Interview with: 2021 Joffe Books Prize winner Christie J. Newport
Q: Describe your latest book in three words:
A: Dark, twisty, mysterious.
Q: What author, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?
A: If I had to choose only one author to have dinner with, I would have to say Diane Chamberlain, because she has been my unofficial mentor since I started this journey. She is the most talented, prolific author — whose work I adore and admire —but she is also a wonderful support and has become a dear friend. As she lives in America, we haven’t met in person, though it feels as though we have, therefore I would choose Diane for that reason.
Q: Who would you want to play your main character in a film/TV adaption - and why?
A: Dominique Provost-Chalkley, because they are a multi-faceted actor who I believe would bring a lot to the role of Beth. I love their work and also that they have been somewhat out of the limelight for a while, which in my opinion would allow for them to make Beth their own and be completely believable. In fact, Beth’s favourite show is Wynonna Earp, which incidentally starred Dominique!
Q: What is the most interesting/unique thing you’ve had to research for a book?
A: As far as The Raven’s Mark goes, research for that involved interview techniques, police and crime scene procedure, forensics etc . . . You name it, I researched it! One thing that didn’t make it into the book was an incident of Cyanide poisoning — but after I spoke to a wonderful scientist and author friend, Brian Price, he showed me the error of my ways! I had researched a manual for an industrial incident, which this wasn’t — so it was rightly cut! Thanks Brian! Just goes to show — check and check again!
Q: What are you currently reading and watching?
A: Just prior to Capital Crime I binge watched Crossfire on BBC1 with Keeley Hawes — so tense! Since we have been home, we have been watching The Girl from Plainville, which is a docudrama about Michelle Carter, the girl who was prosecuted for sending text messages to her suicidal boyfriend, Conrad Roy, encouraging him to end his life. It makes for harrowing viewing, but obviously much of it will be embellished for TV and because they couldn’t possibly know what happened when no one else was there. It is a fascinating case though, utterly heart-breaking and it also lifts the veil on mental illness in a lot of ways.
As far as reading goes, for Capital Crime I read three books for my panels, which were Breathless by Amy McCulloch, The Prank by L. V. Matthews and The Islanders by S. V. Leonard. They were all compelling, gripping and exceptionally well written debuts.
THE RAVEN’S MARK IS OUT NOVEMBER 30 - PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY HERE