Today I’m joining the blog tour for Song For Someone. I’m sharing my Q&A with the author with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the tour and to KD Sherrinford for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

I enjoyed writing essays at school. Being a shy, introverted kid, I was mortified when my English teacher read one out during class.
I wrote a short story with my dad Denis a satire on Heaven and Earth; sadly, it got lost in a house move years ago. I was gutted as my dad Denis passed away soon after. I was 62 when I started to work on my first novel.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

I was a senior negotiator for Entwistle Green, part of Countrywide, for over 20 years. That job and the interesting people I met helped me develop some of the characters in my books.

What was your inspiration for Song For Someone?

I gained inspiration to write my debut novel, ” Song for Someone”, after a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in 2019, just before lockdown. Irene Adler has always fascinated me; she is such an iconic character.

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

There are traits of people I know. In some of my characters, the two villains in” Song for Someone”, Ernie and Ron, were friends of mine from The old Preston Greyhound Stadium in the seventies. They passed away years ago but would have been thrilled to get a mention.

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m definitely a panster; I like to start writing and see where it takes me. However, I had to do some outlining, particularly for my debut novel.

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

My books are Historical romantic suspense and involve interacting fictional characters with real-life people, which was fun, although I had to carry out some extensive research regarding La Scala, Pietro Masgagni, The Opera Silvano and its performers, Arturo Toscanini and Agatha Christie, it was hard work, but from the reaction of my readers, worth it in the end.

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

My favourite writers are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Ian Rankin, and Charlotte Bronte; I adore Jane Eyre., which also features in” Song for Someone.”
I was definitely influenced by Doyle and Christie.

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be and why?

My three dinner guests would be Orson Wells, Dirk Bogard and Charlotte Bronte.

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

.I would hate to be stuck in a lift with Sherlock Holmes- I would be terrified.

Who would play the main character in a film version of Song For Someone?

Bertie Carvel would play Sherlock Holmes in a film version of ” Song for Someone.” he was excellent as Inspector Dalgleish, with all that burning intensity. He would make a fine Holmes.

What do you do in your spare time?

My spare time, what’s that? Lol. When I’m not writing or promoting my books, I like to spend time with my grandchildren and read; I have a massive TBR list, many wonderful books, and so little time.

What is next for you?

I am working on my fourth book in the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries, ” Nicco Sapori’s Abduction”, which should be available next year.
Then on the 13th of November, my short cosy mystery, ” A Bit of a Do.” will be released in Marla Bradeen’s marvellous anthology entitled ” Malice, Matrimony and Murder.”—a limited edition collection of 25 short stories from some amazing authors. I feel very proud to be part of that collection.

Favourites.

Book– Jane Eyre

Film– Ture Grit with John Wayne

Band/singer– Neil Sedaka- his stuff from the seventies. And most of the Brill Builders.

TV Show– .. Better Call Saul.

Colour– Blue

Place– Grenada in the Carribbean

Biscuit– Dark chocolate digestives.

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Song For Someone is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: