The Lemon Tree Forest: Why I Cut 40,000 Words to Create the "Director’s Cut"

Many of you have recently joined me on the coastal trails of the West Country with the launch of my new series, The Cornish Snapper. But while Lammoran and Hamilton are busy uncovering the grit and secrets of the modern shoreline, I have been back at the "sharp end" of the editing desk with a very different kind of story.

I am thrilled to announce that a newly reimagined and significantly tightened edition of my novel, The Lemon Tree Forest, is now live.

A Journey Reimagined

As a journalist, I’ve spent over 50 years learning that sometimes the best way to tell a story is to know exactly what to leave out. When I first released The Lemon Tree Forest, it was a sprawling, lyrical epic. And it was very much written from the heart because all of the locations concerned - and many of the people who inspired the characters in the novel - were real. I knew them.

However, I felt the "clash" between the descriptive beauty of the landscapes and the high-octane tension of the thriller elements needed resolving.

I have now completed a massive edit, cutting nearly 40,000 words from the original manuscript. The result is what I call the "Director’s Cut"—a version that is leaner, faster, and far more urgent.

From the Wilds of Exmoor to the Peaks of Switzerland

The heart of the story remains: a sweeping adventure of love, fear, and loyalty. It begins in the lesser known hills of Exmoor, in a crumbling manor house where Sebastian seeks a quiet life of rebuilding. But the past rarely arrives gently.

What follows is a sun-drenched romance on a Greek island and a reckless affair that eventually forces a desperate, heart-pounding escape across the mountains of Switzerland. At the centre of it all is Sasha—beautiful, complicated, and hunted by a powerful family who will stop at nothing to control her.

Why This Version?

In this new edition, the romance feels more immediate and the danger closer. By trimming the "ballast," the transitions between the lyrical atmosphere of the forest and the pulse-pounding action of the escape are now seamless. Whether you are a fan of international suspense or deep, atmospheric romance, this version has been crafted to keep you turning the pages.

How to Read the New Edition

I wanted to make this new version as accessible as possible for my digital readers. It is currently available as a Kindle ebook for just £1.99 — a perfect entry point for those who haven't yet ventured into the forest, or a fresh experience for those who remember the original.

Click here to find The Lemon Tree Forest on Amazon

Thank you for your continued support as I navigate this busy season of two very different launches. Whether you are following the investigative trail with the Snapper or escaping into the mountains with Sebastian and Sasha, I hope you enjoy the journey.

Author’s Note: If you enjoy the book, please consider leaving a brief review on Amazon. In the world of digital publishing, those small stars make a world of difference in helping new readers find the "Forest."

An imagined scene from The Lemon Tree Forest