Today I'm delighted to welcome
ALEX CAAN
for his First to Die blog tour
to share his BEST OF CRIME ...
... AUTHORS
Graham Greene and John Le Carre. I was approached to work for the security services after University and since then my fascination with all things espionage has been extreme. But beyond just your average spy thriller, these two writers also give great insights into the human condition. Beautiful writers that really pack a punch each time.
... FILMS/MOVIES
Oliver Stone’s ‘JFK’. That was as thrillers go perfect. Multi-layered, suspenseful and actually scared me in a few places.
... TV DRAMAS
The X Files. For me the ultimate show. Everything else that came after it borrowed so heavily from it, as a fan I can see the hangover even to this day. The chemistry between the leads, the terrifying storylines, the complex characters and villains, the mindblowing mysteries. I seriously cannot rate this show highly enough, and it changed me in so many ways and I think people can see my own TXF hang-ups in my novels.
... FICTIONAL KILLERS
The Jackal from The Day of the Jackal. I love blindingly clever villains like Hanniabl Lecter and Dr Alex Thorne from Angela Marson’s Kim Stone series, and the Jackal is just that. The way he manipulates, plots and ruthlessly kills to keep his identity secret, it’s fascinating.
... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES
Mulder and Scully of course. I loved how Mulder is the sensitive one in a way, the spiritual one, whereas Scully is clever, logical, tough and still able to be vulnerable. Scully especially is a blueprint I think for every hero I write whether they are male or female.
... MURDER WEAPONS
Jo Nesbo. He comes up with the craziest murder weapons. That ball thing from Phantom? And the teeth in The Thirst? It’s like he’s Googling these warped weapons and then building his novels around them.
... DEATH SCENES
Not really crime but Thelma and Louise. I never felt so uplifted and positive after the death of anyone. It was a very weird feeling.
... BLOGS/WEBSITES
University libraries. Academic papers are the best for ideas and research. Really would recommend it to anyone, it’s more bizarre, fun and cutting edge than any google search.
... WRITING TIPS
If you want to write because you want to be the next J K Rowling then you will probably fail. Write because you love to write even if no one is publishing you yet. It’s a calling I think, and you will find your audience. Oh and the first draft is always shit. Don’t worry.
... WRITING SNACKS
Cake. Any.
About ALEX CAAN
Alex Caan has spent over a decade working in Information Systems Security for a number of government organisations, and is currently specialising in Terrorism Studies. A lifetime passion for writing was sparked by the encouraging words of an English Teacher in school, and eventually led to Alex successfully completing an MA in Creative Writing, and write Cut to the Bone.
Cut to the Bone has been a Kindle Number 1 bestseller, was picked as a WH Smith 'Everyone's Talking About' book of the week, chosen as Sainsbury's best of summer reads and was Angela Marson's pick for crime novel recommendation of the year. Alex Caan was also a rising star on Amazon in 2016.
Find Alex Caan on his website, on his Facebook page and on Twitter - @alexcaanwriter
About FIRST TO DIE
Publisher's description
SOMEWHERE IN THE CROWD IS A KILLER
Bonfire Night and St James's Park is filled with thousands of Anonymous protesters in a stand-off with the police. When a cloaked, Guido Fawkes mask-wearing body is discovered the following morning, Kate Riley and Zain Harris from the Police Crime Commissioner's office are called in.
The corpse has been eaten away by a potentially lethal and highly contagious virus. The autopsy reveals the victim was a senior civil servant, whose work in international development involved saving lives. Why would anyone want him dead?
THEY WILL STRIKE AGAIN
As the research team looking into the origins of the deadly virus scramble to discover an antidote, first one, then another pharmacist goes missing. Meanwhile, a dark truth starts to emerge about the murder victim: he was an aggressive man, whose bullying behaviour resulted in the suicide attempt of one of his former staff members.
AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT . . .
With thirty lives potentially at stake, Kate and Zain have their work cut out for them. Can they find the two missing pharmacists in time, or will they too end up dead?
Read a snippet of my review
'The plot is complex, steeped in science and politics, with plenty of twists, turns and surprises throughout - and a few 'heart in the mouth' moments too.'
To read the rest of my review, click here.
To read the rest of my review, click here.
First to Die was published by Bonnier Zaffre on 14 June 2018.
Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.
Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.
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Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.
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