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Never Give Up Hope
Chiller follows a man trying to get his life together after a divorce and receiving a gift of healing from his friend, who encounters an alien during a protest. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
We have all, myself included, had to rebuild our lives to some extent at one point or another and it can be a difficult journey. Hopefully, the reader can sympathise with Andy’s predicament, which in turn adds authenticity to his character. Andy is just one everyday man trying to get his life in order and move forward. Ever asked yourself how much worse can things get? The answer is…a whole lot more!
One of the highlights of your novel is the characters. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
The main characters in Chiller are a very disparate group of people. There is a lot of humour and even some silliness in their interactions, which reflects my sense of humour. Andy is the character who is most like me, but there is a little bit of Bill in there as well. I feel that one of Chiller’s strongest points is the characters. Once I had them, it was almost as if they told their own story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The resilience and the strength of the human spirit and how people who are very different can form such strong bonds when faced with adversity. Also, never judge a book by its cover, as some of the book’s characters at certain points in the story are not who they appear to be. And importantly…never give up hope. Help can come in the darkest hour from the unlikeliest of places. Ultimately, it is about standing up for you and yours and trying to protect what is important to you.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Andy and the direction of the third book?
The third book, Viral, is already available. Andy is joined by some of the surviving characters from Chiller on an epic journey on the Trans-Siberian Express. Their objective is to find and destroy the Earth’s latest and, hopefully, final threat. Without spoiling the plot of Chiller, it is a long journey of wonder and discovery. Brutal in parts, thought-provoking in others and entertaining throughout.
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Chiller
Andrew Gold’s journey, as depicted in Peter Birkett Thompson’s Chiller, takes readers through his life transition from a chef to an entrepreneur in IT equipment repair and sales, while he also navigates his studies and a complex personal life. The protagonist, Andy, is a relatable figure with everyday challenges, including his recent divorce and responsibilities as a father. His life gains a new dimension with the introduction of Anna, a dry cleaner and conservationist, who becomes the object of his affection.
The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Andy, having briefly experienced the mysterious gift of healing from his friend John, encounters an alien during a protest. This event marks the beginning of a series of peculiar occurrences and behaviors, notably involving Anna, which Andy begins to connect with their extraordinary discovery. The plot thickens as Andy and his companions uncover a conspiracy by enigmatic beings intent on seizing their land.
One of the most charming aspects of the book is the dynamic between Andy and his friend Mick. Their humorous interactions, particularly regarding Andy’s exaggerated claims about his phone repair skills, add a layer of light-heartedness to the story. Additionally, there’s a comical subplot involving Andy’s frequent visits to the dry cleaner, driven by his crush on Anna. Another standout character is Bill, an eccentric customer whose fascination with movie stars and robot parrots is both amusing and endearing. Distinct from many novels where protagonists possess extraordinary traits, Andy’s ordinariness makes him particularly accessible to readers. The inclusion of an alien element appeals to fans of the unexpected and the extraterrestrial. Furthermore, the characters of Bill and Willomena, inseparable twins with an intriguing backstory, add depth to the narrative.
Chiller is a blend of science fiction, humor, and adventure and offers a captivating story filled with well-developed characters that will appeal to adults as well as teens and young adult readers. Its diverse themes and relatable protagonist make it a recommended read a wide audience who appreciate fiction that combines everyday life with elements of the fantastical.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B09HZ2Z9VQ
Good, Bad or Indifferent
Midas follows a recently divorced and unemployed man who ends up in a rehabilitation center where he discovers he has the power to heal with just a touch. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have personally been in the character’s situation of being estranged with two small children. As Midas is my first novel and first attempt at writing for decades, I followed the write about what you know mantra. Andy is a good man who hesitates at the crucial moment when he has the option to heal someone he sees as an enemy and that leads to dire unforeseen consequences. Good people can sometimes do bad or selfish things. He then has to risk everything to help save his daughter.
Part of the theme of the book was based on what I had heard about certain charlatan faith healers. I found the idea of people pretending to possess the ability to heal others hugely abhorrent. I wanted an everyday and unassuming man to possess the power to heal, without making it public or seeking fame and fortune.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
My own personal morality and values were the compass for the main character’s choices and development. Andy basically does, more or less, what I would have done in his place. Good, bad or indifferent. The real villain of the story is Dominic, the owner of the healing center. I wanted to develop his narcissistic attributes to the point where he borders on and then crosses over into psychopathic modes of behaviour. He will stop at nothing to get the gift for himself.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Once I had the idea that the healing power had rules, it was fairly easy for the characters possessing that power to have restraints. I wanted the story to have one foot and three toes in the real world and just a small slice of the supernatural. I felt less is more in Midas, the first book. Supernatural elements and themes are more developed in the sequels.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Indeed, the series continues with CHILLER. Without giving away too much of a spoiler, most of Midas’s main characters appear in this sequel, as well as a good many others. Whereas Midas was quite a slow burner, I tried to make the second book more fast-paced and entertaining. I develop the supernatural themes further in the subsequent books, whilst still allowing the characters to have feelings and experiences grounded in the everyday. The third book in the series, VIRAL, is a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy. The characters are tested to their limits, both physically and metaphorically. VIRAL was supposed to be the series finale, yet I am a third of the way through writing the fourth and last instalment.
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What would you do if you held the power of life or death over your greatest enemy?
When a simple touch from your hand would heal the man who had stolen your family and was about to ruin your life by taking them away. Would you leave him to die? And, most of all, could you live with the consequences?
Midas
Midas, penned by Peter Birkett Thompson, presents itself as an intriguing fusion of contemporary and supernatural fiction. The narrative orbits around Andy, a man grappling with the aftermath of a divorce and sudden unemployment. His journey leads him to Haven, a dubious rehabilitation center, where the discovery of otherworldly abilities bestowed by a mysterious stranger catapults him into a maelstrom of moral dilemmas and familial responsibilities.
Thompson’s narrative style is commendable for its clarity and well-crafted character development, particularly in its exploration of Andy’s internal struggles and the realistic portrayal of his life upheavals. The novel thoughtfully addresses complex themes, such as the implications of newfound power and the personal journey of understanding and acceptance. The attention to detail is notable, especially in moments where potential misunderstandings are preemptively clarified, showcasing a considerate and audience-aware writing approach. While Rick’s character plays a pivotal role in the narrative, further development could provide a richer, more nuanced portrayal that transcends stereotypes. Similarly, plot developments such as the sudden journey to India, though fitting within the story’s framework, present an opportunity for a more detailed build-up, promising to enrich the narrative’s flow and coherence.
Midas will resonate with readers who enjoy a blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary, offering a story that navigates the complexities of personal transformation amidst the fantastical. It’s a thoughtful exploration of human resilience and the quest for self-understanding, set against a backdrop of the mysterious and the magical.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B0BG15NQG2
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