It has been too long since I last had the opportunity to welcome a guest to my blog so I am utterly delighted to be joined today by Adam Hamdy, Co-Founder of the Capital Crime festival and author of the terrific Pendulum series.

There is a review of Black 13, Adam’s new thriller, further down this post. Before we get there I wanted to share this short Q&A, when you see which books and authors Adam makes reference to when contemplating his influences it may give you an indication why I was totally hooked on Black 13.

 

I would be keen to hear the novels which you feel shaped your own writing.

The authors who influenced me most growing up were John Wyndham, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Alexander Dumas, Michael Crichton and Thomas Harris. More recently I’ve learned a great deal from the works of Anthony Horowitz, Mari Hannah, Deon Meyer, Kate Rhodes, Michael Connelly, Candice Fox, Peter James, David Mitchell and James Patterson. Individual novels that really stand out for me are The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, The Stand by Stephen King, Crimson Lake by Candice Fox, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and Black Sunday by Thomas Harris.

What is it about each of those particular books which makes them memorable. Is it a plot device, the twist, a character journey?

The Count of Monte Cristo is a brilliant tale of revenge. Neuroscience is unlocking the secrets of our brains, and it seems that humans are born with an intrinsic sense of right and wrong. Studies carried out on groups of babies show they have a strong sense of justice. The righting of wrongs appeals to some ancient part of our minds and it may be why there is such a strong appetite for revenge stories in literature and on screen. The Count of Monte Cristo is a vengeance epic, packed with twists, turns and adventure. The scale and scope of The Stand was simply mind-blowing when I first read it as a teenager. It redefined what a book could be for me. I love Crimson Lake by Candice Fox. The story centres on two misfit investigators and the characterisations and their journeys were brilliantly executed. Cloud Atlas is a work of immense ambition. The plot device of multiple timelines all linked by an idea of past lives repeating the same journeys resonated because of the way David Mitchell brought the characters to life. Epic and imaginative, it’s one of my all-time favourites. Black Sunday was another book I read as a teenager. It’s a brilliant study of a man who perceives himself to have been wronged and the devastating consequences of his misguided quest for vengeance. Thomas Harris handles the ticking clock and the action brilliantly.

Which recurring characters do you look forward to reuniting with?

I’m currently working on the next book in the Private series with James Patterson, so I’m somewhat biased towards Jack Morgan, the main protagonist of the series. I’m also a big fan of Roy Grace, Peter James’ wonderful detective and I love Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch.

 

“What If” time…You receive a panicked telephone call from the director of a large book festival – travel carnage has meant all the guests for one panel will not make the event. You need to step in and discuss the works of one author – is there one body of work you could wax lyrical about to save the day?

I’d do a pretty good job with the Private series by James Patterson. I also have a good grasp of most of the authors I’ve mentioned above, but if I had to pick one, it would be Tom Clancy. Clancy’s American editor recently posted on Twitter challenging people to spot a mistake in the blurb of the most recent continuation novel, and I got it immediately. I devoured Clancy’s books as a teenager and have uber-nerd level knowledge of his work.

Many thanks to Adam for taking time to answer my questions.

The timing of Adam’s guest appearance today is not entirely coincidental as his new book, Black 13, is due to release next week. Publication date is 23 January.  Thanks to the kindness of his publishers I received a review copy and I share my thoughts below.

Black 13 is the brilliant first novel in the Scott Pearce series from Adam Hamdy. In this addictive and fast-paced thriller, ex-MI6 officer Pearce is about to show us that in a world where there is no loyalty to the nation state, it’s time to burn the espionage rule book.

An exiled agent. A growing threat. A clandestine war.

The world is changing beyond recognition.
Radical extremists are rising and seek to enforce their ideology globally.
Governments, the military and intelligence agencies are being outmanoeuvred at every step. Borders are breaking down. Those in power are puppets.
The old rules are obsolete. To fight this war a new doctrine is needed.
In a world where nothing is at it seems, where trust is gone, one man will make the difference.
Meet Ex-MI6 agent and man in exile, Scott Pearce.
It’s time to burn the espionage rule book.
Watch Pearce light the fire.