Mai Griffin

Mai is a successful portrait painter who has worked professionally, as an artist, for over 70 years. Throughout her career, Mai has also written and edited work for others. Now writing under her own name, Mai is based on the Mediterranean, in Spain, near Javea, her stories are set near her UK home in Oxfordshire and Berkshire as well as Spain. Her artwork can be seen on www.maigriffin.com. You can find out more about her writing and the real ghostly events that inspired the fiction on www.maiwriting.com

Below are some of the first reviews:

Mr. R. A. Shadwell reviewed Haunting Shades of Grey (The ORIGINAL Shades of Grey Series Book 4) Another Original Shades of Grey 5 January 2014 - I just love Mai Griffin's stories. Once I start reading one of her books it is so difficult to put it down. The story interweaves storylines, brings in wonderful characters. Wonderful storytelling at its best. Can't wait for the next book in the series. High recommended.

E. Bamford reviewed Grey Masque of Death (The ORIGINAL Shades of Grey Series Book 3)

Grey Masque of Death 1 December 2013 - Mia is a very talented writer and artist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and once started I couldn't put it down. I loved the diverse characters and locations. I highly recommend Mia's work and I am looking forward to reading more.

SBC reviewed A Poisonous Shade of Grey (The Original Shades of Grey Series Book 2) More please 14 July 2013 When I read Mai's first book stayed up way past my bed-time to finish it and so couldn't wait to read the next one. That time I made sure I had plenty of day-time to read it and it didn't disappoint. I got caught up in the story straight away and read it in a couple of sittings; the only breaks were to fill my wine glass! I am an avid reader and usually I see the twists long before they arrive but Mai caught me out on this one. I have just downloaded number three onto my kindle and can't wait to get started; I think lunch can wait.

Mr. R. A. Shadwell reviewed Deadly Shades of Grey (The Original Shades of Grey Series Book 1 Mysterious 9 June 2012 What a great read this book is. It twists and turns with all sorts of sub plots bringing in the use of having 'the sight'. In fact difficult to put down. I can't wait to read the next one.

fontanasteve reviewed Deadly Shades of Grey - A great read 27 January 2012 I have known Mai Griffin as a painter and was introduced to her first book "Deadly Shades of Grey" only recently. I soon found myself engrossed in the world of art and the paranormal as Sarah Grey helps the police to find a missing child. Mai's writing style captivates and draws you in to the characters and the plot, gaining momentum as the story unfolds. I found it hard to put the book down and as soon as I had finished, was ordering the next book.

fontanasteve reviewed A Poisonous Shade of Grey - Edge of the seat reading 27 January 2012 I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the "Grey" series and couldn't wait to read the second. It didn't fail to deliver as I couldn't put it down! What will Sarah, Clarrie and Polly get up to next in their endeavours to help the living, and the dead, to achieve justice for all?

Sidney reviewed Grey Masque of Death - Grey Masque of Death 17 January 2011 The third in the Series and Mai Griffin is in form, this story is well crafted, for it keeps your attention from the first page and you find yourself wondering what is about to happen next. Whilst these books are capable of standing alone they are better kept as a Series for each one is enjoyable and the mystery just plays out with each suceeding volume.

Sidney reviewed A Poisonous Shade of Grey - A Poisonous Shade of Grey 17 January 2011 This book is the second in the 'Grey' Series which I also had the opportunity of reading. This Lady Author is very good and adept at writing for she keeps the story running so that it takes you on a very pleasing journey. You are also kept wondering.

Sidney reviewed Deadly Shades of Grey - Deadly Shades of Grey 17 January 2011 - I was offered the chance to read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it as Mai Griffin keeps the story, and the mystery, flowing. It can stand alone although it is best as part of the Series of which this book is the first.

Sidney reviewed Haunting Shades of Grey - Haunting Shades of Grey 17 January 2011 Haunting Shades of Grey is the latest addition to this Series with Mai Griffin excelling herself yet again. In this latest story Mai takes you on a journey of mystery and suspense with the skill of a Mistress of the written word, and keeps the mystery going to the end. Mai has again used her native tongue to very good effect and 'Haunting Shades' is an excellent partner to the previous books in this Series. It also interesting to note that this book, and the series, are set on the edges of recognisable locations in England and Spain.

