A MESSAGE FROM SHIV SAYWACK

Hello, everyone. The fourth Alexandra Raven Mystery book is due for release shortly, Death by Jewels, and I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to all those who bought the other books in the series. I don’t know if I’m meant to have a favourite, but if I were, then book four would be mine.

I’ve always enjoyed the film noir genre, and I have a special fondness for British detective/crime cinema of the 1950s, and I suppose the character of Raven came from there, albeit she is a woman operating in what would have been at the time a man’s world.

One of the things I like about the period is the lack of modern forensic techniques – DNA, especially – as well as modern technology, such as mobile phones. While some detections remain the same, others must develop differently. And I hope that is conveyed in the books.

Having said that, I think I would also like to write a more contemporary drama, and that is my next goal. I have recently completed two weeks of jury service (a fascinating thing to do, by the way) and it has inspired me somewhat. So, onwards and upwards. And again, my thanks to everyone, the readers and those at Joffe and the Book Folks for the opportunity to present Alexandra Raven to the world.