Five on Friday mini special with Linwood Barclay @linwood_barclay

To herald the start of Five on Friday becoming a weekly feature (from September) I’m delighted, not to mention excited, to host Linwood Barclay in a Five on Friday special. I first became aware of Linwood towards the start of his career. Having read all my books whilst on holiday in France I picked up one that had been left in the cottage. With only a couple of days to go, I felt sure I’d have to leave it behind unfinished. That never happened – I couldn’t put it down, and even my husband managed to read it before we left. That book was Linwood’s Never Say Goodbye and both of us have been fans ever since. When I saw him at Harrogate, I will admit to being star struck. However clearly not star struck enough to prevent me broaching the topic of my Five on Friday. I was more than surprised, that after politely listening to me, he agreed to take part, and do a shorter version.

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Author Bio:

Linwood Barclay, a New York Times bestselling author and with nearly twenty novels to his credit, spent three decades in newspapers before turning full time to writing thrillers. His books have been translated into more than two dozen language, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans. Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, a series has been made in France, and he wrote the screenplay for the film based on his novel Never Saw it Coming. Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he’s lived there ever since. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children.

Which piece of music/songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life and why?

Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom. First, he’s one of the greatest musicians who ever lived. Two, it’s a magnificent piece of music. Three, it means something.

Highlight something (apart from family and friends) you’d find it hard to live without.

My hardcover copy of Sleeping Beauty, a Lew Archer novel by Ross Macdonald (aka Kenneth Millar), in which the author wrote, on May 1, 1976: “To Linwood, who will, I hope someday outwrite me.”

Can you offer a piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?

Get writing those books a little sooner. And yet, the way my has played out so far, I can’t see how I would have done things any differently. Sometimes things have to work out the way they work out.

Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.

I’ve never really grown up. I love toys. I have model trains in the basement and my office is filled with model Batmobiles and various ships from Gerry Anderson shows of the 1960s.

Name one of the things you’d have on your bucket list?

I’d like to have the Obamas over for dinner.

Thank you for taking part Linwood, you made this ordinary reader and fan very happy.

Linwood’s Books

A Noise Downstairs (latest title)

EVERY STEP…
Paul Davis forgets things – he gets confused, he has sudden panic attacks. But he wasn’t always like this.

TAKES YOU CLOSER…
Eight months ago, Paul found two dead bodies in the back of a co-worker’s car. He was attacked, left for dead, and has been slowly recovering ever since. His wife tries her best but fears the worst…

TO THE TRUTH…
Therapy helps during the days, but at night he hears things – impossible things – that no one else can. That nobody else believes. Either he’s losing his mind – or someone wants him to think he is.

Just because he’s paranoid doesn’t mean it’s not happening…