Getting To Know...Claire Knight

Claire Knight with the fab author C.L. Taylor

Today on Getting To Know... I am asking my questions of Claire Knight, reviewer on the fabulous blog Crime Book Junkie.

You review books on Crime Book Junkie, has crime fiction always been your favourite genre or do you love other genres too?

I have read crime fiction on and off for as long as I can remember; I grew up reading The Famous Five, Secret Seven and then progressed onto Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.  I developed a love for the real crime novels reading about the moors murders and taking an interest in the post mortem process reading Michael Baden’s Unnatural Death over and over again. I had a brief obsession with chick lit but then fell back in love with crime fiction when Mark Billingham released Sleepyhead.  I still do read other genres but crime is possibly my joint favourite with psychological thrillers.

Do you have a favourite author?

That’s like asking if I have a favourite child!! There are so many to choose from that I could be here till Christmas making a decision as I’d keep changing my mind.

Do you have a particular way that you organise your bookshelves or is it a free for all (like mine are right now)?

My bookshelves are a mess.  Two years ago when I found out I was pregnant, I had to have a clear out of my books because our spare room aka my library was to become the new nursery.  But since then, I’ve won books or been sent them by lovely authors or publishers.  I was at this year’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate and each day, I came back with a stack of books….so there are now piles of books scattered around the house that need to be homed!

A toughie for a reader - e-books, paperbacks or hardbacks?

I am a covert to the e-books.  Before my husband bought me a kindle, I was a staunch physical copy reader preferring paperbacks to hardbacks (they’re lighter after all).  But having a kindle has introduced me to so many new authors such as Mel Sherratt, Caroline Mitchell, Mel (M A) Comley.  These authors are one you probably wouldn’t find browsing in Waterstones so it’s a whole new set of authors that I’m exposed to and I love discovering new authors

Other than reading, do you have any other hobbies?

With two children, working four days a week and a house to look after, I don’t have much time.  I do like to watch TV and go shopping with friends.  

How many books do you read in a year? Do you set yourself an annual goal?

Last year I read 96 books but I did spend the first 8 months on maternity leave, In January I targeted 52 books (one a week) given I was going back to work so I couldn’t read as much as I did last year, but I’ve got a feeling I might hit that well before the end of the year as I’ve already hit 49.

What was your favourite book or series when you were growing up?

I think I read every Enid Blyton book going and then moved onto the likes of Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Lois Duncan’s thrillers. But then is there any 80/90s girl who didn’t read Judy Blume or the Sweet Valley books – not so much crime but a rite of passage.

Do you have a favourite place to read?

Anywhere – in the car, on the sofa, in the garden, in bed…I’ve even been spotted reading at my desk or waiting for my husband outside of work particularly when the story has got me hook line and sinker and I’m desperate to finish it.

As you enjoy crime fiction, do you also enjoy watching crime series or crime documentaries on tv?

I prefer the crime drama series but I’m not averse to a documentary.  My recent favourite have been The Fall, Marcella, Death In Paradise, Sherlock, Daredevil.  I really want to find time to watch Making a Murderer

Have you been lucky enough to meet any authors?

Oh yes!! Apologies for the name drops but….. As I mentioned, I was at the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival this year and I met a fair few authors such as Sarah Hilary, Clare Mackintosh, Mark Edwards, Jenny Blackhurst, Cally (C.L) Taylor and Tara Lyons to name but a few – in the signing tent, I met Mark Billingham, Ruth Ware, Beth Lewis and Dr Brooke Magnanti (aka Belle De Jour).  Also I am a member of THE Book Club on Facebook which organises regular get togethers in various locations around the UK; in February I was lucky enough to meet Steven Dunne, Graham Smith, Col Bury, Rita Brassington, Sarah Louise Jamson and David Videcette.  I’ve been to a few book signings, meeting Peter Robinson, Kimberley Chambers and Stuart MacBride. 

Thank you so much to Claire for answering my questions! 

To connect with Claire or check out her reviews

Twitter @ClaireK01959448
Crime Book Junkie website
Crime Book Junkie Facebook page

Getting To Know...Abigail Osborne

Today on Getting To Know... I have Abigail Osborne, whose debut novel, The Puppet Master, is released today!

