Today I'm delighted to welcome
R.C. BRIDGESTOCK
to share their BEST OF CRIME ...
... AUTHORS
Agatha Christie is THE Queen of Crime Writers. I love her simplistic style that hides complex plotting. Her ability to build suspense throughout the neat little chapters, each one more exciting than the previous one is pure genius. Maybe she used the likes of an Anacapa chart to help track the impossible-seeming, totally un-guessable plots? It does make one wonder how her mind worked, because we know that all her storylines were pure fiction. Agatha Christie books are the kind that I like to read, by lamplight, before falling asleep.
... FILMS/MOVIES
Oceans Eleven. George Clooney and Brad Pitt come up with a Las Vegas heist with a reward so grand that the risk may be an excruciating demise, and that’s for starters. It’s fast-paced, and there’s never a dull moment thanks to the cunningness Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck and Elliott Gould. A movie for the thinker, this is one of the most fun, and funniest movies I’ve ever seen. Don't get lost in 'things highly improbable'. If you do, you've missed the point. Enjoy!
... TV DRAMAS
Happy Valley. We were the consultants on the BAFTA winning series. Sally Wainwright’s brief from the BBC was 'Juliet Bravo, modern day'. The drama was based in Sowerby Bridge Police Station where I (Carol), spent 17 years as a civilian employee, and where Bob was stationed when he was head of CID in the Calder Valley. We suggested Happy Valley to Sally. It was the name given by the officers to the Calder Valley - it was a lovely place to work. It is well known for the place where creatives live, and you can feel the influence of the writers and artists who flocked to the valley around the 70s and 80s. From artisan shops and inspiring galleries to organic pavement cafés and charming picture houses, the valley is justifiably proud of its artistic identity. A short distance from its towns you will find pretty wooded valleys and picturesque heather moorland.
... FICTIONAL KILLERS
Nurse Jackie Peyton (Edie Falco). In the American medical comedy-drama series, Nurse Jackie finds every day to be a high-wire act of juggling patents, doctors, fellow nurses and her own indiscretions. She’s a serial killer but she’s such a great character that I couldn’t help liking her, even though I obviously disapprove of her murderous ways...
... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES
Jack Frost. The character of Jack Frost (played by David Jason) was based on a real detective at West Yorkshire Police - unbeknown to him, until he saw his likeness on screen. Jack Frost’s resemblance to Gerry Dickinson, a good friend and former colleague, is uncanny.
... MURDER WEAPONS
From a senior investigator's point of view, any weapon that is easily identified! For instance, in our experience, a manmade medieval 'cosh' - once the weapon was found, it was easy to put the weapon in the hand, so to speak, of the killer.
... DEATH SCENES
Bob suggested the death scene of Kirsten to Sally Wainwright for the BAFTA awarding winning BBC drama Happy Valley.
An extract from episode 3: TOMMY puts his foot down and reverses over KIRSTEN. We don’t need to see it; we can see it off LEWIS’s face. We may hear the noise as well, which will be like so many watermelons getting crushed. LEWIS has to look away. He may even get squirted in blood.
To see the full episode: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/happy-valley-ep3.pdf
If this didn’t make your stomach ‘flip’ nothing will...
... BLOGS/WEBSITES
I tend to use Google (or Mr. Google as my mum calls it), as my go-to. I’ll enter the subject I need to research and go with the flow, and see where that journey takes me.... Mr. Google has never let me down yet! We use Rightmove for house-hunting.
... WRITING TIPS
Plan- the backstory is equally as exciting to create as writing the book.
Finish- we know so many great writers who get so hung up on the first few chapters being perfect, that they have actually never finished a book! The first draft is called a first draft for a reason.
Write a book you’d want to read.
... WRITING SNACKS
I (Carol) try not to snack - but if I do, it’s chocolate.
Bob is a monster midget gem/wine gum/Haribo addict - anything chewy!
About R.C. BRIDGESTOCK
R.C. Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, a down-to-earth detective, written with warmth and humour. The ninth book in the series will be published by The Dome Press in 2019, along with their backlist. A further crime series is presently being scripted by the pair, which has a strong Yorkshire female character - Charley Mann - at the helm.
Find R.C. Bridgestock on their website and on Twitter - @RCBridgestock
About SNOW KILLS
Publisher's description
When a young hairdresser is reported missing by her mother in a blizzard, D.I. Jack Dylan and his team are called in. Kayleigh’s car is found with her mobile phone inside but there is no sign of her. On the desolate Yorkshire moors, items of clothing are found and identified as belonging to the hairdresser, and an intense police search of the area begins. The investigation turns to a loner living close to where Kayleigh’s car was discovered. Meanwhile Dylan’s wife, Jen, is distracted and distant. Unbeknown to him her ex fiancé is in their midst, and stalking her.
Snow Kills was published by The Dome Press on 3 October 2019
About PAYBACK
Publisher's description
Charley Mann left Yorkshire for the Met and a fast-track career - but now she’s back and she’s in charge and the area’s first young, female DI. Her hometown, the Yorkshire countryside, and her old friends all seem unchanged, but appearances can be deceptive. When a brutal murder is discovered, Charley is forced to question everything, and the interest of her ex - reporter Danny Ray - doesn’t make it easier.
Payback is being published by The Dome Press on 9 January 2020.
Payback is being published by The Dome Press on 9 January 2020.
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