Maitland crime writer Barry Maitland has recently been travelling all over the country to promote his latest novel “All my Enemies”.
Mr Maitland moved from London to the place he now shares his surname with in 1984 and after the release of his first novel in 1994 gave up his job as an Architecture academic to become an author.
Best known for his Brock and Kolla series set in London, he is now looking to feature the Hunter in his next work.
1. What is ‘All my Enemies’ about?
All My Enemies is a crime novel set in London where I grew up. It concerns a series of murders in the London suburbs which seem to be connected with the world of the theatre. The Scotland Yard team that investigates is led by Detective Chief Inspector Brock and Detective Sergeant Kathy Kolla, who have now featured in eleven books.
2. You went from architect to author, what encouraged you to make the transition?
I have always enjoyed writing, and while an architect wrote several books on architecture and urban design. However I also loved writing fiction, and wrote a couple of failed novels before the first Brock and Kolla book, The Marx Sisters, was published in 1994. When the publishers said that they wanted it to be the first of a series with the same two detective characters, I found that they took over my life, and I retired from architecture to devote myself full time to writing fiction.
3. What is it about the Brock and Kolla characters that keeps you writing more?
I liked the idea of telling the stories through the eyes of two characters, a young woman detective working alongside an older experienced man. With each book their relationship has developed, so that now it is Kathy who tends to play the lead part in most investigations. I’m always intrigued to see where their persistence will take them.
4. What appeals to you about the crime genre?
I love the pace and excitement of crime novels, the appeal of intriguing characters under stress, and atmospheric writing leading to some kind of final resolution or revelation.
5. When you decided to move to Australia, what was it about the Hunter region that brought you here?
I came to Newcastle in 1984 to become professor of architecture at the University. I loved the warmth of the people, the beautiful setting and the sense of optimism.
6. Does living in the Hunter Valley help with your writing?
Not specifically, since the Brock and Kolla books are set in London, to which I have to keep returning to get up to date with what’s going on there. But I have made good friends here, many of whom have helped me with research and other aspects of the books, and I have also written one Australian suspense novel, Bright Air.
7. Have you ever thought about writing a book set in the Hunter?
Yes, I am working on one at the moment set partly in the Hunter.
8.You’re travelling around to promote the book, how have people been receiving it?
I’ve been giving talks at dozens of libraries and bookshops across Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT as part of the Get Reading program, and have been thrilled by the warm response of audiences. It’s made me realise how important those places are in the lives of their communities.
9. What advice would you give to budding writers?
Writing is a solitary business and not very rewarding financially for most authors, so you really have to do it because you love it and feel a great need to do it. If you have that commitment, then the best advice I can give is to persist despite setbacks.
10. What is next for you?
I am in the final editorial stages of another Brock and Kolla novel, which will be published next year. I’m also working on that second Australian novel.
