Q&A with Denzil Meyrick
Denzil Meyrick is the best selling Scottish author of a police procedural series that follows DCI Daley, set on the Mull of Kintyre. The first in the series ‘Whiskey From Small Glasses’ was published in 2012 and has gone from strength to strength with the 8th book being published in June 2020.
The newest book is called ‘Jeremiah’s Bell’ and the synopsis is as follows;
When rich American hotelier Alice Wenger arrives in Kinloch, some eyebrows are raised and memories are rekindled. Meanwhile, the secretive Doig family live a solitary existence on a remote part of the Kintyre peninsula, without even the basic amenities of modern life.
After the family's patriarch plummets to his death, secrets of stolen gold, whisky smuggling, shipwrecks and brutal events going back decades begin to emerge.
With emotions running high in Kinloch Police Office, the team must put aside their own problems and get to the bottom of a sickening crime.
I loved Denzil’s books as they invoke the beauty of the Scottish countryside alongside the dark humour of murder and intrigue! I hope you decide to pick one up after reading this Q&A.
So, lets jump on in!
1) We all have to admit that people who write crime fiction come up with some gruesome aspects in their work. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I suppose that my ideas come from various sources. Something you hear on the news, past real life cases. But mainly I just make them up.
2) What was your day job before your writing took off and how do you think it has affected the books you create?
Immediately prior to writing I was in business and had been for some time. However, I had worked as a police officer for a spell in the 80s. I suppose that knowing how police officers talk to each other is the main influence I've taken from that time and used in the books. In terms of a job, because of advances in forensics, DNA and IT, police work is a very different job compared to the one I experienced.
3) Who is your favourite author at present?
I don't really have a favourite author, though I do read quite extensively. There are some great crime writers working in Scotland who deserve a higher profile than they currently have. Douglas Skelton, Neil Broadfoot, Caro Ramsay, Michael J Malone, Alex Kane, and many besides are all excellent exponents of their craft. I write a piece in The Herald newspaper recently on the subject.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/18013045.denzil-meyrick-best-scottish-crime-writers-never-read
Most of my reading is outwith the crime genre. I'm currently reading the new book by Joe Abercrombie.
4) What is your favourite of all time?
There's a lot, too many to choose. I have really enjoyed books by Zola, Proust, Patrick O'Brian, George MacDonald Fraser and so many others in the past. The late Iain Banks is still a great favourite.
5) Is there a genre of books you just can’t stand?
I wouldn't say can't stand, but I don't read a lot of YA or romantic literature. Just not my thing. But not taking anything away from those who write it enjoy them.
6) If you were only allowed to read one book for the rest of your life what would it be?
That would be rather difficult for me. I rarely read a book twice, never mind for the rest of time!
7) How does the ‘location’ i.e geographical area play it’s part when you are writing a book?
My Daley novels are set in Kintyre on the west coast of Scotland. I'm often asked this question and am happy to say that I consider the place to be a character in its own right. Such a beautiful landscape with a diversity of weather that I often use to reflect mood or set a scene in the books. Take the trip, you'll love it!
Kinloch or Campletown? You decide!
8) Describe your day when you are writing?
I like to write as early in the day as I can, and write six days a week when I'm working on a book. My target is between 1500 - 2000 words per day, which normally takes three to four hours. I always review the previous day's work before starting on the next part.
9) Can you give us any clues about the book you are working on?!
I've written the eighth DCI novel, Jeremiah's Bell, which will be out in late May published by Polygon.
I'm currently working in a new project, a gangland novel featuring a main protagonist called Zander Finn. Don't want to say too much about it, but the working title is 'The Scottish Sopranos'. Take from that what you will.
10) How important do you think the blogging community and social media in the book industry?
With the ongoing demise of the newspaper industry, bloggers have been a huge help in getting news about books out there.
Social media is also helpful, but the onus is on the author to update the likes of Twitter, Facebook, etc., on a regular basis. While it's always nice to engage with your readership, it is very time consuming. Another part of the job.
And finally a bonus question!
Okay what would rather have as a method to kill off a character - a hundred penguins descending on a person or one solitary shaving nick which led to an infection and death? Why did you choose what you did?
Definitely the penguins! Infinitely more interesting.
