Novelist Ruth Hogan was born and educated in Bedford, where she still lives with the latest in a long line of rescue dogs.
After graduating from Goldsmiths with a degree in English and Drama, a career in local government and an encounter with cancer, she wrote her first novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, which became a Sunday Times Bestseller and has been published all over the world.
Since then, she has written a further six novels and her books have sold over two million copies.
Her latest title, The Stray Dogs, has just been published, and Ruth will be at the Write By The River literary festival to talk about her career.
Name: Ruth Hogan
Occupation: Author
Born here or blow in? Bedford born and bred!
Best breakfast in Bedford? I’m not really a breakfast person so I don’t know…
Best boozer? Start the evening in The Wellington Arms – a classic backstreet boozer with great atmosphere and an impressive range of craft beers.
But then move on to Noble Rot with its quirky Baroque interior, vintage nightclub vibe and inimitable host – the wonderful Charlie!
Best coffee or cuppa? An oat milk latte from The Pavilion in Bedford Park. Great coffee and a beautiful view.
Best takeaway? I thought about lying for this one to make myself sound a bit more cosmopolitan – and I do like pizza, Indian, Thai and Chinese. But my favourite will always be just chips! So honestly it has to be my local chippy – Deniz Fish Bar on Park Road West.
Best gig you’ve seen in Bedford? James (Orchestral Tour) in Bedford Park in July 2024. I’ve been to so many of the brilliant Summer Sessions in Bedford Park, but this one literally took my breath away. It was astounding.
Ever read John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress? Yes, a long time ago at school. The only thing I can remember about it was The Slough of Despond.
I’m reminded of it every time I come across the Betjeman poem Slough.
Ever eaten a Bedfordshire Clanger? Not as far as I know. Unless it was served as a school dinner in the 60s and 70s!
An off-the-beaten-track gem that everyone should know about? Foster Hill Road Cemetery. It’s such a rich part of Bedford’s heritage and a beautiful place to walk in all seasons. It’s full of history and a haven for wildlife.
Best Bedfordian? An impossible question; there are far too many amazing Bedfordians to choose from.
But looking forward to the future rather than back to our history (and because I’m a huge test cricket fan), I’m giving a shout-out to Bedford-born Emilio Gay, who this summer took his place as opening batsman for the England Test Cricket Team.
Three words that best sum up Bedford? Full of potential
Ruth’s new book, The Stray Dogs, is out now.
Read: Book lovers assemble: new ‘Write By the River’ literary festival arrives in Bedford
It’s never too late for a fresh start – whether you’re on two legs or four…
When burnt-out city vet Leona Lennox moves to the market town of Fiddlers Green, determined to set up a dog rescue centre, recently divorced Desmond Leaks takes an instant shine to her and rashly promises to get his college band back together for some fundraising gigs.
After a disastrous first gig without their charismatic frontman Darcus McGuire, who doesn’t want to be found, and objections from the neighbours, the future of the rescue centre looks ever more uncertain.
But the residents of Fiddlers Green are not to be underestimated, particularly when the fates of their four-legged friends are at stake.
And meanwhile, the elusive Darcus McGuire might just be ready to make a comeback…
You can order a copy of The Stray Dogs at bookshop.org or grab one from Waterstones in Bedford.
