New book may be of interest

This is my book Cold Blood, published today. Part nature writing and part memoir, it tells the story of my childhood fascination with reptiles and amphibians, combining that story with observations about these animals in Britain now. One chapter was informed by an interview with Chris Davis about Sand Lizard reintroduction. At very least, I hope the book will raise public awareness of reptiles and amphibians a bit. It was reviewed in several of the papers last week, and will be a Radio 4 Book of the Week in July. 

ordered 

My copy has been dispatched 

I enjoyed it very much Richard; evocative, emotional and resonant of my own childhood visits to Studland, the Cumbrian coast and even to Hayes Common.  I hope it gets all the credit it deserves!

My book describes the Aesculapians as 'entirely harmless', so it can't be the source of the scare stories. There have been several press stories about them before, and they have been described in other books as well. As Will points out, the story seems to flare up at some point every year. But, still, if my book has stirred up a general interest in reptiles and amphibians, perhaps I do bear some responsibility. I hope that the effect will now be the emergence of more accurate information, and there is some sign that this is happening.