Murder & Mayhem Bookshop - Hay-On-Wye

Kym and I travelled to Hay-On-Wye to accompany Robin Odell (author of Exhumation of a Murder: the Life and Trial of Major Armstrong) for a book signing at the atmospheric Murder & Mayhem Bookshop, where there is an excellent selection of titles by masters such as Dennis Wheatley, Sax Rohmer, Bram Stoker, and Robin Odell. Robin was fresh from his lecture to the History of Medicine Society of Wales. Due to a booking mishap, it was relocated from Hay to Builth Wells! Even so there was a steady stream of interested customers and connoisseurs of the genre - some of whom, are shown in the photo: From left to right, Robin Odell, Anne & (sitting) Derek Addyman, owners of Murder & Mayhem Bookshop, plus Addyman Books across the street, and the Addyman Annexe in Castle Street, which has a small esoterica section, Robin Odell's partner 'Non', and holding glasses of wine are two lovely ladies, Joan & Friend. Thank you ; )

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If you are interested in books then Hay-On-Wye is a cool place with a buzz to visit. A stop at the Murder and Mayhem Bookshop is a must for fans of murder and mystery books. You might have to dig around a bit to find the esoterica - but that's the fun. Do check out The Addyman Annexe for that. We stayed up the road in Hereford and were directed to the Rose Garden pub just north of the Roman road in Munstone. The beer was excellent - Flowers IPA and the home made food really was just that. The atmosphere definitely improved when they turned off the canned music. In Hay we had another lovely pint, Old Black Lion Ale at the Black Lion in Lion Street - Major Armstrong's 'local' so they say - although not too local as his wife didn't like him drinking! The food there was also really good. The cafe opposite the clock tower is very user friendly - newspapers, real coffee and wall to wall cyclists. Without being too personal - many looked to be very fit pensioners - which is obviously a trend - so next time you are mowed down on the pavement - you'll know who to blame ; )