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A: I think that like anyone else with a belief, it is firm at some times, and less so at others. We all have our dark patches when doubts assail, failure undermines or guilt for having done less than our best cuts us off from comfort. Anyone with intelligence will examine ideas at times, ask questions and not always find the answers straight away. So yes, I have calmness quite often, but certainly not all the time. I would love to believe that I have the deep spirituality you mention, and if I have, then without doubt it will exist in my writing. One’s beliefs, or lack of them, always are. My characters will speak for me as to what I value, admire, seek to be, whether I succeed or not. If you find compassion, honesty and courage in a writer’s work, then it is in their nature.

Q: Was there something especially appealing in using the Victorian era as a backdrop for so many of your novels?

A: I like the Victorian era because it is a time of great optimism, dramatic contrasts between wealth and poverty, lovely clothes (to look at – less so to wear or care for) and a certain glamour of gaslight, hansom cabs etc. However there are two very practical reasons for liking the time. The first is that it is before science in detection, no fingerprints, blood types, ballistics, forensic medicine of high skill, therefore my detectives can use simply common sense and observation. The second reason is that in a time when reputation mattered intensely and could mean professional and social life or death, there are numberless secrets worth killing or dying to keep. Today one would sell them to the newspapers and make a fortune!

Q: The “British Murder Mystery”is almost a class by itself. How would you characterize it as opposed to American murder classics?

A: The British murder mystery at present is rather darker in tone than I think the American mystery, not necessarily more violent, just greyer. I admit to preferring the American quite a lot of the time, at least lately.

Q: Is there a new direction in your life other than writing terrific novels of mystery and suspense?

A: A new direction in my life? Only still within writing. I like to travel. I would love, above all other professional ambitions, to have my work filmed! But that’s still working with mysteries.

Q: If you were to give a fledgling writer some advice, what would that be?

A: Advice to a fledgling writer? Get a really good agent – easier to say than to do, but you need one. At least consider all advice, take it unless it is morally offensive to you. Be prepared to re-write a number of times. It doesn’t mean you are not good, it means you are willing to work and to learn, to publish and become professional. I expect to plan, write, re-write and re-re-write. Above all, write about something you love. If you don’t care about it intensely, why should your reader? If you don’t know, you can find out: if you don’t care – no one else will either. And good luck. Don’t give up.

Q: Can you name some authors that were an influence in your life as well as your writing?

A: Authors who influenced my life? G. K. Chesterton, for his passion, humanity and love of life. I believe he was a most likeable person. It is not necessary to be a misfit in order to be brilliant! But honestly, I think every author you read and care about is going to influence you. You are going to see all kinds of people, and things, with greater clarity, love and understanding. That applies to all of us.

Q: What is your favorite past-time other than writing?

A: My favourite pastime, other than writing? You mean there is something else? Actually, lots of things: music – classical, clothes, gardening, films, walking, photography, but most of all talking with people, sharing ideas.

Q: Are your plots creatively constructed, or do you use everyday events in ordinary life as a launchpad for your wonderful and interesting plots?

A: Yes I construct plots in great detail, thirty or forty pages of outline before I begin to write, but a lot of every day events start off trains of thought about human nature and the passions which might cause crime, or more interestingly, the acts both good and bad, selfish and generous, impulsive and planned, which result in crime. Everyone has to be understandable, and every person have a point of view that makes sense. That can be hard work. No one should be cardboard, and simply there as a foil. Nobody is in life!

Q: Do you foresee writing any non-fiction in the near future, or is fiction near and dearest to your heart?

A: Fiction is in many ways nearest and dearest, but I write a monthly letter of thoughts and beliefs etc. for an internet magazine called Meridian, and I plan to publish a small book of about three years’ worth of these, to be available in October. Other than that I have no more fiction plans apart from the odd introduction to classic reprints, such as Sherlock Holmes. But thank you for asking.

Interview Date: July 2004
Profile and questions compiled by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch Library