Briefly tell us about your book.
Twenty years ago, Cyrus Haven’s family was murdered and only he and his brother survived. Cyrus because he hid from the knife. Elias because he was wielding it. Now
Elias has applied to be released from a secure psychiatric hospital and Cyrus, a forensic psychologist, must decide if he can forgive the man who destroyed his childhood.
As he prepares for the homecoming, Cyrus is called to a crime scene in Nottingham. A man is dead and his daughter, Maya, is missing. Then a second woman is abducted. The only witness is Evie Cormac, a troubled teenager with a gift for knowing when people are lying.
Evie and Cyrus are drawn into the investigation. One by choice, the other unwittingly, but the secrets they unravel will bring their own past rushing back to haunt them.
What inspired the idea behind the book?
My books are normally seeded in real life events rather than being inspired by them. In this case I was fascinated by how families react when a member is responsible for a terrible crime. Can they forgive their son or daughter or brother or sister? And does forgiveness lift a burden, or create one?
What was the research process?
As a former investigative reporter, I don’t have much trouble in researching things. I also find that most experts are happy to help as long as you’re not disparaging their profession. You might not find a detective willing to talk about police corruption, but they will usually chat about investigative skills and protocols.
What would your internet history reveal about you?
I once had to research how to make a home-made bomb known as ‘Mother of Satan’. At any moment I expected ASIO or the Federal Police to break down my door and haul me off on terrorism charges.
Are you able to switch off at the end of the day?
I don’t plot my books in advance, which means that I’m never completely switched off. I am always with my characters. My wife says that it’s like I’m having an affair with another woman. She’s always pleased when I finish because she ‘gets me back.’
Does it get easier?
No. Every book I feel as though I’m starting at the beginning and learning how to do this. And because I suffer imposter syndrome, I’m always surprised when the book is finished and read and enjoyed. I almost feel like I’ve fooled them all again because I don’t really know what I’m doing.
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