BEST OF CRIME with Ella Drummond

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 

ELLA DRUMMOND

to share her BEST OF CRIME ...

... AUTHORS

It’s difficult to choose one and it probably changes with different books that I read, but I have to say at the moment it’s Lisa Jewell, her book Watching You was impossible to put down.

... FILMS/MOVIES

I recently watched Red Sparrow and loved Jennifer Lawrence’s character Dominika and how she paid back all those who’d used her so badly. I love watching a bit of inspired revenge being played out.

... TV DRAMAS

Breaking Bad. My son wanted me to watch it and I really didn’t think that it was my thing. One weekend he went away and left the first DVD series in front of my TV and I only began watching it so that I could honestly say I’d tried. But I was instantly hooked, and binge watched for 8 hours on some days. 

... FICTIONAL KILLERS

Villanelle from Killing Eve. I loved the calm way she killed people without any regret, they were simply contracts she had agreed to fulfill, as well as the ingenious ways she murdered each victim.

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES 

I have to say Hercule Poirot. I love the period, settings - which is probably why I ended up using an art deco house for My Last Lie – and his deductions. What’s not to love? 

... MURDER WEAPONS

A daffodil bulb (Narcissus). The bulb looks similar an onion and apparently two of them cooked and served with a meal would be lethal to an adult.

    

... DEATH SCENES

The most shocking death scene that I still haven’t recovered from has to be the death of Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. Why did they do that to him? Why?

  

... BLOGS/WEBSITES

It depends what I’m looking for to substantiate a plot thread that I want to include. But I don’t have a dedicated set of websites that I visit. For My Last Lie I’ve looked up anything from house plans for art deco houses of the twenties to ensure I have the right layout for the home in this book, The Briars. I’ve also looked up estate agency websites for photos of the insides of houses that might inspire something in my story. 

... WRITING TIPS

Allow yourself thinking time. It helps unravel plot twists. I also write an outline, not in detail, but one that reminds me where I intended going with the story. The story might change as I get to know the characters, or come up with a better plot twist, but an outline helps keep me going with the first draft.

... WRITING SNACKS

Chocolate, I always eat too much, and Earl Grey tea, an endless supply.

About ELLA DRUMMOND

Ella Drummond lives in Jersey with her husband and three rescue dogs. Described as ‘One to Watch’ by Good Housekeeping magazine when her debut WW1 novel, Broken Faces, was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and received a ‘Special Commendation’ in the Harry Bowling Prize. She was a finalist in the Contemporary Romance Category for the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2016. Her debut psychological thriller, My Last Lie, will be published by Hera Books on 20th February.

Find Ella Drummond on her website, on her Facebook page and on Twitter - @drummondella

About MY LAST LIE

Publisher's description

New beginnings. Old secrets.
Theo and Pilar. The perfect couple.

Successful, beautiful and very much in love.
Until a year ago - and the tragedy that nearly tore them apart.
When their baby died, a part of them died with him.
Now they’re trying to rebuild themselves, moving to a stunning house in rural Cornwall.
But someone knows all their secrets – and will stop at nothing to disturb their fragile peace. 

Theo and Pilar are about to learn that you can try to hide – but you can never outrun your past. 

My Last Lie was published by Hera Books on 20 February 2019

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

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