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This February, we’re excited to release Crackerjack, a new thriller by Peter Church. Peter’s tense techno-thriller takes us to the dark side of the digital world. We meet reformed hacker Daniel Le Fleur, who finds that his virtual trouble is becoming all too real. There’s a missing executive, millions of dollars gone, and very determined killers on his trail. Crackerjack is a classic thriller re-imagined for the digital age (read an excerpt here). It’s also the first of three books from Peter that we’ll be publishing in the coming years, including Crackerjack‘s prequel.
We chatted with Peter ahead of the book’s release about his influences, his writing routine, and why he loves thrillers. Crackerjack is out on February 26— pre-order your copy today! And keep up with Peter by following him on Facebook.
Can you tell us about your background?
I was born and grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I don’t know where my crazy ideas come from because I had a very stable and conventional upbringing.
How did you come to writing?
Television only arrived in 1976 so there wasn’t much to do on a Sunday but read. It inspired me to bang out my own stories on my mother’s Royal typewriter. Then my father brought home the Apple IIe that launched a career in computer science. I didn’t fancy being a penniless writer, but eventually the dream became possible. Perhaps I will end up as the doorman at an interesting hotel when I am 70.
Who are some writers that have influenced your work?
In the early days it was Franklin W. Dixon. The Hardy Boys were a mania at school and you had to collect and read every book in the series. As a teenager Wilbur Smith, Louis L’Amour and Alistair MacLean were favorites. Stephen King and Dean Koontz were influences. I read a lot of books in the genre – Carl Hiaasen, Michael Connelly, Lynda La Plante, Peter Temple (Australia). But I also like oddball stuff – the Adrian Mole series (Sue Townsend) and all of Charles Bukowski’s books.
How do you go about crafting a story?
I become intrigued by some subject – sharing dark video, drink spiking. Then I start to imagine and plot some diabolical story which evolves as I write it. When people tell me they predicted the ending, I am amazed, because I don’t know it until the end, and I often change it a couple of times.
Do you have a writing routine?
My routine is that there is no routine. I have days when I have nothing to write then others when I cannot stop. I have habits. I maintain a grid outline of my story. Each row is a chapter which I describe in one sentence. The columns summarize the location and the characters involved in the action. For inspiration, I exercise – my best ideas come when my heart tempo is raised.
What draws you to thrillers?
I love the balance and timing of a thriller – the build-ups, the let-downs, the counter thrusts, shocks, surprises and revelations. It’s like having your foot on the pedal of a fast car.
What do you hope readers take away from Crackerjack?
I hope they enjoy the ride and learn something about South Africa and the “First/Third World” divide. I also hope they’ll rush out and buy the back stories.
What’s next for you?
I am busy with a new thriller set in Mauritius. I spent a lot of time in that country during my career, but getting the setting and culture right is a challenge.
