BEST OF CRIME with David Jackson

Welcome to my latest BEST OF CRIME feature, looking at crime writers' top picks, from their favourite author and fictional detective to their best writing tip. 

Today I'm delighted to welcome 

DAVID JACKSON

to share his BEST OF CRIME ... 

 

... AUTHORS

I’d have to plump for Ed McBain. His 87th Precinct series was a massive influence on me, and the books still occupy pride of place on my bookshelf. I love the procedural detail, the vivid descriptions of the city (fictional, although based closely on New York), the fast pace and the snappy interplay between characters. 

... FILMS/MOVIES
The Godfather. It’s one of the few films I can watch again and again. It broke the mould of crime movies, and the acting is superb.

... TV DRAMAS 

NYPD Blue. I loved this for many of the reasons I love the Ed McBain books. It had some great scripts and really engaging characters. 

... FICTIONAL KILLERS

I was going to say Hannibal Lecter, but that’s too obvious. I think maybe Norman Bates instead. As soon as we meet him we feel an unease that builds throughout the film. 

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES

Andy Sipowicz (from NYPD Blue). What I like about Andy is that he’s such a well-rounded character, with as many flaws as desirable attributes. He’s a terrific detective,  but he’s also fighting an alcohol addiction and has some rather questionable views. There’s a nice paradox in the way he forges such a close bond with his police partners, but struggles badly to deal with relationships in his personal life.

... MURDER WEAPONS

As a writer, I think the best murder weapon has to be a novel! I’m thinking of the end of Stephen King’s Misery, where Paul Sheldon stuffs the pages of his manuscript down Annie’s throat. 

    

... DEATH SCENES

See above! That final battle goes on for some time, and is utterly engrossing. At one point Sheldon even employs his typewriter as a weapon. 

  

... BLOGS/WEBSITES

I think it would have to be Wikipedia. It’s not always the most reliable of sources, but it tends to be a great starting point if I need to research something.

... WRITING TIPS

Write the book you’d like to read. Don’t follow a trend, or try to emulate others just because they’re successful. Analyse the ingredients of the type of book you really enjoy, and use that knowledge to create your own recipe for a novel. If you’re genuine about the story you’re telling, it will shine through.  

... WRITING SNACKS
Biscuits. Or chocolate. Or chocolate biscuits.

About DAVID JACKSON

David Jackson is the author of a number of crime thrillers. His first novel, PARIAH, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Awards, after which he was quickly signed up for a publishing deal. His fourth book, CRY BABY, went straight into the top 10 of the Amazon Kindle bestsellers, and was listed as one of the Amazon Best Books of 2014. Hope to Die is the second book in a new series from David Jackson, set in his hometown of Liverpool. 

Find David Jackson on his website and on Twitter - @Author_Dave 

About HOPE TO DIE

Publisher's description 

On a bitterly cold winter's night, Liverpool is left stunned by a brutal murder in the grounds of the city's Anglican Cathedral. A killer is on the loose, driven by a chilling rage.

Put on the case, DS Nathan Cody is quickly stumped. Wherever he digs, the victim seems to be almost angelic - no-one has a bad word to say, let alone a motive for such a violent murder.

And Cody has other things on his mind too. The ghosts of his past are coming ever closer, and - still bearing the physical and mental scars - it's all he can do to hold onto his sanity.

And then the killer strikes again . . .

Hope to Die is published by Zaffre on 6 April 2017.

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

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