I'm a big fan of columnist and author India Knight (aren't we all) and so it's a thrill to get her stamp of approval for OUR HOUSE in the Sunday Times. What a coup! (I shall look out for that summer duvet, too...)

It's still a few months till OUR HOUSE launches in the US, but there's already the beginnings of a buzz from across the pond. I'm thrilled that the book is one of Good Housekeeping's 25 Best New Books for Summer 2018 - what a start!

When authors say how chuffed they are at their good reviews, what they really mean is they're weeping into their pillows over the outlier, the beastly one that proclaims their masterwork 'nothing special' (I have not plucked that phrase from nowhere, oh no). So, three weeks in, I will say that I am overjoyed by MOST of the response to OUR HOUSE, because MOST people seem to be very intelligent and discerning indeed. I'd love you to judge for yourself and you can find the £12.99 hardback at a bargain £5 in Tesco. Also, of course, via the mighty Amazon. Happy reading!

As a longtime listener to BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour (and a big radio fan generally - oh, and a 'Frasier' obsessive), I achieved a career ambition yesterday when I was invited on the show to talk about 'Our House' and property obsession. It was fascinating to see Jane Garvey and her team at work - she is exactly as whip-smart and laugh-out-loud funny as you'd expect. I had to remind myself to focus on the interview and not gaze around the studio, drinking in every physical detail. A joy. Thank you, Woman's Hour and long may you reign!

It's a tall order, choosing your favourite houses (or in some cases streets) in fiction, but that's what Waterstones asked me to do for their Book Blog. Friends and followers will know I would of course pick Brideshead, but what are the others?

The OUR HOUSE blog tour kicks off today at From First Page to Last , otherwise known as book lover and word-spreader Janet Emson. I really enjoyed Janet's questions about the book - oh, and am always looking for an opportunity to mention Roger Federer! 

We have launched! Our House is now out there, destination unknown. Though this is my twelfth book, it was my first ever launch party, so you can imagine my joy when I discovered the venue was to be the oldest and most atmospheric bookshop in the UK, Hatchards of Piccadilly (1797, to save you looking it up). The beautiful third floor was full of friends and colleagues and journalists and bloggers and Other Authors. Just perfect.
When I got back home, maybe stumbling just a bit, I found there’d been a (non-fatal) stabbing in the next street and there was police tape everywhere, but as the cover of Our House so powerfully illustrates, there’s dark and light in every neighbourhood...
Thank you to the dream team at Simon & Schuster (UK) for giving me the most joyous Publication Day. I couldn't have written it better myself.

So, I'll be raising hell and throwing TVs out of hotel room windows from April 9th... Not really, it's the OUR HOUSE blog tour and it will be a civilised (and hopefully interesting) affair. Come join!