A Q&A WITH CYNTHIA HARROD-EAGLES

1.    Briefly introduce yourself.

I have written over a hundred books, including 26 Bill Slider Mysteries. My other titles include the historical Morland Dynasty Series, the War At Home books set in WW1, and the Edwardian era Ashmore Castle series. I love writing in any genre, but the Bill Slider books are the most enjoyable. 

2.    How would you describe Deadly Force in one sentence?

Policing can be a deadly business, a fact that’s brought painfully close to home when Detective Chief Inspector Bill Slider and his team investigate the murder of a fellow copper.

3.    Without giving away any spoilers, what part of the book was most enjoyable to write?

I always love writing the relationships and the tension-breaking banter between the members of Slider’s team. And this time found the eventual uncovering of the villain – a real monster! - quite exciting.

4.    What was the most random piece of research you had to do for your novel?

A big part of research for every Bill Slider book involves wandering about the streets of London, finding new places for the action to happen, so I can put the look and feel and atmosphere and smell of them in the books.

5.    What book have you loved reading recently?

I love the Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London series. He really knows his London and his coppers.

We'd especially love any behind-the-scenes insight into your writing process, how you prepared for Deadly Force etc. Anything you can share would be fantastic, and we know readers will really enjoy this glimpse into how your book came to life. 

I know some crime writers like to map everything out before they start, and I suppose that’s the correct way to go about it, but I’ve always been a seat-of-the-pants sort of writer. I start with the corpse, because – well, that’s where it starts, doesn’t it?  I generally know something about deceased, but never everything – their history unfolds to me as to Bill and the team as we go along. Quite often I don’t know within a few guesses who the murderer is until the end. It makes it more fun that way. I write my books so I can find out what happened!