I’m delighted to be joined on my blog today by Claire Sheldon. Claire lives in Nottingham with her family, a cat called Whiskers and a dog called Podrick. She is an avid reader and book blogger and has just released her fourth book in her Lisa Carter Files series.
Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Claire cut her hours at work some years ago but undertook a creative writing course which inspired her to write her fabulous books, “Perfect Lie” was picked up by Ruby Fiction and published in June 2020. Her second book “A Silent Child” was published by Ruby Fiction in March 2021 as was her third A Burning Lie in May 2022. A Dead Lie is published by Joffe Books and out in the world on October 24th 2024.
A Dead Lie
Jen Garner’s life is a delicate balancing act between her past as an undercover police officer and her present as a mother trying to build a new life for her family.
Until a woman claiming to be her best friend, Chloe Seaward, shows up on her doorstep.
But Chloe died years ago during an undercover operation.
Her reappearance isn’t just a shock — it’s a threat.
And now everything that Jen has built begins to unravel.
Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with no one she can trust, can Jen uncover the truth . . . and keep her family safe?
Claire oh my God, what a great premise I loved this book. I don’t think it’s a spoiler alert to say I was not expecting to see Chloe again and I loved the intrigue you created as everyone learns to cope with her again so, thank you for joining me on my blog today to talk about your new book.
The fourth in the Lisa Carter files isn’t it and goodness me, what a great hook. I loved this book and don’t think it’s a spoiler alert to say I was not expecting to see Chloe again and I loved the intrigue you created as everyone learns to cope with her again. I am always intrigued by the way you come up with your ideas. So, how does it work in the Claire Sheldon stable? Do you carry notebooks around with you in case an idea strikes?
Hi, Anni, yes, I always have a notebook in my bag, for when I need to brainstorm, something or in the case of this book keep a note of what everyone is supposed to be investigating so I don’t get Georgina doing something Selina has already been asked to do for example.
I spent most of last weekend at the wonderful Swindon Bloodshed Crime Fiction Festival, listening to several well-known crime authors talking about their writing process, so I have lots of questions for you. So here goes, first things first, as authors we are often asked what the elevator pitch for our book is, so give me an elevator pitch for your novel?
They say I’ve been dead for two years, my best friend claims to not even know who I am. But my name’s Chloe Seaward and I’m a highly trained undercover detective, aren’t I?
That’s absolutely brilliant!
What do you need to know before you sit down and start writing?
What I’m writing the story about, the beginning and the end and hopefully the middle bit will work out itself. I’m also very wary of making sure Chris’ health issues are shown in a positive light and that he can do XYZ with MS.
One of the things I find fascinate reading your books is Chris’s journey and how he is coping with MS I know this is something that’s very personal to you, you acknowledge your consultant in your book, but it’s brilliant the way you write Chris’s character with such sensitivity. I know you’re still very active. What tips would you give Chris newly diagnosed with the disease to deal with it going forward?
I think he needs to remember he isn’t alone in this no matter how much he feels like he is. I’d also give him the contact number for someone I know, a serving police officer like Chris who has MS and deals with it every day. He still manages to work. There is a lot of information and support groups out there, he just needs to be willing to look and not hide what’s going on. If you tell people you’re okay and fine they’ll probably believe you, but sometimes these are the people who if you’re honest with them, can support you best.
Do you write long hand or type straight on to the computer?
Straight to the computer 😊 zero patience to write it out first.
All your books are set around Long Eaton and Nottingham, do you find it easy to set crime novels in a place that you know so well?
They all start out locally yes, I like the fact that you can literally get up and go to the places in my books. You can go to Nottingham police station. You can find the spot where “Chloe’s” body was originally found. Slightly further afield, you can even go down to the bottom of the street in Croydon in A Perfect Lie, if you want to.
Are you a writer who writes in a linear fashion from start to finish, or do you write scenes as and when they occur to you and then piece the story together later?
I have really struggled in finding the correct way to do this, as I’ve always written from beginning to end. I have been told if I’m struggling that I should just jump to the next scene or the next person’s point of view. Easier said than done, because then I find it difficult gluing the sections back together again!
How do you combat writer’s block?
When I find a cure, I’ll let you know.
If you could go back or forward to any period, when would that be and what would you miss about the current day?
I wish I could go back to the time before mobile phone and technology, as it is today, to show my kids how lucky they really are! It would also be good to remind myself of what I actually did back in those days.
People talk about playlists I know Jimmy Eat the World would be at the top of yours but what would Jen put on the stereo in her car if she was going on a long journey?
You know what? I’ve been thinking about this all day, she’d probably subject the kids to late 90’s, early 00’s, music, the stuff that was playing in the clubs when she used to go out.
And finally, apart from yourself obviously, who would be one of your go-to favourite crime authors and why?
I really don’t think I have the one go to crime author anymore, as I read so much varied stuff. But for Nottingham crime then definitely, A L Fraine or Rebbeca Bradley
Thank you for appearing on my blog today, Claire, it was great chatting to you. Good luck with your book. Ax
Thank you Anni, it’s been fun and challenging as always answering your questions.
Claire’s social media links are:
@ClaireEESheldon
https://www.facebook.com/clairesheldonauthor
https://csheldonblog.wordpress.com
And a Dead Lie can be found on Amazon: https://bit.ly/4fdfYkk
Thank you for visiting my blog today. Anni x
