June 2017

Lorraine Mace

News, Views,

writing as

Interviews

Frances di Plino

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What’s New? I’m delighted to report that the latest D.I. Paolo Storey novel, Love Hearts, is well on the way to publication and will be available for preorder in a few months. Book five in the D.I. Paolo Storey series is a chilling tale of perverted love by an unstable man for a woman who has no idea he even exists. Sadly for her, she soon finds out he is all too real and a deadly threat to her life and sanity.

For followers of Paolo, this one has been a long time coming, but I can promise it will be in your hands (or on your e-reader) later this year. I’ve received many emails from fans asking when it will be out, so it’s a pleasure to be able to answer them by saying it won’t be long now. If you are new to the D.I. Paolo Storey novels, why not try the first in the series: Bad Moon Rising

Read All About ... I often interview other crime writers and enjoy finding out what makes them tick. Louise Phillips is an award-winning Irish novelist whose books have kept me turning the pages long after I should have switched off the light and gone to sleep! She is the best-selling author of Red Ribbons, The Doll’s House, Last Kiss and The Game Changer. When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer? I wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I also wanted to be a singer, even though I don’t have a note in my head! The writing dream stayed with me, despite me ignoring it for a great many years. It was always waiting in the wings.

How long does it take you to write a book? I’d say 12 months, more or less. The first draft probably takes about four months, another two months working on honing in the overall structure and text; the same again after editorial feedback is received. After that, it’s copyediting and final bits and pieces. However, the story germinates in my mind for a long time before I start writing. The idea and general theme come first, often with a particular character in mind. Other bits then fall into place, so I have a firm grounding by the time I put pen to paper. Even more of the story unfolds as I write, and there are always surprises. Read more about Louise by clicking here

If You Love D.I. Paolo Storey, You Might Also Like ... Hunting Shadows is the first in the D.I. Ellen Kelly series by Sheila Bugler. This is a chilling psychological novel which I devoured in just a few hours. I’ve since read the rest in the series and loved them all! Don’t wait to get to know Ellen Kelly. You’ll love her as much as I do!

If Only Other Authors Wrote Crime ... I’m going to run a fun competition each month. What I would like you to do is quite simple. Pick the opening to a famous non-crime novel and tweak it so that it reads as if written by a crime writer. Send suggestions to [email protected] or [email protected] with the subject header: TURNING CRIMINAL There isn’t a prize, other than seeing your name in the next newsletter as author of the best entry.

A Reader’s View It is always good to receive reviews and this one for Bad Moon Rising was particularly pleasing as it goes a little deeper than a simple ‘I enjoyed this book!’ My thanks to R. Clarke for this review. “For anyone that likes their crime fiction dark and gritty, then I recommend “Bad Moon Rising” by Frances di Plino. The killer is believably twisted by his religious calling, and his identity is cunningly hidden from Detective Inspector Paolo Storey, his colleagues and the reader. Frances di Plino has crafted a memorable detective, complex and tragic like some of the finest flawed characters. When I finished the novel, I wanted to know more about him and where his life was going. I must read the next book in the series. The depth of characterisation doesn’t end with the protagonist and antagonist. Even the minor characters are well portrayed, and stand out in their own right.

There is also a strong sense of the complex workings of all aspects of the police, including forensics, but told believably. The personal interactions weave around the investigation, especially with Paolo Storey, whose own attitudes often drive the action. This takes the story to another level, where all the elements are working seamlessly to create a relentless story…a dark tale that seeps into unexpected crannies. The twist was unusual, but that is the sign of a clever author. Find a new angle and make it work. I’m intrigued what Someday Never Comes (D.I. Paolo Storey, #2) will add to this excellent series opener.”

Seriously Criminal? Yes and No! Organised crime is apparently the third largest business in the world. Only foreign exchange and the oil industry generates more money. The first person to be put in the stocks in Boston was the poor soul who built them! “Edward Palmer for his extortion in taking £1 13s 7d for the plank and woodwork of Boston stocks is fyned £5 & censured to bee sett an houre in the stocks.”

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