Read the latest news – direct from the desk of PD Martin.
Posted: August 2008
Just emailed the edited manuscript for my fourth Sophie novel, The Killing Hands, off to my Aussie publisher. Hooray!
I'm really happy with how the book's going and I hope you will be too! So, here's some more plot info without spoilers:
- Set in LA
- Features organised crime (Yakuza) and LA gangs
- Features more Kung Fu
- More of Sophie - e.g. you'll get to 'meet' her parents!
But I really should stop now before I say too much.
Now that I've made this deadline, I might even be able to catch up with my emails or even socialise!
Posted: July 2008
On Sunday 20 July I'll be appearing on two panels as part of the Crime and Justice Festival in Melbourne.
12 noon - Matters of Procedure
The procedural crime novel is one of the longest-standing – and most successful – crime genre formats around. Even Voltaire's Zadig written in even earlier 1748 features a main character who performs feats of analysis and which could, at a push, be considered the earliest example of detective fiction. Looking at matters procedural today will be PD Martin, Garry Disher, Barry Maitland and, as participating chair, Marshall Browne.
4pm - Letters from America
Sydney Bauer and PD Martin both set their work in the United States. Is there something about the FBI or the American legal system that makes their work faster paced, sexier even? And does this boost international sales? Helping them compare notes will be Crime and Justice Creative Program Director, Simon Clews.
For more information, including the full three-day program, visit http://www.crimeandjusticefestival.com/
Posted: July 2008
Today I got the edits for book 4, The Killing Hands, back from my Aussie publisher, Pan Macmillan. I've got until 15 August to go through all the notes and get the next draft to them. So it's head down for the next month!
Posted: June 2008
The Murderers' Club is now available in the UK and Ireland! It's official release date was 20 June, but I did see a few copies out early during a recent visit to Ireland.
Find out more about The Murderers' Club.
Posted: June 2008
I've finished the first draft of book 4 in the Sophie Anderson series. The book is called The Killing Hands, but don't get too excited - it's still a while until publication. It will be released in Australia & New Zealand first, February 2009. Dates for other countries to follow.
I can't resist the temptation to spill the beans on one point...I did get to write a rather detailed sex scene. But my lips are sealed about WHO it involves. I know, I'm teasing you but it's so exciting I had to reveal it!
Posted: April 2008
I guess most people presume that an author is in complete control of their work - their words and their characters. So perhaps it comes as a surprise to you that I've only just worked out/decided whodunit it for book 4 in the Sophie Anderson series. Scary, but true.
My mum came to baby-sit last Friday (as she does every Friday) and I confided in her: 'I'm getting kinda worried, mum, because I'm 80,000 words in and I still don't know whodunit.' She gave me a look…the 'you gotta be kidding me!' look. Like I wasn’t stressed enough!!??
But, after a little bit of brainstorming with hubby, a few index cards (great for structure) and a little bit of soul-searching, the haze has cleared. I'm now 90,000 words in, and I know exactly what I have to write to finish this first draft for my 30 May deadline. Phew!
Phillipa
