Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before turning to crime, Alice Castle had a long career as a feature writer on national newspapers including the Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Alice grew up in south London and, after a brief stint in Brussels (where her first novel, the chick lit romp Hot Chocolate, is set) she is back where she belongs, dreaming up adventures for her heroine, amateur detective and single mum Beth Haldane. Alice is married with two children, two stepchildren and two cats. Find out more about her London Murder Mystery series on her website, www.alicecastleauthor.com. Death in Dulwich was published in September 2017 by Crooked Cat Books and was #1 in the Amazon Satire/Detective charts in the UK, US, Canada, France, Spain and Germany. The Girl in the Gallery came out in December 2017 and the third in the series, Calamity in Camberwell, will be published on 13th August 2018. Homicide in Herne Hill will follow in autumn 2018, with more books in the pipeline. Follow Alice on Twitter as @DDsDiary
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book I’m writing at the moment is Revenge on the Rye, it’s Beth Haldane’s fifth adventure and will be published in 2019. It’s inspired by my many dog-loving friends in Dulwich and the surrounding area – and by the cliche that dog walkers often stumble across crime scenes. Beth finds, to her cost, that cliches are often based in truth…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to complete the Guardian quick crossword and play two hands of computer bridge before starting to write!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Golden Age detective fiction, particularly Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and D L Sayers, but I’m also a massive fan of contemporary mystery writers like the late great Sue Grafton, M C Beaton, Peter Robinson and Peter James.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on ideas for the sixth book in my London Murder Mystery series, which mostly involves keeping an eye on everyone around me for promising plot ideas
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Twitter a lot but I’m hoping Awesome Gang will work brilliantly
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going! It’s not easy to get published but persistence really pays off
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be kind and work hard – a friend has these words on a poster in her kitchen and I think they sum things up beautifully
What are you reading now?
The High Window by Raymond Chandler – an excellent book, I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be reading it for the first time now
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m trying my hand at a psychological thriller. Watch this space
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
The Complete Works of Sir Author Conan Doyle
What Ho, Jeeves by P G Wodehouse
Author Websites and Profiles
Alice Castle Website
Alice Castle Amazon Profile
Alice Castle’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account