Dead Letters follows the mystery of an author who has gone missing for over a year, leaving his unpublished manuscript as the only clue to what happened to him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Dead Letters was the result of two ideas coming together. I had been exploring the idea of ghosts in unusual, modern settings, and the concept of them as snatches in time; memories and moments that people can’t let go of. This collided with another idea, prompted by questions I’d been asked about previous novels I had written: close friends and family sometimes recognized events in the story and were keen to know if they were right. So, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting to write a novel about people picking apart ghost stories to understand the real-life truth behind them?”

The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?

Thank you for saying that. I was keen to avoid caricature, but it wasn’t easy when writing about an obsessive fan club! I enjoyed writing Jack best because it gave me an excuse to be rude. He’s a little voice inside my head, picking things apart and criticizing everything. It felt good getting him out on the page!

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Where to start? Obviously, a big one was the question of what pieces of themselves authors put in their writing. Our writing is our legacy. My novels will be a big part of what I leave in the world when I go. How much of me will truly remain? Dead Letters is also a homage to England. I moved away while I was writing it and I miss those landscapes. Writing this novel was a great way to revisit them. Most of all, I wanted to write an enjoyable story. When it came to the final edits, that was my priority!

What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?

I’m actually working on two, and I’ll see which one becomes dominant in the coming months. The winner will probably be the sequel to my debut novel, Troubleshot, and will follow that novel’s antagonist as he attempts to redeem himself by working for Geneva’s international organizations. I already have quite a few hilarious (if I say so myself!) scenes written out, and intend to finish the first draft this year. I’m lucky enough to be able to take a sabbatical from work next year, so I’m hoping to be able to get it out towards the end of 2024.

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