1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?
My current book is the audio version of THE ABDUCTION, published by Isis Audio on 1st March 2021. It’s the second in the Kramer & Carver thrillers, which was first published in e-book and paperback by LUME BOOKS in December 2019. The first in the series, THE SCRIBE, was published in audio by Isis Audio on 1st January of this year, having come out in e-book and paperback with ENDEAVOUR MEDIA (LUME’S predecessor) in July 2019. Both books feature fiction’s first female London lawyer amateur sleuth, Maddy Kramer, who teams up with the surly but charismatic DCI Jake Carver to solve each case because of the legal connection.
In THE ABDUCTION, following the events of THE SCRIBE, Maddy has finally got her life back on track at her new firm Sullivan, Blake, Monroe. But when two armed, masked men burst into a conference room one lunchtime, kidnapping a trainee and a partner, her life is turned upside down once more, particularly when Carver is called to the scene. Things become more complicated when a disturbing video reveals two more trainees have been taken. What initially appears as a random kidnapping for mercenary gain soon evolves into something far more complex, the horrifying events of thirty years ago motivating the abductors and having colossal implications for those in the present.
It’s quite a dark, complex, fast-moving story, essentially a psychological thriller like THE SCRIBE, focussing on the mindsets of key characters, along with some painful issues/life experiences that can change a person forever and lead them to do terrible things. Different types of relationships feature heavily in the novel, as well as complex issues of class and gender divide. You also see Carver and Maddy’s relationship develop in the second instalment, the dynamic between them changing.
I was so excited when Isis Audio bought the audio rights to both books as audio is such an increasingly popular, versatile means of enjoying books. You can listen at the gym, in the car, doing the housework, any number of places really. A great voice actor will really bring the story and characters to life, adding a whole new dimension to the entire reading experience. I’m very thankful to Isis for choosing actor and narrator David Thorpe to read both my books as he’s done a really fantastic job.
2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?
Mainly a panster! I’ll have a rough idea of the plot and how it might progress when I first start writing, but never a detailed blow-by-blow, chapter-by-chapter account of what’s going to happen. New characters and ideas will occur to me as I write, along with red herrings, twists and turns that can often take me in a completely different direction from that which I’d originally envisaged, including the motivations and backstories of characters and, at the most extreme, the identity of the culprit. It’s one of the most fun, exciting, not to mention satisfying things about being a crime/thriller author: thinking up that new character, twist or red herring you hadn’t considered when you first started writing the novel, but which takes the story up a notch and adds a new dimension to it. Also, the characters/new ideas that might occur to me as I write will often necessitate me undertaking research, and that research in itself can lead to the plot taking yet another diversion from the one I’d originally sketched out in my head. It’s fun having the freedom to take the plot wherever I want it to go as I write, rather than having to stick to a rigid plan. Having said that, for a complex plot I might note down bullet points for each chapter after writing them to remind myself what has gone on before, so as to ensure everything adds up and flows seamlessly.
3 – Savoury or sweet?
Sweet. I’m not fussed about crisps, chips or cheese, but I do LOVE chocolate, desserts and cake. Especially chocolate brownie or cheesecake. I am also a BIG fan of ice-cream and anything with caramel or toffee in it.
4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!
This is the hardest question! The only way I can possibly narrow it down is by presuming we’re talking about being stranded for a long time, in which case I’d go for something pretty epic, and perhaps a novel I’ve not read before because of time constraints.
I’ve always wanted to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, since becoming a huge fan of the TV series, so being stranded on a desert island would be the perfect opportunity to do this, especially with it being over 600 pages long. It’s got a bit of everything: romance, history, time travel, adventure, fantasy, so I’m pretty confident it would do a great job of taking my mind off being stranded.
A Time to Kill by John Grisham. I love all of Grisham’s books, but this is probably the novel that inspired me to write legal thrillers, although The Firm comes a close second. With a horrific crime at the heart of the novel, it’s a tale of racial tensions and vigilante justice, simultaneously thought-provoking and unsettling, as well as thrilling and, at over 700 pages long, would keep me occupied!
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Again, like Outlander, it’s a novel I’ve always wanted to read, particularly since seeing the recent BBC televised adaptation, but never got around to delving into, principally because I spend all my spare time reading thrillers. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to indulge and properly savour this widely acclaimed masterpiece.
5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Wars hands down!! I have been a Star Wars fan since forever. My favourite is The Empire Strikes Back, but I love them all and I was so happy when my two boys got into them. I have seen Episodes 1-6 countless times, and my favourite character is Hans Solo, closely followed by Yoda! There’re so many great characters, though, and I love the mix of humour and action that pervades the films.
6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Flying, mainly because I hate regular flying ever since having a terrifying experience over the Kalahari desert when I was a teenager, when the plane kept dropping, a LOT, and I thought I was going to die. I think it’s the feeling of not being in control, of not being able to stop the plane and get out, of not being able to do anything at all if the plane fails! But if I had the power to fly, I would be in control, and could stop and start whenever I wanted. Also, I love to travel, so it would be wonderful to be able to whisk myself off anywhere in the world whenever I fancied it, and at any time of the year. And wouldn’t it also be great to avoid traffic jams on the roads, as well as airport queues, delays and so on?!
7 – Music or Silence when writing?
Silence. I am not someone who can write with noise in the background, even softly playing music. It just distracts me. I need absolute quiet to focus and completely immerse myself in my writing. Which obviously hasn’t been easy this past year with the kids at home!
8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?
Italy. I’ve been in love with everything Italian since first visiting near Venice as a seven-year-old. I must have been to Italy over thirty times, the bulk of those trips to Southern Italy. I had my first kiss in Italy, my first boyfriend was Italian, and I got married to my husband on the Amalfi Coast in front of fifty close friends and family. I love the people, the culture, the food, the history, the scenery, the whole lifestyle, not to mention the fabulous fashion and innate sense of style. I long to go back there when this pandemic is finally over.
9 - Your favourite karaoke song?
Again, this is so hard!!!
If I’m singing solo:
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
If I’m duetting:
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?
Be prepared for rejection, because it’s inevitable. But never stop believing in yourself. If you have talent and work hard, you will get there. You may not become a millionaire bestselling author, but you will get published, and people will eventually read your books, which is such a great feeling, as is the first time you get to hold your published novel. It’s just a matter of hanging in there, but don’t expect things to happen overnight, because it’s rare that they do, and you can’t let the criticism or rejection get you down. Focus on your writing and write what comes naturally to you, rather than writing what you think is on trend. It has to come from your soul, from your gut. Make sure you read a lot too, as you can learn so much from other writers, particularly the greats.
11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you chose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?
Cancer research. My grandmother died of stomach cancer and my father has advanced prostate cancer, so it’s a charity that’s close to my heart.
With the rest of the money, I would buy a villa in Italy or invest in property of some kind, and if there’s anything to spare, treat the whole family to a five-star holiday somewhere hot and sunny. Right now, I can’t remember what it’s like to go on holiday!
12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?
A resounding NO! I love thrillers, but not blatant blood, gore and guts creepy horror movies like Saw or The Exorcist. I would not be able to sleep at night after watching one of those! Actually, I probably wouldn’t see most of it as I’d be hiding behind a cushion!
13 - What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the edits for my debut psychological thriller with Hera Books, who I recently signed a two-book deal with. It’s exceptionally dark and twisty, with a really tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. I’m SO excited for its release in summer 2021!
I’m also nearly 40,000 words into book 3 of the Kramer & Carver series.