Meet Crime Author Juliet B. Madison

We are joined on Bookaholic today by Crime Author Juliet B. Madison. Juliet has agreed to tell us a little about herself and  her new release, Best Served Cold, the fifth title in the DI Frank Lyle Mystery Series. 

Welcome Juliet, it's great  to have you here. Where did you get the idea for the DI Frank Lyle Mystery Series?

I’ve been reading almost nothing but crime fiction since my late teens and I was sure I could write a crime novel too. About seven or eight years ago I came up with the idea for a paranormal crime story where the senior detective on a cold case turned out to be a reincarnation of the original murder victim, but I decided that working out the mystery would be time-consuming enough. I kept the reincarnation aspect to a degree because I had a Hindu detective. That book became Second Chances, the first in the DI Lyle series.

There may be some bookaholic readers who have not read your books. For their benefit can you tell us a bit about DI Frank Lyle.  

DI Frank Lyle is six feet three inches tall with blonde hair and blue eyes, modelled on roles played by my favourite actor Robert Bathurst. At the beginning of the series he is a recently divorced youthful thirty-nine with a young son, James, whom his ex wife makes it very difficult for him to see or spend time with. She left Frank for another man as she got sick of coming second to the job so there are some pretty acrimonious scenes. By the time of Best served Cold Frank is five months short of his fiftieth birthday. He is dedicated to justice and giving a voice to people who have none. He is also a devoted family man and happily married to his second wife, ex Detective Constable Jayseera Lyle. He is extremely supportive of his son, James, who came out in the previous book, Murder in the Wings, and he adores his little daughter, Jasmine. Unlike a lot of fictional coppers Frank doesn’t have any real vices; he is not addicted to alcohol, gambling or drugs and keeps a clear head.

How much research do you have to do for your books?

I have learnt a tremendous amount from reading crime fiction as well as watching TV crime drama and criminal investigation documentaries. I completed a Distance learning online course in Forensic science earlier this year and learnt a huge amount from that. The subjects of bereavement and Type 1 Diabetes also crop up at various points during the series, but these I can write about from personal experience. If I have a technical question I usually ask my author friend, Paul Trembling, who is a real life CSI. I also attended an inquest once so I draw on that for Coroner’s court scenes in the novels. I’m aware they don’t have Coroners in Scotland, but things are different south of the border.

The DI Frank Lyle Mystery Series is set in the 1980s and early 1990s. Why did you choose this particular time period?

I chose this time period because forensic sciences were very much in their infancy compared to what they are today, which allowed more scope for mistakes. I also wanted to remind people of a time when people actually talked to each other face to face rather than resorting to emails, ipads and cell phones. It’s the era in which I grew up. I was seventeen in 1992 when both Murder in the Wings and Best served Cold are set.

I believe Best Served Cold takes the reader into the darker recesses of the human mind. Do you mind telling us a bit more about that?

This novel does go into darker places where I found it hard to go. A man who feels let down by both the local authority and the legal system, is set on a path from which he cannot turn back. The book also delves into paedophilia, homophobia, anti-Semitism and racial hatred; none of which are pleasant subjects. It looks at the question or whether or not murder can ever be morally justified and reopens the Nature Vs Nurture debate, which is whether wickedness is inherent from birth or developed due to life’s circumstances and misfortunes.

Who would you say has helped you the most in writing the series?

My editor, Katrina Bowlin-MacKenzie, who gives her time for nothing. My cover designer John Holt. My real-life CSI Paul Trembling, who gives me technical advice. Also everyone who tweets and shares my stuff on Facebook, everyone who has had me on their blogs to promote Best Served Cold. Malika Gandhi gives me advice on Hindu-related issues (especially in the first book), Caroline Lee, who did the wonderful DI Lyle sketch and edited the last part of Murder in the Wings as Katrina was on holiday.

Are you writing any more books at the moment?

I’m working on the sixth DI Lyle novel, Dead on Arrival, but I haven’t got very far with it yet. I am also working on a DI Lyle novella A Murder-Free Christmas, which should be available to pre-order from Mid-November.

It has been great to have you here Juliet. I am sure your readers will enjoy your latest, and future books. 

Thanks Wendy, it has been good to join you on Bookaholic today.

