Best of Crime with Victoria Goldman – Guest Post.

Today I have a slightly different post on my blog. Vicki Goldman published her first book The Redeemer yesterday and I and thrilled to be able to share with you a feature that she has run many times on her own blog:

BEST OF CRIME with Victoria Goldman

Many authors and bloggers know that I used to run my own book blog, called Off-the-Shelf Books, and that one of my regular author features was called BEST OF CRIME. Crime writers (149 of them) gave me their top picks, from their favourite crime author and fictional detective to their best writing tip.

Since my debut murder-mystery novel, The Redeemer, is heading out into the world, I thought that I’d compile my own list. And Steph Rothwell is the ideal blogger to share it, as she’s been a great supporter throughout my writing journey.

So here are my own BEST OF CRIME…

… AUTHORS

My taste in crime novels is very mixed, from psychological thrillers to action thrillers to police procedurals in atmospheric locations. My ‘go to’ authors over the years have included Linwood Barclay, Kate Rhodes, Vanda Symons and William Shaw. I love books that frighten or chill me too – Susi Holliday, Fiona Cummins and Anna Mazzola all write creepy and spooky books really well.

… FILMS/MOVIES

I’m a big Marvel fan, and while these aren’t strictly crime films, they do feature good versus evil, revenge and redemption, and going in search of a killer. My favourite of these films is Black Panther – just the whole feel of this particular movie, with the action, setting, cast and humour.

… TV DRAMAS

This has to be Criminal Minds. I binged on all 15 seasons in 2021. I was amazed that the writers continued to think of new plot ideas, while developing the characters so well. I was invested in the characters’ lives and was sad when I reached the end so I will probably rewatch it at some point.

… FICTIONAL KILLERS

I like my killers to have depth and a heart, of sorts. There are some killers who incite sympathy, which, I know, sounds so wrong. But for me, it’s Dexter Morgan – a serial killer who controls his urges to kill by murdering other serial killers. It reminds me of a line in my own novel, The Redeemer – ‘Is it wrong to do a bad thing to a bad person for good reason?’ Maybe that’s why I enjoy Marvel films (see above) – are superheroes that different?

… FICTIONAL DETECTIVES

Sherlock Holmes for his deduction skills. But I’m also tempted to go with Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, as these were my favourite detectives when I was a child and I often solved mysteries with them (in my head). I tend to prefer amateur sleuths to police detectives, which is why I picked a journalist to be the main character in my own book.

… MURDER WEAPONS

I like the idea of natural murder weapons, from giant icicles or a frozen leg of lamb to using natural substances, such as toxic plants, medicine overdoses or even turning someone’s allergy against them.

… DEATH SCENE

This one is a challenge as I don’t tend to remember specific death scenes in novels. I recently read Chris Ewan’s The Interview. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there are some brilliantly described death scenes in there.

… BLOGS/WEBSITES

Google is my friend. If I don’t know anything, I just ask Google to direct me to the right place. Also, newspaper websites for ideas and an insight into people’s lives, and YouTube to listen to different dialects. Local Facebook groups can be entertaining, inspiring and insightful too!

… WRITING TIPS

My main writing tip is ‘find your time to write’ as it can very difficult to get motivated with everything else going around you. Find the best time of day for you – and a great writing spot. For me, it’s usually downstairs from 10pm to midnight when the house is quiet.

… WRITING SNACKS I don’t eat when I work or write. It’s the in-between moments that are the problem! Several people know I’m partial to an occasional shot glass of Thunder Toffee Vodka and that I also love Dairy Milk chocolate.

About The Book

‘REPENT BEFORE YOU DIE … OR MAY YOU NEVER R.I.P.’

Threatening plaques, vigilante killings, a Jewish community in an English town – what’s the link? The clock is ticking to the next murder.

After witnessing a racist incident in a small Hertfordshire town, journalist Shanna Regan uncovers a series of threatening fake commemorative plaques. Each plaque highlights someone’s misdemeanour rather than a good deed.

Delving deeper, Shanna discovers these plaques are linked to vigilante killings spanning several decades, with ties to the local Jewish community. As her search for the truth becomes personal, Shanna puts her own life in danger. Can she stop the next murder in time?

ABOUT VICTORIA GOLDMAN

VICTORIA GOLDMAN is a freelance journalist, editor and proofreader. She was given an honourable mention for The Redeemer in the Capital Crime/DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award 2019.

Victoria lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two sons. The Redeemer is her first novel.

You can find Victoria:

on Twitter @VictoriaGoldma2

on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGoldmanBooks

on her website – https://vgoldmanbooks.com