Ask the Author: Rachel Abbott
Answered Questions (24)
Rachel Abbott
Thanks Brian. The Goodreads one is a total fake - I guess used to promote books I'm supposed to be reading (but I've never heard of!). I think the first bsky address is correct. I think I might have set it up, but haven't used it. The second one isn't me, but at the moment doesn't seem to be doing anything damaging. And I've no idea how to get it removed.
I've just had a load of fakes on Facebook - and people have even been emailed with an email address in my name (although only one b in Abbott). I've reported the Goodreads one, though. And thanks once again. Best wishes, Rachel.
I've just had a load of fakes on Facebook - and people have even been emailed with an email address in my name (although only one b in Abbott). I've reported the Goodreads one, though. And thanks once again. Best wishes, Rachel.
Rachel Abbott
Hi Bernadine - I'm so pleased that you enjoy my books! The latest in the Tom Douglas series is Whatever It Takes, which came out earlier this year, and the latest in the Stephanie King series is The Last Time I Saw him.
I'm currently writing a stand alone thriller, but I have another idea in my head for the next Tom - slightly different, which - if you read Whatever It Takes - will make sense!
Thanks again for reading, and for getting in touch.
Best wishes, Rachel
I'm currently writing a stand alone thriller, but I have another idea in my head for the next Tom - slightly different, which - if you read Whatever It Takes - will make sense!
Thanks again for reading, and for getting in touch.
Best wishes, Rachel
Rachel Abbott
I'm so sorry, but I never saw this message! The last Tom book published was Come a Little Closer in February 2018, but I am delighted to tell you that The Shape of Lies, the next book in the Tom Douglas series, will be available in February 2019.
If you'd like to keep up to date with all my new releases, please visit https://www.rachel-abbott.com/contact where you can sign up for my newsletter.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your interest - and apologies once again for missing this.
Best wishes
Rachel
If you'd like to keep up to date with all my new releases, please visit https://www.rachel-abbott.com/contact where you can sign up for my newsletter.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your interest - and apologies once again for missing this.
Best wishes
Rachel
Rachel Abbott
Hi Angela - thanks for getting in touch, and I'm so glad that you enjoyed And So It Begins!
I'm pleased to say that another Tom book (The Shape of Lies) is due for release in February, and if you would like to keep up to date with all my new releases you can join my mailing list at https://www.rachel-abbott.com/contact
I'm also working on a new Stephanie King book right now, which I'm very excited about.
So glad that you like both series, and once again, thanks for being in touch.
Kind regards
Rachel
I'm pleased to say that another Tom book (The Shape of Lies) is due for release in February, and if you would like to keep up to date with all my new releases you can join my mailing list at https://www.rachel-abbott.com/contact
I'm also working on a new Stephanie King book right now, which I'm very excited about.
So glad that you like both series, and once again, thanks for being in touch.
Kind regards
Rachel
Rachel Abbott
So sorry not to have answered before, Lydia. I've been out and about, and it's all been a bit hectic! Good timing in terms of a recommendation - Clare Mackintosh's new thriller, Let Me Lie, has just been launched. You might want to give that a try. I also really enjoyed Hell Bay by Kate Rhodes, and The She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is another book I loved, and that's on offer for 99p on Amazon right now. I hope that helps. R x
Rachel Abbott
He's only in his forties, so has a way to go yet. But I have already started another series, to be published by Wildfire (part of Headline) next year. And that has a female detective who is quite a bit younger. Do you want a replacement for Tom?
Rachel Abbott
Thank you so much, Donna. My stories are inspired mainly by people I meet. I don't think I've met many killers or psychopaths (although on the law of averages, I must have met a few and just not known it!) - but I like to take characteristics of people that I meet and then explode them into something more sinister. The man who is always watching his wife - is he just so in love that he can't take his eyes off her, or is he obsessed? And if so, what will happen? That's the kind of weird question I ask myself! Thanks for asking - and I have a new book - Come a Little Closer - out in four weeks too!
Rachel Abbott
Hi Jennifer - I don't have a link to buy yet, and I guess that's why it's not here. I won't be putting it up for pre-order (the first time I can get a link) until 1st February - but then it should be available. Thanks for wanting to read it, though!
Rachel Abbott
Hello - I'm sorry! I've only just seen this, although I've been on to answer questions recently. My new book is due out on 15th February on Amazon. I'll send the link when I have it. Thanks for asking!
