A.A. Abbott

GREAT CRIME STORY WRITER

thriller

Thriller of the Month – The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett

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When nights are long and there’s a bottle of whisky to hand, a vintage American crime thriller really hits the spot. It doesn’t get much more classic than Dashiell Hammett. Although of its time, his style is half a world away from the arch aristocratic novels of British writers like Agatha Christie. Instead, eyes are hooded, women alluring and men are as likely to reach for a gun as they are to light a cigarette.

The Maltese Falcon opens with a bang. San Francisco private eyes Sam Spade and Miles Archer are given a case, and far too much money, by a beautiful girl. It doesn’t take a genius to suppose it will all go horribly wrong. Sure enough, a mere few pages later, Archer is dead.

Sam Spade’s loyalties are tested as he sets about cracking the case. More corpses swiftly emerge (a wounded man even staggers into his office to expire in front of him). He faces more hindrance than help from the forces of law and order. As always, the San Francisco fog seeps into his bones. Indefatigably, he rolls another cigarette.

With myriad twists and shifting alliances, it’s anyone’s guess who did it right until the final chapter, although Sam probably has a shrewd idea.

Despite being a period piece, the book’s pages just keep turning. Dashiell Hammett’s style is an easy read. You’ll undoubtedly know The Maltese Falcon became an atmospheric film starring Humphrey Bogart. Whether you’ve seen it or not, you’re bound to enjoy the suspense and entertainment offered by the book. Secondhand copies can be picked up for pennies on Amazon, and there’s also an Audible version borrowing heavily from Bogart.

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Like crime thrillers? Read my very own 5 minute crime thriller, The Gap, free, here. While it’s distinctly British, like The Maltese Falcon, it hints at darkness beneath the surface…

12 Books of Christmas

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Christmas is on the way. Even the self-service tills at Tesco’s supermarket jingle their bells and laugh ‘Ho Ho Ho’ as I pay. (What irony! and amazingly annoying for the poor checkout girl standing nearby and hearing the seasonal sounds hundreds of times every day.)

As well as all the fun of seeing family, and giving and receiving presents, most of us have a few days’ holiday at Christmas and a chance to reflect. With that in mind, here are my suggestions for 12 Books of Christmas. There’s sure to be one you’ll enjoy, so grab it for your Kindle. Even better, you could buy it as a gift for your nearest and dearest, and squirrel it away on Christmas Day to read yourself.

#1. Blood Libel by Chuck Loyola. This noirish political thriller (very Blade Runner in feel, although set in 1990s Britain) was my Thriller of the Month in October. Check out my review on Goodreads.

#2. The Bride’s Trail by AA Abbott. It’s my best crime thriller yet! Away with false modesty! Predecessors After The Interview and Up In Smoke are great reads too.

#3. The Cost of Living by David Moody. His publisher, Infected Books, reckons 2016 is the Year of the Zombie. Fans of the undead can’t go wrong with this suspense-filled novella.

#4. Park Life by Katharine D’Souza is a sophisticated, page-turning novel and the book every woman over the age of 40 should read. Two unlikely neighbours find common ground and an answer to their problems.

#5. The Siege of Wrenstock Gardens by Suzanna Stanbury. Wildly over the top South Bristol slapstick comedy. If you know any Bristolians, buy them this! Alreet, my luvverrr.

#6. Shades of Green by Andy Lake. The Green Earth Movement sounds kind, caring and cuddly, doesn’t it? Turns out it has a very sinister agenda indeed in Mr Lake’s compelling political thriller. Andy Lake has worked for the Cabinet Office and understands political machinations perfectly.

#7. Clovenhoof by Heide Goody and Iain Grant. The first in a series of books about saints and devils marauding across the modern world. Terry Pratchett fans should love them. Simon Fairbanks reviews the latest, Hellzapoppin, here.

#8. A Letter From Oggi edited by Richard Jaffa. Olga Franklin was a woman in a man’s world, working as a journalist in the mid-20th century. Her letters to her sister are witty, warm, dark, sweet and the most entertaining slice of history you could possibly read.

#9. No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with this talented British writer at an event at Foyles this year. Her latest crime thriller is tense and addictive.

#10. The Adulterer’s Daughter by Deenagh Miller. The true story of an appalling childhood. Painter Deenagh Miller clearly survived the agony. Her art, dark and emotional, may draw on the shadows of the past, though.

