BooksChatter: ℚ Pitch Black: DCI Lorimer [5]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Alex Gray to talk about Pitch Black (First Published 4 December 2008; this new Witness Impulse edition 7 March 2017, Witness Impulse, 445 pages), a Police Procedural, book five in the DCI Lorimer series.

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to fellow Brit, Alex Gray; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Pitch Black?

"The inspiration for Pitch Black was the idea of someone escaping from a tragic situation. The opening section details the landscape around Loch Lomond which I visualised as a place of peace after the event that takes place in the city of Glasgow."

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

"I suppose a lot of my liking for football (soccer) is reflected in this articular story but also my inner love for the discrepancy between appearance and reality. I love working with material that is open to more than one interpretation. I guess that reflects my quirky nature and love for subtleties. Of course there is a scene where Lorimer is in the island of Mull and that is one of my favourite places in Scotland."

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

"The artist is from William Morrow’s Witness Impulse as far as I know. I was given four choices of cover and this to me seemed like an exact scene from the story."

Why should we read Pitch Black and what sets it apart from the rest?

"Well, I hope that it is well written, engaging and gives a flavor of the scenery in Scotland as well as telling a cracking good story. I also hope the reader would like Lorimer and his friends and want to know more about them. What sets me apart from the rest? Hard to say but my voice is definitely my own and I cannot remember ever being compared to another crime author. I don’t use bad language, so that might make me stand out from some other mystery writing. One thing that is different is that Lorimer has no horrible chip on his shoulder, has a happy marriage and is an all round decent man. I think I would say that is quite rare in crime fiction!"

Can you tell us something quirky about Pitch Black, its story and characters?

"Oh, something quirky! I did a lot of research at a real football club, one that is quite famous, and has been around since the 1800’s. The building was very old and in the boot room there was supposed to be a ghost! I could not resist lifting this and using it in my story."

Who would you recommend Pitch Black to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I would recommend this book to any lover of mystery stories whether or not they know about soccer. There is a lot else in the story, particularly the scenes that take place in Cornton Vale Women’s Prison where I did some real research."

If you could / wished to turn Pitch Black and the DCI Lorimer series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I don’t know many film directors but Kenneth Branagh could have the series to play around with and I’d like to see local boy, Gerard Butler, play the lead role."

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 like to write about Scotland, particularly the beautiful scenery and Glasgow, my home city which has such a wealth of history and glorious architecture and culture."

What is your writing process?

"I begin editing what I wrote the day before then I launch into the writing for the day, very often as early as 3 or 4 am. By lunchtime I am usually all written out for the day."

What is in store next?

"The books that are coming out in the US will cover everything up to Keep The Midnight Out. Here in the UK I have just launched Still Dark, the 14th in the Lorimer series and am three quarters finished the book for 2018.

Of course there is my ongoing involvement as co-founder of Bloody Scotland, our fabulous crime writing festival that takes place in the city of Stirling each year. September 8/10 this year and our programme will be launched June 1st.quot;

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?

"I have two adorable cats and will send you a phot of them as soon as I can. They are called Puskas and Katya."

When is a cat not a marmalade cat?
Puskas guarding the batch of home made marmalade

Katya and Puskas Pretending to be toys!

Gorgeous! Hello Puskas and Katya - lots of head scratches to you both :-D

Alex, thank you so much for sharing them with us and for being here with us today!