The Bookery was delighted to host bestselling crime author Tom Hindle on a wet evening in Thursday, joined by friend and thriller writer Orlando Murrin.

Orlando first asked Tom where else he is travelling to for the launch of his new book A Killer In Paradise. We were proud to learn that the Bookery was his first bookshop to visit for this book launch, before he travels to the North West and attending a few festivals. Orlando encouraged full support for Independent bookshops everywhere and said that authors love indies!

Tom summarised his writing journey – his first book being a historical murder mystery – Fatal Crossing – which was spun out of an idea he developed in 6^th form at school with the ‘romantic’ idea of producing a play which never happened. However, his publisher commissioned him for one book and then asked him to do more, with his next book The Murder Game set in Devon . He said he prefers writing contemporary murder mysteries rather than historical, and likes writing stand-alone books rather than a series so he can have new characters for each book. Some of the books are inspired by holidays, such as Murder in Lake Gardia and the new book set in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. He is setting whodunnits in glamorous part of the world – we could feel the envy ripple through the audience…Orlando said we all could get a flavour of Costa Rica by buying the book! Tom talked about going to Svalbard in the arctic circle to research Death in the Arctic – Orlando replied that he should be pinched by the Tourist Boards to boost tourism!

Tom let us into a secret that he is working on his 6th book – set in Egypt – but he has not yet time to visit, so he is a little nervous as its all being done by ‘desk’ research. The audience speculated what the title for a book set in Eygpt could be…

Orlando and Tom next explored the genres and differences between ‘Cosy Crime’ and ‘Murder Mysteries’ and how characters are represented with murder mysteries having rather more despicable characters, but with one character being nice that readers can engage with and want that character to come through successfully. Tom said that drama naturally comes from conflict and that its easier to create drama when all the characters are awful.

Tom was asked why he thinks his books are so successful. Tom told the story of his Editor (the closest thing to a boss for an author!) ringing him up to say he had been pipped by Lee Child selling 11 more books than Tom so he didn’t make the Sunday Times Bestseller that week, which shows how tight these rankings are. Tom also credited Patrick Knowles for the amazing and decorative boom covers that also help to sell the books and described the huge level support he receives from the publishers team across sales, marketing, translations and the other people that go to taking a book to publication.

Tom read an extract from the prologue chapter of A Killer in Paradise, which is from the perspective of a Police Inspector being called to the discovery of the murder in the tropical rainforest: we hear about the murder weapon being a poisonous flower – pretty much only possible in such a rich biodiverse country as Costa Rica.

We finished up with book signings and lovely chats with customers – a fun entertaining relaxing evening just right to lift the spirits on a dark, wet, windy January night! Signed copies of A Killer In Paradise are available in store or online HERE

All Photos by Felicity Billen Photography