AND NOW FOR THE LITTLE ONES…

#11. The Wolf from the Ridge by Suzanna Stanbury. The tinies in my family can’t get enough of Suzanna’s children’s books.

#12. The Other Christmas Carol by David Wake. When they’re at that awkward age of just realising Santa doesn’t exist.

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I write full-length crime thrillers for adults and the occasional commissioned children’s story. Check out my crime thrillers tasters, short stories and more here.

 

5 Social Media Tips For Readers

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I hope I persuaded writers to use social media in my blog last week. Of course, Facebook, Twitter et al are great for readers too. There’s no better way to learn about new books and connect with others who share the same interests. Here are my 5 top tips for readers to get the most from social media:

#1. Start your own book blog – Having a dedicated blog to talk about and review books is a great way to attract like-minded readers and more book recommendations. Share your content on sites like Twitter and Facebook and start your own online community. I always review a Thriller of the Month in this blog, and I’d welcome ideas for more books to read – do get in touch to tell me about your favourites.

#2. Learn to love lists – If you use Twitter, lists are a great way to categorise accounts you are following. I’ve created several lists, to follow authors, genres and publishers I like. By all means take a look at them, and seek out lists that others have created as well.

#3. Create a book group – Curate your own online book club with a Facebook group. This is the perfect platform for sharing and discussing what you’re reading, gathering book recommendations and sharing content. If you wish, you can still meet and enjoy a drink together (this appears to be an essential ingredient in every real life book club I’ve visited). Check out Bristol’s Plastered Prose Posse for ideas!

#4. Use hashtags – Searching for book and writing related hashtags on Twitter is a simple way to discover new authors and books you might otherwise have missed. I’m totally addicted to #TheCultureHour on Twitter on Wednesday evenings. Authors also love to hear about people enjoying their work, so tweet about it and tag them in!

#5. Have a Goodreads account – Goodreads is one of the biggest social media platforms for readers. Even if you don’t want to review books yourself, you’ll enjoy and learn from the discussions taking place there.

It goes without saying that none of this will cost anything at all. I really believe that reading is one of the cheapest, and best, forms of entertainment you can choose!

Do you have a book blog or readers group? Do get in touch if crime thrillers appeal to you!

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I’m a British crime thriller writer who loves to read most genres. For a 5 minute crime thriller with your coffee, please check out The Gap here.

7 Social Media Tips for Writers

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Social media is a fun and fabulous way of connecting with others who love books, and it needn’t take a lot of time. Of course, I love writing above all else, but meeting kindred spirits online has enriched my life enormously. Here are my 7 social media tips for writers: – please share yours!

#1.Choose Your Platform – With so many social media sites available, it can be a struggle knowing where to begin. Be aware that different sites serve different purposes. For example, Twitter is great for making impressions, sharing content and engaging with new people, while Facebook is suited to longer, more personal interactions. Do your research about each site before you jump in!

#2. Be Consistent – It’s no use having a social media profile if you rarely ever use it! Posting at regular intervals at times when you know your followers are online too is the best way to build your social media platform. I’ve found Twitter works best for me in the early morning and evening, while my Facebook friends are online during the day.

#3. Don’t Be Shameless! – It can be hard to resist when you’re dying to tell everyone how great your book is…but the majority of your content on social media should not be about your book at all! Shameless self-promotion can drive people away. Far better to post relevant and engaging content to your audience – then they’ll be more likely to pay attention when you do talk about your own work.

#4. If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say – Don’t say anything at all. Negativity and online controversy is not a good way to attract an audience. Steer clear of controversial topics, and resist the urge to respond to critics and detractors in kind. Posting online when you’re drunk is best avoided too…

#5. Have a Schedule – Keeping up with social media can seem like a chore, especially when you have a book to write. You should set aside time each day to maintain your social media profiles, and stick to it, however tempting another fifteen minutes on Twitter may be!

#6. Don’t Be Afraid To Repeat Yourself – Given the nature of many social media platforms, it can be easy to miss something the first time around. If you have a piece of content that failed to get the traction you hoped it would, don’t be afraid to post it again. Experimenting with posting at different times of the day can help you gauge when your audience is online (see above).

#7. Be Yourself – Injecting your own personality into your content and posts will attract likeminded contacts, and expand your audience. I also send a free e-book to my newsletter subscribers – if they like what I write, they’ll stay subscribed and we can get to know each other better.

Do you agree? Connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+ and let me know!

