Lucy V. Hay's Blog, page 26

CRIMINALLY GOOD: interview with author Paul E. Hardisty

1) So, who are you & what have you written?
 
Hi. I’m Paul E Hardisty.  I live in Western Australia. I am an engineer and environmental scientist. My first book, The Abrupt Physics of Dying was shortlisted for the CW Creasy New Blood Dagger, and was one of the London Telegraph’s 2015 thrillers of the year.

The sequel, The Evolution Of Fear came out last year, and the third in the series featuring Claymore Straker is out now, and it’s called Reconciliation For The Dead. All three are published by Orenda Books.

I have also written a bunch of technical journal papers about water resources, pollution clean-up, climate change and environmental economics, and two textbooks, both published by CRC Press in New York.

I have just completed a stand-alone novel which is based on a linked collection of short stories, called This Turbulent Wake We Leave (provisional). It’s a departure from the stuff I’ve done before, more literary, about love and loss and regret and growing old. Right now I am working on the fourth (and perhaps last) Claymore Straker novel, The Debased And The Faithful, which should be out in 2018.
 
2) Why do you write crime fiction?
 
 I don’t actually think of myself as a crime writer, more as just a writer. I have tried, in Abrupt Physics Of Dying, and the other Straker novels, to meld thriller-like excitement and action with literary sensibility and what I hope is good prose. I am trying for something a bit different, a bit genre-bending if you like, integrating contemporary themes with modern prose inflected with mathematics, physics, geology, biology, cosmology, and philosophy, and a telescoping between the micro and macro that might be termed fractal. Sounds a bit crazy, I know. But I don’t want to write the same stuff that’s already been done a thousand times. That’s more of the what, I guess. I write because I care deeply about the environment and social justice. All over the world, the natural world is being plundered and destroyed to generate short term profits for a few, while hundreds of millions go hungry and lack even the most basic amenities. I write for all of those getting screwed over, human and not.

 

3) What informs your crime writing? 
 
I have been lucky enough in my life and career to have worked all over the world. I have witnessed first hand civil war, the fall of nations and regimes, extreme poverty, displacement, and the destruction of reefs, wetlands, forests, communities and water supplies. Much of this forms the basis for my writing, as does the thirty years I have spent studying and teaching natural sciences, economics, and engineering.



4) What’s your usual writing routine?
 
I can only write fiction in the morning. If I’m not in full time employment, like now (I resigned from my Director’s position at Australia’s national science agency 6 weeks ago to focus on my writing for a time), I get up early and write until I run out of steam, usually by noon or so.

In the afternoons I do physical exercise (run, bike, swim, martial arts, hiking, depending on where I am), and after that I do the other side of the job – correspondence, social media stuff, promotion, etc. In the later afternoon, I’ll often do some plot work, so that I know roughly what I want to work on the next day. In the evenings I always leave it completely alone, reading, spending time with family and friends, watching a movie. By the time the sun comes up, I’m raring to go.



5) Which crime book do you wish YOU’D written, and why?
 
Night Over Water, by Ken Follett.  I read it a long time ago and remember loving it. So compact and intricate, set in a fascinating time in history, and full of great characters.  Plus I’m a pilot and love when flying is a part of the plot.

CRIMINALLY GOOD: interview with author Eileen Wharton

1) So, who are you & what have you written?

My name is Eileen Wharton. I have always told stories for as long as I can remember. I told the kids in my class that Batman was my uncle. I used to make my own books out of bits of paper and pins. So, I’ve always had a desire to be a published writer. I was extremely inventive at coming up with excuses for non-completion of homework and often invited friends to parties that didn’t exist.

I have five ‘lively’ offspring ranging from twenty nine to nine years of age. All the time the kids were growing up (spraying each other with Dettox, competing in gymnastics competitions, getting excluded from school etc. etc.), I wrote. I was awarded a Northern New Promise Award in 2002 and have won various prizes in National short story competitions. (Once beating one of my former teachers! Mwahaha).

I teach part-time at Greenfield community College and live on a council estate in Bishop Auckland. I have never eaten kangaroo testicles, am allergic to cats and have a phobia of tinned tuna. I write crime, humour and children’s books. The first in my crime series is called Blanket of Blood and is published by Bloodhound Books.

Check out my website, HERE; find me on Facebook, HERE and follow me on Twitter as @WhartonEileen.

2) Why do you write crime fiction?

