Colin Cotterill

http://www.colincotterill.com/

What’s the first mystery you remember reading?
The first mysteries I remember reading were the Inspector Maigret books by Georges Simenon. those I read as a result of the popular tv show I watched in England. I found a couple in my favourite second hand store in south Wimbledon.

What is the latest mystery you’ve read?
I’m a bit of a difficult case because i don’t read/haven’t read a great deal of fiction. that’s not because I don’t like it, more that if I find time I prefer to read non-fiction. in fact the only time I get around to fiction is when I’m writing myself. I take two or three books on my retreat and work through them to get myself in the mood (and to reassure myself that I’m not such a bad writer).

What are you reading now?
Predictably, I’m currently reading ‘the kind never smiles’ by Paul Handley. it’s an honest history of the rise of re-rise of the Thai royal family. it’s banned in Thailand so don’t tell anyone.

If you were designing a course on mystery fiction, what would be on your reading list?
The book that most captivated me and gave me the willies was ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ by Thomas Harris. it should be on everyone’s reading list. I guess my benchmark is that it still grabbed me even after I’d seen the movie and knew the plot and the tricks. very cleverly done.

Additional comments from author:  thanks for reading and enjoying the coroner’s lunch and for your questions.