Your debut novel, The Puppet Master, is out today, can you tell me more about it and what was the inspiration behind the story?

I like to think that The Puppet Master is a story about how much a person can suffer and still come out the other side. I have been through some terrible times, not as awful as what Billie experiences, but still enough that I could have slid into a very depressive state and isolated myself like she does. I wanted to explore that and encourage people that do suffer to know that it is possible to get your happily ever after. My husband has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and having him in my life has made me a better person. I know it sounds cliché but it is true and it was the undeniable influence in shaping this book.

The Puppet Master is a psychological thriller, what is it that draws you to this genre?

I love reading thrillers and as much as I wanted this book to be a positive message, I couldn’t resist this genre. I have known quite a few manipulative people in my life (thankfully not anymore) so I was keen to write from this perspective and show how clever and controlling people can be.

Billie is the main character of The Puppet Master, is there any of you in her character and if so which bits?

Billie does have a lot of me in her. I took inspiration from events that happened to me growing up and rewrote them into her story. I used to be very self-conscious and lacked confidence and it wasn’t until I met my husband that I began to feel confident in myself and who I am. At the start of the book, Billie doesn’t know who she is or what she can be and similarly it takes Adam to show her that there is more to life and more to her.

Have you always known that you wanted to be an author?

No I haven’t. I have loved reading since I was small and I never thought that writing a book was something that I could do. I have always wanted to but I’ve just never had the confidence or self-belief until recently. I was in a place where I had a lot of free time to wonder what I wanted to do with my life. I started to write a few anecdotes from my childhood and then a year later ‘The Puppet Master’ was written. Now I’ve opened myself up to writing, I just can’t stop.

You also have a book review blog, manybooksmanylives, what inspired you to set this up?

I had toyed with have a book reviewing blog for many years, I actually had one set up but all my posts were only drafts and I just couldn’t bring myself to publish what I thought. I just didn’t believe anyone would care. But then my husband gave me a push last year and I can’t believe the response that I’ve had to my reviews. It’s partly this reaction that encouraged me to write my book.

Do you have a favourite author?

Ooh – that’s hard. I have quite a few. I read a lot of genres so I have a favourite from all of them. I love Jodi Picoult, Harlan Coben, and Barbara Erskine. But I think I have to choose Sara J Maas. She writes New Adult Fantasy and I absolutely love her writing, she never fails to deliver and her imagination and the worlds she creates are fascinating and addictive.

When you're writing do you have a set routine to follow or a place to sit?

I actually dragged my husband to Ikea and sat on all the chairs and armchairs in the shop until I found the perfect writing chair. I found it four hours later – narrowly escaping divorce! So I sit in my rocking chair with my laptop but I have to be completely alone, I can’t concentrate if someone else is in the house.

When you're not writing what would we find you doing?

When I’m not writing I’m reading. I have around 7 ceiling high bookcases in my house and I nearly ready to order the eighth one. I normally read about 100 books a year.

If you could give younger you any advice about your writing journey, what would it be?

I would tell my younger self to have some self-confidence and get started earlier.

I know The Puppet Master has only just come out, but what can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m really interested in Mental Health, so I’ve been working on some ideas regarding that. I think I will probably stick to the thriller genre. But once I’m more confident with my writing then I want to explore other genres aswell

Thank you so much to Abigail for taking the time to give such honest and insightful answers, it's been an absolute pleasure.

To connect with Abigail Osborne

Abigail's Author Website
Abigail's Blog
Twitter @abigail_author and @MBequalsML

To pick up a copy of The Puppet Master click here

The Puppet Master synopsis

Manipulated by fear and love…could you cut the strings and take back control?

Billie’s hiding from the world, believing it to be the only way to take control of her life as she lives in fear of the man who nearly destroyed her. But what she doesn’t realise that she’s exactly where he wants her; isolated and afraid. A chance meeting with budding journalist Adam sparks a relationship that could free her from the terror that controls her. But will Adam be able to see the real Billie buried under her terror and pain?

Adam knows exactly who Billie is and is determined to expose her and get justice for the lives she ruined. But first, he needs to convince her to open up to him but as unwanted attraction and feelings blossom between them, Adam is forced to realise that all is not as it seems. Most of their lives have been unknowingly governed by the desires and needs of someone who considers himself their master. He has influenced and shaped them for years, meticulously weaving a web of lies and control around them. Can Billie and Adam survive the betrayals in store and cut the strings that bind them?

