BooksChatter: ℚ Rage and Retribution: DI Sterling [4]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Lorraine Mace to talk about Rage and Retribution (13 February 2020, Headline Accent, 490 pages), a Hard Boiled Crime novel, book four in the DI Sterling series.

"A dark, cleverly plotted tale . . . I was gripped from the opening scene and raced through the book to its final, shocking ending. Crime writing at its very best" -- Sheila Bugler

"Gritty, topical, sometimes lacerating, but always enthralling. A truly compulsive read" -- Abbie Frost

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

A very warm welcome to Lorraine Mace; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Rage and Retribution?

"I wondered what would happen if someone had definite knowledge of men who had committed rape, but the rapists were able to evade justice to such an extent they never appeared on the police radar in any way.

From there, it was a short step to looking at a vigilante-type retribution. Rage and Retribution explores this. As the tagline asks: can two wrongs ever make a right?"

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

"I think most authors incorporate bits of themselves in their characters, even if they are not aware of it. Several of my characters (the good ones, I hasten to add) have elements of my personality. Having said that, I frighten myself sometimes, when I’m writing from the antagonist’s point of view, at just how easy I find it to inhabit that mind set."

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

"I had little to do with the cover of Rage and Retribution other than wanting a dark, slightly seedy, urban background. The designers at Headline have done a fantastic job. I’m really happy with the finished design."

Why should we read Rage and Retribution and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"That is such a difficult question to answer because I haven’t read all of the hard-boiled crime writers out there. I am sure, whatever I say, someone will think, oh, so and so also does that.

I have been told by the readers of my D.I. Sterling series that I bring my perpetrators to life so realistically it’s scary. I try to show them as the people they are as a result of their early lives and experiences, but also give a hint of the people they could have been had life been different and/or kinder."

Can you tell us something quirky about Rage and Retribution, its story and characters?

"In a crime fiction world where the vast majority of victims are female, I decided it was time for a change. All the victims in Rage and Retribution are men."

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

"Recommendation: any reader who enjoys dark and gritty crime novels should love Rage and Retribution.

Warning: there are graphic details at the beginning showing what the perpetrator does to the men, so the book opens with a fairly shocking scene."

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 enjoy writing crime, but I am also a children’s author. Obviously, I have a different way of thinking when writing the children’s books, but even they have dark elements (vampires, werewolves and witches).

I read crime, but not exclusively. I love well-written books in any genre. Favourite authors outside of crime are Terry Pratchett and Georgette Heyer."

What is your writing process?

"I write in the morning for two hours and then spend the rest of the day on my various day jobs: columnist, creative writing tutor, monthly fiction competition judge."

What is in store next?

"Rage and Retribution is the fourth in the D.I. Sterling series. Headline Accent have already accepted book five and I am currently writing book six. When that is finished I have the outline for a standalone stalker/thriller to work on."

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?

"As I mentioned earlier, I also write children’s books. After I gave a talk at one school they decided to use Vlad the Inhaler: Hero in the Making as their set book for the following year. The teacher cut out the bat and all the children signed it because they loved the book so much. Needless to say, this is very special to me and has been on the wall above my messy desk ever since."