children, but is currently known as a comedy spanning every age range in a newly revised variant that enhances William Rushton's excellent illustrations. Toad is not the hero, however, the fatcat River Banker, spreading mayhem across the lush English countryside, and sparking a revolution one of the stoats, ferrets and weasels. It includes recipes for 'Toad in the Hole' along with a great country that is strong bitter!

Other early children's novels pushed the age-boundary as well, and move easily to the Young Adult group. Some of these, such as My Mate Shofiq along with The Bully, are broadly Regarded exceptional. Shofiq was runner-up for the Guardian Award, another for the Carnegie Medal, along with many others have been shortlisted for awards in a number of nations. Like the thrillers - Kicking Off, Death Order, Other People's Blood - that they can be pretty sporty, though others, such as Wagstaffe that the Wind-up Boy and The Size Spies, are funny visions.

Jan resides from the North of England and has five children and six boats. He plays with tin whistle mandola, ukulele and accordion. Regrettably, a pretty lousy singer.

Jan Needle Quality Chart