I write crime fiction because I enjoy reading it. The dark side of the human psyche fascinates me. What makes one person an outstanding member of a community and another commit heinous crimes? Is it nature or nurture? I suppose it’s also one way (a safe way) of exploring the worst things that can happen to people. And I’m naturally inquisitive. I like to find out what happened, whodunit.

3) What informs your crime writing?

I have used real life cases that interest me in the past, almost unintentionally. I’m staying away from that now and working purely in fiction, though of course everything you see and hear influences you in some way.

I was really tempted to use a story I heard quite recently about rival families in a town near mine but I’m sure I’d be criticised for doing so, so I’ve resisted the temptation. I have worked with young offenders and some of the things I heard made my toes curl! My friend and fellow crime writer, Kerry (K A Richardson) works for the police so she’s my go-to-girl for any procedural questions I may have. If she doesn’t know, she knows a man or woman who does.

4) What’s your usual writing routine?

Routine? What’s that? If only. I just fit in writing when I can. Between school runs, teaching, signings, parties, conferences. I sometimes do timed writing with other northern Femme Fatales: KA Richardson, Danielle Ramsay and Sheila Quigley. We set up our laptops and text each other when we’re ready, do an hour, break for coffee, an hour then lunch etc. That works really well because we share how many words we’ve written and it appeals to my competitive side. I used to write in notebooks longhand then transfer to the computer, but I work straight onto the laptop now that I can type more quickly than I write.

5) Which crime book do you wish YOU’D written, and why?

I wish I’d written Mo Hayder’s The Birdman and The Treatment. They’re my favourite crime novels. Jack Caffrey is a flawed and fantastic character and Mo has a brilliant and warped mind. I love her writing style and she keeps you on the edge of your seat. When reading Poppet a later book in the series, I had to go round the house and close all the windows and make sure the doors were locked. Fabulous! When I grow up I want to be Mo.

BEST OF 3: Tana Collins, author

1) In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson

This was the very first crime novel I ever read so it will always have a special place in my heart. I remember falling in love with the blurb on the back of the book as it’s partly set in the second world war, partly present day and for some reason the theme just captured my imagination.  I love Robinson’s main protagonist of DCI Banks, his feisty relationship with Annie Cabott and the author’s strong sense of location.

2) Sewing the Shadows Together by Alison Baillie

I still find it really hard to believe this is a debut novel, the writing is so assured. From the moment I picked this book up I found it unputdownable. It’s a great book about family dynamics, secrets and lies.  It was a fabulous read and I’m thrilled that Alison’s currently working on her second! I literally can’t wait for it to be published!

3) Into the Blue by Robert Goddard

What I absolutely love about Goddard’s novels (and I’ve read every one of them) is his amazing ability to hook the reader with his relentless twists and turns.  This was the first novel I read by this author and I was totally hooked. Spellbinding writing which is not easy to pigeon hole! Loved it!

BIO: Tana Collins is an Edinburgh based crime writer.  She is the author of the Jim Carruthers detective series, set in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife. The first in the series, Robbing the Dead  was described as ‘A police procedural that delights the reader with its strong sense of place, ‘Tartan Noir at its best,’  says bestselling author, Sarah Ward.  

18 Brilliant Stationery Items You Must See Right Now

Do you love stationary like I do? For me, it all started when I was eight and my aunt bought me a huge Crayola set. It was a small suitcase full of pens, pencils, crayons, and pastels. I loved it.

In honour of National Stationery Week (24-30th April), here are some of my favourite stationary items. Enjoy!

STATIONARY SETS

When I was ten, I went on holiday to Spain and in a little shop I found a shiny, blue case. Inside was a sharpener, ruler, pencils and a rotating pen holder; take out a pen, replace the pen, rotate the pen holder for another colour! I. Could. Not. Breathe!

I wanted it so badly. I saved my pocket money every day and finally bought the case. I spent the rest of the holiday making story books. With that in mind, here are some of my favourite stationery brands.

1) Smiggle

Smiggle is high quality stationery. The pens last a long time and most of the merchandise stands up to the, ‘kids using your stationery’ test. Smiggle caters for children and adults alike.

2) Pusheen

Who doesn’t love a cute, tubby, grey cat? The quality of this set is not to a high standard and it’s rather expensive but kids love it. Worth it for the cuteness factor alone. Actually, there are a lot of men in the Pusheen online fan clubs. Folks who love cats are pawsome!