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Although I spend far too much time on Twitter (especially addictive chat hours like #TheCultureHour and #BrumHour), I also find time to write crime thrillers like The Bride’s Trail! I love meeting other readers and writers both on and offline, so feel free to get in touch.

Thriller of the Month – The Tree of Hands, by Ruth Rendell

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When I first began to write grown-up fiction, I went to evening classes in creative writing. My teacher was a glowing fan of Ruth Rendell’s crime stories. Soon, I was addicted to them too, especially the darker thrillers that Ms Rendell wrote using the name Barbara Vine.

Although The Tree of Hands was published under Ms Rendell’s own name, it sits firmly within the genre of dark psychological thrillers. Cosy Inspector Wexford is nowhere to be seen. Instead, we are introduced to Benet, who has written a blockbuster and lives comfortably in Hampstead as the single mother of a toddler. Adulthood has brought about an uneasy truce with Benet’s mother Mopsa, victim to a mental illness that produces sudden episodes of psychosis. Visiting from Spain, Mopsa at last appears to be cured – until, driving through a rather less salubrious area of London, she steals an abandoned child.

I hesitate to say much more because I want you to enjoy all the surprises on offer in The Tree of Hands for yourself! Suffice to say, the aftermath of the crime throws a spotlight on love, loss and nastier aspects of human relationships. Ms Rendell understood too well how rumour and paranoia could turn a whole community against an individual. The tale is also told through an excellent cast of supporting characters: a young carpenter impossibly starry-eyed about his feckless lover, a neurotic conman, a gangster, a kindly doctor.

As always with Ruth Rendell’s work, although the characters may be hard to love, they’re written sympathetically. The reader has access to Benet’s innermost thoughts, as well as gaining insight into other individuals we might not want as neighbours…

Following her sad death a few months ago, Ms Rendell will be sorely missed. If you haven’t read The Tree of Hands, do track it down!

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I also write psychological crime thrillers laced with twists and suspense. If you like Ruth Rendell’s style, I bet you’ll love my latest crime thriller, The Bride’s Trail, too! Take a look at the reviews and peek inside the book on Amazon.

7 Tips for Live Fiction Success

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Last week, I explained why writers should read their work to a live audience. Here are my top tips for success when you do!

#1 Be Prepared – Once you’ve decided what you’ll read, practice it aloud until you know it back to front. Read aloud in front of your mirror, your housemate, your cat; until you’re comfortable performing it. This will mean you’ll avoid stumbling over words or burying your face in the book on the night!

#2 Don’t Bore Your Audience – This one may seem obvious but audiences can be fickle. My mantra is: “If in doubt, leave it out.” Keep your readings short – a maximum of 15 minutes. Make it interactive, at the very least ensuring to look up from the page and make eye contact. Even better, have the audience participate in the reading in some way.

#3 Promote the Event – Whether through social media or word of mouth you should be prepared to publicise any live fiction event you are at. Twitter and Facebook are great for boosting your audience numbers, as is gently coercing friends, family and co-workers to attend. I tell readers about events via my newsletter (if you haven’t signed up, please do so – I’ll send you a free ebook of short stories).

#4 Go Beyond the Bookshop – Live reading events don’t have to be in bookshops. A live fiction event held at a theatre, coffee shop or art gallery makes for a memorable alternative, and can create a vibe a bookshop can’t. My favourite venue ever (among stiff competition!) was the Grosvenor Casino in Birmingham, where I launched The Bride’s Trail – it’s a crime thriller about a missing croupier, after all!

#5 Get Personal! – Audiences coming to an author reading are looking for a more personal experience than they might get simply reading the book for themselves. Talking about what inspired the story you are about the read, or extra information about the characters etc is a great way to connect with your audience.

#6 Be Courteous – This means always honouring your commitment to attend if you are able to, and aiming to arrive early. This will be appreciated by the event host, and will give you time to familiarise yourself with the venue and prepare.

#7 Have Fun! – Live readings can be nerve-wracking (at least to start with), but they can also be a lot of fun. Remember to relax and enjoy the experience, because it will create a buzz for the audience. It’s a chance to showcase your writing, so use drama and suspense to make it memorable.

If you’re organising a live fiction event, or know a venue that would like to, please get in touch at aaabbottstories [at] gmail.com. I’d love to help!

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I’m a British crime thriller writer, author of three full-length crime thrillers and numerous short stories. Here’s a video clip of a live event where I’m reading one of them!