AN INTERVIEW WITH CAROL COLE
Briefly introduce yourself.
Retiring from a lifetime of farming has given me time to write crime fiction, and where better to set my books than the New Forest. I have ridden across this open landscape since I was a child, and never tire of the view, whatever the weather.
Introduce Detective Inspector Callum MacLean.
Callum MacLean was born in Airdrie, the youngest of four children. His three older and vocal sisters adored their ‘wee man’, doted on him. He spent summers on his grandparent’s croft on Seil Island where, encouraged by his grandfather, he discovered his love of painting. After university he joined Police Scotland in Glasgow, married Grace, and rose to the rank of Detective Inspector with a bright future ahead of him.
Then Grace died.
Callum refused the proffered help of family, friends and colleagues, fearing that sharing his grief would dilute his memories of his wife. He wasn’t ready for life without Grace. He decided on a fresh start as far away from Glasgow as possible and accepted a position in Hampshire’s New Forest. Having arrived there, he found that herds of wild New Forest ponies roamed free. Only then did he realise he should have considered his fear of horses.
He was determined to keep the secret of his past from his new colleagues, but he hadn’t reckoned on the curiosity of his young and intuitive female sergeant. In this new landscape he puts the trauma of his wife’s death behind him and looks forward.
Callum is a listener and observer. He is quiet and only speaks if he has something to say. He maintains a pictorial diary, a legacy from his grandfather, and sketching helps him think. He is a talented amateur artist, but the thing he excels at is being a detective.
Why did you choose the setting of the New Forest?
I chose the setting of the New Forest for these books for several reasons.
It is an area of the British landscape comprising over two hundred square miles of unenclosed open heaths, grassy lawns, and ancient woodland. There are plenty of places to hide a body. Little has changed since William the Conqueror made it his personal hunting ground in about 1079. Today it still supports a way of life that is as ancient as the land itself. It offers a step back into the past whilst addressing the environmental concerns of the future.
It is an area full of hidden secrets. Was King William II, William Rufus, accidently killed by a stray arrow from a hunting party, or was he murdered? Is there any truth in folklore, or the tales of witches and other creatures? The New Forest was important in the fight to win WWII with many covert operations taking place within its confines. A plethora of small airfields popped up, including Stoney Cross; the secret bombing range at Ashley Walk; the legacy of the Local Defence Volunteers is still visible in many parishes today.
But my most compelling reason for choosing the location is that I love the area. Born and raised in the New Forest, it has always had an emotional pull for me. The open heathland extends, uninterrupted as far as the eye can see. It makes you feel very small and insignificant, like a dot on the face of the earth. Riding across it on a pony makes you feel like a King. The only sounds you hear are hoof beats on the turf, the wind against your ears and perhaps the whinny of a distant pony or the cry of a buzzard. I want to share those experiences of a very special place.
How does this location make for a great mystery?
In the convoluted landscape of the New Forest with acre upon acre of unpeopled open space, the knowledge and secrets that have passed down through generations, make this the perfect place to set tales of mystery and murder.
What can readers expect from this series?
In this series we get to witness Callum’s emotional journey and see how he comes to terms with his loss. We see the vulnerability of his private life contrast sharply with the decisive professional focus that earns him the respect of his team. His new colleagues are all very different from one another and peeling away the layers of their character allows the reader to find out who they really are. From the contact I have with readers, I know that you all have your favourites.
The reader can expect to explore the New Forest alongside Callum. The locations are right there on the map, and it is easy to follow his exact route during an investigation. Locate the initial crime scene, trace Callum’s path through his investigation until you reach the final destination.