| 1)
How would you classify your writing, and do you consciously try to write to a certain style or genre? |
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| The genre is obviously detective stories. I do not consciously try to write in a certain style. To try to write in a style other than my own would spoil my writing. |
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| 2)
What type of crime or thriller novels do you like to read? Do you prefer series or standalone? |
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| I like both series and stand-alone. I have gone off very sadistic-type detective stories. I like the classic detective story; the crossword puzzle kind. |
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| 3)
In this latest chapter in Agatha’s hectic life we find her investigating murder by someone putting LSD in the jam at a village fete. How did you get the idea for such an outrageous form of murder? |
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| I agree with George Orwell that the crimes we remember are those of the middle class – respectability gone bad. I think that must be why I thought up putting LSD in the jam. |
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| 4)
You have created a colourful cast of characters from the village of Comfrey Magna. Whilst living in the Cotwolds do you come across such people who somehow make their way in to your novels? |
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| All the characters in the Agatha Raisin series are figments of my imagination. I do know some wonderful eccentrics in the Cotswolds, but if I put any of them in my books, people would just not believe them. No, I’m not telling you who they are, for the true eccentric considers himself perfectly ordinary and normal. |
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| 5)
Agatha Raisin is a very complicated woman who can in turn be generous and can then turn on a coin and become quite brutal. Dare I ask if there are any attributes of yourself you have given Agatha? |
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| A lot of Agatha’s bad traits come from myself although I am much too polite to come out with any of her remarks and behave in the way she does. Her romantic obsessions are dreamed up by me. I wanted to portray a woman made vulnerable by them, locked in a sort of perpetual adolescence because a life of hard work stopped her from growing up emotionally. |
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| 6)
There is a hiccough with regards to Agatha and her ingénue, Toni Gilmour. Will we be hearing more of Toni in future books? |
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| Yes, I think Toni will be around for quite a long time. |
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| 7)
In the new book you manage to come up with a bombshell regarding James Lacey. I suspect this isn’t that last we will hear of the Raisin/Lacey relationship. Can we expect more of a bumpy ride for these two? Do you secretly smile and have a giggle at Agatha’s expense when you put obstacles in her way? |
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| I really don’t know what is going to happen to Agatha and James. I really never know until I start to write each book. No, I don’t smile at Agatha’s expense. I don’t set out to be funny in case I fall into the mistake of producing forced humour. |
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| 8)
With the smoking ban now strongly in place, are we going to get an Agatha Raisin on a keep fit mission? |
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| I don’t think Agatha will give up smoking until I do. Agatha is the kind who signs on for a gym, pays the fee, goes for two sessions and finds excuses never to go again. Like me! |
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| 9)
Without giving away the plot, which book - yours or by another author - included your favourite plot twist of all time? |
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| Journey Into Fear by Eric Ambler. The twist at the end was worthy of Somerset Maugham. |
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| 10)
What is your favourite movie adaptation of a crime or thriller novel? |
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| Topkapi by Eric Ambler. I think the book is called The Light of Day. Peter Ustinov was brilliant as the small time crook who gets caught up in a scheme to rob the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. |
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| 11)
Would you describe yourself as a crime fiction or thriller fan in general and, if so, which authors do you most admire and why? |
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| I think I would describe myself as writing crime fiction. I admire – oh, there are so many – Dorothy Sayers, Simon Brett, Peter Lovesey, Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey, Ann Granger, Eric Ambler – sorry, can’t think of them all. |
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| 12)
What is your favourite crime/thriller read of all time? |
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| The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey. |
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