Where can we find you and your books Juliet?

 http://bookshow.me/B00MRIZQRU

Blog:  http://julietmadisoncrimeauthor.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @JulietBMadison

Facebook There are a number of DI Lyle related pages on Facebook but here is a small selection:

https://www.facebook.com/servedcold/

https://www.facebook.com/Lylefanzunited/

https://www.facebook.com/JulietMadisonCrimeAuthor/

https://www.facebook.com/TheDIFrankLyleMysterySeries/

Bloody Scotland Crime Festival 2014

It's that time of year again when Crime Writers and Readers gather in the beautiful Scottish City of Stirling for all things crime related. I thought it would be difficult to surpass last years festival but the organisers somehow managed this. What a fabulous weekend. 

Friday started with a writers day which I was privileged to attend. This was a day of workshops run by leading crime writers including Christopher Brookmyre. During the day participants had a chance to hone their writing skills and to get tips and advice from writers and publishers. This was extremely interesting and helpful to the extreme. Analysing what it is about the writing of well known names in the industry makes them great was enlightening.

Later that night I went to see Christopher Brookmyre being interviewed by Denise Mina. This was a laugh a minute as both authors have a fabulous sense of humour. It was also good to get an idea of how authors work. 

Saturday started with Peter Robinson and David Hewson being interviewed by Lin Anderson. Now I love all three of these authors, so an opportunity not to be missed. If you haven't read any of their books and you love crime then do so immediately. You will not regret it. I have to give special mention to the books of Lin Anderson who is a fellow Scot, with books which are set in both Scotland and Cannes. Well worth a trip to the bookshop. The hour passed in a flash, with a fascinating insight into the lives of both writers. It was interesting to note that their approach is like chalk and cheese. I am looking forward to David Hewson's series set in Amsterdam.

The absolute highlight of my weekend was Cathy Reichs being interviewed by Ian Rankin. That is not a duo you see on stage together very often. Now I have heard Ian speak before and I know he is laugh out loud funny. It turns out that Cathy is just as funny which lead to a hysterical hour. Not only are they both highly talented authors but could also double as stand up comics. This has to be one of the best hours I have ever spent.

So bookaholic has been steeped in both reading and writing over the weekend. A great time was had by all as I could tell from audience reactions. I am off to read my latest David Hewson which I bought and had signed over the weekend. See you all back here on bookaholic soon.

Remember Remember by Lisa Cutts

Hello Bookaholics. Lovely to see you back here this evening. I have a cracker of a book for you today. Grab a coffee, make yourself comfy and find out all about it.

This is the first book by Lisa Cutts which I have read and it certainly won't be the last. From the first page this book had me engrossed and I found myself reading all day. This is a solid police procedural, with an absorbing storyline and characters who almost feel real. 

The main character DC Nina Foster is superbly portrayed. She has just returned to work aching been off sick for a number of months, this was following an attack by one of the criminals she was trying to arrest. She has a number of inner demons and these make her character both interesting and complex. Her personal life is as messed up as her professional life. Still she is a lovable character and I found myself liking her more and more as the book progressed. On her return to work she is assigned to a cold case from 40 years ago. This is meant to keep her desk bound and ease her return to work. As you can imagine, this does not work out as planned.

The remainder of the characters in this book are also well drawn. I could imagine everyone do them including hits in the seedy underworld of the criminal fraternity. Not the easiest place to be but truly the sign of a great writer. I found myself liking, hating then liking the characters again.

The only minor point which irritated me was the way in which the main police characters used pet names for each other such as treacle. I am willing to admit that this could be a foible in me and it may not be a problem for others. However, it happened so often it pulled me out of the story a bit which was a shame. Despite this I really enjoyed this book and am sure all lovers of crime books will find this right up their alley. I would highly recommend. 

So there we have it for another day. I am sure that you will agree this is a cracker of a book once you grab a copy and read it. See you all back here soon my Bookaholic friends. You can get back to your book now. I'm busy reading the next one I will be bringing to you before long. Keep reading. 

Murder on my Mind

Bookaholics is currently on holiday in the beautiful historic city of York. With all this Roman history around my thoughts automatically turn to murder. What do you mean, I always think of murder wherever I go? Ok. I'll give you that. Still murder is around every street corner as well as ghosts and Roman soldiers. The atmosphere, and the streets, are ripe for murder. I am filling up my notebook with possible plots at every turn of a corner.

Of course, as well as murder my thoughts are usually on books. I am the Bookaholic after all. My surroundings this week remind me of the excellent Monastery Murder series by Donna Fletcher Crow. If you haven't read any of these books then rush out and buy one. They are more than well worth reading. I've linked to her kindle page if you want to take a look and start reading.

The picture below is me standing in the Roman Baths underneath the aptly named Roman Baths pub. Today, I am off to York Minster. I am really looking forward to this. Have a great day my Bookaholic friends. See you all back here very soon.