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Binary Witness
The Amy Lane Mysteries, Book 1
Rosie Claverton
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication: May 5, 2014
Number of pages: 213
Word Count: 78,000
Cover Artist:
Excerpt:Police detectives rely on Amy Lane to track the digital debris of their most elusive criminals--when she's not in the throes of a panic attack. After two students disappear in Cardiff, Amy uncovers photographic evidence that they've been murdered. From the safety of her computer, she looks through the city's digital eyes to trace the steps of a killer.
Amy's investigation requires footwork, however, and the agoraphobic genius can't hack it alone. She turns to her newly-hired cleaner, ex-con Jason Carr. Jason is fascinated by both Amy and the work, and can't refuse even when she sends him into situations that risk returning him to prison.
The killer strikes again and again, and Amy and Jason are the only investigators closing in on him. But Amy's psyche is cracking under the strain, and Jason's past is catching up with him. To stop the next murder, they must hold their unconventional partnership together at any cost.
MelodyInterview:
She thought she could see a couple of hotels in the distance. She’d ask them for directions, or maybe they’d call her a taxi. Few men could resist a girl shivering in their lobby, even if she looked like she was more water than woman. “A moisten bint.”
But, as luck would have it, she heard a car come up behind her. She turned to stare into the headlights and stuck her arm out, waving frantically to flag down the longed-for taxi and trying not to totter backwards in her six-inchers. The car pulled into the pavement and she yanked open the back door, clambering in and sitting down with a sigh. She was shivering now but it was at least a bit warmer in the car, and it smelled of industrial cleaners and the peculiar scent of an air freshener pretending to be pine.
“Where to?” he said, glancing up at the mirror. He clearly liked the look of her dress. She smiled politely at him and pulled her coat round her. She’d feel like a right tit if it was right round the corner. “The Colonies,” she said. “Australia Road.”
“Right,” he said and pulled off. The doors locked.
And Melody realised she couldn’t see a meter. Or a badge hanging up front. She couldn’t see the driver’s face. And she couldn’t get out.
“Actually, maybe I’ll walk,” she said tentatively, hand going for the door handle.
He ignored her, hands gripping the steering wheel.
“I don’t think I have any cash.” Her heart started to race, her hands shaking as she clutched her handbag closer.
“That’s okay,” he said.
Melody screamed.
Today, we welcome Rosie Claverton to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give a great big Geeky welcome!
Let's start with some writer specific questions before moving into the fun stuff. That way everyone can really get to know the person behind the writer. We will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready for the interrogation to begin?
Bit nervous, but I’m hoping my fellow geeks will go easy on me!
Writing Specific
I’m a bit of both. When I write mysteries, I always start at the end – whodunit and what are their means, motive and opportunity. I have to then plan each murder scene and what vital clues will be uncovered, before layering in the red herrings and diversions. However, I always get lost somewhere in the middle and the journey my sleuths take to find the killer often goes on a detour, while I desperately try to nudge them back on track. I should stop writing such strong-minded individuals who like to have things their own way!
2. When is your favorite time/place to write? Do you write structured or patchworked?
I always do my best writing on the train. I used to have a long-distance relationship with my husband, before he was my husband, and I took the train every other weekend. I found that long stretch of uninterrupted writing time, free from distractions – particularly an internet connection – really productive. Now I travel my train a lot less, but I can turn even a fifteen-minute trip into an intense writing session.
I do write in order, however, when I’m into the drafting stage. When my story’s just an outline, I hinge the plot on big events and set pieces, which I jump around like the hyperactive child I once was. Sometimes, I do screw myself over with a plot point later on and have to go back and fix the rest – the worst thing about doing that is realizing halfway through that you’ve broken the whole plot, and having to change it all back. Bad decisions can be very time-consuming.
3. How do you deal with Writer's Block?
It’s usually because I’m hungry – a lot of stalling in my life is because I’m hungry! However, if the muse isn’t satisfied by a quick snack, it’s usually because something isn’t working in the plot or with the characters – for me, writer’s block is a Big Fat Warning that I need to change an element of the story. I also work much better with deadlines, so if I don’t have one already, I impose my own – I can be a very hard taskmaster!
4. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.
I hate sheep. I grew up on a farm and I believe they are the Spawn of Satan. People think that sheep are stupid and will just follow meekly. But no! If you get one strong-willed sheep, all the rest will follow it on its ill-advised journey in exactly the opposite direction to where you want them to go. There’s a reason I now live in a city.
5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
When I was hunting for an agent last year, one piece of feedback said that they had difficulty with my characters. Because my character work and dialogue are my favourite parts of writing, I was hurt by that. However, ultimately, those rejection notes only improved my writing because I responded to that criticism and delved deeper into those characters. Which leads to my best compliment: I take notes well, responding and evolving in response to constructive criticism. I worked with a script editor who wrote an entire blog post about my ability to take notes, which was very flattering.
Fun Stuff
6. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Telepathy would be awesome, especially if I was an Omega-level mutant like Phoenix or Professor X. Because being an incredibly telepath would be a lot like being a writer, except you could actually make people believe in your stories and act them out for your amusement. Not that, uh, I would ever do that. It would also be useful for…world peace, or something. Telepathy For Great Justice!
7. What was the name of the last book you read?
I’m in the middle of re-reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, which is one of my favourite classics. It’s actually research for another project I’m plotting, so the book is stuffed with bright yellow sticky notes.
8. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?
Jane Austen. She was wickedly clever and I bet she could tell the best dinner party anecdotes. And we’d mock all the pretty girls and their accomplishments, while taking tea and a turn about the park.
9. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?
Laptop, ereader and satellite modem. I have a need to be connected, even since I was a teenager – it’s that whole “growing up on a farm” thing.
10. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
I tend to buy fresh groceries on the way home from work, so the fridge is usually bare of all except what I’m cooking with that day. The exception is a selection of cheese, including Indian paneer; tofu; milk; and an assortment of pickles and sauces, including my homemade sweet chilli jam. I am also never without a super-size bottle of garlic mayonnaise.
Think Fast
AM or PM? PM. I am definitely not a morning person, and I really come alive after sunset.
Meat or Veggies? I’m vegetarian, so it has to be veggies. Though they’re always better when smothered in cheese.
Summer or Winter? Summer! I get terribly cold, so I’m always huddled under the duvet with thick pyjamas while my husband is throwing off the covers. Since we got our African Pygmy Hedgehog, I have an excuse to turn the heating up and keep the house lovely and toasty.
Coffee or Tea? I will always pick tea, unless I am a walking zombie or there’s some calorie-laden specialty coffee tempting me. My favourite is Black Forest Mocha, with extra cream, cherry sauce and chocolate curls.
Print or Electronic? Print for books I want to keep forever, lending to friends, and reading in the bath. Electronic for books I have to read now and taking long trips.
Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?
Never judge a book by its cover, but always judge people by their bookshelves.
Giveaway:
Rosie will be awarding to randomly drawn winners during the tour one of the following items: a "@" pendant, an engraved Floppy Disk Keyring, a Cardiff City Typographic Mug, a £10 Amazon voucher, 3 Binary Witness ebooks.
So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:
May 5th:
Rogues Angels
May 6th:
Deal Sharing Aunt
May 7th:
Writers and Authors
May 8th:
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Queen of All She Reads
May 9th:
Queentutt's World of Escapism
May 12th:
Room With Books
May 13th:
Musings and Ramblings
May 14th:
Booklover Sue
May 15th:
My Devotional Thoughts
May 16th:
The blog of C.R. Moss
Long and Short Reviews
Author Bio:
Rosie Claverton grew up in Devon, daughter to a Sri Lankan father and a Norfolk mother, surrounded by folk mythology and surly sheep. She moved to Cardiff to study Medicine and adopted Wales as her home. Her short film "Dragon Chasers" aired on BBC Wales in Autumn 2012. Her debut novel Binary Witness is due for publication by Carina Press in 2014. Currently exiled to London, she lives with her journalist husband and their pet hedgehog.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Thank you for hosting me! I loved your creative questions!
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