One topic I’ve not joined in on has been the Six of One option where the contibutor has been asked to give six random things that have affected their approach to writing, either directly of indirectly.

One book

This was a difficult choice. Should it be the first adult novel I read (King Solomons Mines); or the first detective book I read (The First Case of Mr Paul Savoy)? No. Instead I would choose Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser. Why? Because the author used real events and fascinating individuals from history as key elements of his novel. For the first time I realised just how interesting history could be. I also enjoyed the humour in his narrative, mixed in with the serious action. 

One place

I would have to say it’s the town of Pontypridd, where my first two books are set. My Italian grandfather married my Welsh grandmother in Pontypridd in 1898. I grew up there, leaving in 1987. I still maintain contact with a handful of old schoolfriends who live in the area and visit about three times a year, taking in a rugby match whenever possible. It’s difficult to explain the ‘feel’ of the South Wales valleys to someone who has never been there. Similarly, it’s also hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived outside the valleys, how unique their social interaction is. These difficulties explain why my central character had to be an ‘outsider’, so that I could take the reader with him, to see the town through his eyes.

One author

In terms of the influence on crime writing I would say Bernard Knight who wrote the Crowner John series of medieval mysteries. Wonderful stories with a great cast of supporting characters. His creation of a little world that readers can drift into is quite special. Susanna Gregory with her Bartholomew series writes in the same vein.

One album

Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits. How odd, you might think? It has nothing to do with Victorian crime. True, but in context it reflects my approach to writing. In my youth, most of my contemporaries were into prog rock: – Genesis, Deep Purple, ELP, etc; but I decided that I wasn’t going to follow the trend. It had to be what I wanted, and not something that would make me fit in.

I think that reflects my writing. I could have set my stories in Whitechapel, added a touch of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper; but I wanted to be different.

One person

Without doubt my wife, Janet. We have both enjoyed reading historical crime mysteries for many years. When I wrote the first three chapters of my first novel, Fortuna’s Deadly Shadow, I passed them to her for comment. I knew that I would get honest feedback. When I got the thumbs up, I was sure that it was worth pursuing.

One experience

Unquestionably the time a consultant told me that an old spinal fracture was being impacted by the natural degeneration of discs that comes with age. It meant that until my body could adapt to the chronic pain, I would have to take painkillers and regular rest periods for perhaps two to three years before I could get back to more regular activities (it took four). It meant early retirement for me and the need for something else that I could set my mind on. I had toyed with writing several times in the past and had occasionally written magazine articles, but my occupation hadn’t allowed me the freedom to write seriously. So, every cloud as they say…….

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Leslie Scase is the Shropshire-based author of  the Inspector Chard Mysteries, crime thrillers set in the heyday of Victorian Britain. The first novel Fortuna’s Deadly Shadow was published in 2020. The second, Fatal Solution, was published in May 2021. Sabrina’s Teardrop, a thriller set mainly in Shropshire and Birmingham was published on 10th October 2022. An advocate of the ‘classic’ murder mystery genre, Leslie is also a keen historian, which is reflected in the authenticity of his novels.

Born and educated in South Wales, Leslie worked in local industry before travelling widely across the UK during a career in the Civil Service. His first novel was inspired in part by his Italian and English ancestors having settled in South Wales in the late nineteenth century. A keen fly fisherman and real ale enthusiast, he lives close to the Welsh border, in the county town of Shrewsbury.

Read more about Leslie Scase at Seren Books
https://www.serenbooks.com/author/leslie-scase

and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/InspectorChard

Twitter  @InspectorChard