Decima Blake Author Interview

After years spent working with children and teenagers, Decima Blake has drawn on her love of classic English murder mysteries and ghost stories to write Hingston's Box. With the book due for release on the 29th September, Decima has taken part in one of our author interviews.

How would you describe Hingston’s Box and who would you say it is aimed at?

Hingston's Box is in many ways typical of a Golden Age murder mystery, with a touch of spookiness, whilst remaining true to present day policing. It is aimed at adults and teenagers who enjoy books that cross genres and challenge the protagonist.

This is your debut novel. What inspired you to give writing a go?

The inspiration came whilst reading through a file at work. It was just another file, similar to many I'd read before. I thought how it would be exciting if something could materialise in a file and solve a mystery from the past, and I knew there and then I wanted to write a story around that plot.

Did you have to carry out any research for the book? If so, what?

Yes, I researched and visited all locations in my book to ensure accuracy and realism, and spent many enjoyable hours researching the Victorian era at The National Archives, The British Library and the associated newspaper archive when it was situated in Colindale, North London.

Large parts of the book are set in and around Dartmouth. What made you decide to set the book here?

I know Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands and Totnes very well having holidayed there for many years. South Hams is a stunning part of the country that is so full of fantastic things to see and do, and has so much history and culture, that I was able to use these settings to provide interest and distinction between the chapters of Hingston's Box. The historic Bayard's Cove Fort in Dartmouth served as an ideal setting for some of the most atmospheric scenes where a strong sense of the past and solitude enhance Hingston's encounters with the divisive, elderly woman.

You are passionate about child protection and child victims of crime. What first drew you to this cause?

Working with eleven to sixteen-year-olds in a secondary school first drew me to this cause because it made me realise how vulnerable young people are and how quickly things can go wrong if the right people aren't there for them.

How do you think this has impacted your writing?

It's led me to place teenagers at the centre of Hingston's investigation to highlight the vulnerability of all young people to exploitation.

Now that you have published one novel, what are your future plans for writing?

I'm currently writing my second Hingston novel and intend to continue the series thereafter.

Which crime novels/authors do you most enjoy reading?

Agatha Christie is a long standing favourite of mine, especially her standalone novels And Then There Were None and Endless Night. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is another favourite, and I love Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane for its mystery, clues, vivid descriptions and suspense.

If Hingston's Box were to be turned into a television drama who would you choose as the main cast?

Santiago Cabrera would make an ideal Hingston as he already looks the part. I'd choose Christopher Meloni as the bombastic, muscular Detective Chief Inspector Smythe and the 'elderly woman' who is very sharp, cunning and witty, would be best portrayed by Julie Walters.