Over the last five years, independent author Simon McCleave has become one of the UK’s most popular crime writers. Certainly, part of the popularity of his books has been their unique setting. Instead of more stories set in London, New York or LA, Simon lets his detective characters loose in North Wales – an intriguing rural setting with a lot of history behind it. You may have already tried The Snowdonia Killings, or another of the 21 books in the Ruth Hunter series of police procedurals, or one of Simon’s Anglesey novels.
Previously a script editor for the BBC and Channel 4, he’s worked on crime shows including Silent Witness and The Bill, so he knows the genre well. And, a Ruth Hunter television series is in the making. Now, Simon is taking us back to North Wales with Marshal of Snowdonia, a new novel about a retired detective who ends up taking a case the police won’t help with. We decided to invite him over to tell us more about the book, its setting and the crimes afoot there.
First of all, what will crime fiction lovers love about Marshal of Snowdonia?
Marshal of Snowdonia is a crime thriller set in the dramatic, remote landscape of Snowdonia. Both of the main characters – Frank, a retired detective and Annie, a retired judge in their 70s – must work together when Annie’s sister disappears from a caravan site. The plot twists and turns to its dark and shocking conclusion.
Tell us about Frank Marshal and how his character was formed in your imagination and on the page?
Frank Marshal is in many ways an ode to my late father who died last year. Like my father, Frank is an old fashioned man who is fiercely protective of his family. I had always wanted to write an older male character who feels as if society has out him out on the scrapheap but knows that he still has a lot to offer the world. There’s part of Frank that would like to be a Clint Eastwood type cowboy.
What’s he up against in his first novel?
When Annie’s sister goes missing, she appeals to Frank to help as the local police aren’t taking her concerns seriously. As they begin to track her sister down, they come up against local drug dealers as well as links to a historic case of murders from the 90s as well as the dark world of police corruption.
Who are the other characters we need to look out for?
Frank has to care for his wife, Rachel, who is suffering from dementia. His best friend is Annie but their relationship is platonic. Frank’s daughter Caitlin and his grandson Sam arrive to live after escaping an abusive husband / father in London.
What are some of the bigger themes you wanted to explore with Marshal of Snowdonia?
The book looks at the themes of ageing and mortality as both characters enter their 70s. It also examines whether society values the calm wisdom and experience that comes with age quite as much as it should. The book also has the influence of Westerns, with Frank often enforcing a natural more pragmatic justice than that of the authorities.
Tell us about the setting of Snowdonia and how you connect with it, and how it connects with readers?
Snowdonia is one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. The landscape of mountains, lakes and forests is populated by myths, legends and folktales. From dragons to druids, Romans to Owain Glyndwr, the area is the perfect dramatic backdrop to a crime series. It has a unique character and people of its own.
For those who’ve read your Ruth Hunter books, what will make them feel at home and what’s new or different to surprise them?
The setting is obviously similar but, unlike Ruth, Frank lives and works in the remotest parts of Snowdonia. As with the DI Ruth Hunter books, North Wales Police play an integral part in the stories. However, Frank is retired and no longer shackled my police procedure which means he can take the kind shortcuts that Ruth could only dream of.
Can you tell us a little more about the Ruth Hunter TV series?
The television series – entitled Snowdonia – now has a finished pilot script which is superb. There are several production companies involved and some of the cast is in place. I’m acting as one of the executive producers on the series and we hope to film in and around North Wales later this year.
Which other crime fiction authors or books are you enjoying at the moment?
I’ve just read Cara Hunter’s latest novel Making A Killing which is fantastic. She’s a great crime writer, and while I’d written TV crime dramas for years, reading Close To Home was one of the books that convinced me to start to write novels. I’ve also just read the psychological thriller Every Move You Make by CL Taylor. I love her writing and how she plots the narrative so cleverly.
What’s next for Simon McCleave, Ruth Hunter and Frank Marshall?
You’ll definitely be hearing lots more from Frank Marshal! I’ve also signed a paperback deal with Canelo and the first three books in the DI Ruth Hunter series will have a huge nationwide release in May with great new covers. Canelo is also publishing the hardback edition of my next DI Ruth Hunter novel, The Abersoch Killings, which is out in early summer and is available as an eBook as well of course.
After the success of my one-off psychological thriller, Last Night at Villa Lucia, for Storm Publishing, I have just completed a new psych thriller for them called Five Days in Provence. Five female friends celebrate 50th birthdays in a lovely Provencal farmhouse with a hike to the top of Mont Ventoux. When wild fires cover the mountain in smoke, they make their escape. But to their horror, they find that only four have made it back down.
Marshal of Snowdownia is available now. Use the buttons below to purchase a copy.
