Today I’m delighted to revisit my Five on Friday interview with psychological thriller writer Lisa Hall which was first posted in January 2019. It’s been brought up to date to reflect Lisa’s latest publications.

Lisa loves words, reading and everything there is to love about books. She has dreamed of being a writer since she was a little girl – either that or a librarian – and after years of talking about it, was finally brave enough to put pen to paper (and let people actually read it). Lisa lives in a small village in Kent, surrounded by her towering TBR pile, a rather large brood of children, dogs, chickens and ponies and her long-suffering husband. She is also rather partial to eating cheese and drinking wine.

Over to Lisa

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

Hmm this is a tough one!

I would have to say Tiny Dancer by Elton John (an incredible song, and definitely my go-to karaoke tune).

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Acquiesce by Oasis as it was played at our wedding.

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Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, as it reminds me of amazing nights out with my bestie.

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Panic by The Smiths (a long-time favourite, and if I’m honest, I’m prone to panic at deadlines).

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Better Now by Post Malone because it reminds me of my kids.

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What five things (apart from family and friends) would you find it hard to live without.

Books, obviously.

My pug, Peggy. Even though she snores.

PG Tips. I even packed them on my trip to Peru

Lip balm and hand cream. I have hundreds of both.

Yankee Candles. I can’t help it, I love them…

Give five pieces of advice to your younger self?

I don’t have 5 pieces of advice, but two main ones :–

Don’t worry about what other people think about you.

Always be kind.

Tell us five things that most people don’t know about you

I’m allergic to mushrooms…only I’m not, I just told my kids that because I don’t like them (if they ask, I’m still allergic, OK?)

I used to bake cakes for a living…

 I am one of those annoying people who LOVE Christmas…I start getting in the festive spirit from the first week of November (don’t hate me, grinches)

I once met Harold Bishop from Neighbours (this is my only claim to fame)

I have a huge family – lots of sisters, and my dad is very proud to say he has an entire football team of grandchildren!

Tell us five things you’d still like to do or achieve.

My bucket list is mostly travel related as we tend to suffer from itchy feet in our family, and I’m pleased to say I have managed to tick a lot of them off…

The top of my bucket list was to write a book…I think I can tick that one off!

Machu Picchu – this was a dream trip, and I managed to do it this year.

The Great Wall of China – I’d love to walk the Great Wall!

I managed to tick off Christmas in New York last year, so now I want Christmas somewhere snowy…I’m thinking Switzerland…

The Taj Mahal – I made it to Mumbai last year, so next stop Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Lisa’s Books

(NB This post features Affiliate links from which I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)

The Woman in the Woods

Is her family in danger?

When Allie moves to a quaint old cottage with her husband, it’s their dream home. Nestled in the village of Pluckley, it seems a perfect haven in which to raise their two children. But Pluckley has a reputation. It’s known as England’s most haunted village. And not long after the birth of their new son, Allie begins to notice strange things…   
 
What’s the flash of white she sees moving quickly through the woods to the back of their house? And what’s the strange scratching noise coming from the chimney?
 
As Allie discovers more about the history of their new home, she uncovers a story of witchcraft and superstition, which casts a long shadow into the present day. And not everything is as it seems. Her family might well be in danger, but it’s a danger none of them could have foreseen…

The Perfect Couple

When Emily applies for a job as a housekeeper for widower Rupert, it’s a chance to start over – a steady job and regular money means she can work towards her own place, not sharing a grimy flat with old mate, Mags.

As Emily gets to know more about Rupert’s world – how he likes his supper when he comes in from work, who his friends are – she can make sure everything runs like clockwork for him.

Soon there’s a spark between them; Rupert likes Emily and invites her to stay. For good.

To the outside world, they really seem to be a perfect match. There’s just the small issue of what really happened to Rupert’s first wife…

Have You Seen Her

Bonfire Night. A missing girl.

Anna only takes her eyes off Laurel for a second. She thought Laurel was following her mum through the crowds. But in a heartbeat, Laurel is gone.

Laurel’s parents are frantic. As is Anna, their nanny. But as the hours pass, and Laurel isn’t found, suspicion grows.

Someone knows what happened to Laurel. And they’re not telling.

The Party

It was just a party. But it turned into a nightmare.

When Rachel wakes up in a strange room, the morning after a neighbour’s party, she has no memory of what happened the night before. Why did her husband leave her alone at the party? Did they row? Why are Rachel’s arms so bruised? And why are her neighbours and friends so vague about what really happened?

Little by little, Rachel pieces together the devastating events that took place in a friend’s house, at a party where she should have been safe. Everyone remembers what happened that night differently, and everyone has something to hide. But someone knows the truth about what happened to Rachel. And she’s determined to find them.

Tell Me No Lies

Don’t. Trust. Anyone.

It was supposed to be a fresh start.

A chance to forget the past and embrace the future. But can you ever really start again?

Or does the past follow you wherever you go?

Steph and Mark have just moved house, trying to find a way forward after all the secrets, lies and betrayal.

But starting over isn’t always easy. Especially when someone will go to any lengths to make sure you never forget…

Between You and Me

They say every marriage has its secrets. But no one sees what happens behind closed doors. And sometimes those doors should never be opened…

Sal and Charlie are married. They love each other. But they aren’t happy. Sal cannot leave, no matter what Charlie does – no matter how much it hurts.

Dark Minds

A collection of forty crime and thriller short stories, with all profits from the sale of this book to be donated to Hospice UK and Sophie’s Appeal.

Do you think you know darkness? Think again. Bloodhound Books presents Dark Minds—a collection of stories by authors who have come together to produce an anthology that will lure, tantalise and shock its readers. What took place “By the Water?” What goes on behind “A Stranger’s Eyes?” And what is so special about “Slow Roast Pork?” From master authors such as Lisa Hall, Steven Dunne, Louise Jensen and Anita Waller, readers can expect a one hell of a ride . . .

All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Hospice UK and Sophie’s Appeal. Dark Minds is a collection of forty crime and thriller short stories from authors including; Louise Jensen, L.J. Ross, Lisa Hall, Steven Dunne, Betsy Reavley, Alex Walters and Anita Waller, plus many more. For the complete table of contents, look inside.