Behind the Crimes with Robert Murphy

Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com
Award-winning crime author Tim Sullivan joins us to discuss The Tailor, the latest novel in his award-winning George Cross series, which begins with a murder aboard the 10 o’clock train from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington.

Tim discusses why he never knows who the killer is when he starts writing, how commissioning a bespoke suit became essential research, and why Bristol continues to provide the perfect backdrop for his mysteries.

We also explore his remarkable career directing Sherlock Holmes, writing Hollywood films, and the lessons storytelling on screen taught him about pacing, character and suspense.
George Cross has connected so well with readers, the series has just landed Tim with a prestigious CWA Dagger in the Library Award.
Learn more about Tim here:
https://timsullivan.co.uk/



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com
Mark Billingham has just been received the Crime Writers Association’s Diamond Dagger - perhaps the biggest prize in the genre.
In this wide-ranging interview he tells me about his a near-attack whoel walking his dog inspired his latest DS Declan Miller novel, The Shadow Step.
Mark describes why he believes humour and serious storytelling belong together, and how the irreverent detective DS Miller has given him a fresh creative freedom after more than two decades writing the Tom Thorne series.

We also discuss his journey from actor and comedian to one of Britain’s most successful crime novelists, his instinctive approach to plotting (or not plotting), the influence of real crimes on his work, and the advice he’d give to aspiring writers.
A funny, thoughtful and fascinating conversation with one of the masters of modern crime writing.

You can find out more about Mark, his new releases and his extensive back-catalogue here:
https://markbillingham.com/


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com
John Marrs is the award-winning author who has sold more than five million books, including What Lies Between Us and You Killed Me First.
In this fascinating interview, John reveals how he went from rejected, self-published author to being a global best-seller.
Dead in the Water is his latest best-seller, about a man who when resuscitated after drowning, suddenly recalls a dark chapter of his childhood.

He talks about the inspiration behind Dead in the Water, his writing process, the success of The One, and the Netflix adaptation of his work, his legendary ‘Chapter 39’, and the secrets behind creating addictive crime fiction.And John and Rob talk about their shared history (and terrifying news editor) working for the same newspaper decades ago.Subscribe for more conversations with leading crime writers, detectives, investigators, and true crime experts.

You can find out much more about John Marrs here:
https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/
#JohnMarrs #DeadInTheWater #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalThriller #AuthorInterview #TheOne #Netflix #WritingTips #BookTube #CrimeBooks


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribe for FREE: www.robertmurphy.substack.com
Bestselling crime writer T.M. Logan joins the show to discuss his gripping thriller The Weekend — a tense moral drama about six friends who discover a hidden stash of cash in a cave on the North Yorkshire moors. What begins as an ordinary New Year’s getaway spirals into suspicion, secrets and betrayal, as the group wrestles with the impossible question: what would you do if you found a life-changing amount of money?

TM Logan talks about the inspiration behind the novel and explains how ordinary, relatable characters are at the heart of his fiction.
The interview also explores TM Logan’s journey from local newspaper reporter to one of Britain’s biggest thriller writers. He reflects on his years in journalism at the Nottingham Evening Post and the Daily Mail, the lessons he learned from hard-nosed subeditors, and how newsroom discipline shaped his fast-paced, twist-filled writing style.
TM Logan shares insights into adapting books for television, including seeing The Holiday and The Catch brought to the screen, and reveals how real-life crimes and true-crime documentaries have influenced some of his most compelling ideas.

To learn more about TM Logan - click here:
https://www.tmlogan.com/
Podcast transcripts - New Feature:
Not a podcast listener but want to read the interview instead?
Just click below



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe

Val McDermid is one of the world’s most celebrated crime writers. She’s sold more than 20 million books with her series which include Karen Pirie, Tony Hill and Kate Brannigan. But before becoming a literary powerhouse, she spent years as a newspaper journalist covering some of Britain’s most notorious cases.
Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com
In this episode of Behind the Crimes, Val reflects on her path from newsroom reporter to bestselling novelist.
Val speaks candidly about her years in journalism, which included covering stories such as Lockerbie, Hillsborough and the Peter Sutcliffe investigation. She describes the emotional toll of witnessing tragedy at close quarters and the difficult balance reporters must strike between empathy and professional distance. Her reflections offer a fascinating insight into what crime reporting was like in Britain during the 1970s and 80s.
The conversation also explores how those experiences shaped her fiction. Val explains why she avoids directly “ripping stories from the headlines”, arguing that real cases carry consequences for victims, families and even ongoing investigations.
We discuss her latest novel, Silent Bones, the newest instalment in the Karen Pirie series. Val reveals how the story emerged from an unusual book club, Scottish political history, and her long fascination with cold cases. She also shares her thoughts on pacing, plotting and how she builds the intricate multi-strand narratives that have become her trademark.
As always with Val McDermid, forensics is never far away. She talks about her deep friendships with leading scientists, the research behind her acclaimed non-fiction book Forensics, and some of the real-life cases and scientific discoveries that have most fascinated her over the years.
https://www.valmcdermid.com/


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe