by Lorie Ham

Thanks for joining us again here at the Café. Our author today is Martin Edwards. He's here to talk with us about his book The Arsenic Labyrinth Mystery, released by Poisoned Pen Press in February 2007.

Since doing this interview he's had a new book come out, Waterloo Sunset. For more information about the new book please visit his website at MartinEdwardsBooks.com. For now, grab a cup of Starbucks coffee and enjoy. For those of you in the UK, perhaps you can join Martin at his favorite Starbucks in Liverpool after the interview.

Café:
Tell us about The Arsenic Labyrinth.

Martin:
The Arsenic Labyrinth Mystery is set in the Lake District, England, and third in a series featuring a female cold case cop, Hannah Scarlett, and her developing relationship with historian Daniel Kind. In this book, the tenth anniversary of a woman's disappearance prompts a drifter returning to the Lakes to contact a local journalist and tell him that he knows what happened to the woman.

Café:
How long have you been writing?

Martin:
I've written since childhood. My first novel appeared in 1991, though I had published a lot of non-fiction (mainly legal books and articles) before then.

Café:
When did your first novel come out?

Martin:
1991. All the Lonely People is set in Liverpool and introduced lawyer Harry Devlin, who investigates the murder of his estranged wife. Harry appeared in six more novels and another, Waterloo Sunset, is due to appear in 2008, when Liverpool is European Capital of Culture.

Café:
Have you always written mysteries?

Martin:
I always wanted to write mysteries, but as a working lawyer I found it easier to publish legal books to begin with.

Café:
What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book?

Martin:
The Lake Distict is probably the most scenic area in Britain and it is also rich in history. I've always loved it, but it has never featured before in a British mystery series — amazing! The emerging relationship between Hannah and Daniel is the key driver for the series.

Café:
What is the main reason that you write?

Martin:
Can't not write! It's a passion and obsession. And I love writing mysteries.

Café:
Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?

Martin:
The prime aim is to entertain, but I think there is more to my books than mere entertainment. However, I don't want to be preachy and I leave it to the readers and critic to take what they want. Occasionally a reader or critic identifies some of the other issues that concern me in a particular book, and that is very rewarding.

Café:
Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?

Martin:
I write at evenings and weekends as I work full time.

Café:
Do you outline?

Martin:
Yes, but as I'm writing the outline usually changes shape.

Café:
If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?

Martin:
Evenings.

Café:
We are finally getting some more evening writers — I no longer feel so alone. Day job?

Martin:
Partner in a law firm.

Café:
Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Martin:
I waited until I wrote a book I thought was publishable before seeking an agent and then a publisher. This took a long time but meant I didn't suffer too much rejection.

Café:
Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you'd like to share?

Martin:
Within a few weeks, I won a short story contest for the first time, had my first novel accepted and attended the birth of my first child. Quite a dizzying few weeks.

Café:
Wow, not many of us can say that. What kind of promotion do you find most affective?

Martin:
I stage interactive mystery events at libraries, etc. and these get a great response.

Café:
What fun. Most interesting book signing story — in a bookstore or other venue?

Martin:
Sharing a platform with Sandi Ault and a wolf at Poisoned Pen bookstore last February.

Café:
Future writing goals?

Martin:
To write better and better books.

Café:
Heroes?

Martin:
Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, Reginald Hill.

Café:
Person you would most like to meet dead or alive?

Martin:
Burt Bacharach.

Café:
Okay, that’s a first. Cool. What do you read?

Martin:
Crime.

Café:
What are your hobbies?

Martin:
Music, films, soccer, cricket.

Café:
Favorite TV or movies?

Martin:
Body Heat, Don't Look Now, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Kind Hearts and Coronets.
TV — Taggart, Jonathan Creek (UK crime series)

Café:
I saw Taggart when I visited Scotland. Loved it! Family?

Martin:
Wife Helena and children Jonathan and Catherine.

Café:
What part of England do you live in?

Martin:
Cheshire.

Café:
Any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Martin:
If you really care passionately about writing, don't give up. If you don't care passionately, don't waste your time with it.

Café:
Good advice. Anything you would like to add?

Martin:
I enjoy writing short stories and I often contribute to EQMM.

Café:
Where can people purchase your books?

Martin:
Poisoned Pen, amazon.com, etc.

Café:
Thanks for joining us here at the Café. Happy reading and good coffee!

©2008 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.