Sean reviewed Deadly Shades of Grey - A gripping page-turner 28 June 2008 The creativity of some artists, it seems, just cannot be contained or constrained within the limits of one particular medium, and so it is with the nternationally-acclaimed painter, Mai Griffin. In the first of her series which introduces the Grey family, she has turned her artistic talent to the written word and proves as adept with her pen as she is with a paint brush. For widow Sarah Grey, who only wants to live a quiet life, being psychic is a cause of much anxiety and discomfort. However, she knows that to maintain her peace of mind and sanity she must force herself to respond to the messages that haunt her. Adding to Sarah's anxiety is the fact that her daughter, Clarrie, seems to have inherited the same psychic ability, a situation which could lead her into terrible danger. Deadly Shades of Grey is a well-crafted mystery/murder novel with a gripping and taut plot that has intriguing twists and turns. It is a good and thoroughly satisfying read. Although Book 1 is a stand-alone novel, I cannot wait to get hold of Book 2 to learn more about this interesting family and what happens to them.

Gaile U P Publications reviewed Deadly Shades of Grey - Publisher's Review! 29 December 2007 - As the Publishers, we sent out several review copies prior to publication. These are a few of the comments on this book that we received from our reviewers:- "I received the book at 5pm and started reading it that evening, I couldn't put it down and I certainly couldn't sleep, until I finished it at three in the morning!" "I usually read a book for five or ten minutes, last thing at night, before I go to sleep - I never have time to read in the day... but night after night, until I finished it, I found an hour had gone by, I was so absorbed..." "I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me gripped til the end... I cannot wait until Book Two" As publishers we feel that this book never loses momentum, every page is a cliff hanger and everyone who has read it has thoroughly enjoyed it... with Books Two and Three in the pipeline and already building a following, we are delighted we spotted Mai first!

About the Book -

Sarah, widow of artist Stephen Grey, is trying to live quietly with her daughter Clarrie... however, Sarah Grey is psychic. Even lightly touching an object can bring images of the past or present into her everyday life. Sometimes the psychic messages are so pressing that she has to communicate with the sender, especially when their emotions are strong... Now there is a child haunting Sarah and worse, Clarrie is unwittingly following in her mother's footsteps, receiving subconscious messages of her own, which are taking her into terrible danger... Through twisting and interwoven sub-plots, follow the Grey Family trying to stay balanced, sane...and safe.The first of a brand new series, featuring the Grey family, this is a mystery novel with a kick - This is a story of a family trying to find a way to live a normal life with a past and present that won't stop intruding; bringing death, despair, fear and maybe just a glimpse of hope, into their every day life. - Deadly Shades of Grey Inside Flap information follows - "Horrific things do sometimes happen. He cannot quite remember what happened to him, but he needs help. He knows it is important that he tells someone... so why will nobody listen? "The gate gaped wide, the faulty latch had stuck again! Where was Kate?... Kate had gone! Throwing open the door Ethel rushed out and down the path, panic-stricken, praying that her baby hadn't wandered into the road. Then, looking sideways over the low hedge, she saw Ozzy returning, holding Kate's hand bringing her back. Ethel sighed with relief and stopped to catch her breath as a car, scarcely noticed, flashed past the gateway ahead of her. There was no way she could have known how desperate she would soon be, to recall anything and everything about that fleeting moment!" ...This time Kate really has gone.

About the Author -

As a professional international artist, the author, Mai, has travelled the world painting portraits of Royalty, Heads of State and other prominent figures, over eighty of her paintings hang in Palaces, Government Offices, Embassies and Stately Homes. Google "Mai Griffin" and you will see many of her paintings and portraits. The Montgo, near Javea, Spain has been her home for the past twenty years and both the mountain and the town have featured in many of her landscapes and street scenes. Throughout her painting career, Mai has never stopped writing whether her own work or ghosting and editing for others, so she was delighted to discover that her latest book has been chosen to launch U P Publications Ltd's new Fiction List, in time for Christmas 2007 - Deadly Shades of Grey is the first of the Grey series and will be followed, closely, by A Poisonous Shade of Grey and Grey Masque of Death. Both are due to be released via U P Publications Ltd before Summer 2008 Although busy with her painting commissions and art exhibitions, Mai is hoping to release the fourth of the Grey series before Christmas 2008

Please note - This is the Publisher's Review - we hope you find it helpful - but you should note we are not impartial - we loved it so much we bought the rights!!