3) Kimmidoll

I adore Kimmidoll. There are a range of products out there featuring different Kimmis.

I especially like the matching stationery designs and the backstory that comes with each doll.

ERASERS

My cousin used to collect erasers. One year, she went on holiday to Florida and a waitress asked her if she had any hobbies. My cousin innocently told the American waitress she had a large collection of rubbers. Can you imagine the woman’s horrified face! She means erasers!

There are so many different types of erasers. We are literally spoilt for choice.  For more cool erasers, CLICK HERE.

PENS

When I was twelve, I received a calligraphy and fountain pen set. I treated it like it was the most precious thing in the world, along with my collection of books. The ballpoint is a staple, (excuse the stationery pun!) but these pens are a cut above the rest.

WRITING SETS

I used to love writing sets but once email came along the handwritten letter took a hit and these days people rarely practice this form of communication. I like to send handwritten letters every now and again. For even more writing sets, CLICK HERE.

DESK FUN

Here are some weird and wonderful things for your desk. which is your favourite? For more desk tidy ideas, CLICK HERE.

If anyone finds/has some more really cool stationary, please share links and pics in the comments, I’d love to see it!

BIO: Emma Pullar is a writer and book reviewer. Her picture book, Curly from Shirley, went to number four on the bestseller list and was named best opening lines by NZ Post. As well as picture books, Emma writes horror, dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal fiction. You can read her short horror story, London’s Crawling, in the Dark Minds charity collection. Follow Emma on Twitter, HERE.

BEST OF 3: Liz Mistry, Crime Author

My best of three choices are all influenced by my love of the ‘serial killer’ novel!

1) Kiss The Girls by James Patterson

The first has to be Kiss The Girls by James Patterson.  It’s recently been re-released but I read it in the 1990’s and was hooked by Alex Cross as a detective but mainly by the detailed layering of the story.  The fact that two serial killers were playing a game, competing and challenging each other was gripping and the complex plotting was sophisticated.

2) An Evil Mind by Chris Carter

My second choice has to be An Evil Mind by Chris Carter is a true cat and mouse, the likes of which I had never read before.  The explosive opening is memorable and the mind games the killer employed are well researched and totally convincing.  I read this in one sitting…. I believe I didn’t take a single breath during that time, but, I did make sure the doors were locked.

3) Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga 

My final choice is a Young Adult crime fiction novel by Barry Lyga called Blood of My Blood.  What fascinates me about this book is that it revolves around the whole concept of Nature V Nurture and, without giving anything away, it turns the entire concept on its head.  A fantastic read that I never saw coming when I started it.

BIO: Liz Mistry is a crime fiction author with two books published by Bloodhound Books, Unquiet Souls and Uncoiled Lies, with the third   released later in the year. Liz also co-founded The Crime Warp Blog which covers al things crime fiction, from reviews to articles to author Q&A’s.  You can find Liz on Twitter: @LizCrimeWarp  and on Facebook: @LizMistrybooks.

BEST OF 3: Linda Huber, crime writer

1) A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

For me, this is one of Val McDermid’s most chilling novels. The setting is oppressive – the odd and isolated village of Scardale in Derbyshire, where a child goes missing. The case is tied both to an old miscarriage of justice and the Moors murders, and the story takes us from the past to the present day. The courtroom scenes are especially vivid. There’s no happy end here, but the conclusion is very satisfactory.

2) The Blood Doctor by Barbara Vine

Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine is my all-time favourite crime writer; she had such a dark mind! There’s good blood and bad blood in this book, and a complicated plot, but we are given family trees for reference. I became completely immersed in the intricately-woven relationships. Not an easy read, but a very enjoyable one.

3) A Cry In The Night by Mary Higgins Clark

One of the best psychological suspense writers ever! Jenny MacPartland remarries, then discovers that her handsome new husband is not who she thought he was. She and her children are in the worst kind of danger, but she can’t risk letting anyone in to help. Events spiral out of Jenny’s control, and soon her children are gone… and the clock is ticking.

BIO: Linda Huber is the author of six psychological suspense novels and one charity collection of feel-good short stories. She lives in Switzerland, in a small town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance. Check out Linda’s website, HERE.

