Love, deception and murder dominate as thriller writer James Silvester delivers the second in the Lucie Musilova series.
Still new to the top secret Overlappers intelligence team, and on her first `hit’ alone, Lucie Musilova has an attack of conscience and nearly botches the operation, taking a bullet wound before finishing off her target. Though her injuries are minor, she is chastised for her carelessness and assigned desk duties. Here she investigates a number of disappearances of European women from Britain – the women all missing without trace until the body of one is discovered, raped and murdered. Lucie learns that tens of women have disappeared, all with little investigation. As she digs deeper she begins to uncover a terrifying international conspiracy that potentially threatens not just her life, but to topple Governments….
Q&A
Enjoy!
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When and where do you prefer to write?
Preferably I’d be writing all day in a tranquil atmosphere of peace and calm. As I have kids, I grab a couple of hours at a time at my desk at home trying to screen out the chaos.
– Do you have a certain ritual?
More a rule than a ritual but I do insist that I write at least 1000 words per sitting. Obviously the ideal would be far more, but if I’m having an off day or the flow isn’t there, I still make sure I reach that number. Sometimes I’ll go back the next day and re-write the whole thing…
– Is there a drink of some food that keeps you company while you write?
Fruity water in the day time and rum at night. I like to write at night…
– What is your favourite book?
I’m never sure I completely know the answer to this, but I think I’d have to say 1984.
– Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?
I toy with it but it’s probably a long way off. I had a short sci-fi story published once, and I wrote a comedy script that picked up a bit of interest before being dashed against the rocks, but I think I’m very happy in the thriller genre for now. Pretty much everything I write in any genre ends up quite dark anyway.
– Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?
Absolutely. I find it easier to shape characters if they’re based on someone. Most of my lead characters are based on actors I like, or at least based on their physical appearance but many of the supporting characters are people I know.
– Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?
I used to, but not so much anymore. Instead I’ll type notes into my phone or email myself with ideas to work on later. Not very purist of me I’m afraid.
– Which genre do you not like at all?
I think all genres have something to teach us and I’ll happily give most things a try, but I struggle with pure romance.
– If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
From the past, Ian Fleming. I’m tempted to say John le Carre, but I’d be too in awe.
– If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?
I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Slovakia and the Czech Republic over the years and a lot of my work is influenced by those countries. I met my wife in Prague and we have family there, and I also studied the history when I was younger and fell in love with the place. I’d like to think my style suits those backdrops, but that’s for others to judge!
Thank you, James Silvester and Love Books Group Tours.
About the author
James Silvester’s debut novel and sequel, Escape to Perdition and The Prague Ultimatum, reflected his love both of central Europe and the espionage genre and was met with widespread acclaim. His new series features strong female protagonist Lucie Musilova, a character fully reflective of Europe’s changing cultural and political landscape. James lives in Manchester.
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