I'm thrilled to be hanging out with the very lovely Jane Isaac today. I first 'met' Jane on Twitter several years ago and we would regularly chat about books as well as briefly being a part of a multi-contributor blog. It's something that we enjoy reminiscing about and I told her the other day that I love being able to say "I knew you before you were famous!" but she's so modest that she doesn't consider herself to be famous at all. I 'm pretty sure that quite a few of you reading this post will have heard her name and will have read at least one of her books. . . .so Jane, I'm sorry, but in the book world you ARE famous! 😉
Just incase you're one of the few people who hasn't heard of Jane then let me introduce her to you.
Just incase you're one of the few people who hasn't heard of Jane then let me introduce her to you.
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| Photo courtesy of Jane Isaac |
Jane Isaac lives with her husband, daughter and
dog, Bollo, in rural Northamptonshire, UK. Her debut novel, An Unfamiliar
Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best
mystery in the 'eFestival
of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.'
The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series,
was nominated as 'Thriller of the Month - April 2014' by E-thriller.com and
winner of 'Noveltunity book club selection - May 2014'.
In 2015 Jane embarked on a new series, featuring DI Will Jackman
and set in Stratford upon Avon, with Before It's Too Late. The second in the
series, Beneath The Ashes, was published by Legend Press on 1st November 2016
and the 3rd, The Lies Within, followed on 2nd May 2017.
Both DI Jackman and DCI Lavery will return again in the near
future. Sign up to Jane's newsletter on her website for details of new
releases, events and
giveaways.
* * * *
What book/books made you cry and why?
Little
Women. It was my favourite
childhood book and unlike most
I didn’t cry when Beth died, I cried because I wanted to be a March sister!
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Um…I
already do!
What’s your favourite
under-appreciated writer/book?
I
think that would have to be Rubicon by Ian Patrick, a book about an undercover
cop, by a former undercover cop. It’s a thrill of a ride published by a small
press and deserves great success.
Where did your love of
books/storytelling/reading/writing etc come from?
I’ve
always been a great lover of stories, but I think Enid Blyton clinched my love
of mysteries when I was growing up. I spent many a night with the torch under
the duvet, desperately trying to get to the end of the book before I was
discovered!
I’ve
always loved the twists and turns of a really good thriller/mystery, so it
became the obvious genre for me when I started writing.
What do you think is more important: characters or
plot?
Oh,
both! I can’t choose between them. As a reader, I’m drawn to beautifully
layered characters: good guys we champion, bad guys we love to hate. But I’m
also a sucker for a compelling plot, a story that keeps me up at night and
turning the pages until the very end. I guess it’s all about striking the right
balance.
If you could spend time with a character from your
book who would it be and why? What would you get up to?
It
would be Annie Davies from the DI Will Jackman series because she is
interesting and quirky and has the ability to inject humour
into any situation.
A
spa break with plenty of time to chill out, relax and read.
You get a
brilliant idea/thought/phrase at an inappropriate moment (eg in the shower or
driving) what do you do?
I find it’s so important to get those ideas down as soon as I can,
otherwise they disappear in a puff of smoke never to be found again. I have
notebooks all over the house and repeat the idea to myself until I can jump out
of the shower (I have been known to drip water over the floor at times), and
pull over in the car to jot down the details. If someone is with me when I’m
driving I get them to text a couple of prompts to my phone. Anything to record
the moment!
What is your
guilty pleasure?
Aside from chocolate and wine (and Haribo Starmix when I’m editing!), I
love the TV programme, A Place in the Sun where they help people find their
perfect home abroad. I’ve always been fascinated by travel and incredibly nosey
too!
Oh I'm with you on this one Jane, I love
watching this too, along with any other home related programme as I love seeing
inside other people's homes!
Thanks so much for interviewing me, Neats. It’s such a pleasure
to guest on your blog.
It's been wonderful chatting to you Jane. 🙂
* * * *
Blurb
Be under no illusions by her kind face and
eloquent manner… This woman is guilty of murder.
Grace Daniels is distraught after her daughter's body is found in a
Leicestershire country lane. With her family falling apart and the
investigation going nowhere, Grace's only solace is the re-emergence of Faye,
an old friend who seems to understand her loss.
DI Will Jackman delves into the case, until a family tragedy and a
figure from his past threaten to derail him.
When the police discover another victim, the spotlight falls on Grace.
Can Jackman find the killer, before she is convicted of a crime she didn't
commit?
* * * *
You can find out more about Jane, her books and connect with her
using the links below:
I'd like to thank Jane for stopping by today, it's been an absolute pleasure to chat with you 😘
I think I'd join you on the spa break with Annie, the hot stones look inviting on a cold January day.
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