Ask the Author: Peter Swanson
Answered Questions (35)
Peter Swanson
Yes, Elizabeth Grieve is Joan's sister. Most of my books definitely take place in the same universe.
Peter Swanson
I lived in the UK when I was ten, eleven, and twelve years old. It made an impression. Since then I go back as often as possible. I love London, but the north of England is my favorite place, particularly the Yorkshire Dales. Thanks for being a reader! P
Peter Swanson
Yes, I have a book coming out in 2024 that will feature Lily Kintner. Henry will be in it, as well, but more of a supporting character. So glad you love Lily. I love writing about her.
Peter Swanson
Hi Luann, thanks for being a reader! Winslow College is a made up place, loosely related to Wellesley College. And thank you for bringing up my recurring character of Roberta James. No plans to make her a lead yet, but I'd love to do it one day. Best, Peter
Peter Swanson
Jane, it was actually a mistake on Amazon's part, and I don't even know why it's still up there. There will be no Malcolm book 2, at least not anytime soon!
Peter Swanson
Nope. For some reason, Amazon called Eight Perfect Murders book 1 in the Malcolm Kershaw series. No idea why.
Peter Swanson
Oh, yes. Very well cared for. The store is still there, and Nero gets plenty of chin scratches and treats!
Peter Swanson
Hi Gina,
Dear Gina,
Fair question. To be honest I never thought of adding a specific spoiler warning to the book, but maybe I should have done just that. I think I'm one of those rare readers who is not particularly bothered by having plot points in books spoiled. I'm pretty sure I read Roger Ackroyd knowing the ending already, for example. Still, I know I'm in the minority.
I'm sorry to have disappointed you. Anyone reading this response should now know that my book contains spoilers for some classic crime fiction. My recommendation: Read those classic crime novels first!
And, Gina, if you're looking for a Christie novel with a great ending, try Crooked House. Much less famous, and I like it better than Roger Ackroyd. Thanks for reading, and thanks for your question, Peter
Dear Gina,
Fair question. To be honest I never thought of adding a specific spoiler warning to the book, but maybe I should have done just that. I think I'm one of those rare readers who is not particularly bothered by having plot points in books spoiled. I'm pretty sure I read Roger Ackroyd knowing the ending already, for example. Still, I know I'm in the minority.
I'm sorry to have disappointed you. Anyone reading this response should now know that my book contains spoilers for some classic crime fiction. My recommendation: Read those classic crime novels first!
And, Gina, if you're looking for a Christie novel with a great ending, try Crooked House. Much less famous, and I like it better than Roger Ackroyd. Thanks for reading, and thanks for your question, Peter
Peter Swanson
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your question! I definitely recommend all the books in PERFECT MURDERS, but they are not necessarily my favorite crime novels of all time. They are just the ones that worked well in my novel. My all time favorites are probably (they change all the time) REBECCA by Daphne DuMaurier, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie, A KISS BEFORE DYING by Ira Levin, A SIMPLE PLAN by Scott Smith, RED DRAGON by Thomas Harris, and, recently, YOU and HIDDEN BODIES by Caroline Kepnes.
Thanks for your question! I definitely recommend all the books in PERFECT MURDERS, but they are not necessarily my favorite crime novels of all time. They are just the ones that worked well in my novel. My all time favorites are probably (they change all the time) REBECCA by Daphne DuMaurier, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie, A KISS BEFORE DYING by Ira Levin, A SIMPLE PLAN by Scott Smith, RED DRAGON by Thomas Harris, and, recently, YOU and HIDDEN BODIES by Caroline Kepnes.
Peter Swanson
Hi Ana,
Thanks for your question. I don't suffer from bipolar myself but someone who is very close to me does. So I have given it a lot of thought, and I wanted to present a character with bipolar who has it under control, who is in a good state. I didn't want to use the disease strictly as a plot point, or a way to create tension. I'm glad you appreciated it. Best, Peter
Thanks for your question. I don't suffer from bipolar myself but someone who is very close to me does. So I have given it a lot of thought, and I wanted to present a character with bipolar who has it under control, who is in a good state. I didn't want to use the disease strictly as a plot point, or a way to create tension. I'm glad you appreciated it. Best, Peter
Peter Swanson
Amelia,
Good question. The easy answer is they come entirely from my imagination, just dreamed up in my head. That said, I'm sure they are all composites of personality traits and quirks that I see in people I know, people I pass by, people in movies. But when I'm writing I'm almost never thinking about a real life person.
Best, Peter
Good question. The easy answer is they come entirely from my imagination, just dreamed up in my head. That said, I'm sure they are all composites of personality traits and quirks that I see in people I know, people I pass by, people in movies. But when I'm writing I'm almost never thinking about a real life person.
Best, Peter
Peter Swanson
Hi Paige,
Thank you so much, both for reading, and for recommending my books to your patrons! I really appreciate it.
My favorite character is Lily from The Kind Worth Killing, and I really love the character Hen from my forthcoming book, BEFORE SHE KNEW HIM. Thanks again, Peter
Thank you so much, both for reading, and for recommending my books to your patrons! I really appreciate it.
My favorite character is Lily from The Kind Worth Killing, and I really love the character Hen from my forthcoming book, BEFORE SHE KNEW HIM. Thanks again, Peter
Peter Swanson
It's almost always my next book. For right now my personal favorite is BEFORE SHE KNEW HIM.
Peter Swanson
Hi Libby, Thanks for reading my books. I love your question but I think it's very hard to answer. I'm not sure there's a real strategy behind getting character's voice across. I believe that it's just something you get better at the more you write and the more you read. So my answer for your Mum would be to write as much as possible and read as much possible. For example, I read many books (pretty much all thrillers) with female protagonists and/or written by women writers, and I know that this has helped me in my own writing. Hope this helps. Cheers, Peter
Peter Swanson
Hi Elijoh,
It's only at the end of the trade paperback version of The Kind Worth Killing. Thanks for reading it! I wrote it about a year after reading the book. I just wanted to return to being in the mind of Lily, and came up with the idea. Who knows? Maybe I'll do another. Cheers, Peter
It's only at the end of the trade paperback version of The Kind Worth Killing. Thanks for reading it! I wrote it about a year after reading the book. I just wanted to return to being in the mind of Lily, and came up with the idea. Who knows? Maybe I'll do another. Cheers, Peter
Peter Swanson
I've given it plenty of thought, Michael, and I do have an idea for a sequel involving Lily. That said, I haven't actually started this book yet, but who knows ... maybe one day. Thanks for reading, Peter
Peter Swanson
I wish I could tell you that the magazines have special significance ... but I can't. Apparently Brad had a little too much time on his hands and rearranged his coffee table.
Peter Swanson
So glad you liked the short story. I loved writing it, getting to imagine one more of Lily's "adventures." I do have an idea for a future book that would involve Lily again, but haven't started it yet.
Peter Swanson
Here are some questions that were used in the Richard and Judy Book Club in the UK:
• Discuss the character of Lily and her initial motivations in striking up a conversation with Ted?
• Everyone in this novel seems to have a secret - discuss the idea that you can never really know another person.
• This novel has been described as ‘hard to put down’. How does Peter Swanson create the feeling of suspense in the novel?
• Do you think that this novel proves that everyone is capable of doing bad things?
Personally, I think a fun activity would be to have a signature drink at the book club meeting. Maybe a Hendricks martini! That would be my choice. Hope it goes well. Cheers, Peter
• Discuss the character of Lily and her initial motivations in striking up a conversation with Ted?
• Everyone in this novel seems to have a secret - discuss the idea that you can never really know another person.
• This novel has been described as ‘hard to put down’. How does Peter Swanson create the feeling of suspense in the novel?
• Do you think that this novel proves that everyone is capable of doing bad things?
Personally, I think a fun activity would be to have a signature drink at the book club meeting. Maybe a Hendricks martini! That would be my choice. Hope it goes well. Cheers, Peter
Peter Swanson
Hi Olga,
So nice to hear from you! My next event (not a reading) is this weekend in Boston at the Boston Book Festival, but I do hope to visit some places (maybe Miami) when my new book comes out. It's called ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIES and will be released April 3, 2018. Thanks again for writing to me, you made my day. Peter
So nice to hear from you! My next event (not a reading) is this weekend in Boston at the Boston Book Festival, but I do hope to visit some places (maybe Miami) when my new book comes out. It's called ALL THE BEAUTIFUL LIES and will be released April 3, 2018. Thanks again for writing to me, you made my day. Peter
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more