KME Times Interview
Published: 2nd May 2006
What is your reaction to being included in the list?
Amazed delight. Last autumn I was short-listed for the Dagger for best short story of the year, but this tops even that. I've mostly written novels with a legal setting, but with 'The Coffin Trail' I struck out in a fresh direction. This prize is open to voting by the reading public, which makes it especially gratifying. After publishing ten crime novels, perhaps I'm getting the hang of it!
What was your worst day as a lawyer?
My boss sent me off to conduct my first tribunal case saying I couldn't possibly lose - though he put it more colourfully than that. Of course I lost. I was mortified, but we did win the appeal and he and I have now been partners for twenty years, so we've probably forgiven each other by now....
What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?
I was once trapped in a lift with an opponent on the way up to a tribunal hearing. By the time we were rescued, we'd settled the case. I spent a few years on the Law Society's working party on alternative dispute resolution but never plucked up the courage to suggest trapping people in lifts as a fresh way of encouraging consensus.
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Apart from family and close friends, perhaps my literary agent, Mandy Little, who has shown enormous belief in me from day one. My first book was about the less than spine-tingling subject of computer contracts, but her faith has helped me to become established as a novelist here and in the US and in Europe.
Why did you become a lawyer?
To earn enough to pay the mortgage while I pursued my ambition of becoming a crime novelist. Luckily, I found I enjoyed the work, the clients and the colleagues.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law or
following in
your footsteps and combining law with novel-writing?
You should care passionately about doing your best for every
client, and be strong enough to tell people truths that they may
not wish to hear. As for writing - only do it if you love it (and
that goes for legal writing as well as fiction.)
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen and
why?
I would have written crime fiction full time, because it was my aim from the age of nine. I've had relatively few ambitions in the legal profession, but I've been very fortunate to enjoy two very satisfying occupations - and to enjoy much generous support from both readers and clients.
Where do you see yourself in ten years' time?
Still writing crime fiction. But probably not in a tax haven.
'The Coffin Trail' is published by Allison & Busby, price £6.99
