ℚ End As An Assassin: André Warner, Manhunter [1] - Lex Lander

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Lex Lander to talk about End As An Assassin (1 May 2016, Kaybec Publishing, 295 pages), a High Octane Thriller, book one of the André Warner, Manhunter series.

End As An Assassin is currently FREE to download for a limited time!

Book two, I Kill, has also been released simultaneously.

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Tour Stops

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A very warm welcome to Lex Lander; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for End As An Assassin?

"The inspiration for End as an Assassin came especially from wondering what makes a hit man tick.  Can he be well-educated, humane, cultured, sensitive etc. and still kill people for a living, albeit deserving cases?

The more technical aspects of contract killing were inspired by Day of The Jackal, which I saw first as a film, before reading the book."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Attitudes and outlook of Warner reflect many of my own.  I have no expertise as a contract killer, though the type fascinates me in some ways."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover.   Can you tell us about your cover for End As An Assassin - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"To me it is important that a book cover reflects a scene in the book, as is the case of both titles.  The scene were conceived by the publisher, who wanted something that would be relevant and appealing as a cover design, and these are what he came up with.

The designer is Ian Hughes, who lives in Kent, and once worked as cover designer for Hodder & Stoughton."

Gosh, you aren't joking - I am a King collector and I can see that so many of his covers were designed by Ian Hughes.  This is why I love interviews - there is always so much to learn :-)

Why should we read End As An Assassin and what sets it apart from the rest?  What makes your book unique?

"You should read this book if you like first-person narratives, through the eyes of a strong, well rounded character, with self confessed flaws and a paradoxical romantic outlook on life.  Also if you are looking for a love story.

I try to make all my leading characters believable and my plots not formulaic or derivative.  A private-enterprise contract killer (as distinct from a Government assassin a la James Bond) as a protagonist is not unique in the world of crime fiction, but it is rare.  True uniqueness is hard to achieve, but I believe that I have created a memorable character who will make readers want to read on and know his fate.

Simultaneous launching of the first and second volumes of a series is also unusual, though that may not be unique either."

Can you tell us something quirky about End As An Assassin, its story and characters?

"See above – the contract killer ‘hero’, the setting of some scenes on Porquerolles Island, in the south of France, the sailing scenes, the sensitive nature of the protagonist.

The protag is named after someone I knew, as is his romantic interest, also a couple of lesser characters."

Who would you recommend End As An Assassin to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I would recommend this book to anyone who reads suspense/crime thrillers, and likes a strong and relevant love interest to be woven into the plot.  For the latter reason I believe it will appeal to women as much as men readers.

There is violence, but it is relevant and never gratuitous, and I don’t linger over it."

If you could / wished to turn End As An Assassin and the André Warner, Manhunter series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"If a British director, Guy Ritchie or perhaps Ben Wheatley.   As for actors, Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey would fit the role of Warner physically, or Daniel Craig.

The location should be true to the book – in particular Monaco, Ile de Porquerolles, and Geneva, and perhaps the scenes in Germany at the start and end of the story."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I have only departed once from my favoured crime thriller genre, when I tackled an occult thriller about 5 years ago.  I completed it, but never edited it, though I may return to it one day.  Political thrillers also interest me, and I have one or two ideas that I may turn into a book in a year or two.

As for reading, I also gravitate towards Crime thrillers, notably by Michael Connelly, and Robert B Parker, to name but two of the authors I follow.  Other thriller genres also attract me, and historical fiction and fact."

What is your writing process?

"3 hours a day, from 7-10am, six days a week.  Once a week I re-read the previous 6 days output.

Sometimes this regime slips, as I have a property realtor business that keeps me fully occupied. I write directly onto a laptop, and have done ever since I started writing seriously."

What is in store next?

"Volumes I and II of the Warner series were published simultaneously on 1 May.  Volume III, The Man Who Hunted Himself, is with Kaybec for editing.  Volume IV, She Kills, is 75% complete, though I have fallen behind in my schedule owing to this being the busy season for property sales.  At the worst it will be finished by end of June. Volume V (untitled as yet) is at the planning stage with a few sections written."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"Can’t oblige with a pic of me plus pet, I’m afraid.  I used to have a Siamese cat called Gizmo, but he died about 2 years ago, since then I have avoided getting another pet.

As I live in a 10th floor apartment in Downtown Montreal it’s not really a practical proposition.  When I was a child we always had one or more cats, and as we lived in the country they were always allowed to roam around outside (sorry, feathered friends!).  If ever I move to a bigger place in a more rural setting I will certainly get another feline friend."

Cat person!  Nice! :-)  RIP little Gizmo.  We had decided that we would not get any more cats as mine died... that did not exactly work out... the last out of 13 died around Christmas last year.
We currently have seven little furry ones... (the first one on that link is Tequila, the one who passed away last) - they are all indoor kitties.

End As An Assassin
Available NOW! FREE for a limited time!

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