Rachel Abbott
I love anything by Sharon Bolton, and I recently really enjoyed Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. I do a regular newsletter with some of my favourite reads of the month in it. If you would like to be sent a copy, please go to www.rachel-abbott.com/contact and sign up for updates.
I hope you enjoy them!
I hope you enjoy them!
Rachel Abbott
Yes indeed, Jo! The final version has just gone to editors, and I am hoping that it will be published mid-February. If you would like to be kept informed, you can visit my website at www.rachel-abbott.com/contact and we will let you know when it's available.
Thanks for your interest!
Thanks for your interest!
Rachel Abbott
That's an easy question to answer! My perfect Tom would be Jack Davenport, as seen in a picture here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tv...
Perfect!
Perfect!
Rachel Abbott
Ah - that's a difficult one. I know I sound very old, but Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind take some beating! Such clearly defined characters - unique and fascinating. What you yours?
Rachel Abbott
So sorry not to have answered before, Lisa Ann. I was away for a few weeks in Antarctica! But it hasn't stopped the new book from being ready! The Sixth Window is out on Amazon on 21st February, and is available for pre-order right now. You can find it by clicking
Rachel Abbott
I'm so sorry, Alison - I seem to have lost the plot a bit with Goodreads, and I was away on holiday... in Antarctica, no less!
The new Tom Douglas - The Sixth Window - is available for pre-order right NOW, and is due for publication for the Kindle on 21st February - and a couple of months later in paperback. You should find the Amazon link okay - but if you go this page (and I hope html works embedded in comments!!) you should find it here
I won't know if the html has worked until I press SUBMIT, so if it hasn't, I'm really sorry - but you can find it on Amazon. Thank you so much for your kind comments.
The new Tom Douglas - The Sixth Window - is available for pre-order right NOW, and is due for publication for the Kindle on 21st February - and a couple of months later in paperback. You should find the Amazon link okay - but if you go this page (and I hope html works embedded in comments!!) you should find it here
I won't know if the html has worked until I press SUBMIT, so if it hasn't, I'm really sorry - but you can find it on Amazon. Thank you so much for your kind comments.
Rachel Abbott
Hi Donna, and thanks for the question. I've only just seen it, I'm afraid, as I've been away on holiday. Thanks for the kind words about my books as well. I don't think any of my books are listed as Tom Douglas books (although he is always mentioned in the blurb) but maybe it's something that I need to think about. Thanks for the tip, though - and if you want to be sure to catch all my books, please go to www.rachel-abbott.com and follow the CONTACT option. You can then sign up to my newsletter (I only send three or four a year - so you won't be inundated) and you will be alerted to any new books.
Thanks again for your message.
Rachel x
Thanks again for your message.
Rachel x
Rachel Abbott
What an excellent question! I don't know. I haven't thought about bringing him back, but then I have a few characters lurking at the edge of stories that might, or might not, come back. I will certainly bear him in mind and thanks for the suggestion!
Rachel Abbott
Hi Claire - I'm so sorry if I haven't answered this! I didn't receive any notification that your question was waiting for a response, so I really haven't been ignoring you!
Each story is entirely standalone, but the character of Tom Douglas does run through the whole series. There are bits in each story about his life, but nothing that would require you to have read previous books.
So please feel free to read them in any order you like. Many people do.
Once again, my apologies.
Rachel
Each story is entirely standalone, but the character of Tom Douglas does run through the whole series. There are bits in each story about his life, but nothing that would require you to have read previous books.
So please feel free to read them in any order you like. Many people do.
Once again, my apologies.
Rachel
Rachel Abbott
It's more plot block than writer's block. I can always write, it's just whether it actually adds to the plot at all. Recently I was stuck because I couldn't work out how a book should end, so I sat back and got inside the heads of the two characters involved in the final scene, and just thought about what they would do in those circumstances.
So I guess the answer is - I stop being me, and start being and behaving like my characters. That unblocks the plot straight away.
So I guess the answer is - I stop being me, and start being and behaving like my characters. That unblocks the plot straight away.
Rachel Abbott
For me, it's the excitement of getting out of bed every day and knowing that I'm going to be doing something I love. I will be working on a plot, or on a character or location - and it's fascinating finding out more and more about how people work. Every bit of the writing journey is exciting to me.
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