I read your book ‘Everything is lies’ such a long time ago, and yet I still go come to it every now an then. This may be a long shot however, I am doing a speech on the Author’s voice that has been portrayed through some characters of their novel. I was wondering if you were portraying any of your beliefs or opinions through Sophie? And if so how?

Hi Cass, and thanks so much for your lovely comments! I’m thrilled you liked the books and am happy to say I have no plans to slow down at present!

Currently I’m writing a book set in Cornwall, about two sisters who inherit a dive school after their father dies. Cass, the younger sister, goes to Australia for the best part of a year (so strange a Cass from Australia should ask me about this!) and when she returns, she discovers her sister Sid has taken up with someone from the dive school who seems intent on running the business into the ground. Even worse, after someone finds some incriminating evidence on a dive, she begins to suspect that he has had something to do with the death of her father…

It’s strange talking about my normal process because the pandemic has set it on its head. So, for the latest, I get an idea – a tiny flicker which is not so much a story as “What would happen if…?” and I wanted to look into this underwater world where objects are not as near or far as they appear, and also to explore the idea of in-laws – these strangers we bring into our family. What happens if one of these is a traitor, an enemy?

I would normally travel to Cornwall (and I did manage to get there for a week in the summer between lockdowns!) and then engage with diving (I was studying for my open water certification before all the dive schools closed). I find that being in places and doing things just opens up ideas in your mind.

I try to write at least a thousand words a day, and if I feel blocked I put the laptop away and take up notebooks, which makes you feel more free to make mistakes. For years I was in writing groups, and I still have friends I share my work with and write with – virtually at the moment, because of course we can’t meet up except on Zoom.

Nevertheless have been ploughing on – and hoping to hand in a first draft of the new one to my publisher this month! There’s no title yet (I call it Undine, which is kind of a code name) but hopefully soon!

Two years I listened to Everything is Lies and then Dear Amy on Audible. Both books stuck with me and even now I occasionally find myself mulling over plot twists or writing styles employed. The books were great 😊
When I’d seen you had a new book coming out, I promptly added it to my Audible wishlist and awaited publication… and then I forgot to check the wishlist again 😬 Luckily for me, I did finally check it at the start of this year and discovered Night Falls, Still Missing was now published and ready for me to buy and listen to!
The Scottish setting and Morven Christie’s beautiful accents created a world for me that was different from your other books, but like your other books the writing sucked me in and kept me enthralled until the end (which was about 2am today!). Thanks for your efforts writing it, I really enjoyed listening to it 😊
May I ask, what is your writing process and how long does it take you to formulate an idea, set it out and write the book itself? Do you have plans for more books in the future?
Thanks, Cass (Australia)

Thanks so much – delighted you enjoyed it, and I’m thrilled with the job they did on the audio. People keep telling me how much they loved the performances, which I’m allowed to say since I had nothing to do with it. 😉

It is a great book, now I am off to try dear amy. 🙂

Hi Carla and thank you! I’m hoping to have a new book out in February next year, but holding off on an announcement until there is a definite date. The book, Everything Is Lies, has gone off for copy-editing and typesetting now, so fingers crossed it will be soon.

But thanks so much for your kind words, and for visiting the site! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! It’s really nice to hear from people that liked the book, as it’s something you don’t normally know about otherwise. As a writer you work from home as a rule and you are in this weird sort of bubble, so news from outside it is always welcome! 🙂

Oh my! Well good luck with the test, and I hope you pass with flying colours. I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

Dear Martin – thanks, and delighted you enjoyed it! And very happy you picked up the Martin thing, as it was deliberate. Good luck with your own writing and thanks again!