Interview With Author Robert Messenger
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in County Durham and I spent 6 years on active service in the British Army before joining the British Police for 28 years. My roles included tactical firearms, response policing, covert operations, and detective investigations. I was a Detective at every rank up to and including Detective Inspector. I retired from the police in 2022. I am married with three children and living in the English Midlands. Ninety-Six is my debut novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Ninety- Six. The story is about Ryan Conner who is a Metropolitan Police officer and former soldier. He’s working undercover in the hedonistic playground that is the West End of London, risking his life in the mix of drug dealers, armed gangs, violent pimps, and their desperate and wretched victims. This month the city has an extra edge. The carnival of football that is the European Championships, Euro 96, is in town, bringing with it even more tourists, fans, and violence. In amongst it all is a Tall Man, stalking the streets of the London for one reason. Revenge.
Tall Man is also a former soldier. He doesn’t care about the football beyond it gives him cover to hunt his ultimate target and leaving a trail of bodies as he does so. Conner, and elite female police officer Amber Mills, are thrown into the murder investigation of the worst spate of serial killings the contemporary British police has seen. Matters are made worse when Conner discovers that a shadowy and lethal military crime syndicate has its own agenda with Tall Man and will stop at nothing to shut Conner down.
It was inspired by the author’s own experiences in the army and the police, namely an attempted murder investigation I was involved in whilst a young officer and my time as an Undercover officer.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I normally write in the mornings and aim to write 1000 words a day. I then start the next day with a quick edit and review before carrying on. Once written I will then go into a dedicated Edit phase which can consist of 4-5 edits before a proofread. Its along but enjoyable process.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like the warrior /poet writers. People who have walled then walk so can talk the talk. Authors like George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway, Matthew Dunn , Laurie Lee. There is a credibility to there writing and it is often quite simple in its structure because they have the confidence to know they are speaking from experience. They don’t need to guild the lily. The stories are enough.
What are you working on now?
I am taking a short break before I start my next Detective Ryan Conner novel. This book will be more fictional for me which will be a new challenge. Conner is working the Met’s flying squad when he is called to a high profile armed robbery. But is just so happens to fall on September 11th 2001. The are other factors at play. A military organised crime group, a missing Police firearms team and the hunt for a terrorist cell. I’m excited to get started!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am on Facebook, Goodreads and Amazon Author Central. But I also like the good old fashioned book signing events. For me this is the front line. I enjoy discussing my book or any book with readers. I think there is lots to learn in this type of environment.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You must commit to writing your book 100 %. I appreciate that people have work and family commitments so it can be difficult but it can be done. If you want to get the story out enough it will happen.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In terms of writing its from my friend and mentor the Best selling author Matthew Dunn. “Trust your instincts.”
In general its ” Don’t worry about the what If’s.”
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Neil Oliver’s Hauntings. A cosy winter book. I read lots of different genres but not too many crime fiction novels to be honest. I prefer to keep my own voice for my novels.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am planning to start my next Detective Ryan Conner novel in the new year. I hope to write six novels in total. Each novel is set five years after the last. They will relate to a phase in my life and investigations I have been part of. I am keen to have beginning , a middle and an end. Just like a life does.
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?
Oh good question…
1) Sophie’s World by Jostien Gaarder, all human knowledge is there.
2) The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, yo can read it a hundred times and get something new each time.
3) The complete works of James Joyce, I’ve always meant to read them, now I will have the time.
4) The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, is just a cracking read !
Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Messenger Amazon Profile
Robert Messenger’s Social Media Links
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