We speak with crime author Leigh Russell about her latest book, Journey to Death, and the craziest thing she’s done while researching a novel.
Much like our interview with author Peter James, speaking with Leigh Russell has given insight into the interesting life of a prolific novelist.
About ‘Journey to Death’
Lucy Hall arrives in the Seychelles determined to leave her worries behind. The tropical paradise looks sun-soaked and picture-perfect—but as Lucy soon discovers, appearances can be very deceptive. A deadly secret lurks in the island’s history, buried deep but not forgotten. And it is about to come to light.
As black clouds begin to gather over what promised to be a relaxing family break, Lucy realizes that her father stands in the eye of the coming storm. A shadow from his past is threatening to destroy all that he holds dear—including the lives of his loved ones.
A dark truth is about to explode into their lives, and that truth is going to hit them right between the eyes.
Interview author Leigh Russell
Tell us five random things about yourself.
I always wear purple, I can’t ride a bicycle, I once picked a lock using the lid of a margarine tub, I never intended to become an author, and I visited New York in October 2001 just after 9/11.
Describe Journey to Death as a six word story.
Holiday paradise hides a deadly secret.
You’ve read a lot of manuscripts as part of the Crime Writers Association. What would you say to aspiring crime writers?
As a member of the judging panel for the Debut Dagger Award, I am privileged to read the short listed entries for this prestigious award. I cannot improve on the advice William Faulkner gave to aspiring writers: “Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”
Your protagonist in Journey to Death grows more confident as the novel goes on. What was your decision in showing Lucy at her beginning as an amateur investigator rather than a more seasoned sleuth?
Journey to Death introduces Lucy Hall before she has fully grown up and discovered what she wants to do with her life. In some ways the novel is the narrative of her development as a character, as well as the story of her adventures in the Seychelles. She is a more mature character as a result of her experiences on her island holiday. I wanted readers to get to know her slowly, and she will continue to develop and grow through the series.
The island setting plays a big part in the story. Is that something that you want to continue in your novels?
The second Lucy Hall novel is set in Paris, and the third will be in Rome. Both my other series are set in the U.K., and I have spent a lot of time researching locations here. It has been interesting spending time in other countries researching different settings for my books. I hope the locations add a new layer of interest to the books, both in terms of how Lucy copes with being isolated away from everyone she knows, and in terms of the description of the places she visits. In September I’ll be visiting New Orleans and Florida, so maybe they may feature in another Lucy Hall book. That’s a great idea, as it would give me an opportunity to visit the U.S. again!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve done for research?
Actually, I have done quite a few strange things… When a foreign policeman challenged me with a machine gun, it’s alleged that I walked straight past him, completely ignoring him. I can be quite focused when thinking about my research! It was all fine, but with hindsight, I probably should have stopped.
Is there anything you wish someone had told you when you started out writing?
That’s a very difficult question! I had no idea that being an author involves more than simply sitting down and writing. Since my books became popular enough for me to write full time, I am on the road a lot. Last year I was away for over six months. That’s a lot of travelling for someone who loves to be at home. I have to turn down a lot of invitations. This year I was invited to give a talk in Florence, but have not been able to fit it into my schedule, although I have promised to go next year. In addition to travelling, I spend time supporting libraries and charities, and doing all sorts of research online. I love being a full time writer, but it can be exhausting!
Do you come up with the idea for a character first, a setting or a plot? How do you proceed from there?
Like many authors, I am fascinated by people who kill. All my books explore the psyche of killers. So I usually begin with the character of the villain, and his or her motivation and actions are what drive the narrative. Journey to Death was slightly different, as I had been given a first hand account of life there during the political coup of 1977, which became my starting point and the inspiration for the story.
Have you read or watched anything lately that you would recommend?
There are some excellent series being produced in the U.S. I was gripped by Homeland, and recently have been watching Madam Secretary. This latest series is less dramatic, dealing with the politics behind America’s role on the international stage rather than the frontline battle against terrorism. I find it equally compelling, and love the fact that both series feature strong female protagonists!
What projects are you working on next?
The second manuscript in the Lucy Hall series is currently being edited, so I am planning the third one, and also writing the ninth book in my Geraldine Steel series. Delivering more than one manuscript a year is hard work, but I love it! I am very grateful to my publishers for enabling me to spend so much time writing, and thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to share what I do with you here.
About the author
Photo: Marte Lundby Rekaa
Leigh Russell is the internationally bestselling crime author of the Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson series. Having reached #1 on Kindle and iTunes, Leigh’s work has attracted glowing reviews in the U.K. and USA. Her titles regularly appear on bestseller lists and have been shortlisted for prestigious industry awards, including the CWA Dagger. After studying English at the University of Kent, Leigh went on to teach, specializing in supporting those with learning difficulties. Leigh guest lectures for the Society of Authors, teaches creative writing courses in Greece and runs the manuscript assessment service for The CWA. She is married, has two daughters, and lives in London. Her latest novel, Journey To Death is now available on Amazon.