NK Chats To… Lesley Cookman

Hi Lesley, thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your latest novel, Murder by Christmas?

Thank you for inviting me! Murder by Christmas is the 25^th in the Libby Sarjeant series. Libby is in the final throes of pantomime rehearsals, when she and her friend Fran become involved in the investigation into a local brewery. This involves visits to many pubs – naturally!

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?

I write as soon as I can get into the office – any time between 10 and 1pm and for as long as I can before the cats need feeding again.

What are the challenges you found when writing this novel and does writing a series present challenges? 

The challenge of this one was the short time (3 months) in which I had to do it.  And writing a series is definitely a challenge – trying to come up with different plots and not repeat myself.

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book?

Mostly classical

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

Roderick Alleyn from Ngaio Marsh’s wonderful books.

What elements make up a good mystery story?

Heavens – I don’t know! Keeping the reader guessing, I suppose, and comfortable while they’re doing so.

From idea to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you from initial idea to final draft? How much research do you do before you begin and how do you know you’ve done enough?

Length of time varies on when the publisher has set the next deadline! And most of the research I do while the book is in progress.

Which authors do you admire?

Ngailo Marsh, Jerome K Jerome, Monica Edwards, Georgette Heyer, PG Wodehouse

What’s your favourite word and why?

I just love words. My family call me a pedant.

Any other advice for aspiring writers?

Keep plugging away and read, read, read

Would you rather – 

Watch the movie or read the book? 

Read the book

Paperback or eBook? 

These days, eyesight dictates eBook

Would you rather go back in time to meet your ancestors or into the future to meet future family? 

Frankly – neither!

Are you a morning person or a night owl? 

I can be both.

Would you prefer to explore space or the ocean?

The ocean.

About Lesley Cookman –

Lesley started writing almost as soon as she could read, and filled many Woolworth’s exercise books with pony stories until she was old enough to go out with boys.

Since she’s been grown up, following a varied career as a model, air stewardess and disc jockey, she’s written short fiction and features for a variety of magazines, achieved an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Wales, taught writing for both Kent Adult Education and the WEA and edited the first Sexy Shorts collection of short stories, in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Lesley is a member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers’ Association.

Lesley has also written pantomimes performed all over Britain, and published a book on how to do it!

Say hello to Lesley via her blog, Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram. 

About Murder by Christmas

The twisting twenty-fifth instalment of Lesley Cookman’s much-loved Libby Sarjeant series

Libby Sarjeant is deep into rehearsals for the annual pantomime when a body is found in a doorway two weeks before Christmas – and Libby and her friend Fran are called into action once again, when their investigation leads them to a local brewery and the sale of many of its pubs.

With the help of a team of local publicans, can Libby and Fran unravel the case before it’s too late?

Murder by Christmas was released by Headline Accent on 7th December 2023. Click here to buy. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.