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Latest news Who killed Bambi? For years, police have been logging reports of a large cat-like creature in the wild valleys of Woodchester. Strange cries are also often heard ringing out. Then, just the other day, the badly-mauled remains of a deer was discovered. The National Trust secured the corpse and commissioned DNA tests – hoping samples from its wounds will solve the mystery once and for all. The results are due very soon. So, if you haven’t read Savage Moon, now’s the time. It’s about what, at first, is assumed to be a panther roaming Saddleworth moor. But then a human is killed and the police aren’t quite so sure... When’s the next book out? Firstly, thanks to all those who’ve emailed me with this question. Early on in my writing career, an experienced author said to me that publishers don’t print books authors want to write, they print books they think will sell. When things run smoothly, the two are pretty much the same. Sadly, this hasn’t worked out with my publisher. So the seventh DI Spicer novel – Sleeping Dogs - is written and edited – but nothing more. I then set about writing a new novel with a different set of characters. This novel - Scratch Deeper - is now almost finished. It follows DC Iona Khan on her first assignment with the Counter Terrorism Unit in Manchester. The action begins after the Unit receives a tip-off about a planned attack on the city. It’s tense, it’s fast-moving and it takes you into the dark and forgotten tunnels that run beneath the streets of Manchester. There are a few publishers interested in it – but with budgets tight and book sales precarious, all are waiting to see the finished novel before committing. Which still doesn’t answer the original question...
Happily, I have got a new short story coming out in an anthology called ‘The One That Got Away’ which is being published soon by a great Australian outfit called Dark Prints Press. On the subject of short stories, my New Year’s resolution is to start posting some of my previously published ones (nominated for awards and everything!) up on Amazon. So, if you got a Kindle for Christmas, keep an eye out... I’ve also taken on the role of editor for Case Files, the soon-to-be-launched online magazine for the Crime Writers’ Association. Free to subscribe, it will have details of forthcoming books from some of Britain’s most talented authors along with interviews, insights and other interesting snippets. Details are due to go up very soon on the CWA’s website, www.thecwa.co.uk The paperback and audio versions of Cut Adrift are now out. I’m sure you know where you can pick up a book, but if you’re after the unabridged audio version to while away a long drive or entertain you on holiday, you can order it direct at Whole Story Audio Books Waterstone’s 25 To celebrate ’25 years in books’ Waterstone’s
have, with the input of publishers, agents, booksellers and others in
the industry, selected their twenty five authors for the future. What
a good idea, I thought – made even better when Orion told me I’d
made it on to the list. Film Clip I mentioned how my library talks involve two actors who perform a scene from ‘Shifting Skin’. It seems to go down really well with the audiences - better than my attempts at reading an extract, that’s for sure. So I was really pleased that a local director agreed to film and then edit the whole thing. It’s come out better than I ever imagined – see what you think by clicking here or paste (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=44pJ86o2Nz8) into your browser and watch it on youtube. The animated trailer for ‘Hell’s Fire’ For those who’ve watched the one for ‘Savage Moon’, please note the ‘Hell’s Fire’ trailer doesn’t have a soundtrack. (So it’s not your computer’s speakers playing up.) This one’s got a really interesting mix of treated photography with pure animation: I hope you enjoy it. To watch, click here. The Influence Of Film To help me develop the themes in my books, I often watch films which achieve similar things to what I’m trying to do with my plot. In the case of ‘The Edge’, it’s a slow and smouldering build up to an explosion of violence at the end. As a result, I bought a copy of ‘Taxi Driver’ and realised it really should have been in my Top Ten film list all along. (I’m sure Mr Tarantino will be really anguished to learn that Pulp Fiction has been bumped. Sorry, Quentin.) The revised list is at the end of this section. Savage Moon Reports keep trickling in from all sorts of publications (see the ‘Reviews’ screen for the book). The animated trailer. Finally it’s here, the prologue of ‘Savage Moon’ brought to life. To have a look, click here. Please note, you’ll need flash to play it. Article and Interview ‘Killing the Beasts’ made Shots Magazine’s ‘Best Crime of 2005’ selection. For a review and interview article, go to their web site, www.shotsmag.co.uk Favourite Books I’m often asked which particular books have had a major influence on me. So, if I had to name six, I would (currently) pick these – The Collector (John Fowles). Two amazingly written viewpoints in one excellent, but disturbing, book. Perfume (Patrick Suskind). You’d never believe such a fantastic story could be crafted around the sense of smell. The Wasp Factory (Iain Banks). A trip into the mind and hobbies of a very bizarre young person. The Butcher Boy (Patrick McCabe). The story of another very odd youngster, with horror and tragedy mixed in. Silence of the Lambs (Thomas Harris). So well plotted you really can’t put it down – I devoured it in one go. Blood Meridian (Cormac McCarthy). Violent and brutal - told in a biblical style to match the epic setting in which events unfold. Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad). As beautiful, dense and dark as the jungle is describes. The Heart of the Matter (Graham Greene). A poignant portrayal of one man’s mental disintegration.
A few people have used the word ‘filmic’ or ‘cinematic’ to describe the feel of my books. I do very much visualise my plots as if they’re playing out on the screen – I find it helps with achieving pace. As a result I’ve had a few enquiries of ‘What are my favourite films?’ Favourite Films It’s a tough question since sneaking off to the cinema on my own during the afternoon is one of my favourite pastimes. Anyway, in no order of preference, here’s my current Top Ten. (Current because it changes quite a bit.) For those of you who’ve read my books, you’ll not be surprised that most of the films listed below are (apart from one) pretty dark. There are a couple of comedies in there, but they’re…um…dark as well. Blade Runner
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