BEST OF 3: Ann Evans, Author

1) 61 Hours by Lee Child

I love books that go at a pace. And Lee Child with his Jack Reacher character defending the weak and giving the baddies what they deserve, it’s a recipe for success. Although the ‘ticking clock’ ploy of having to succeed by a certain time was a major feature in this book with the countdown ticking away with every chapter, it was a great read and a super-exciting, breathtaking ending.

2) Impossible Dilemma by Netta Newbound

I’ve only recently discovered this author, and her writing is utterly brilliant. Her characters are riveting and the plots that she comes up with, have so many twists and turns that you just don’t see coming. This book is an absolute page turner, although it’s not for the squeamish. Some of the pictures she paints leave a lasting impression on your mind. And the ending – well that will leave you reeling!

3) No Orchids for Miss Blandish by James Hadley Chase

This is a classic crime novel, written by an English author, although you’d be forgiven for thinking he was American by the style of his writing. This book was published in 1939, way before my time! But I discovered his books in my local library when I was a young teenager. I’m sure it was his fast punchy style that influenced me when I started writing years later. His style is certainly dated, but he was immensely popular in his day.

BIO: Ann Evans from Coventry in the West Midlands writes for KS2 children,

young adults, reluctant teen readers, romance – and now comes her first

venture into adult crime. She’s also a busy non-fiction writer for a

variety of magazines and is a Patron of Reading for a Coventry Senior

school. Follow her on Twitter as @annevansauthor.

CRIMINALLY GOOD: interview with author Kjell Ola Dahl

>1) So, who are you and what have you written?

I am Kjell Ola Dahl, a Norwegian crime writer. Orenda Books is currently publishing my the next books in the Oslo Detectives series – Faithless and The Ice Swimmers – featuring detectives Frank Frřlich and Inspector Gunnarstranda. Previous books in the series include: The Fourth Man, The Man in the Window, The Last Fix and Lethal Investments. Every book stands alone, and they are translated by Don Bartlett. Quite a number of my books have not yet been translated into English, but they will be available soon from Orenda Books. Find me on Facebook, HERE.

2) Why do you write crime fiction?

I write crime fiction because I’m interested in politics, in modern society, in language and in telling stories. When a crime is a committed, one can tell all sorts of tales – some of them about individuals who don’t fit in, who are alienated, or who feel that it is OK to break the rules: stealing, robbing, hurting people, and even killing them. Crime stories can also be gateways into people’s lives and into the complex structures that make up society. This is why I always want crime fiction to be about real people in a realistic world. And why I’m so interested in my characters – both my protagonists and my antagonists, and their roles in the story – why they behave like they do. Apart from all this, I am simply very fond of mysteries. I think we all are. In my opinion, this interest in mysteries is inextricably linked to an interest in stories. Because, in the end, good stories are nearly all structured like mysteries.

3) What informs your crime writing? 

In short – everything. My novels are the way they are for all sorts of different reasons. It takes me at least a couple of years to write a book, and this means my writing changes depending what stage of my life I was at when I wrote a particular title. For example, the book I’m writing now is inspired by the research I did in order to write a couple of non-fiction books, as well as by two other novels that I started but never finished. You could say, therefore, that the material has matured and is now finally ready. Faithless was inspired by many things: the nature of friendship; the bonds that form between work colleagues; the geography of Oslo; the logistics of running a city; and racism, to mention just a few things.

4) What’s your usual writing routine?

I write every day from seven in the morning until noon. If I’m inspired I’ll find some time to write later in the day, too.

5) Which crime book do you wish YOU’D written, and why?

If you had asked me that question twenty years ago, I probably could have managed an appropriate answer. But things change, people change – writers and readers change. And tastes change too. I admire a lot of books, but I don’t think now I would like to have written any myself. I’m on my own path, doing my own thing.

Sometimes I think of it like Hokusai painting Mount Fuji. He painted the same scene over and over again, but at the same time these paintings are all different. Another way to answer this question is that maybe I’m just too old and grumpy to provide a good enough answer!

BEST OF 3: Susan Hunter, Book Lover

1) Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

What a read! This is THE book which changed my reading tastes from the likes of James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Mark Bilingham and others. It is a gripping read

Single female, Catherine meets gorgeous Lee and a relationship begins. A love story you may think, a great catch? As Catherine’s friends are captivated by Lee, he can do no wrong. A story of control, isolation and abuse which is frightening and heartbreaking. 

