What do you love about crime writing?
I love that it’s such a broad church now. In the past you had either thrillers or mysteries; now there’s historical crime, cosy crime, domestic noir, political thrillers, legal thrillers, psychological thrillers, police procedurals… there’s something for everyone. Crime fiction puts the reader at the heart of the experience.
What scares you?
Male violence against women scares me. There’s an epidemic of it at the moment and I’m truly shocked at the inaction of ‘good’ men. If women were killing and raping men at the same rate, I think we’d see it as our responsibility to do something about it instead of the male victims’ responsibility to protect themselves.
When writing, what do you need and not need?
I need silence, which is a huge problem when my husband and I are both working at home. He’s a documentary producer which means when he’s not away filming, he’s on the phone. Loudly.
Where do you like to read?
Everywhere and anywhere. An ex-boyfriend of mine said that I would read on a sinking ship! He might have been referring to our relationship…
What book you reading at the moment?
I’m about to start Miranda July’s All Fours. The reviews say it’s a story about pursuing sexual and creative freedom which sounds enticing. I’ll report back when I’m finished!
What is the first book you remember loving?
The Wind in the Willows. As a child I remember being completely transported to the world of the riverbank. I still cannot walk along a river without gazing wistfully at the water and imagining Ratty in his boat and Mole losing the oar; thinking of their picnics in summer, ‘a yard of long French bread, a sausage out of which the garlic sang, some cheese which lay down and cried’. Beautiful.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is the book that made me want to read (and write) crime. I’ve spent a lifetime chasing the high I experienced when I read that twist. I envy Christie’s ability to fool the reader while playing completely fair. She drops absolute clangers of clues the whole way through; we just fail to spot them.
A book that left you thinking about it days later?
Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is utterly terrifying, and I loved every page.
Which author do you most admire?
I’m a big fan of PD James. I think her books are treasures, and I saw her being interviewed in Dublin when she was 93, working on her next book. That’s how I hope to be. But in truth I admire anyone who writes, published or not. It’s an exposing thing to do.
Are you a Kindler or a paperback reader?
Always paper. I love the feel and smell of the pages. Also, for me reading on a screen now is work; I’m tempted to edit!
A book you loved on Audible?
I loved Richard E Grant’s book, A Pocketful of Happiness. There’s something very special about listening to a memoir that is voiced by the author and this one is very moving.
What next?
There Came A-Tapping is published in the UK and Ireland in March and in the meantime, I’m working on a new book, also a standalone. I’m always working on the next book!
There Came A Tapping by Andrea Carter is published in Trade Paperback by Constable, €15.99
