What is your book The Silent House about?
I really should be silent about The Silent House. However, I can share a few things. The Silent House is about the kidnapping of Joanna Neal, a well-respected paediatric surgeon. Joanna and her husband, Daniel Neal, lead a privileged life. They have a young son they adore. They plan to celebrate their 10 years together, but that day, Joanna doesn’t come home after her shift at the hospital. Then Daniel gets a call from her kidnapper demanding ransom money. They have no enemies. Nothing makes sense.
The novel is in three parts and grips the reader from the very beginning to the shocking end.
What was your inspiration for the book?
The idea came to me one night when I was watching a true crime programme. Although the true crime I watched had no connection to what would become The Silent House, it sparked the idea, and it grew from there. Most of my ideas come from something totally unrelated, but trigger novel ideas.
Describe your protagonist Joanna in three words.
Selfless, empathetic, strong.
What is your favourite scene from the book, or is there a scene that particularly moved you (without giving away any spoilers)?
The ending of the book. It was very satisfying to write.
How did you get into writing?
I have always written stories. I wrote a short piece about my pet when I was seven, and my dad sent it to a comic I liked, and they published it. I continued writing at school in secret under my desk until my teacher found my notebooks and contacted my parents. I later wrote as an adult and moved on to novels. In between, I wrote for News Agencies and had many articles published on various subjects, from Parental Alienation to Childlessness not by choice and to my experiences in Cambodia, among others. Then I wrote romantic comedy novels before moving on to thrillers.
What do you need to write? Coffee? Music? Or something else?
Music. I always have a playlist for each book. I always have a jug of water and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I’m easily distracted by outside noise.
Who are your favourite authors and did they influence your writing?
Iris Murdoch is a favourite author. I have always admired her. I was lucky to meet her husband and see where she used to write her books. I’m a huge fan of Salman Rushdie. When I first started writing, my biggest influence was Nell Dunn, author of Up the Junction. I’m also a big Margaret Atwood fan.
I’ve always been influenced by writers who write realism.
Do you have any book recommendations for us?
What Happened To Nina by Dervla McTiernan. A great thriller.
London Belongs to Me by Norman Collins. A beautiful read.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Claire is a superb writer. You feel every word.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Very long, but beautiful.
Are you currently working on something new?
Yes. I'm currently working on a thriller, which I’m enjoying.