THEY'RE BACK!
The author features have had a bit of a makeover, with some new questions, a few familiar favourites and, perhaps most importantly, The Hippo's Non-Negotiable Question™.
The answers I've received so far have made me smile, laugh out loud and occasionally question the Hippo's judgement, and I can't wait to share them with the herd.
Let's begin with the very first guest to put the new feature to the test.... Noelle Holten.
Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at CrimeBookJunkie. She is a book publicist by day, and previously worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years. She has three Hons BA's - Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice - and a Masters in Criminology.
Dead Inside - her 2019 debut novel with One More Chapter/HarperCollins UK is an international Kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. She also writes standalone thrillers.
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| Photo courtesy of Noelle Holten |
Welcome to The Hippo Noelle, it's great to have you here! Shall we just dive straight in?
Can you start by telling the herd little about yourself and your latest book?
Hi Neats! Thanks so much for having me!
Where do I start? I'm a crime fiction (and fantasy!) addict, writer, reader, reviewer, book publicist and professional enabler of ever-growing TBR piles! I'm also the founder of CrimeBookJunkie, where I've championed books and authors for over 11 years.
Before all this bookish madness, I spent 18 years working as a Senior Probation Officer, giving me insight into crime and human behaviour. That experience feeds into my writing. I was fascinated by why people made their choices, and still am.
I've had seven books published, including my DC Maggie Jamieson series and standalone thrillers 6 Ripley Avenue and His Truth, Her Truth. I also work full-time as a publicist for Bookouture and Second Sky. Books are my life, and I bloody love it!
My latest published thriller, His Truth, Her Truth, explores secrets, manipulation and the stories we tell ourselves and others. Think you've got everything figured out? Have you really? I do love messing with readers' heads (in the nicest possible way, obviously!).
I'm currently working on another dark and twisty thriller featuring an ensemble cast, including a forensic criminologist, a true crime podcaster and some seriously disturbing secrets. I can't help myself!
If readers take away just one thing from your latest book, what would you like it to be?
That there are ALWAYS two sides to every story. Sometimes what you hear isn't necessarily what was said, or what happened.
I'm fascinated by perception, manipulation and how easily the truth can become distorted depending on who's telling the story. Two people can experience one event very differently, and just because someone tells a convincing story doesn't mean they're telling the truth!
My message? Question everything, avoid assumptions and look beneath the surface. It's very easy to believe the version of events that fits what we already think we know.
Oh, and NEVER trust a thriller writer. We're a sneaky bunch! 😂
Which character from your latest book would you most like to spend an afternoon with, and what would you get up to together?
Ooooh! Can I cheat and choose TWO characters from my current work in progress? I can't pick between them!
I'd LOVE to spend an afternoon with Dr Riley Flynn, my forensic criminologist, and Cassie Shaw, a true crime podcaster.
Riley's analytical mind and understanding of criminal behaviour would make for interesting conversation, given my probation background. We'd probably disagree, too! I'd love every minute of that debate. With Cassie, I'd discuss true crime ethics, our fascination with murder and respecting victims.
I'd drag them both into a pub, and spend hours discussing unsolved cases, criminal psychology and the darker side of human nature. Knowing my luck, we'd investigate something suspicious before leaving!
What's a book that has stayed with you long after you turned the final page, and why?
Oh, this is SUCH a mean question to ask a book addict! How can I choose just one?! But I'd pick All of Us Are Broken by Fiona Cummins.
OMFG. THIS BOOK!
It's one of those stories that grabs you by the throat, rips your heart out and leaves you stunned… in the BEST possible way!
What stayed with me was the emotional impact. It's dark, tense and utterly compelling, exploring how far people will go when faced with impossible choices. The fear, moral dilemmas and split-second decisions. It makes you question what YOU would do.
That's what I love about crime fiction. Give me twists, tension and jaw-dropping moments, absolutely, but I also want a story that makes me FEEL something. Something that stays under my skin. The best stories don't politely disappear when you close the cover.
Fiona Cummins is an incredible storyteller, and this book destroyed me emotionally. I read a LOT, so that's saying something. For me, that's the sign of a bloody brilliant read!
I think we're ALL read at least one book that's left us looking like this Noelle!
What's the best piece of writing advice you've ever received?
DON'T STRESS ABOUT THE FIRST DRAFT! Seriously. Just get the bloody words down!
Writers (me included!) often expect perfection immediately. We worry about whether a sentence sounds right, whether a chapter works or it's all rubbish, and forget to write!
That draft is for discovering characters, plot and what the hell happens. It doesn't need to be pretty. It just needs to EXIST.
You can fix a messy manuscript. You can't edit a blank page.
Even after seven published books, I still look at things I've written and think, "WTAF is this?!" But that's what editing is for! Give yourself permission to make a mess.
Have your readers ever shared a message or reaction that has really stayed with you?
Yes, absolutely. Some messages mean more than I can express.
When my debut novel, Dead Inside, was published, I received emotional messages from readers.
It's a very personal book. I spent 13 years in an abusive and toxic relationship, and although the novel is fiction, I drew heavily on my own experiences. Writing it was difficult but cathartic.
After publication, readers shared their stories. Some had survived abusive relationships, some were still living through them and others simply wanted me to know I wasn't alone.
Those messages absolutely floored me. Behind every reader is a real person with their own story. That really matters to me. Sharing such a personal story makes you vulnerable. You can't predict the response.
Knowing my words resonated with someone, made them feel seen, understood or even a little less alone? That's something I'll never forget.
Books connect people, spark conversations and help us process difficult experiences. And if something I've written helps even one person feel less isolated, that's worth more than any bestseller ranking or five-star review.
That's the real power of books, isn't it? They remind us we're not alone.
Before we finish Noelle, there is one final matter of Hippo business to attend to...
🦛 The Hippo's Non-Negotiable Question™ 🦛
The Hippo has claimed a question for herself and now insists that every guest answers it.
Nobody has been brave enough to argue with her... and there appears to be no mechanism for appeal. 😉
The Hippo insists your next protagonist must be based on her. How difficult would that be?
(The Hippo reserves the right to be delighted, confused, or mildly concerned by your answer.)
Oh, I don't think that would be difficult AT ALL! 😂
I mean, a hippo with attitude, a strong personality and a tendency to stick her nose into everyone's business? She's practically BEGGING to be the protagonist of a crime thriller!
I'd make her fiercely independent, ridiculously nosy, armed with a healthy dose of sarcasm and absolutely convinced she knows better than the police. She'd probably solve the murder while everyone else was still arguing over the evidence.
Of course, knowing me, she'd have a few dark secrets, a questionable past and possibly a body buried somewhere. Sorry, Hippo. Occupational hazard!
The real question is whether she'd be the detective, the prime suspect or the killer...
And THAT, my dear Hippo, is something I'm not prepared to reveal. 😈
I'd be mildly concerned if I were you. Just saying!
🦛 Hippo Assessment
Outcome: Mildly Concerned
The Hippo was delighted right up until the point she became a murder suspect
Further comment has been postponed pending legal advice. 😂
You can find out more about Noelle, her books and connect with her using the links below:
Website
Books
I'd like to thank Noelle for taking the time to stop by today. It's been a blast - and you'll be hearing from my lawyers in due course! 😆😆