One thing is for sure. The master wants his puppets back – and he’ll do anything to keep them.

Getting To Know...Noelle Holten

Today on Getting To Know... I bring you Noelle Holten, creator of and book reviewer on the blog, Crime Book Junkie.

You created the fabulous blog, Crime Book Junkie, what inspired you to start it? 

Wow!  Thanks for the compliment! I was guest reviewer for the awesome Katherine Everett (Best Crime Books and More) after coming across her blog via the equally awesome Victoria Wilkinson of I Love Reading. After a few months, Kat suggested I go solo and with a lot of awesome support and encouragement....I did! I love crime fiction, #AllThingsCrime and so wanted my blog to focus on this specifically. I cannot believe how wonderful this last 12 months has been! 

Have you always loved crime fiction or is it something you've discovered along your reading journey?

I have also had an interest in crime/mysteries and suspense from a very young age. I loved Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys and was always into solving crimes in television programmes. I started reading horror books (which I still love) and True Crime (another one I still love) at the age of 12 or so (secretly or my parents would have killed me). From that, I moved on to crime fiction and have never looked back. I do read other genres (occasionally) but these are few and far between. 

Do you have a favourite author? 

I have SEVERAL favourite authors (and will probably miss some out by accident) but totally adore: Graham Smith, Mike Craven, Col Bury, Stephen King, Mel Sherratt, Mel Comley, Martina Cole, Caroline Mitchell, Paul Grzegorzek, Stephen Edger, Howard Linskey, Mark Billigham, Angie Marsons, AJ Waines, Michael J Malone, Douglas Skelton, Emma L Clapperton, Alan Jones....the list is endless. There are so many amazing crime authors out there and I adore their books for a variety of different reasons. 

Do you have a special spot where you love to curl up and read? 

I love reading outside in the sunshine, but over here in the UK -- well that is not always possible. I don't have a favourite spot- other than curled up on the couch with my big, chocolate labrador- Buster. I will read anywhere and everywhere!

How do you organise your bookshelves? 

At the moment, my bookshelves are in complete chaos and I have books everywhere! But I have one book shelp for text books relating to criminal justice; I have one that is dedicated to my TBR pile (pretty full which is why they have over-flowed on to my dining room table) and I have two others which are full of books I have loved/read or which I have picked up out of interest but may not be crime-related. I really need to sort them all out! 

A really difficult question - e-books, paperbacks or hardbacks?

Not hard at all-- if it is a book --no matter what format -- I will love it! I read all three! My kindle is great for holidays or commutes but nothing beats a real book. Paperbacks are lighter, so if I had to carry one around, that would be a preference. But hardbacks are great for reading in bed!

During the day you are a Senior Probation Officer, can you tell us anything about the kind of thing you do? 

I manage two teams of Probation Officers/Probation Service Officers across two police stations.  I am part of the Integrated Offender Management team. We manage the most chaotic and prolific offenders in the community. We also manage individuals who have substance misuse issues (drugs or alcohol) within our Substance Misuse team. I work jointly with the Police and Treatment to ensure public protection and reducing re-offending is monitored and actioned. We write reports for courts, manage individuals both in the community and custody and look at strategies on how to ensure the public is protected when risk escalates. That is it, in a nutshell!

Have you been lucky enough to meet any authors?

EEEEEEEEK!! I sure have. I have just returned from Harrogate and met so many of my author idols. I have also been fortunate enough to attend book signings, launches and events where I have met some amazing authors. They have been so incredibly lovely and supportive of bloggers -- it has been amazing! 

Will we ever see a crime novel that's been written by you? 

You just might...... 

If you were a fictional character and suffered a crime, which fictional detective would you want on the case? 

I would totally want DI Harry Evans on the case. He is one of Graham Smith's characters and a copper you just hate to love. He is old school in a modern world and does whatever it takes to get the case solved. I have no doubt he would make sure that whoever killed me (as he works the murder team, so any other crime may not fall to his team) would be brought to justice....whatever means necessary! 

To check out Noelle's blog Crime Book Junkie click here!