I was curious about this book and after seeing a lot of great recommendations, I decided to give it a go! This was my first venture into the world of psychological thrillers and it is certainly not the last. For me the plot was believable and it is that which made it all the more terrifying to read.  It’s also my first” Domestic Noir” or ” behind closed doors”, as I often see this type of read is now called.

I read this book in October 2014 and still remember it vividly. This is always going to be a favourite of mine being the first of this type of book I read.

2) Bloq by Alan Jones

“Bill Ingram tried ringing his daughter’s mobile, just before he left the house at 6 o’clock, to see if her train was running on time, but her voicemail message told him that her number was unavailable. ‘She must be in a tunnel or something’, he thought. He headed for the station, always a stickler for leaving himself plenty time to spare for everything he did, especially when meeting Carol. Everything was ready, so there was no point hanging around at home.”

This is the first paragraph of Bloq. From this point I was hooked. Carol didn’t get off the train. I really empathised with Bill, as on many occasions I would be waiting at Durham train station waiting for my daughter to return from University. 

His desperate search for his daughter is an emotional, traumatic and shocking journey. 

I was given an ARC of Bloq by Alan Jones, in exchange for an honest review. On reading the blurb, I thought ” This might be an OK book” — I was wrong, it was more than OK, it was fantastic! WOW, what an amazing read!

This book stirred all emotions.The relentless search by Bill Ingram for his daughter Carol is an emotional, thrilling, exciting and also disturbing journey. From the moment Carol Ingram did not get off the train, I was totally gripped by this book.

This is a book which I will one day read again. That is something I usually do intentionally!

3) Between You and Me by Lisa Hall

Hard to believe this is a debut novel! I have now developed a penchant for twists in books. This book had the biggest twist of all the books I had read. It is for that reason this is one of my favourites. A marmite book!

Quite a few readers discovered the twist and were quite scathing about Between You and Me, but for me, I was taken in hook, line and sinker! I had to actually re-read several chapters! From the beginning I was drawn into the lives of husband and wife, Charlie and Sal. (Just like I was supposed to!) The OMG twist in this book is amazing. I was left thinking about this book for several days after finishing it. I would highly recommend it! 

BIO: A member of several online book clubs, Susan Hunter’s favourite genre is crime fiction. She is part of Admin team on Crime Fiction Addict and UK Crime Book Club on Facebook.

CRIMINALLY GOOD: interview with author Katherine Debona

1) So, who are you & what have you written?

My name is Katherine Debona. I live in Kent, England, with my two children, a workaholic husband and a lazy tom cat. My debut novel, The Girl in the Shadows was published at the end of last month by HQ Digital and is available for download from Amazon, HERE.

It is the first in a series focusing on Veronique, a private investigator living and working in Paris. When a teenage girl goes missing, Veronique is hired by the girl’s mother to discover the truth about her disappearance. Meanwhile Alice has travelled to Paris from England, after discovering that the mother she believed to be dead may in fact still be alive. Follow me on Twitter as @KatherineDebona.

2) Why do you write crime fiction?

I never set out to write crime fiction, it was more a case of the story came first and the main character just so happened to be a private investigator. So many novels have an element of crime to them, but aren’t necessarily pitched as a story that would appeal to readers of crime. I don’t read any particular genre, but simply love good stories and characters that stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. I hope that I have achieved this with Veronique and look forward to writing more of her story.
 
3) What informs your crime writing? 

I’m definitely intrigued by the psychology of crime – why do people do what they do? What makes otherwise normal, everyday people do unspeakable things? I also think that emotional stories are so much more powerful than physical ones. Everything that lies beneath, that isn’t shown to the world can be far more dangerous but also interesting, from a writer’s point of view.

4) What’s your usual writing routine?

I’m fortunate enough to not have to work, but I have two young children, so my writing routine is fitted in around them. Usually I drop them at school, come home and write. Weekends and school holidays are so busy that I try to do my reading and plotting for future books at this time. It can be frustrating, especially when I’m submerged in a chapter and the alarm goes off to tell me I need to go and collect them from school, but in my old life as an investment banker I was used to working to tight deadlines so having that kind of motivation certainly helps.

5) Which crime book do you wish YOU’D written, and why?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It ticks all the boxes for me in terms of mystery, interesting setting, familial resentment and an incredible protagonist. Lisbeth certainly provided some inspiration for Veronique and I always love reading about strong, female characters who aren’t afraid to break the rules in pursuit of the truth.