Five Question Interview - Rebecca Yount & Mick Chandra

Hailing from a literary family, Rebecca Yount could say writing is in her blood. Having studied music, worked on a 'Washington career' and had 'a bad marriage, divorce then a good marriage', she found that her love of writing became a reality after taking early retirement.

Her skill at creating mystery, suspense, horror, humor and real characters are seen in her four outstanding books - 'Death in C Minor', 'The Erkling', 'The Ravenhoe Cauldron' and her latest novel 'The Oracle of Baal'. With little doubt, her main character Detective Inspector Mick Chandra is an affable individual who takes his home life just as seriously as his work. Commitment to ridding the world of crime is no easy feat, Chandra makes it seem effortless. And this ease is gained only through the artistry of Yount's writing.

The Interviews

Rebecca...

Author: Rebecca Yount

l.  Who are your top five favorite characters in novels/books? 1. Jane Eyre. 2. Nancy Drew. 3. Spencer (R. B. Parker’s PI) 4. Odysseus. 5. Phillip Marlowe.

2. Which authors (dead or alive) have inspired you?
Here is a partial list:  Jane Austen; Fanny Burney; Joan Didion; Robert B. Parker; Charles Dickens; Alex. Pushkin; Edna St. Vincent Millay; Rita Mae Brown.

3.  What motivates you to write the next book? 
The on-going adventure.

4. You’re hosting a literary dinner party – who would you invite (dead or alive) and why?
Jane Austen – For obvious reasons;
The Bronte Sisters – How did they manage to write those powerful stories stuck up there in N. England? Charles Dickens – But as hostess, I would warn him that he could not use the party as an opportunity to do a dramatic reading from one of his books. Rita Mae Brown – Because she seems like a lot of fun, and I love her writing. William. Shakespeare – Well, did you or did you not write all of those plays? Bruce Chatwin – How much time did you actually spend in Patagonia? Patrick Fermor – What was the best thing about walking from Holland to Turkey? Herman Melville – After the failure of MOBY DICK, what kept you writing? Fanny Burney—How do you feel about being considered the mother of the feminist movement? Harper Lee – Didn't you just want to smack your editor when she demanded so many rewrites of MOCKINGBIRD?

5. Looking back over your career, would you still become an author?

Yes, only sooner.

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Mick...

1. What do you like about being a detective?

This may sound like pure conceit on my part, but I like to think I’m “righting” the wrongs of the world.

2. How do you feel when people see your race rather than a skilled detective?
I've long since convinced myself it’s them, not me. Furthermore, I’m exceedingly proud of my Kerala heritage.

3. Do you have a favorite part of London?
By all means north London, where I live in Stoke Newington.  It’s not the most “posh” part of the city, but it’s a real community, multi-cultural, with wonderful international shopping.  You can walk up the High Street and hear a polyglot of languages being spoken. I love that, and so does my wife, Jess.
             
4. Now that you’re married & have a young family, would you consider giving up your career and being a stay-at-home dad?
I might consider cutting back a bit, but I could never give up my work.  Again, at the expense of sounding too grand, I like to think I’m making the world a safer place for my wife and daughter. Also, I confess I’m somewhat hooked on the adrenalin rush of police work.

5. Of all the investigations, which affected you the most?
I would have to say The Erlking case, in which we broke up a notorious pedophile ring in north London. The morning I saw eight-year-old Josie Stephens’ corpse pulled out of the Grand Union canal, I vowed to bring down her abusers and murderers.  The mantra for that investigation became, “For Josie’s sake.”

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GIVEAWAY

Rebecca has kindly offered three readers of my blog to receive a digital copy of her latest novel - The Oracle of Baal.

Leave a comment or question on this post by October 15 8pm EST to be entered into a drawing to win this book. One person will be chosen randomly using Random.org. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment. Thank you and Good Luck!

The Erlking (Mick Chandra Mysteries) - Rebecca Yount

With a dead eight years old girl dragged from a North London canal, Mick Chandra looks at the scantily clad young victim and makes a promise to her mother - that he will catch 'them', 'for Josie's sake'.

Seconded to the Pedophile Unit under the direction of Detective Chief Inspector Kip Brodie, Mick and his sergeant, Elizabeth Chang, join a seasoned team that have dealt with the most awful crime - child abuse and child pornography. Their current task is to find four missing children, break apart the pedophile ring that is praying on young victims and especially the head of the group who calls himself The Erlking. With one victim dead, time is running out.

With calculated patience, pedophiles have a range of people on hand to help obtain their victims. With this piece of information, Mick starts to probe more deeply into the seemingly unconnected murder of an Member of Parliament's wife. The MP was accused of molesting a young girl yet no charges were made. But with dogged determination, the pedophile unit along with Mick's tenacity and skill at breaking cases, the team delve further into the seedy world of pedophilia.

When threats are made to his beautiful musician girlfriend Jessica, to his home and his dog, Mick knows he's being warned to stay away from the case. But as loyal as those around the accused are, so are Mick's friends and colleagues. Will they be able to save the last three victims? Can the seasoned group of police officers bring to justice those who delight in the young and make them pay for their sordid crimes?

With a chilling opening, Yount's mystery packs a punch and keeps delivering. In the second installment of the Mick Chandra mysteries, the charming and handsome detective is seen in a more homely light. His relationship with Jessica Beaumont, started in Yount's first novel (A Death in C Minor), has blossomed into a nurturing, strong and supportive partnership. With such a trying case embarked upon, Mick needs this love but when it comes under fire (quite literally) he leaps into full time protective mode. With more questions being raised than answered, Mick seeks the guidance of and listens to Kip. The senior detective reminds Mick that slow and steady is sometimes the best way to get results when it comes to a case like this. With surprising twists and turns, the dramatic and tense ending creates a enthralling story.

Yount's characterization is detailed yet still allows the reader to imagine the scenes. The author has handled a difficult and often disturbing subject matter with sensitivity without losing any of the dramatic impact to the story. The authors language is eloquent and her use of colloquial expressions add a touch of realism to this British based thriller.

Another brilliant, well thought out and intelligent mystery. The handsome Anglo-Indian detective is just as charming and even more likable as his is stunning partner, Jessica. Old friends are met again and despite it being the second book in the series, this is still a stand alone mystery. My one grumble, and a very small one at that, is that it's obvious an American is writing about an English character as there were unnecessary explanations of phrases and other things - but being British I would notice them, so whilst they mildly distracted me, I doubt others would be bothered by them.

Overall, this story is a real page tuner and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. With the inclusion of the first chapter from the next installment of the series, I am very much looking forward to meeting up with the charismatic Mick Chandra once again. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.