Today my guest is Liz Mistry author of gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford. Her latest, Broken Silence, was published last month by HQ Digital.
Hi Liz how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge. What can I get you at the bar?
Liz: Hi Anne. Lovely to be here and what an abundance of choice – should I go for a Virgin Mojito (hell no, we’re in lockdown, I need a real drink), Sex on The Beach (not at my age), Pornstar Martini (Don’t think so.)? Looks like I’ll have to settle for one fitting with writing crime fiction … I’ll have a Corpse Reviver, if I may, Anne.
Well I’m glad that’s settled and love your choice! So where did we first meet in real life?
L: We met at CrimeFest in Bristol last year and I don’t know if it was apparent, but for me, it was a real struggle to be there because my mental health had taken a real downward dip. You were such a friendly face in a crowd of people I didn’t know and I was so pleased when we struck up a conversation. It really helped me through the rest of the day.
How strange. I had no idea how you were feeling but I had just been blanked by another author when I approached her and was delighted – and so relieved – when that you were happy to chat. A fortuitous meeting for us both. Thinking of festivals and book events which we’re all missing what would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?
L: Oh gosh, that’s such a big ask – but here goes, before I change my mind and come up with a completely different set of people. I have a real fascination with serial killers and their psyche – what makes them tick, their warped motivations and so forth, so I’d love to host a panel with Chris Carter who not only is a psychologist, but he writes some of the best serial killer books out there.
L: Still on the serial killer theme, I’d love to also include Ross Greenwood. He is soooo good at writing the killer’s voice and being an ex-prison warden gives him such a unique insight into the criminal mind.
L: Finally, I’d love to have Anthony Hopkins on this panel. I’d quiz him about how it felt to play Hannibal and how he got into character. I’d also love to know if playing such a devious and mind-controlling character had any long term affect on him.
Wow that’s some panel and one I’d love to be in the audience for. In the meantime what are you currently working on?
L: My most recent book, Broken Silence, the second in the DS Nikki Parekh series was released in late April and is about modern day slavery. Thankfully it’s been really well received, despite flying the nest in such uncertain times. At the minute, I’m just about to send off my third DS Nikki Parekh novel to my publisher (HQ Digital). Funnily enough, it features a serial killer … who’d have thought? It’s got a cracking title, but I can’t tell you what it is yet.
L: My next project is going to be a novella in my DI Gus McGuire series. I’ve never written a novella before, but I created a character called Jo Jo, in my last Gus book, Unseen Evil, and Jo Jo sort of got under my skin. He’s a sixteen year old forced into web-camming sex acts on the dark web to make ends meet in order to keep himself, his terminally ill mum and his sister together as a family. This novella will take us deeper into Jo Jo’s past .
L: After that, I’ll be working on Gus, book 7, which will see some “blasts from the past” re-emerge. I’ve also got a couple of ideas for book 4 in my Nikki Parekh series, which will be very dark and very current and relevant – so busy times ahead.
I feel exhausted just reading about all these projects, Liz. So apart from book launches, what are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?
L: Lockdown has been hard for everyone and like most people, I think being able to see family members face to face and give them huge hugs will be the best thing ever. My daughter and youngest son are both living away from home and although we have FaceTime and a family Messenger group, it’s hard not being able to see them. My oldest son, who lives with us, had all the symptoms of the virus in March, but seems to have recovered well. We shoved him in the attic till he’d recovered … Well, when I say that, what I mean is, we restricted him to the attic bedroom which has an en suite and, taking all precautions from masks to Hazmat suits, we nursed him through it.
I’m glad to hear it. Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?
L: I think the combination of Lockdown and the VE anniversary has made me focus on the goodness in people. Captain Tom is such an inspiration and thinking about VE has put things into perspective – yes, things are bad, but I think as a country, we’re learning from the experiences of those who went through the war.
L: In terms of what I want to do … I think, being in enforced lockdown, has made me realise that I don’t want to go jetting off to sunnier climes or explore other countries. Instead, I want to explore all the places in the UK that I’ve always said I wanted to, but have never found time for.
Thank you for taking the time to join me today, Liz and I hope we meet up again somewhere in the UK soon especially if you visit London!
You can find out more about Liz and her books on her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter