It’s a rare non-fiction book for me today. My enormous thanks to S. C. Skillman and Philip Dean at Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of Sheila’s latest book A-Z of Warwick in return for an honest review.

I confess I am slightly concerned about featuring Sheila today and sharing my review. You see, last time Sheila appeared on the blog (here) with a guest post celebrating her book Paranormal Warwickshire we were just in the dreaded lockdown. This time, when I’d love to have checked out the contents of A-Z of Warwick in person, I have just recovered from a dramatic sprain to my right foot by falling out of the motorhome in August. I had one pain free week before losing an ill-advised battle with the bannisters in mid-November and injuring my other foot. Now I can’t walk or drive properly and am about to have that left foot operated on. So, I do wonder what will happen next time I have an S. C. Skillman book through my letterbox!

Published by Amberley on 15th November, A-Z of Warwick is available for purchase here.

A-Z of Warwick

The county town of Warwick is famous for its magnificent castle rising above the River Avon but there is much more to this historic town. Although many medieval houses were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1694, buildings from an earlier age can still be found, including its oldest hostelry, The Roebuck, and Lord Leycester Hospital.

Local historic characters include Warwick the Kingmaker, world champion boxer Randolph Turpin and socialite and campaigner Daisy, Countess of Warwick, as well as the ichthyosaur in the Market Hall Museum, and the town’s many events include a Victorian evening and annual folk festival.

A–Z of Warwick reveals the history behind the town, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with it. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Warwickshire town.

My Review of A-Z of Warwick

A comprehensive guide to Warwick.

A-Z of Warwick is a smashing book. I found it totally fascinating and it would make a perfect gift for anyone thinking of visiting Warwick, living there, or simply interested in a wide range of topics from medicine and gardening to geography to history. It’s such an interesting read and attractively illustrated with photographs in a very pleasing balance of text, image and white space.

I loved the way the book draws in the reader as they approach Warwick by road with reference to the Playbox Theatre and this theme acts as a unifying element as each of the alphabetically organised entries begins with a quotation from Shakespeare. Indeed, I found that these quotations gave extra life to the book as some come from less well known plays that made me want to return to Shakespeare himself.

It’s actually quite difficult to review A-Z of Warwick sensibly without spoiling the contents for others by repeating or revealing some of the details and facts found in the book – I wouldn’t previously have associated peacocks with Warwick, for example. Let’s just say that it is jam packed with interesting detail and reading it makes you want to visit Warwick immediately. The contents of A-Z of Warwick are engaging and eclectic.

Reading A-Z of Warwick made me simultaneously feel as if I’d discovered the town in detail and yet left me wanting to visit immediately and follow in S. C. Skillman’s footsteps. I’m very much looking forward to using this super travel book next year to find out more in person. Great stuff!

About S. C. Skillman

Sheila lives in Warwickshire, and writes psychological, paranormal and mystery fiction and non-fiction. She is a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.

She began her publishing journey with a duology of novels Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit. This was followed by a non-fiction book Perilous Path: a writer’s journey. Sheila is currently working on the second novel in a new gothic fiction series.

She posts twice weekly on her blog and she also gives author talks to local groups.

Sheila was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and studied English Literature at Lancaster University. Her first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later she lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to the UK.

She has now settled in Warwick with her husband and son, and her daughter is studying at university in Australia.

For more information you can follow Sheila on Twitter/X @scskillman or find her on Facebook or Instagram.