Femme Fatale Interview: Kate Rhodes (A Killing of Angels, Crossbones Yard) |

A little over a month ago, I mentioned that I would be rejuvenating a feature I used to host, Femme Fatale. The purpose of this feature is to highlight women in the thriller and mystery genres.

Today I am pleased to welcome the first “guest,” Kate Rhodes. Kate is the author of A Killing of Angels, a title I reviewed earlier this year. Here’s a little info about Kate:

I was born in South London, the second daughter of two teachers. I went to the University of Essex and completed a doctorate on the playwright Tennessee Williams. As soon as I left university I began work as an English teacher and have taught at universities in Britain and the United States. I am lucky enough to write full-time now, and live in Cambridge with my husband Dave Pescod, also a writer. My office is tiny, but has a great view of cows grazing on Stourbridge Common down to the river Cam, perfect for daydreaming. I am very fond of my three step-sons, Jack, Matt and Frank, and have recently become step-granny to one year old Freddie.

My first books were two collections of poetry, Reversal and The Alice Trap. I was awarded English Speaking Union and Hawthornden Fellowships for poetry, and shortlisted the Bridport and Forward Prizes.. CROSSBONES YARD was my first novel and the first in the Alice Quentin series, followed by A Killing of Angels. Both of these books take place in my birthplace London, and I love going back there to research and get ideas.

And now, the interview:

Give a five word description of your most recent book.

Atmospheric, tense, contemporary London mystery.

Do you read reviews of your books? How do you react to bad/negative reviews?

I do read them, but I know plenty of writers who choose to avoid the inevitable dents to their ego. A great review is always such a huge boost that I think it’s worth weathering the occasional agony. I try to be philosophical if a negative review hits my inbox, and I believe all reviews are valid. Often after the bruises fades there’s something I can learn from criticism, to help improve my books. So far, I haven’t shed a tear over a poor review, and hope that day never comes!

The intent of this feature is to give a little more attention to female mystery writers. Why do you think women mystery writers aren’t reviewed as much as men?

That’s a good question, and I’m not quite sure of the answer! I think it may be to do with the fact that publishing and journalism remain male dominated professions. Maybe male reviewers tend to stay in their comfort zone and review male authors, but having said that, I know a lot of guys who love mysteries written by women, so it seems a very subjective thing. It’s certainly a pity, given that there are so many great women mystery writers today, and more women than men buy and read books. I hope the situation changes soon. Your page is helping to turn the tide, Jenn!

What is the most challenging thing about writing mysteries?

I can give the answer in a single word: plotting! Every mystery reader wants an exciting plot which twists, turns and keeps them fascinated, which is surprisingly hard to achieve. These days I spend weeks plotting my novels, because I’ve realised that although you can write interesting characters and good dialogue, if you lack a strong story, the book will never fly.

What is the strangest thing you have ever searched for on “Google?”

How long does it take to drown? If anyone ever investigates me, they are going to think I’m a mass murderer. I have researched just about every method for killing someone: poisoning, strangulation, smothering, bullet wounds… My internet history must be getting the police pretty worried!

What are your five top favorite books? How about your protagonist? What are his/her favorite books?

I can only have five? That seems a little cruel to me! If I ever get stuck on a desert island I’ll need a few thousand please. I used to be an English teacher, so reading’s my main addiction. I read a weird mix of classic literature, crime and romance. Here goes: Brighton Rock by Graham Green, The Collected Stories of Raymond Carver, The Vault by Ruth Rendell, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Sidetracked by Henning Mankell.

My protagonist Alice Quentin is a young forensic psychologist and she likes her crime novels fairly hard-boiled: 61 Hours by Lee Child, Hanging Hill by Mo Hayder, Skink No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen, Tideline by Penny Hancock and Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson.

Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to take part in this feature! Stay tuned for more Femme Fatale featured posts in the near future!